Predator: Badlands is the third Predator film from director Dan Trachtenberg, but it doesn't require knowledge of previous Alien or Predator films to enjoy. That said, Trachtenberg is clearly still thinking about the future of the franchise. Predator: Badlands is a neatly self-contained story about a Predator (or Yautja as they're referred to in the film) proving himself on his first hunt, but the film's final moments offer a hint at a big future conflict.
[Ed. note: Spoilers ahead for the end of Predator: Badlands]
Predator: Badlands ends by going back to the beginning, with Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) returning to Yautja Prime to face his father with the support of his new friends, the Weyland-Yutani synth Thia (Elle Fanning) and the young Kalisk named Bud, who apparently grew a lot on the trip back from Genna. After killing his dad's guards and subduing his father, Dek claims the invisibility device that marks him as a full Yautja warrior.
The end... or is it? Trachtenberg has one more surprise saved for last.
Does Predator: Badlands have a mid-credits sequence?
There is a brief scene between the ending of Predator: Badlands and the beginning of the credits. Before Dek and his new clan can fly off, the rest of his dad's tribe raise their laser swords to hail the arrival of another spaceship. Dek explains that means his mother has arrived home.
Given what a violent jerk Dek's dad was, this is probably not going to be a happy family reunion. But a sequel could provide a bit more perspective on Yautja family dynamics and hierarchy and allow Dek to show off the stealth tech he's earned.
Whether there will be a direct sequel will presumably depend on how well Predator: Badlands performs at the box office. But if I had to pick a Trachtenberg Predator film credits scene to pay off, I'd want to see a fight between the survivors of previous Predator protagonists teased at the end of Predator: Killer of Killers.
Does Predator: Badlands have a post-credits sequence?
No. You can escape the theater as soon as the credits roll without missing anything.
Predator: Badlands is in theaters now.