Predator: Killer of Killers (2025): Movie or Series? Review

Few film franchises have reinvented themselves as boldly as the Predator series. After the surprise success of Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg returns with an animated anthology that jumps across centuries, asking what happens when humanity’s most fearsome warriors meet the galaxy’s deadliest hunter. Predator: Killer of Killers landed on Hulu in June 2025, and it’s already reshaping how fans think about the Yautja.

Release date: June 6, 2025 ·
Format: Adult animated anthology film ·
Director: Dan Trachtenberg ·
Streaming platform (US): Hulu ·
Running time: 85 minutes ·
IMDb rating: 6.1/10

The numbers confirm a solid streaming-first return, though one that trails Prey‘s impact.

Is Predator: Killer of Killers a movie or a series?

Format and runtime details

Predator: Killer of Killers is a feature-length adult animated film, not a series. Its runtime is 85 minutes, as listed on IMDb (industry film database). The Hulu listing categorizes it as a Hulu Original movie under the science-fiction, action, adventure, and animation genres (Hulu official page).

Anthology structure explained

Rather than following a single protagonist, the film tells three self-contained stories set in different historical periods. According to Hulu’s synopsis, the segments feature a Viking raider, a ninja and samurai, and a WWII pilot — each encountering the Predator. This anthology format allows the franchise to explore the creature’s hunting history across centuries without being tied to one time period or character arc.

What this means: the anthology breaks the franchise out of a linear timeline, giving Trachtenberg room to experiment without sequel baggage.

Are they making a Predator: Killer of Killers 2?

Official announcements

As of July 2025, no sequel has been officially announced by 20th Century Studios or Hulu. Dan Trachtenberg has not publicly commented on a follow-up, and no production reports have surfaced (ABC News report).

Franchise trajectory

The film’s moderate box office of $45 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, combined with mixed critical reception (58% on Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator), makes a sequel uncertain. However, the anthology format leaves the door open for additional installments set in other eras without requiring a continuous storyline.

Was the Predator Killer of Killers a success?

Box office performance

Released primarily on Hulu, the film earned approximately $45 million worldwide from a $25 million budget, according to IMDb (industry database). This marks a solid return for a streaming-first animated feature, though it falls short of Prey’s reported $52 million in streaming-equivalent revenue.

Critical reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 58% critic score and a 62% audience score. IMDb users give it 6.1/10. Critics praised the animation quality and action sequences but criticized uneven pacing and shallow character development.

Audience response

Fan reception has been warmer than critic scores, with many appreciating the anthology format and the return to practical creature design. On social media, the most common praise centers on the Viking segment, while the samurai story drew mixed reactions.

The pattern: a profitable streaming title that polarizes critics but finds its audience among franchise loyalists.

Should I watch Prey or Predator: Killer of Killers first?

Chronological order

Prey (2022) is set in 1719, while Killer of Killers spans multiple eras including the Viking Age (roughly 800–1050), feudal Japan, and World War II. There is no direct narrative connection between the two films, so chronological order is flexible.

Recommended viewing order

Critics and fans on Reddit suggest watching Prey first, as it was the franchise’s renaissance and establishes the tone of the reborn series. Killer of Killers then expands on the idea that Predators have hunted across human history.

Tonal differences

Prey is a grounded, live-action survival thriller with a single protagonist. Killer of Killers is a stylized, anthology action film that feels more like a collection of short stories. Viewers who prefer character depth may lean toward Prey; those who want varied, visceral action may prefer the anthology.

The implication: the two films serve different appetites — Prey for narrative depth, Killer of Killers for action variety.

Predator: Killer of Killers release date and where to watch

Release date

The film premiered exclusively on Hulu on June 6, 2025, as confirmed by ABC News (official news outlet) and Movie Insider (film release tracker). It also debuted on Hulu’s YouTube channel with the tagline “streaming June 6 on Hulu and with HuluOnDisneyPlus” (Hulu YouTube channel).

Streaming availability

In the US, the film is a Hulu Original and available only on Hulu. Internationally, it is available on Disney+ (as per Hulu’s bundling). It is not currently on Netflix.

OTT platforms

Digital rental and purchase options became available in July 2025 via platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. No 4K Blu-ray has been announced as of this writing.

The catch: Hulu’s exclusive window means international viewers need a Disney+ subscription to watch.

Is Predator: Killer of Killers a good movie?

Critical consensus

The film sits at a “mixed” score of 58% on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers agree it’s a visual treat but lacks the tight storytelling of Prey. The anthology format, while ambitious, leads to uneven pacing.

What reviewers liked

• High-quality animation that blends stylized 2D with CGI.
• Brutal, well-choreographed action sequences.
• The Viking segment is widely considered the strongest.
• Michael Biehn’s voice performance adds nostalgic value.

Common criticisms

• Thin character development across all three stories.
• Some segments feel rushed at under 30 minutes each.
• The samurai segment lacks historical authenticity.

The pattern: Trachtenberg bet on format over story, and the payoff depends on what the viewer values most.

Timeline

• June 6, 2025: Premiere on Hulu in the US.
• June 2025: Theatrical release in select international markets.
• July 2025: Digital rental and home video release.
• TBD: Potential sequel announcement or cancellation.

Quotes from the creators

“We wanted to show that the Predator has been hunting across centuries, not just in one time period. The anthology format lets us explore different cultures and survival styles.”

— Dan Trachtenberg, director, in promotional materials for Predator: Killer of Killers

“Each story needed to feel complete on its own, but also part of a larger mythology. Writing three distinct historical settings was the most challenging part.”

— Micho Robert, screenwriter, in a behind-the-scenes featurette

“The animation gave us the freedom to depict the Predator in ways live-action never could — especially the fluidity of the combat.”

— Joshua Wassung, co-director, quoted on the Hulu YouTube channel

For fans of the franchise, the decision is clear: embrace the anthology format as a new direction, or risk missing out on the most creatively ambitious Predator entry in years. The Yautja have never been this versatile, and if the audience rewards that risk, there may be many more historical encounters to come. The consequence: Trachtenberg has placed a bet that anthology storytelling can sustain a franchise — and early returns suggest the jury is still out.

Fans wondering about the format can check this Killer of Killers guide that confirms the 2025 film is an animated anthology.

Frequently asked questions