History YMMV / Predator

* ToughActToFollow: None of the sequels have managed to match the level of popularity the first film has, with most of the follow-ups being dismissed as coming short or mediocre.

* RootingForTheEmpire: Not so much in the first film, but in ''Film/{{Predator 2}}'' and ''Film/{{Predators}}'', most of the Predator's victims are unsympathetic drug lords, criminal scum, or heartless soldiers, leading to the viewers inevitably siding with the Predator on account of [[EvilIsCool its slasher-like charisma.]] The only time the viewer has any reason to root for the protagonist against the Predator in the former is when it starts attacking police officers and armed civilians, while the line is more blurred in ''Predators''. Taken UpToEleven in ''Predators'', where [[spoiler: two Predators fight each other in the climax.]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: A franchise-wide case that has affected the portrayal of the titular creatures in each installment. This largely rests on how evil the Predators are perceived by both the writers and audiences.

** Also, how advanced they are and whether or not they "earned" it. The comics pretty much settle on them having a sort of tribal style culture, with sport hunting as the cornerstone. Some extrapolate their "primitive" culture to indicate the Predators themselves are primitive, and their advanced technology came from stealing it from or being uplifted by a Precursor of some kind. Others look at how intelligent and adaptable many of the individuals the films show are, and conclude the Predators are a very intelligent and technologically advanced species, they just ''like'' their tribal hunt-based society. Finally, since they only visit Earth for the hunt it is not surprising that they would limit their own gear to what is considered "fair sport" or challenging, the same way a hunter would choose to go after deer with a crossbow over a rocket launcher.

* DoNotDoThisCoolThing: The first films, at least, attempt the Aesop that "sports hunting is bad." But the Predators specifically go after victims that can fight back, making the hunt a true test of skill against skill, and (nuclear self-destruct options aside) are rather {{graceful loser}}s. No shame in testing your skill against, and being bested by, a truly challenging opponent. All-in-all, Predator hunting is rather different than typical deer or duck hunting humans engage in. . . and when humans did engage in sport hunting against things that could hunt them back, they drove several of those species to near-extinction.
* EvilIsCool: Given its bizarre weapons and technology and the unique design from Creator/StanWinston, the Predator inevitably became another popular slasher villain along the lines of Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. It also holds the distinction of being a very popular and almost iconic species and antagonist in science fiction culture.
* EvilIsSexy: For ''[[NightmareFetishist certain]]'' kinds of fans, the Yautjas/Predators are definitely this. They all suffer a major case of ButterFace, being aliens that have bizarre and downright nightmarish faces yet have smoking hot, toned and very muscular bodies. Doesn't help that for the most part, their outfits [[{{Stripperiffic}} don't really leave much to the imagination]]. As for the most part they are usually wearing {{Loin Cloth}}s and fishnets. Some fans sprinkle in a little bit of SelfFanservice to turn Yautjas into [[MrFanservice Mr]] and [[MsFanservice Ms]] Fanservice. The latter are usually even depicted as [[AmazonianBeauty Amazonian Beauties]].

** While it may be due to the [[Franchise/AlienVsPredator crossover]] between the two, both the ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' and ''Predator'' series have overlap thanks to both being 80's sci-fi horror series revolving around monsters, in addition to sharing numerous creators and actors between the two such as special effects by Creator/StanWinston, Creator/JamesCameron having input and actors such as Creator/BillPaxton and Creator/LanceHenriksen. At this point, it's fairly safe to consider the fandoms one in the same with people playing exclusives to one series or another being the rarity.

* OnlyTheCreatorDoesItRight: Averted. The less well-received second film was written by the Thomas Brothers who wrote the first film and the fourth film by script doctor Creator/ShaneBlack, which was ill-received to the point of being a potential FranchiseKiller. On the opposite end, ''Prey'' was incredibly well-recieved, the the point of renewing interest in the franchise as a whole, and it had involvement from ''none'' of the original creators.
* RootingForTheEmpire: Not so much in the first film, but in ''Film/{{Predator 2}}'' and ''Film/{{Predators}}'' most of the Predator's victims are unsympathetic drug lords, criminal scum, or heartless soldiers, leading to the viewers inevitably siding with the Predator on account of [[EvilIsCool its slasher-like charisma.]] The only time the viewer has any reason to root for the protagonist against the Predator in the former is when it starts attacking police officers and armed civilians while the line is more blurred in ''Predators''. Taken UpToEleven in ''Predators'', where [[spoiler: two Predators fight each other in the climax.]]
* SelfFanservice: As noted under EvilIsSexy. Quite a lot of fans, especially the more lewd-loving ones, tend to give the Yautja's a heaping dosage of this. Interestingly enough, there seems to be two camps when it comes to this trope. One camp is to downplay the Yautja's ButterFace, by making their faces either a bit more easier on the eyes or a little more humanized yet still keeping it's alien aspects. While others just outright keep the nightmarish faces (or stylize it to make it easier to draw) and just make their bodies even more fanservice-y (i.e. turning female Yautja's into an AmazonianBeauty while the male ones can either just be decently [[MrFanservice hunk-ish]] or wouldn't be too out of place in the BaraGenre).
* {{Sequelitis}}: None of the sequels have earned the level of acclaim or success that the original film has with ''Film/ThePredator'' suffering particularly hard due to the credentials of the director and cast. Though ''Film/Predator2'' and ''Film/{{Predators}}'' have definitely [[VindicatedbyHistory gained better appreciation over time]], largely thanks to the ''Film/AlienVsPredator'' films and ''The Predator'' being more divisive films. Averted, finally, with the release of ''Film/Prey2022'', which has received positive reviews to a greater extent than even the original.
* TooCoolToLive: Most of the predators' victims are [[WorthyOpponent commendably formidable fighters themselves, but the special mention goes to those the predators choose to claim their skull and spinal cord as trophies for putting up a heck of a fight for them before winning]]. Also, any [[EvilIsCool predator]] in the films who is killed by their opponent.
* ParodyDisplacement: The design of the titular alien is based on Adjudant Booba from ''Series/DengekiSentaiChangeman'', yet odds are that if you were to show someone a picture of the latter, they'd assume it's either based on or ripping off the former - even Super Sentai itself seems to agree with this, since it's homaged the Predator several times.
* SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: Given that Creator/StanWinston was involved with the special effects, the Predator suits and cloaking device still look amazing years after they left theaters.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: The Predator's laugh as he activates his self-destruct. Mocking Dutch that the explosion will [[TakingYouWithMe kill them both]], thus the Predator believes he's literally getting the last laugh? Or the Predator reveling in going out [[AGoodWayToDie exactly the way he wanted to]], killed by a WorthyOpponent at the climax of a glorious hunt?

* FirstInstallmentWins: While some of the sequels have their fans, the original ''Predator'' is by far the most well known and revered film in the franchise and is universally considered to be an action classic.

** The film depicts the CIA as meddling in South America because of communism. This became a lot more harsher due to the Iran Contra scandal that burst later that year.
** Similarly, the film's willingness to paint the government as shady can be much more harder to look at after Creator/JohnMcTiernan acknowledged to lying to the FBI.
* SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct: We're given the rare sight of Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger being straight-up ''terrified'' by the bigger, tougher opponent who's relentlessly hunting him. Plus, his traumatized ThousandYardStare in the final shot.

** Dutch declares that his team is "not expendable." Dutch's actor appears in ''Film/TheExpendables'' franchise, but none of the rest of the actors in his platoon.

** When Dutch and his old friend Dillon reunite, they have a arm wrestling match with prolonged eye contact throughout and smiling.
** This little bit when Blain is refused of tobacco:
---> '''Blain''': Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here! This stuff will make you a Goddamn sexual Tyrannosaurus -- just like me!\\
'''Poncho:''' ''(showing his gun)'' Then strap ''this'' on your sore ass, Blain.\\

** When Blaine is killed, everybody on his team is upset, but his 'friend' Mac is absolutely devastated. He becomes almost suicidally vengeful and explains to a concerned Dutch that Blaine was his ''friend'', with special emphasis on the word. He also insists he be the one to put Blaine's dead body in a poncho and takes one last drink before leaving his canteen upon Blaine's body for burial. His parting words "Goodbye, old friend". Later that night, he's looking up at the moon, sullen: "Here we are again, bro. Just you and me".

---> '''Blaine''': Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here, this stuff'll make you a Goddamn sexual ''Tyrannosaurus'' -- just like me!
---> '''Blaine''': "I ain't got time to bleed."
---> '''Hawkins''': "[[ChirpingCrickets ... it was 'cause of the echo.]]"
---> '''Dutch''': "If it bleeds, we can kill it."
---> '''Dutch''': "Stick around."
---> '''Dutch''': "Knock knock."
---> '''Mac''': "Anytime."
---> '''Mac''': "[[MadnessMantra OH BABY, OH BABY, I'M GONNA HAVE ME SOME FUN, I'M GONNA HAVE ME SOME FUN, I'M GONNA HAVE ME SOME FUN...]]"
---> '''Dutch''': "Ruuuuun! Goooooo! Get to da choppa!"\\
'''Dutch''': "You're one ''ugly'' motherfucker."
** Billy's laugh and the Predator's variation of it.

** "The only movie starring two future Governors."[[labelnote:Explanation]]Referring to Wrestling/JesseVentura, Governor of Minnesota between 1999 and 2004; and Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger, Governor of California between 2003 and 2011.[[/labelnote]]
** The FranchiseKiller release of Shane Black's ''Film/ThePredator'' led to much mockery about the fact that Shane Black himself was in the first Predator and was even the Predator's first victim. As such jokes abound of the Predator travelling back in time to 1987 to kill Shane Black in retaliation for making a terrible sequel.

** After lingering on Dutch's bloodstained body and [[ThousandYardStare traumatised gaze]], the film cuts to black with tense, sombre music... only to cut to a montage of the various characters we've just seen get brutally murdered laughing and going about their day in a way more appropriate for the credit sequence of a Vietnam-themed [[Series/HogansHeroes Hogan's Heroes]]. [[SoundtrackDissonance The sombre music playing over it doesn not help]].

** [[GatlingGood Ol' Painless]]. Bringing a gun that weighs at least 81 lbs / 19 kg and requires thousands of rounds of ammunition and a portable power supply on a stealthy hike through the jungle is a complete ViolationOfCommonSense, but it's such an awesome weapon, used by the film's EnsembleDarkhorse, and contributes so much to the action scenes that it gets a pass for being so much darned fun.
** The VideoCredits, as noted under {{Narm}}, are more than a little out-of-place after the film's BittersweetEnding. However, knowing the film's TroubledProduction, and how miserable the cast were making the film, it does feel somewhat appropriate that they're given the chance to take a final bow before the credits.
* TheProblemWithLicensedGames: While most of the [[LicensedGame Licensed Games]] are decent, the NES version is an exception. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNRSAlZzT7A Arnie wearing pink pants]], the FinalBoss being a [[spoiler:[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3akRgRtho9k giant Predator head]]]], among others.

** Back in its time, the film itself was considered shocking as it broke the action movie mold by having Arnie and his friends defeated by a stealthy being that used its brain and deception to defeat them and, in turn, is only beaten in the end by some quick thinking on part of the hero. Nowadays, it's common practice for action movies, especially after ''Film/DieHard'', to have their protagonists rely on their brains instead of heavy firepower and shooting stuff.
* SignatureScene: Dutch and his squad unloading absurd amounts of ammo blindly into the jungle (the Predator is hit exactly ''once'' and that was before the firestorm started).

** Later in the film, the Predator is seen swinging during daylight when it is nighttime in one shot.

** Later that night, Mac is on guard and looking at the stars whilst going over Vietnam memories with Blaine. Throughout this sequence, he's chewing tobacco -- tobacco that everyone refused when Blaine offered it to them in the helicopter.
** [[spoiler:The thousand-yard-stare Dutch (who by this point has gone from a confident jockey super-human to a withering, traumatized wreck that has lost everyone he loved) gives in the film's final shots.]]
* TooCoolToLive:[[spoiler: Dutch's entire team ([[FallenHero even]] [[BadassBureaucrat Dillion]]) is this. Each of them is an entertaining and likeable OneManArmy with a unique skillset, and they're all dead by the end of the film's second third so that Dutch can fight the Predator one-on-one.]]

* VindicatedByHistory: While a hit with audiences, ''Film/{{Predator}}'' was not well received by critics at the time (although Creator/RogerEbert gave it a positive review) and its Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes scores reflected this. In more recent times, critical attitudes have warmed and it has even gone on to be featured on several "best of" lists. (It's also picked up a reputation as one of [[RatedMForManly the manliest movies ever.]])
* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotPolitical: The film has been noted as an allegory for UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar -- an unseen enemy who is well versed in camouflage, defeating a "superior" American force. (The Predator's technological advantage notwithstanding.)

** The FranchiseKiller release of Shane Black's ''Film/ThePredator2018'' led to much mockery about the fact that Shane Black himself was in the first Predator and was even the Predator's first victim. As such jokes abound of the Predator travelling back in time to 1987 to kill Shane Black in retaliation for making a terrible sequel.

** The FranchiseKiller release of Shane Black's [[Film/ThePredator2018]] led to much mockery about the fact that Shane Black himself was in the first Predator and was even the Predator's first victim. As such jokes abound of the Predator travelling back in time to 1987 to kill Shane Black in retaliation for making a terrible sequel.

* The FranchiseKiller release of Shane Black's [[Film/ThePredator2018]] led to much mockery about the fact that Shane Black himself was in the first Predator and was even the Predator's first victim. As such jokes abound of the Predator travelling back in time to 1987 to kill Shane Black in retaliation for making a terrible sequel.

* NarmCharm: [[GatlingGood Ol' Painless]]. Bringing a gun that weighs at least 81 lbs / 19 kg and requires thousands of rounds of ammunition and a portable power supply on a stealthy hike through the jungle is a complete ViolationOfCommonSense, but it's such an awesome weapon, used by the film's EnsembleDarkhorse, and contributes so much to the action scenes that it gets a pass for being so much darned fun.

** Also, how advanced they are and whether or not they "earned" it. The comics pretty much settle on them having a sort of tribal style culture, with sport hunting as the cornerstone. Some extrapolate their "primitive" culture to indicate the Predators themselves are primitive, and their advanced technology came from stealing it from or being uplifted by a Precursor of some kind. Others look at how intelligent and adaptable many of the individuals the films show are, and conclude the Predators are a very intelligent and technologically advanced species, they just ''like'' their tribal hunt-based society.

* OnlyTheCreatorDoesItRight: Averted. The less well-received second film was written by the Thomas Brothers who wrote the first film and the fourth film by script doctor Creator/ShaneBlack, which was ill-received to the point of being a potential FranchiseKiller.

* {{Sequelitis}}: None of the sequels have earned the level of acclaim or success that the original film has with ''Film/ThePredator'' suffering particularly hard due to the credentials of the director and cast. Though ''Film/Predator2'' and ''Film/{{Predators}}'' have definitely [[VindicatedbyHistory gained better appreciation over time]], largely thanks to the ''Film/AlienVsPredator'' films and ''The Predator'' being more divisive films.

* {{Narm}}: [="GET TO DA CHOPPA!"=] Though many fans view it as NarmCharm, particularly given the memorable sequence that immediately follows.

** Later that night, Mac is on guard and looking at the stars whilst going over Vietnam memories with Blaine. Throughout this sequence, he's chewing tobacco -- tobacco that everyone refused when Blain offered it to them in the helicopter.

* NarmCharm: [[GatlingGood Ol' Painless]]. Bringing a gun that weighs at least 81 lbs / 19 kg and requires thousands of rounds of ammunition and a portable power supply on a stealthy hike through the jungle is a complete ViolationOfCommonSense, but it's such an awesome weapon, used the film's EnsembleDarkhorse, and contributes so much to the action scenes that it gets a pass for being so much darned fun.

* UncannyValley: Several unusual ''audio'' examples, from the creepy distortions the Predator hears when the men speak to its bizarrely human laugh at the end.

** While it may be due to the [[Franchise/AlienVsPredator crossover]] between the two, both the ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' and ''Predator'' series have overlap thanks to both being 80's sci-fi horror series revolving around monsters, in addition to sharing numerous creators and actors between the two such as special effects by Creator/StanWinston, Creator/JamesCameron having input and actors such as Creator/BillPaxton and Creator/LanceHenriksen.

* MagnificentBastard: [[AntagonistTitle The Predator itself]] is a dangerous, cunning and honourable warrior. Hunting in Republic of Val Verde during a Guerrilla War, the Predator stalked and killed numerous insurgents and elite forces, including a band of Green Berets. Cautiously hunting Dutch's group, it picked them off one by one as they split up, careful not to let itself be outnumbered even with its superior technology. Avoiding their first trap, they eventually catch it in a net, which it escapes by firing its Plasmacaster rapidly. Feigning ignorance of Mac and Dillon's presence when they pursue it, the Predator turns the tables and kills them both. Finally confronting Dutch, whom had figured out how to exploit the Predator's thermal imaging tech, the creature is so impressed that, even when it had Dutch in its clutches, it lets him go and disarms itself to fight him unarmed. The hunter is finally beaten when it falls into a trap Dutch had set and only because Dutch made [[CrazyPrepared two traps]]. Noble and terrifying, the Predator hunts for sport, will not go after those it doesn't consider a threat and is an alien icon that spawned an [[Franchise/{{Predator}} entire franchise]].

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: Hawkins’ dirty jokes revolving around sex are a lot more disturbing after it turned out Creator/ShaneBlack was friends with a registered sex offender, to the point of providing him minor acting roles.

* WeirdAlEffect: The design of the titular alien is based on Adjudant Booba from ''Series/DengekiSentaiChangeman'', yet odds are that if you were to show someone a picture of the latter, they'd assume it's either based on or ripping off the former - even Super Sentai itself seems to agree with this, since it's homaged the Predator several times.

* CompleteMonster: See [[Monster/{{Predator}} here]].

* EvilIsCool: Given its bizarre weapons and technology and the unique design from Creator/StanWinston, the Predator inevitably became another popular slasher villain along the lines of Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. It also holds the distinction of being alos a very popular and almost iconic species and antagonist in science fiction culture.

** Dutch and Dillon's handshake.

** The shot of Dutch and Dillon shaking hands became an image known as the Epic Handshake meme.

** Also, how advanced they are and whether or not they "earned" it. The comics pretty much settle on them having a sort of tribal style culture, with sport hunting as the cornerstone. Some extrapolate their "primitive" culture to indicate the Predators themselves are primitive, and they're advanced technology dame from stealing it from or being uplifted by a Precursor of some kind. Others look at how intelligent and adaptable many of the individuals the films show are, and conclude the Predators are a very intelligent and technologically advanced species, they just ''like'' their tribal hunt-based society.

** Jesse Ventura (Blain) spends the first movie wearing a Creator/{{MTV}} t-shirt under his combat gear. While MTV still had some rebel cred in 1987, the sight of a hulking badass wearing the [[RealMenWearPink shirt of a network now mostly known for Tween reality shows]] is hysterical.
** In pre-production, Creator/JeanClaudeVanDamme was supposed to play the Predator, but dropped out. Cue ''VideoGame/MortalKombatX'' and the original Predator, a DLC character, is able to face off against Van Damme {{Expy}} Johnny Cage, who Van Damme himself was originally going to play at one point.
** Jesse Ventura's character derides his teammates as a bunch of "slack jawed faggots" at one point. Later in life, Ventura would become an advocate for gay marriage and other LGBT rights.
** The Predator sees humans through their body heat. Ten years after the first movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger would [[Film/BatmanAndRobin play]] a character that has no body heat to speak of.
** One of the soldiers being found flayed alive at the beginning of the film is named Jim Hopper, and one solder on the team is named Hawkins. Almost exactly 30 years later, the series ''Series/StrangerThings'' (which is chock full of references to 80s popular culture) is set in the fictional town of Hawkins and features Police Chief Jim Hopper. Probably unintentional but still hilarious.

** "The only movie to star two future Governors."[[labelnote:Explanation]]Referring to Wrestling/JesseVentura, Governor of Minnesota between 1999 and 2004; and Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger, Governor of California between 2003 and 2011.[[/labelnote]]