The Wild Reason Predator: Badlands Isn’t Rated R Like Every Other Predator Movie

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Recently, the standout success for the *Predator* series has been *Prey*. This film, a surprise hit on streaming platforms, was directed by Dan Trachtenberg and presented a fresh take on the franchise. It featured a compelling story of a skilled Comanche warrior facing off against a Predator. *Prey* was praised for its intense and realistic violence, thoughtful narrative, and bold approach, effectively revitalizing the *Predator* series and paving the way for innovative future installments.

The success of *Prey* led directly to *Predator: Badlands*, and it’s no surprise that director Dan Trachtenberg returned. He’s crafted a straightforward story that, while different from *Prey*, allows the *Predator* universe to evolve. *Badlands* features a Predator exiled from its group who forms an unexpected partnership with an android. The film seems to center on this formidable warrior’s quest to prove his worth. Surprisingly, *Badlands* is rated PG-13.

Fans Are Upset That Predator: Badlands Doesn’t Have An R Rating

The *Predator* movies and shows are almost always rated R, similar to the *Alien* franchise. Even the new animated series, *Predator: Killer of Killers*, received an R rating despite being made by Disney and being a cartoon. This is because the series is known for its intense violence and often feels like a blend of action, thriller, and horror. While perhaps not quite as extreme as some horror films, *Predator* is still visually frightening and excels at creating suspense.

When *Predator: Badlands* was announced, fans expected it to follow the same pattern as previous films and receive an R rating. The recent success of *Prey*, which was also rated R, showed that even under Disney’s ownership, the *Predator* series was still willing to showcase intense violence and graphic action. *Prey* didn’t shy away from brutal scenes, but they always served the story and made the film unforgettable. The violence wasn’t gratuitous; instead, it helped develop the characters and emphasized the danger faced by the protagonist, Naru. The film effectively made audiences believe she was in real danger and might not survive.

The ending of *Prey* hinted at more hunters to come, building excitement for a sequel. That’s why fans were so surprised and disappointed to learn the next film, *Predator: Badlands*, received a PG-13 rating. This news has significantly dampened enthusiasm and raised concerns that the new movie might be a watered-down version of what was originally planned.

Look, it didn’t shock me to hear director Trachtenberg aimed for a PG-13 rating with this film. And thankfully, it wasn’t a case of studio interference ruining a darker vision. This was a deliberate choice, and honestly, I think it’s a smart one. Fans fearing a watered-down experience can probably relax. From a business standpoint, it’s brilliant – a PG-13 opens the door to a whole new audience, keeping the *Predator* franchise alive for years to come. But beyond that, I suspect there’s a creative reason behind it all, too.

Predator: Badlands Will Not Feature Many Human Characters

The movie features an android and an alien as its main characters, and neither of them has traditional red blood. This is important because ratings systems allow for violent content as long as it doesn’t depict realistic blood. Most PG-13 movies avoid showing blood entirely to stay within those guidelines. However, in *Predator: Badlands*, the filmmakers are using a different, otherworldly color instead of red. Plus, because an android doesn’t have human insides, they can show damage without needing to depict realistic blood, giving the creative team even more freedom.

The setting of *Predator: Badlands* is key. Since the story takes place on alien planets, the Predator wouldn’t encounter any other humans to hunt. This provides a reason to avoid showing realistic red blood. Instead, the Predator fights alien creatures and robots, suggesting mechanical parts and colorful, non-red blood would be more likely. This allows the film to potentially receive a PG-13 rating instead of an R, cleverly sidestepping the usual restrictions that would come with graphic violence.

Using this approach is smart, and a few other successful franchises have done it too. For example, Marvel movies often show aliens being defeated with non-human blood. The *Star Wars* prequels used battle droids as disposable enemies, allowing for lots of action without earning a higher rating. Even in horror, filmmakers can get away with more in a PG-13 movie by *implying* violence rather than showing it directly. Simple choices like filming in black and white can also help lower a film’s rating.

Fans are hoping to see a compelling expansion of the *Predator* universe, exploring worlds beyond Earth and introducing new creatures and backstories. This would help establish *Predator* as a larger saga, potentially with enemies even more formidable than the hunters we’ve seen before. *Prey* successfully broke away from the established formula, and the PG-13 rating offers a chance to revitalize the franchise. Given the success of that risk, there’s good reason to be optimistic about the direction of *Predator: Badlands*.

The Lack of R-Rating Will Not Diminish Predator: Badlands Action

Now that the PG-13 rating is explained, it’s important to consider that this wasn’t a last-minute decision. The creative team intentionally aimed for this rating from the beginning and actively looked for ways to push the limits of what they could show. In effect, they found a clever way to include as much action and violence as possible while still reaching the widest possible audience. It’s a smart approach, and while it’s not a perfect solution for future films, it serves as a strong and engaging introduction to the series.

Creativity often flourishes when faced with restrictions. When there are limitations, innovative people find clever ways to work around them. Many acclaimed films, for instance, were made with limited budgets, forcing filmmakers to find resourceful solutions. The age rating presented a similar challenge for the team behind *Predator: Badlands*, and early previews demonstrate they’ve successfully met it. If fans worried the film might be toned down, they can have confidence in director Trachtenberg’s vision.

The new film, *Predator: Badlands*, is breaking new ground as one of the first *Predator* movies rated PG-13. This isn’t a negative change, though—it’s actually a positive one. *Predator: Badlands* shows the franchise is capable of reinventing itself with each new film, constantly finding new challenges to tackle. While Disney is testing the boundaries of the series, the outcome has been excellent. It’s clear that those now leading the franchise understand what makes it special, and that’s a truly exciting development.

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2025-10-13 00:40