Predator: Badlands Prowls to the Top | Weekend of November 7, 2025
This past weekend saw Predator: Badlands dominate the box office landscape, accounting for 49% of all dollars and 46% of all admissions.
The Elle Fanning-led thriller didn't just open strong—it hunted down the competition with surgical precision. Video game designer Hideo Kojima of Metal Gear Solid fame has said that Predator: Badlands "represents a new direction for Hollywood entertainment" inspired by "manga, anime, and gaming culture."
When a visionary like Kojima gives his seal of approval, you know something's clicking with audiences beyond the typical franchise playbook.
New releases try to claw their way in
There were a few other new entries this weekend, though none could match Predator's power.
Sarah's Oil, based on a true story about racism and unexpected wealth in the early 20th century, took in 7% of total admissions. With strong critical reviews (“a David and Goliath story with big feelings,” says the New York Times) and solid audience scores, it could have legs among adult audiences looking for more grounded storytelling as the awards season buzz begins to build.
Also debuting this weekend was Nuremberg, featuring a powerhouse cast led by Russell Crowe and Rami Malek. Opening in under 2,000 theaters, it managed to make an impact with 5% of total admissions, and the early chatter around Oscar-worthy performances from both leads could help sustain momentum.
As Entertainment Voice put it, "Nuremberg on the surface may look like another Oscar season World War II movie, yet it may be one of the season's most relevant films."
The final new entry to theaters this past weekend was the psychological drama Die, My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. This one received mixed reviews, though Roger Ebert gave a stamp of approval: “None of this is easy, and not much of it is fun. But 'Die, My Love' is a wild and worthwhile ride.” Lawrence's performance as a woman on the edge continues to generate early Oscar whispers.
On the horizon: magic tricks, dystopian thrills, & musical witchcraft
Looking ahead, Now You See Me, Now You Don't is expected to open strong this coming weekend. The ensemble cast of Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Mark Ruffalo gives it wide audience appeal, and early reviews suggest this third installment in the franchise delivers the same slick, high-energy fun fans loved from the earlier films. Projections put its debut north of $20M, a solid start that could hold through the Thanksgiving holiday.
Also entering the mix is The Running Man starring Glenn Powell—the second adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 novel about a deadly reality-TV concept. Its R-rating may slightly cap the opening weekend potential, but the film's dark, dystopian tone could connect with adult audiences looking for something different. Estimates are in the $15–20M range, and strong reviews could push it toward the higher end.
And cinema industry watchers are hoping to defy gravity again with one of the most anticipated releases of the year: Wicked: For Good. The film has dominated press coverage, with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo on a full-scale media blitz and Jonathan Bailey freshly crowned People's Sexiest Man Alive. A breakout showing would give the late-year box office exactly the boost it needs heading into December.
Last year's Wicked opened to $112M over Thanksgiving weekend and early tracking suggests this follow-up could fly even higher.
Also opening this weekend, Rental Family is already generating significant Oscar buzz. The film tells the story of Phillip—played by Brendan Fraser, who landed an Oscar in 2023 for his role in The Whale—a man who moves to Japan and starts working for an agency that hires out actors to pose as loved ones or companions. The London Evening Standard calls it “a part made for Fraser and his big, sad eyes.”
While Rental Family may be overshadowed by Wicked: For Good, the overlap could actually help if moviegoers drawn in by Wicked trailers and cross-promotion stick around for this heartfelt drama. If the reviews continue trending upward, Rental Family could become one of those quiet, word-of-mouth hits that thrives through awards season.
Overall, the next few weeks promise a healthy mix of blockbuster energy and awards-season prestige. It’s a strong one-two punch for the box office heading into the year's final stretch.
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