The Predator franchise is expanding in an exciting and unexpected direction with the release of a new animated installment, Predator: Killer of Killers. This adult animated film will explore thrilling, time-spanning stories of elite warriors encountering the iconic extraterrestrial hunter. With Prey director Dan Trachtenberg at the helm, fans are eagerly anticipating what could be a groundbreaking moment for the long-running sci-fi action series.
Scheduled for release on June 6, 2025, the film will stream on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ internationally. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this film promises a captivating new look at the Predator mythos, with stunning animation, unique storylines, and an anthology format that allows for maximum creative freedom.
A Fresh Direction for the Franchise
Since its debut in 1987, the Predator franchise has primarily consisted of live-action films. While these movies have varied in tone, setting, and critical reception, the premise has always revolved around elite humans clashing with the ultimate alien hunter. Now, for the first time, the saga will unfold in animation.
The move into animation opens up creative possibilities that are harder to achieve in live-action—especially when it comes to exotic or historical settings. Predator: Killer of Killers embraces this opportunity fully, taking audiences through vastly different time periods and across continents in a visually rich and stylized format.
A Standalone Story With Familiar Themes
Although Predator: Killer of Killers is part of the larger franchise, it functions as a standalone film. Viewers won’t need to have seen previous entries to enjoy the anthology-style stories. However, there are thematic and stylistic through-lines that longtime fans will appreciate, including the Predator’s iconic hunting code, stealth technology, and brutal efficiency.
The Plot: Three Eras, One Ultimate Hunter
One of the most exciting aspects of Predator: Killer of Killers is its unique anthology format. Rather than focusing on a single story, the film presents three distinct segments. Each features a different warrior, time period, and setting—but all are bound by one thing: an encounter with the Predator.
Viking Era: A Mother’s Quest for Vengeance
The first story in the anthology is set during the Viking era. It follows a Viking raider and her young son on a grim journey of revenge. Fueled by grief and rage, the warrior mother confronts the harsh elements of both man and monster. But the arrival of the Predator shifts the balance, introducing an enemy far more dangerous than any human rival.
This story promises brutal melee combat, earthy survival themes, and a warrior spirit that will resonate with fans of gritty historical epics.
Feudal Japan: Brothers at War
The second story drops us into the world of feudal Japan, where two brothers—one a ninja and the other a samurai—are locked in a deadly power struggle. Their conflict draws the attention of the Predator, who sees in them a worthy challenge.
Japanese aesthetics, swordplay, and familial honor clash in this visually arresting tale. The stealth of the ninja and the discipline of the samurai will be put to the ultimate test against a foe who embodies both brutality and precision.
World War II: An Aerial Mystery
The final story takes place during World War II and centers on a pilot investigating mysterious aerial phenomena that threaten the Allied forces. Suspicion soon gives way to horror as the Predator reveals itself. This segment combines wartime suspense, dogfights, and espionage, culminating in an explosive confrontation.
Each of these stories stands on its own, but they collectively showcase the Predator as a relentless force of nature, adapting and hunting in any environment.
An All-Star Creative Team
The success of an anthology film often depends on the creative team’s ability to deliver consistent quality across segments. Predator: Killer of Killers is in capable hands.
Dan Trachtenberg Returns
Director Dan Trachtenberg, who reinvigorated the franchise with Prey in 2022, is back in action. Trachtenberg co-directs the animated film alongside Josh Wassung. Their shared vision is expected to bring depth, innovation, and character-driven storytelling to each segment.
Rather than pursuing a direct sequel to Prey, Trachtenberg pitched multiple fresh concepts to 20th Century Studios—two of which were greenlit. One is the live-action Predator: Badlands starring Elle Fanning, and the other is this animated project. This decision highlights Trachtenberg’s interest in pushing the boundaries of the franchise in new directions.
Production and Animation
The film is produced by John Davis, Marc Toberoff, and Ben Rosenblatt. Animation is provided by The Third Floor, Inc., a studio renowned for its cutting-edge visual design and work on major blockbuster films. The animation style will likely embrace stylized realism, blending hyper-detailed environments with fluid, visceral action scenes.
While exact details of the animation style haven’t been revealed, early buzz suggests a dark, mature visual tone consistent with the Predator’s legacy.
Voice Cast
While animated, Predator: Killer of Killers doesn’t skimp on talent. The confirmed voice cast includes:
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Lindsay LaVanchy
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Louis Ozawa Changchien
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Rick Gonzalez
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Michael Biehn
These actors bring experience and gravitas to their roles. Louis Ozawa previously appeared in The Predator (2018), suggesting a possible meta nod or link within the franchise.
Michael Biehn, known for Aliens and The Terminator, is a sci-fi legend whose involvement is especially fitting. His gravelly voice and intense delivery are ideal for a war-era character or hardened warrior.
A Mature Rating for a Gritty Story
The film has been rated R for “bloody violence and gore,” which should come as no surprise. The Predator franchise has always leaned into brutal, visceral action, and Killer of Killers is no exception. Each segment will likely feature a blend of stylized action and graphic intensity, pushing the boundaries of animated violence in a mature and story-driven way.
This isn’t a sanitized or kid-friendly cartoon—it’s a hard-hitting, adult-targeted exploration of warriors, honor, and survival.
Release Strategy and Streaming Debut
Predator: Killer of Killers will release on June 6, 2025. It will be available on Hulu for U.S. audiences and on Disney+ (via the Star hub) internationally.
This release strategy mirrors that of Prey, which also debuted on Hulu and performed exceptionally well on streaming. That film’s success proved that a Predator story doesn’t need a theatrical release to make an impact. Given the global appeal of the franchise, simultaneous digital availability ensures a massive initial viewership.
Expanding the Franchise Beyond the Screen
The franchise has been gaining momentum recently with video games, comics, and other media. An animated anthology offers the perfect opportunity for cross-media storytelling. Each story segment could easily be expanded into a comic arc or even spawn spin-offs, merchandise, or short films.
There’s also speculation that Killer of Killers might be part of a larger plan to broaden the Predator universe into a multi-format experience. Animation allows creators to visit time periods, locations, and scenarios that are too costly or complex for live-action.
A Companion to Predator: Badlands?
Dan Trachtenberg’s other upcoming project, Predator: Badlands, is a live-action feature film with Elle Fanning reportedly in the lead role. Though the two films are not directly connected, fans are already theorizing that Killer of Killers may contain thematic or Easter egg tie-ins to the live-action movie.
Having the same director involved in both projects adds fuel to the fire. Trachtenberg has a knack for building rich, self-contained stories that also contribute to a larger universe. It’s not out of the question that one of the warriors or historical references in Killer of Killers may echo or inform events in Badlands.
The Legacy of Prey and What It Means for the Future
When Prey was released in 2022, it proved that Predator stories could be inventive, character-driven, and culturally rich. By setting the story in the Comanche Nation and focusing on a female protagonist, Prey broke new ground.
Killer of Killers seems to be continuing that trend—pushing diversity in story settings, protagonists, and voices. A Viking mother, a Japanese ninja, and a WWII pilot aren’t typical action leads, but they align with Predator’s tradition of pitting the strongest, smartest humans against its near-invincible hunters.
This evolution bodes well for the franchise. Rather than repeating the same formula in different cities or jungles, the series is daring to reinvent itself while maintaining its brutal core.
Final Thoughts: Why Predator: Killer of Killers Matters
The Predator has always been more than a sci-fi villain—it’s a test. A challenge to humanity’s pride, strength, and resilience. Predator: Killer of Killers understands that and explores it from three radically different human perspectives.
This anthology approach not only revitalizes the franchise but also respects its roots. It asks: What happens when the best warriors of history face the ultimate hunter? The answers will be different in every age, but the thrill, the fear, and the fight remain universal.
As the Predator franchise prepares to evolve with two major releases in 2025—an animated bloodbath and a live-action return—it’s clear that the hunt is far from over. And Predator: Killer of Killers may just be the most daring and creative hunt yet.
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