Predator: Badlands marks a bold shift for the long-running sci-fi franchise. Directed once again by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously helmed Prey (2022), the film turns the tables on the usual formula — placing a Predator, not a human, at the center of its story.
This time, the narrative follows Dek, a Yautja warrior who isn’t simply hunting humans but confronting his own sense of honor and identity. The result is a surprisingly emotional film wrapped in jaw-dropping visuals. Set on a brutal, alien planet that feels like a fever dream between Avatar and Dune, Badlands blends savage action with mythic undertones.
Naturally, as fans leave the theater, one burning question remains: is there a post-credits scene?
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So, Does Predator: Badlands Have a Post-Credits Scene?
Sort of — but not in the traditional sense.
Instead of saving its tease for after the credits roll, Badlands slips in a short epilogue right before they begin. It’s easy to miss if you’re expecting a full Marvel-style stinger after the lights come up.
The scene plays moments after the film’s climactic battle. Dek returns to his home planet with Thia and Bud, proudly presenting the skull of the Kalisk — proof of his hard-fought victory. But what should be a moment of triumph quickly turns sour. Dek’s father rejects the offering, branding it unworthy. In a stunning burst of violence, Dek defeats both his father’s soldiers and the patriarch himself, avenging his fallen brother and earning his invisibility cloak — a symbolic moment that cements his transformation into a true warrior.
Then, just as the film’s title card reappears, a massive ship looms in the distance.
“Friends of yours?” Thia asks, glancing toward the horizon.
Dek’s deadpan reply? “My mother.”
Cue the final fade to black.
What the Scene Really Means
While Predator: Badlands doesn’t include a traditional post-credits scene, this “pre-credits” moment serves as a sly wink to the audience. It offers both closure and a tantalizing hint at what could come next.
Trachtenberg’s choice is deliberate. Instead of dangling a blatant sequel hook, he delivers a scene that works on two levels: a punchline — after all, if Dek’s father was that ruthless, what kind of terror could his mother bring? — and a subtle invitation for future storytelling.
It’s a clever reversal of the end-credits sequence from Prey, which teased the arrival of more Yautja ships on Earth through animated imagery. Here, the threat (or opportunity) lies not on our planet, but deep in the Yautja’s own world — a setting that the franchise has only ever hinted at before.
Why the Franchise’s New Direction Matters
The Predator films have traditionally centered on humans — often soldiers or survivors — facing off against the technologically superior alien hunters. But Badlands flips that concept entirely. By telling the story from the Predator’s perspective, Trachtenberg humanizes the creature without softening its brutality.
This change opens the door to a new era of storytelling for the franchise. The emotional core of Badlands — identity, family, and worth — could carry into future installments, potentially forming a trilogy that dives deeper into Yautja culture.
And that final moment with Dek’s mother? It’s more than a joke. It’s a possible setup for Badlands 2, one that could explore the matriarchal side of the Predator species — something fans have never seen before.
Should You Stay Through the Credits?
In short: you don’t have to.
There’s no bonus footage after the credits, no hidden dialogue, and no teaser scene waiting at the end. The action concludes before the credits roll — making it a “pre-credits” scene rather than a post-credits one.
But if you’re a fan of cinematic symbolism, it’s worth staying in your seat for the score and closing visuals. The credits feature haunting artwork inspired by Yautja mythology, underscoring just how committed Badlands is to expanding this universe beyond its survival-horror roots.
Predator: Badlands breaks new ground for the series. It’s not just a film about monsters — it’s about the meaning of strength, belonging, and legacy. And while it doesn’t give us a traditional post-credits scene, it delivers something far more intriguing: a glimpse into the next evolution of the Predator saga.
So, does Predator: Badlands have a post-credits scene? Technically, no — but its final moments might be the boldest sequel tease the franchise has offered yet.
