Predators: Top 10 Yautja Hunters Ranked
There have been a number of skilled and terrifying Predators over the years that all set out to kill the most dangerous game. But which one is the best?
Predator has become one of the big franchises, and includes movies, games, and comics started in 1987 with Dutch’s battle against the Jungle Hunter. The iconic first Predator scared the crap out of audiences with its cloaking tech and ugly face. The sequels introduced new (ugly-faced) Predators that all had new abilities, new tech, and new genetics – all to take out the most dangerous game. They’re all very good at killing and collecting humans, but who is the best?
Note: I’m not counting the AvP, comics, or game hunters – just the ones that took on humans and each other on the big screen.
10. Ultimate Hunter (The Predator)
Part of a new breed that has spliced DNA to create more resilient hunters – could be interesting, right? The oversized hunter never really lives up to his promise, though. He throws a bunch of people around but his kills are unimaginative and filled with unimpressive CG gore. His size gives him a high intimidation stat but his movement is clumsy, and for a stealth hunter this big dude makes a lot of noise.
via 20th Century Studios
9. Tracker (Predators)
He brought Predator hounds to the screen and has a unique tusked helmet, but that’s about all the Tracker brought to Predators. His purpose in the story seems to be dog wrangling and dying to give Nikolai a moment. This Super Predator is wasted due to a lack of screen time.
via 20th Century Studios
8. Falconer (Predators)
The Falconer has the same problem the Tracker does – there’s not much to him. He has a cool drone gimmick and a unique helmet, but not much else. The Falconer’s death is memorable, at least. Sadly that’s because it was at the end of a really boring fight (no amount of camera angles can fix it).
via 20th Century Studios
7. Fugitive (The Predator)
Another Yautja with promise suffers from a backstory (a faction that wanted to help humanity survive) full of holes that are cut short by an early death. He had an awesome look and the physical performance from parkour athlete Brian A. Prince made him interesting to watch. He’s a bright spot in a horrible movie and most of his fights were great. The Predator writers did this hunter dirty.
via 20th Century Studios
6. Greyback Elder (Predator 2)
We don’t see much of him, but he makes an impression with a gift to Harrigan. He seems to have respect for the human after his defeat of the city hunter. A respect that comes with age, plenty of hunts, and watching others be defeated.
via 20th Century Studios
5. Crucified (Predators)
This guy was designed to look like the Jungle Predator from the original movie. His linage is different than the Super Predators in this movie and part of a blood feud between the two. The Crucified hunter is honorable, granting help in exchange for freedom to one of the humans he hunts. He goes out in a hard fight against the Super Predator leader.
via 20th Century Studios
4. Berserker (Predators)
The most villainous and brutal on this list. This hunter has no honor, he just wants the skulls of the biggest and most dangerous prey – and he will put members of his own species in harm’s way if that gets him what he wants. The Berserker is all about power and prestige. He’s also one ugly mofo.
via 20th Century Studios
3. City Hunter (Predator 2)
What makes Predator 2 bad isn’t its hunter. City Hunter is showy and loves the hunt so much that he toys with his prey to make it more fun. He navigates LA with ease, taking out warring drug cartels that are armed to teeth; but leaves most civilians alone. It’s the challenge for this Yautja.
via 20th Century Studios
2. Feral (Prey)
The most primitive and feral on the list wears little armor and has limited weapons compared to his future brethren. His tactics are close range, his cloaking ability is not exactly stable, and his helmet is made of bone rather than space-age metals. Even without the tech, he’s effective and takes out a ton of people using stealth and skill.
via Hulu
1. Jungle Hunter (Predator)
The first Predator to hit the big screen. Jungle Hunter reserves his energy by using stealth and traps – he isn’t seen till an hour into the movie after terrorizing Dutch and his team from the jungle. He also shows honor in the way he fights and sets a lot of the rules that will be followed (and broken) by Yautja in the movies that follow. He is the original and the reason why the rest exist.
