---
title: "Predator"
year: 1987
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/predator-1987"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 106
imdb_id: "tt0093773"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 107
community_rating: 7.6
vote_count: 9270
content_rating: "R"
---

# Predator (1987) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/predator-1987

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The film Predator was released in the United States of America on June 12, 1987, by 20th Century Fox. Filming for the movie took place from March to June 1986 with a budget of around $15 million. The creature effects in the film were devised by Stan Winston. The movie follows a team of elite commandos on a secret mission in a Central American jungle. They soon find themselves being hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior. The film was written in 1984 with a working title of Hunter and it grossed $98 million worldwide. Predator is an action film that has been well received and is considered a classic in its genre. The movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and has been made available to watch on various platforms.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "Elite commandos on a secret jungle mission find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior."

### Why Watch
- high-stakes survival action
- iconic creature design

### Caveats & Content Note
- intense violence
- frequent strong language
- Tone & Suitability: This film contains frequent sequences of intense violence and strong language throughout.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: suspenseful, action-packed, intense, menacing

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV Channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, YouTube TV | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Disney Plus | None | Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | Disney Plus, Crave, Starz Amazon Channel, Crave Amazon Channel | None | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo |
| **Australia (AU)** | Disney Plus | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: John McTiernan
- **Networks / Studios**: 20th Century Fox, Lawrence Gordon Productions, Silver Pictures

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Arnold Schwarzenegger** as *Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer*
- **Carl Weathers** as *Al Dillon*
- **Kevin Peter Hall** as *The Predator / Helicopter Pilot*
- **Elpidia Carrillo** as *Anna Gonsalves*
- **Bill Duke** as *Mac Eliot*
- **Jesse Ventura** as *Blain Cooper*
- **Sonny Landham** as *Billy Sole*
- **Richard Chaves** as *Jorge "Poncho" Ramirez*
- **R.G. Armstrong** as *Major General Homer Phillips*
- **Shane Black** as *Rick Hawkins*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Who directed the film?
The film was directed by John McTiernan.

### Q: Who stars in the film?
The cast includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, and Elpidia Carrillo.

### Q: What is the premise of the film?
A team of elite commandos on a secret mission in a Central American jungle are hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.

### Q: Is this the first film in the series?
Yes, it is the original film in the Predator franchise.

### Q: Does the film feature a monstrous creature?
Yes, the antagonist is an extraterrestrial warrior that reveals a monstrous visage.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Predator (film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_(film))
- [Predator (1987) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093773/?fc=1;ft=21;fm=1)
- [Watch Predator (1987) - Free Movies | Tubi](https://tubitv.com/movies/647460/predator)
- [Predator movies in order: chronological and release | Space](https://www.space.com/predator-movies-in-order)
- [The Predator 1987 Full English Best Action Movie Arnold ... - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wD-4qOw62w)
- [Predator Movies in Order (Including Badlands): Chronological & by ...](https://fictionhorizon.com/predator-movies-in-order-chronological-and-by-release-date/)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*