The box office scoreboard lit up this weekend with two wildly different success stories. Predator: Badlands dominated with $80 million globally, while Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another quietly crossed $200 million through word-of-mouth and critical acclaim.
Predator’s Best Start
Predator Badlands box office exceeded Disney’s projections by $15 million. The Dan Trachtenberg-directed sequel earned $42 million domestic and $38 million from 64 international markets. This surpasses Prey’s streaming-only release in 2022, which reportedly generated 40 million views on Hulu but no theatrical revenue.
The $65 million production shot in Namibia’s deserts, creating authentic alien planet atmosphere that distinguishes it from previous Earth-bound entries. Director Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane, Prey) subverts franchise expectations by making the Predator the protagonist for the first time.
Boyd Holbrook leads human cast as colonists on a desert planet who encounter the titular hunter. But the real star is Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi’s motion-capture Predator, whose performance brings unexpected emotional depth to the typically villainous creature.
The franchise has earned $746 million across six films since 1987’s original. Predator Badlands looks poised to become the highest-grossing entry, potentially reaching $250-300 million worldwide. Disney’s theatrical strategy paid off after Prey’s streaming success proved audience appetite for the franchise.
PTA’s Slow Burn
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another reached $203 million global cumulative after 11 weeks. The $40 million drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti opened modestly with $8 million but found legs through exceptional word-of-mouth.
DiCaprio earned $25 million salary plus backend participation, making this one of the year’s most expensive indie productions. But A24’s distribution strategy – gradual expansion rather than wide release – allowed the film to build audience organically.
The three-hour relationship drama about Los Angeles musicians received 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and unanimous praise from critics. Its themes of artistic integrity versus commercial success resonated particularly with younger audiences discovering PTA’s work through TikTok discussions.
International Breakdown
Predator Badlands performed strongest in UK ($6.2M), Mexico ($4.8M), and Australia ($3.1M). China’s $5.5 million opening suggests strong holds ahead – sci-fi action plays well there regardless of franchise familiarity.
Domestic audiences skewed 62% male, 53% under 35 – exactly Disney’s target demographic. The film earned A- CinemaScore, with exit polls praising the fresh take on established mythology. IMAX screens contributed $12 million domestic, showing premium format appetite.
One Battle After Another crossed $100 million domestic and $103 million internationally. France led foreign markets with $18 million, followed by UK’s $14 million. The film’s jazz music elements and LA setting translated surprisingly well globally.
Weekend Winners
The combined $280 million between these films demonstrates healthy box office diversity. While franchise films like Predator generate immediate returns, prestigious dramas like PTA’s can find substantial audiences through patience and positive reviews.
Other notable performers included Wicked ($634M cumulative), Paddington in Peru ($312M), and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ($402M). The box office recovered significantly from 2024’s disappointing totals, with domestic revenue tracking 12% above last year.
Disney’s confidence in Predator Badlands already led to sequel discussions. Trachtenberg has outlined plans for the Predator homeworld trilogy, potentially expanding the franchise into genuine sci-fi territory rather than simple action-horror.
Anderson’s success with One Battle After Another proves A24’s strategy of backing auteur visions works commercially when execution meets critical acclaim. The film will likely compete for Best Picture at the Oscars, adding prestige to its financial success.
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