Predator Badlands Timeline: When the Movie Takes Place

Director Dan Trachtenberg has said that Predator: Badlands takes place in the far future, even after all the Alien movies. Previously, the Alien movies have largely ignored the Predator movies, while the Predator series constantly brings in more things from Alien, including the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. In this article, we try to place Badlands in the Predator timeline and figure out what happens before and after the movie. Beware of spoilers for the ending of Predator: Badlands at the end.

Alien, Predator, And The AvP Timeline

Within the Alien timeline, the Alien vs. Predator films create continuity problems by showing Xenomorphs on Earth thousands of years before the events of the Alien films. This contradicts the idea that the USCSS Covenant crew experienced the first known "Protomorph", created by the android David. Also, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation's origins conflict for the characters Peter Weyland and Charles Bishop Weyland. In contrast, the Predator series operates on a looser timeline, and later films even include nods to Alien/AvP artifacts. There was a Xenomorph skull in Predator 2, and the Xenomorph tail spear (that Lex used in AvP) in The Predator. There is no official Alien/Predator/AvP "canon" stated by Fox or Disney, so it might be best to take your own canon and enjoy the movies.

Before Badlands: A Prequel Comic

The prequel comic Predator: Badlands takes place a few months or even years before Predator: Badlands. In this story, Dek and his older brother Kwei are sent to a derelict alien ship on a moon of Pelkonen IV to retrieve a piece of technology, a mission meant to test Dek’s ability. Inside the ship, Dek struggles against an ancient artificial intelligence that remains active and hostile, turning the mission into a near-fatal trial. The AI creates a "Yautja Killer", similar to the suit seen in The Predator. After the ship self-destructs and Dek narrowly escapes, Dek suffers harsh punishment from his father Njohrr.

Predator: Badlands Takes Place After Alien: Resurrection

Statements from the director place Predator: Badlands far beyond the timeline of Alien: Resurrection, which takes place in the year 2381. This positions Badlands as the latest film chronologically in either franchise, extending the shared timeline into a more distant future than previously depicted. The exact date is unknown, but the best estimates place it in the 25th century. The setting includes advanced androids and corporate weapons, while the Predator technology seems to have also evolved from what we saw in Prey. Because of this placement, Badlands effectively becomes the endpoint of the cinematic timeline for both Alien and Predator worlds when taken together.

The Problem With Weyland-Yutani Being Bought Out

A continuity complication arises from Alien: Resurrection, where it is mentioned that Weyland Yutani was bought out by Walmart (mentioned in the Special Edition by Dr. Gediman) during the 24th century. If the company ceased to exist or became a completely different entity, its presence in Badlands raises questions about the consistency of the universe. The appearance of a large Weyland-Yutani presence suggests that the corporation either survived, returned, or reestablished itself after the buyout. Some Expanded Universe materials, including the novel Alien: Uncivil War, depict a post Resurrection resurgence of Weyland Yutani, driven by cult like company loyalists who rebuild the brand after the Walmart era.

The Ending Of Predator: Badlands Takes Place Later

The ending of Predator: Badlands makes a bigger time jump, possibly lasting at least a few months to a year. When Dek crash-landed on Genna, his (actually his brother's) ship was badly damaged, needing extensive repairs. Furthermore, Bud (the son of the Kalisk) had visibly aged, growing at least three times in size. Finally, Thia had repaired her legs, although this would not be a long process. This gives a hint that Dek did not return to Yautja Prime immediately, but waited for the right moment, until his "Wolf pack" was ready. The ending indicates further fights ahead, involving Dek's mother, who could possibly be the "Grendel King" Predator from Killer Of Killers.

What Happens Next In The Predator Timeline?

If expanded universe material is taken into account, the next major future-set storyline is the Rage War trilogy of novels, which takes place in the 27th century. These books depict large-scale conflict involving human forces, Predator clans, and a new enemy known as the Rage, who weaponize Xenomorphs. The trilogy shows how far interstellar civilizations and Yautja society have developed by this era, with Predator factions living on space habitats and united under a leader called King Kalakta. While not part of the film canon, the Rage War novels provide a useful reference point for imagining the far future beyond Badlands. The Rage War trilogy also brings back Weyland-Yutani, aligning well with the timeline of Predator: Badlands.

Conclusion

Predator: Badlands occupies the farthest point in the combined Alien and Predator movie timelines, taking place after Alien: Resurrection, possibly in the 25th century. The prequel comic establishes Dek’s troubled past and helps contextualize his motivations in the movie. Although references to Weyland-Yutani's downfall create a continuity challenge, expanded universe material explains how the company made its revival. The possible sequel might make another time jump, taking the events even further.

Tag Categories: Predator: Badlands Lore