With Prey releasing and providing one of Hulu's biggest hits of all time, many fans are happy to see the sci-fi horror franchise starring the titular and brutal Yautja Hunters return, but how scary is it compared to the rest? Predator movies have always been a mix of several genres, but at their core, they are horror movies.
Starting with Predator and expanding still with Prey, that makes seven movies in this series, including the crossover films. Some movies of the Predator franchise continued to maintain the horror elements, whilst others more or less leaned more and more into the action-packed blockbuster route.
The Predator (2018)
There is nothing scary about 2018's The Predator, a movie that was heavily edited and reshot by the studio. This is due to The Predator stripping away any horror elements that the franchise had since the beginning and replacing them with unneeded humor.
So, from beginning to end, The Predator may have the blood and gore that earns it an R-rating, but the tone and style make it more akin to Deadpool than a Predator movie. Every character in The Predator feels and acts like an analog of Hawkins from the first Predator, and the humor becomes tired after the first fifteen minutes.
Alien Vs. Predator (2004)
It's strange that two of the most iconic R-rated monster movies in film history had a crossover movie that resorted to a PG-13 rating when the many Aliens Vs Predator games and comics fully embraced the maturity. That, combined with it being more of an action movie, resulted in Alien Vs. Predator being a watered-down version of both horror icons.
However, that doesn't exactly mean that AVP is without merit. The titular aliens and Predators both have gore throughout with some fun action sequences, but the lack of blood with the humans is disappointing. There are also plenty of attempts at a chilling atmosphere with the impressive set designs and kills, even if the movie ends up just being a popcorn movie in the end.
Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
It would seem that 20th Century Studios listened to the complaints about AVP being PG-13, so the horror was dialed way up for the sequel titled Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem. It certainly does deliver on the horror aspects with a plethora of bloody and gory kills for aliens, predators, and humans alike.
On one hand, it is technically more horrific, but on the other, AVP:R arguably goes a little too far with it in some sequences to the point that it feels tasteless. On top of all that, Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem would have been scarier if viewers could actually see the sci-fi horror; the infamously poor lighting with forgettable characters make the entire second and third acts impossible to watch.
Predator 2 (1990)
The immediate sequel to Predator took things is a very different direction and was more of a thriller than an action-horror like the original. There are plenty of horrific scenes with the new City Hunter delivering on more carnage candy compared to his Jungle Hunter counterpart.
This hunter even plays a twisted cat and mouse game with Mike Harrigan, one of the best characters in Predator franchise. However, the majority of Predator 2 is more of a tense thriller with a procedural police story and plenty of dark humor mixed together.
Predators (2010)
Returning to the franchise's roots, Predators went back to the gritty action-horror style of the original film. This time, fans were introduced to the Super Predators, which were even more vicious than the Yautja Hunter that fans were used to.
Instead of a group of loyal soldiers who are friends, the characters are all murderers of some kind. Not only are they killed in horrific ways, but they are able to deliver more brutal methods of killing Predators. Combined with elements like the alien dogs and multiple Predators instead of one, Predators comes closer to being like the original but still more action-packed.
Predator (1987)
The original Predator, which still holds up today, is without a doubt an action film with Arnold Schwarzenegger's Dutch delivering plenty of one-liners and explosions in the first act. However, once the Predator becomes the main antagonist, Predator evolves into a survival horror with the titular monster sticking off Dutch's team.
The kills are brutal, and the mysterious Jungle Hunter is a genuinely threatening villain. When Dutch is alone and has to fight this alien monster, it embraces the horror even more, allowing Predator to cement itself as a nearly perfect blend of genres.
Prey (2022)
The most recent Predator film is another return to roots while still embracing something new. Where most Predator films embrace a more traditional action film style, Prey embraces suspenseful survival horror. This is due to focusing on a Comanche tribe in the 18th century without access to powerful firearms.
The most that the main character Naru has access to is a tomahawk, bow, and a flintlock pistol. The vicious and advanced Feral Hunter in a more primitive time makes the Predator into a much scarier villain since very little can hurt him; especially when he is decked with brutal weapons that slaughter humans in seconds. It makes Prey into the most horrific film in the franchise.
