“Predator” is a 1987 American science fiction action film directed by John McTiernan and written by brothers Jim and John Thomas. It is the first installment in the Predator franchise. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the leader of an elite paramilitary rescue team on a mission to save hostages in guerrilla-held territory in a Central American rainforest. During the mission, they encounter the deadly Predator (Kevin Peter Hall), a technologically advanced alien who stalks and hunts them down.

Originally written in 1984 under the working title “Hunter,” filming for “Predator” took place from March to June 1986, with creature effects devised by Stan Winston. The film had a budget of around $15 million. 20th Century Fox released “Predator” on June 12, 1987, in the United States, where it grossed $98.3 million. Although initial reviews were mixed, the film has since been reappraised as a classic of the action genre.