Predator 1–5 Collection Review(2025) One for Under The Tree!
To coincide with the release of Predator: Badlands, we’re treated to a cool, slick, and slimline collection of Predator films 1–5—conveniently sidestepping the AVP movies.
The release is solid. I watched and reviewed the standard Blu-ray edition and genuinely enjoyed having the entire franchise in one place for a back-to-back revisit. There’s something surprisingly fun about running through all the films consecutively; the tonal shifts become more obvious and the series’ evolution feels richer when seen as a whole.
Though all the Predator movies are great, it’s always the first that sticks with you. The characters are iconic, and no sequel has managed to assemble a team quite like this mercenary crew. Alan Silvestri’s score lives rent-free in your head on constant loop. The image of Dutch lighting a cigar in the helicopter, the minigun mowing down the jungle, the endlessly quotable lines—you can’t help but grin. It’s an absolute blast.
Predator 2 especially deserves more love. Following the original, jumping straight into its very different tone can be jarring, but the film stands out for its grit, atmosphere, and the fact that it’s significantly more violent than the 1987 classic. Revisiting it in the context of the full franchise gives it a new appreciation.
Predators, starring Adrien Brody, gets some hate, but it was fun to revisit. Royce is every bit as cunning and deadly as Dutch, and the idea of dropping a group of special forces operatives onto a Predator hunting ground was a bold and exciting move. A sequel following Royce and Isabelle would’ve been interesting, though not entirely necessary. This entry also introduced multiple Predator hunters and new variations—bigger, meaner, and more terrifying than the one from 1987.
The Predator, directed by Shane Black (who played Hawkins in the original), aimed to expand the mythology. Unfortunately, the movie suffered from mid-production story changes. It originally involved Predators and humans teaming up, but that angle was abandoned, resulting in a messy final product. Even so, it’s not without its fun moments.
Prey is where the franchise truly finds its footing again. Stripped back to a simpler, more primal approach, Dan Trachtenberg creates a top-tier Predator film that reconnects with what made the first movie special. With Badlands now out and Trachtenberg behind the wheel again, it’s safe to say the franchise is in good hands.
This boxset is definitely worth investing in if you’re new to the franchise or don’t already own the films. Long-time collectors won’t find anything new—if you already have the Blu-rays or 4Ks, this package doesn’t introduce fresh bonus content. But as a sleek, well-presented “welcome to the club” collection, it works beautifully.
Thoroughly enjoyed watching through this classic franchise. Would definitely add this to the Christmas list for action/horror and Sci-fi fans alike!
Stay tuned for more at Action Reloaded
