Tubi's Top Hit: Four-Year-Old Predator Film Dominates Charts
A Predator franchise entry that skipped theaters is now crushing streaming numbers, proving sometimes the best movies find their audience in unexpected ways.
Dan Trachtenberg's surprise Predator film has clawed its way to the summit of Tubi's free streaming rankings. The movie that rescued a struggling franchise now commands attention four years after missing its theatrical debut.
Set centuries before Dutch's team faced the galaxy's deadliest hunter, this prequel follows Amber Midthunder as Naru. The young Comanche warrior battles an extraterrestrial predator after its vessel crashes near her homeland. Midthunder's breakout performance anchors a story that ditches franchise formula for genuine innovation.
Critical Success Meets Streaming Domination
The film shattered Disney+ opening records while earning a stunning 94% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences proved slightly cooler at 74%, but consensus remains clear. This wasn't just franchise rehabilitation. Many consider it among the decade's finest films.
Trachtenberg abandoned the repetitive sequel approach that had plagued previous entries. His fresh direction breathed life into a property many had written off as creatively exhausted.
From Streaming Necessity to Theatrical Vindication
Pandemic closures forced the direct-to-streaming release that everyone agreed was a mistake. The film deserved the big screen treatment it never received. Three years later, limited theaters finally showcased it alongside the franchise's next chapter in November 2025.
That theatrical pairing proved the appetite existed. The newer entry earned $184 mn worldwide, becoming the franchise's highest-grossing film. Even the Alien crossover movies from the 2000s couldn't match those numbers.
Franchise Future Looks Bright
Trachtenberg reportedly continues developing his next addition to the sci-fi saga. Two consecutive hits, plus the acclaimed Netflix animated anthology, have raised expectations considerably. Fans anticipate both a direct sequel and whatever follows the recent theatrical success.
The streaming triumph on Tubi demonstrates how great content finds its audience regardless of initial distribution challenges. Sometimes the best stories need time to hunt down their proper recognition.