Predator: Killer of Killers’ Rotten Tomatoes score made me curious, and now I agree with the fans and critics’ reactions

Predator: Killer of Killers, released on June 6, 2025, is the latest installment in the Predator franchise. This new chapter marks a significant shift in format, being the first animated entry in the series.

Co-directed by Joshua Wassung and Dan Trachtenberg, the movie explores three distinct encounters between a Predator and a human warrior: a Viking, a feudal Japanese ninja, and a bomber pilot during World War II. The plot of the film unfolds across three different time periods.

In the Viking segment, the story follows Ursa, a warrioress seeking revenge against the Krivichs. The ninja sequence follows Kenji, a samurai's son, battling his brother and a Predator in feudal Japan. And the WWII segment centers on John Torres, a fighter pilot, as he confronts the Predator amid the Battle of the Atlantic. All three characters face off against the deadly alien hunter in intense, brutal encounters.

The film's excellent Rotten Tomatoes rating has generated considerable interest among viewers. Based on 78 critic reviews, Predator: Killer of Killers has a 95% rating, as of this article's publication. This ranks the movie highest in the franchise, above the 94% rating of the last one, Prey. The great critical reception has piqued interest, and now, having watched the movie, it's clear to me why both reviewers and viewers have welcomed it.

Disclaimer: The reviews and ratings are as of the time of writing the article. The stats are time-sensitive and may vary.

Rotten Tomatoes rating of Predator: Killer of Killers is quite impressive

The Rotten Tomatoes score of Predator: Killer of Killers immediately piqued my interest. Given that it's part of a franchise that has had its fair share of mixed reviews in the past, it was quite remarkable that it scored almost perfect at 95%.

Critics gave this movie great marks, from the aggressive action scenes to the audacious narrative devices, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by how faithfully the film kept the gritty appeal of the Predator universe. I was also interested in how the new animated style would fit it.

As I watched Predator: Killer of Killers, I couldn't help but agree with the critics' glowing reviews. The film's anthology format, split across three historical periods, provided a refreshing take on the Predator mythology.

Each timeline brought something unique to the table: Viking warriors, ninja combat, and WWII aerial dogfights. The brutality of each Predator encounter was intense, and the animation style, inspired by Arcane, added a dynamic flair that perfectly complemented the action. The film's imaginative narrative and high-stakes battles certainly lived up to its Rotten Tomatoes score, in my opinion.

Among the franchise's best entries, this movie stood out, unlike past Predator movies. Although Prey (2022) was praised for its realistic narrative and action, this movie veers in an interesting new direction using animation.

Given that Dan Trachtenberg was at the helm, the popularity of this film points to a bright future for the franchise. The great critical success of the movie indicates that the Predator universe has space to expand, particularly considering the forthcoming Predator: Badlands, which is currently under development.

More about the movie

Predator: Killer of Killers is an adult animated sci-fi anthology film that expands on the Predator universe in bold new ways. This movie features three distinct stories set in different eras of history. The movie delves into the mythology behind the Predator by showing intense fights between the alien hunter and Vikings, ninjas, and WWII fighter pilots, among others.

The film's animation enhances the brutal action sequences set against a historical backdrop. Animation lets filmmakers create stunning battles like Viking swordfights and aerial dogfights. The animation, inspired by Arcane, is fluid and dynamic, unlike the live-action counterparts. The film succeeds by delivering the franchise's brutal and gory action while innovating its format.

The franchise saw a significant shift after Predator: Killer of Killers' success. It has garnered the highest Rotten Tomatoes score in the series and provides new content for future installments. Dan Trachtenberg's revitalization of the franchise can potentially lead to more inventive Predator films like this one, pushing storytelling and animation.

Also read: Does Predator: Killer of Killers have a post-credit scene? Explained

Stay tuned for more news and updates on Predator: Killer of Killers and similar projects as the year progresses.

About the author

Rajan is an Entertainment Writer at Sportskeeda with previous experience of 6 years in writing about the genre. While he has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Application, it was his passion for the domain that led him to pursue a career in the field. He firmly believes that research is key when reporting on any topic, and glances through a wide array of articles to produce informative and accurate content.

Rajan admires Robert Downey Jr., Bob Dylan, and John Mayer since he feels they are the best at their trade. He is passionate about music and has had the opportunity to interact with popular Bollywood music directors A. R. Rahman, Pritam and Vishal-Sekhar.

If he could go back in time, he would jump at the opportunity to be part of Coldplay's hit track, 'A Sky Full of Stars.'

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Edited by Ankita Barat