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Action thriller

The Predator (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Predator (2018) movie poster

The Predator is a 2018 action thriller directed by Shane Black, starring Boyd Holbrook as Quinn McKenna, Jacob Tremblay and Sterling K. Brown. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $160.5 million worldwide on a $88 million budget. Critics gave it 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Stream it on YouTube TV, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.3/10
worldwide gross
$160.5M
Echo Score
52
Metascore
48
The Predator (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Shane Black
Budget
$88M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is The Predator About?

The premise of The Predator without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A team of mercenaries encounters an advanced alien hunter in rural America. Joined by a military scientist, they must use their skills and knowledge to survive against this technologically superior predator. The group faces a deadly game of cat and mouse as they struggle to understand the hunter's purpose and find a way to stop it before it eliminates them all.

The Predator Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • the predator character
  • hunter
  • alien
  • gore
  • violence
  • soldier
  • final showdown
  • chase
  • forest
  • bus
  • helicopter
  • dog
+38 more
  • laboratory
  • fugitive
  • survival
  • child
  • hotel
  • 2010s
  • sequel
  • autism spectrum disorder
  • autism
  • surprise ending
  • commando mission
  • series
  • halloween
  • final battle
  • two word title
  • no opening credits
  • foot chase
  • gunfight
  • shootout
  • battle
  • battlefield
  • combat
  • showdown
  • explosion
  • exploding head
  • exploding body
  • exploding car
  • exploding house
  • exploding ship
  • fight
  • fistfight
  • brawl
  • one against many
  • massacre
  • murder
  • death
  • brutality
  • kidnapping
Where to watch

Where to Watch The Predator

Stream it on YouTube TV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

The Predator Cast & Characters

Boyd Holbrook leads the cast as Quinn McKenna, with Jacob Tremblay as Rory McKenna and Sterling K. Brown as Traeger. Directed by Shane Black; 14 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Predator Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Predator 48 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 52/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (30).

52 /100

The Predator Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impression, The Predator delivers intermittent thrills but is hindered by inconsistent execution. The storyline is frequently disjointed and lacks clarity, which undermines narrative momentum despite moments of energetic action. Performances oscillate between engaging ensemble banter and underdeveloped character arcs, and the film’s reliance on visceral gore offers visceral stimulation but not sustained impact. The mixed tonal shifts and structural flaws prevent The Predator from coalescing into a memorable entry, resulting in a largely moderate experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, The Predator features competently staged action sequences that demonstrate a clear grasp of spatial composition and editing rhythm. The direction presents occasional visually striking moments, but inconsistent pacing and uneven scene transitions undermine cohesion. Cinematography and set design provide functional backgrounds for the carnage, yet lack distinct stylistic identity. Overall, the film’s craft remains serviceable but opaque.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to character and emotion, The Predator offers a fluctuating ensemble dynamic marked by sporadic wit alongside underdeveloped arcs. Certain performers inject energy through banter and charisma, yet many supporting figures feel one-dimensional, and pivotal characters lack sufficient depth to engender investment. Occasional chemistry among leads is overshadowed by stilted dialogue and uneven emotional beats. Consequently, the film’s character work is uneven and seldom resonant.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and flow, The Predator struggles with coherence and narrative momentum, presenting a fragmented structure filled with continuity gaps and tonal mismatches. Pacing alternates between rushed set pieces and meandering exposition, while attempts at originality are undercut by repetitive franchise tropes. Overall, the plot remains disjointed and fails to sustain engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When it comes to sensory experience, The Predator delivers robust sound design and visceral visual effects, with extensive gore and explosive set pieces that generate visceral excitement. The soundtrack complements the action’s intensity, yet lacks memorable motifs to elevate dramatic tension. Although the film’s aesthetic achieves raw impact, the reliance on graphic violence over atmospheric restraint limits its sensory cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, The Predator offers limited repeat value beyond casual enjoyment of its action and gore. While some viewers may appreciate occasional ensemble banter on subsequent viewings, the film’s structural inconsistencies and lack of compelling narrative depth reduce lasting appeal. As a result, sustained replay interest remains modest.

Plot

The Predator Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Predator from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A Predator spacecraft crash-lands on Earth, igniting chaos and danger. Army Ranger sniper Quinn McKenna, alongside his team, faces a fierce assault from the Predator while on a mission to rescue hostages. Quinn manages to incapacitate the alien creature and sends its armor for analysis. However, following the instructions of government agent Will Traeger, the director of the “Stargazer Project,” Quinn is imprisoned for examination, while Traeger takes the Predator to a laboratory for experimentation, enlisting the help of evolutionary biologist Casey Bracket. Casey proposes that the DNA of the Predator is remarkably similar to that of humans, leading Traeger to ponder whether human DNA has origins in Predator genetics. They further discover that the ship was merely an escape pod, raising questions about the location of the mother ship.

Full summary

The whole story of The Predator, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Predator Box Office & Budget

The Predator grossed $160.5 million worldwide on a $88 million budget, 1.8 times what it cost. $51 million came from the US and Canada and $109.5 million (68%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$160.5M

1.8× its budget

US & Canada
$51M
International
$109.5M
Budget
$88M
US & Canada 32% Rest of the world 68%
Videos

The Predator Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 3 trailers, 1 clip and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Clip Hunting Each Other
  • Behind the Scenes Predator Versus Challenge
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Predator?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Army Ranger sniper Quinn McKenna?

Cars

Cars in The Predator

24 cars on screen, including the 1984 Chevrolet B-60 and the 2001 Subaru Outback.

All 24 cars
  • 1984 Chevrolet B-60 in The Predator 1984 Chevrolet B-60 Important role
  • 2001 Subaru Outback in The Predator 2001 Subaru Outback Important role
  • 1983 Winnebago Chieftain in The Predator 1983 Winnebago Chieftain Important role
  • AM General M-35 in The Predator AM General M-35 Minor role

Seen The Predator?

FAQ

The Predator FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Predator, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Predator?

The Predator runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was The Predator released?

The Predator was released on September 14, 2018.

Who directed The Predator?

The Predator was directed by Shane Black.

More films by Shane Black

Who is in the cast of The Predator?

The Predator stars Boyd Holbrook as Quinn McKenna, Jacob Tremblay as Rory McKenna and Sterling K. Brown as Traeger, among 14 credited actors.

Where can I watch The Predator?

In the US, The Predator is streaming on YouTube TV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did The Predator make at the box office?

The Predator grossed $160.5 million worldwide ($51 million domestic, $109.5 million international) on a budget of $88 million.

How is The Predator rated?

The Predator has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 48 on Metacritic, 56% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Movie Insider.

Does The Predator have a post-credit scene?

Yes. The Predator has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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