“Predator” is a 1987 American science fiction action film directed by John McTiernan and written by brothers Jim and John Thomas. This first installment in the Predator franchise stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the leader of an elite paramilitary rescue team on a mission to save hostages in guerrilla-held territory in a Central American rainforest. Their mission takes a deadly turn when they encounter the Predator (Kevin Peter Hall), a technologically advanced alien who stalks and hunts them down.

The screenplay for “Predator” was written in 1984 under the working title of “Hunter.” Filming ran from March to June 1986, with creature effects created by Stan Winston. With a budget of around $15 million, 20th Century Fox released the film on June 12, 1987, in the United States, where it grossed $98.3 million. While initial reviews were mixed, the film has since been reappraised as a classic of the action genre.

The success of “Predator” spawned a vast media franchise, including films, novels, comic books, video games, and toys. It has led to three direct sequels: “Predator 2” (1990), “Predators” (2010), and “The Predator” (2018). Additionally, there is an upcoming installment currently in preproduction. The franchise also crossed over with the “Alien” franchise, resulting in the “Alien vs. Predator” films: “Alien vs. Predator” (2004) and “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem” (2007).

Now, the anticipation is high for “PREY 2” (2024), promising to continue the legacy of this iconic franchise with more thrilling encounters and intense action.