Explore the real Los Angeles locations where Predator 2 was filmed and see the gritty streets that became the hunting ground of the deadly Yautja alien hunters.
If the original Predator (1987) dropped an alien hunter into the jungle, Predator 2 (1990) decided the next logical step was… Los Angeles during a heatwave and gang war.
Because nothing says relaxing vacation like hunting humans in a city of millions.
The Predator 2 (1990) film follows LAPD lieutenant Mike Harrigan, played by Danny Glover, who discovers that a mysterious killer stalking gang members isn’t human.
In the movie, an alien trophy hunter arrives in LA. The cops try to stop it and chaos follows. The cast of Predator 2 also includes Gary Busey, Rubén Blades, Maria Conchita Alonso, and Bill Paxton.
But the real star of the movie? Los Angeles itself.
Table of Contents
👾 Predator 2 Filming Locations
If you’ve ever wondered where was Predator 2 filmed, the answer is: all over gritty downtown LA, using alleys, rooftops, subway tunnels, and bars that still exist today.
Let’s explore the best Predator 2 filming locations fans can actually visit.
🏙️ Winston Street – The Opening Gang Shootout
The Predator 2 (1990) film opens with one of the most chaotic shootouts in action-movie history. The location? Winston Street in downtown Los Angeles, deep in the Skid Row district.
This alley became the stage for the legendary opening battle between Colombian gangsters and the LAPD. Bullets fly, buildings explode, and the Predator casually watches the chaos from above like a tourist enjoying local culture.
Fans visiting this Predator 2 filming location will notice something fascinating: the street still looks surprisingly similar today. The narrow alleys, industrial buildings, and gritty vibe made it the perfect place for a futuristic crime-ridden LA.
The moment everyone remembers here is when gang leader El Scorpio is suddenly blasted through a window by an unseen force. That’s the Predator reminding everyone who the real apex predator is.
Today, Winston Street is one of the easiest places to visit for fans who want to recreate screenshots from the movie. Just maybe don’t bring a Predator 2 gun replica and start shouting movie quotes. LAPD probably won’t appreciate the enthusiasm.
Fun trivia: the production crew reportedly used massive squibs and pyrotechnics to make this shootout feel bigger than most action films of the era.
🌆 Eastern Columbia Building – Predator vs Lightning
One of the most iconic visuals in Predator 2 (1990) happens high above the streets. The Yautja stands on the rooftop of the Eastern Columbia Building, roaring triumphantly during a thunderstorm while lightning flashes behind him.
Yes, it’s as dramatic as it sounds.
Located on South Broadway in downtown LA, this turquoise Art Deco tower is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. In the movie, it becomes the Predator’s observation deck – the perfect place to scan the city with thermal vision.
This scene helped cement the creature as more than just a jungle hunter. Now he was an urban hunter, stalking rooftops like a sci-fi Batman.
Rumor says residents occasionally place Predator statues on the roof as a tribute to the movie. Whether that’s true or not, the building remains one of the most photographed Predator 2 filming locations.
And if you visit at night during a thunderstorm, just remember: If your body heat suddenly appears in thermal vision, you might want to start running.
Trivia: Today the building is luxury condos called Eastern Columbia Lofts.
🛍️ Santee Alley – The Predator Chase
In Predator 2, Detective Harrigan spends a lot of time chasing a creature that can literally turn invisible. Not the easiest police work.
Many of these chase scenes were filmed on Santee Alley in the Fashion District, one of LA’s busiest market streets. This location appears during the sequences where the city becomes a chaotic maze of crowds, reporters, and panicked civilians while Harrigan tries to track the alien hunter.
What makes this spot special is that it still looks remarkably similar today. You’ll see colorful shops, narrow sidewalks, and a constant crowd – the same elements used in the film to create the feeling of a city barely holding itself together.
Fans searching often visit here because it’s easy to recognize from several scenes. If you walk through Santee Alley today, you probably won’t find the Predator. But you will find hundreds of bargain clothing shops, which is honestly almost as overwhelming.
Movie nerd trivia: The news station crowds and camera crews were staged here to show how the killings were becoming a media frenzy.
🏢 Pacific Electric Building – Cloaked Predator Rooftop
Another major Predator 2 filming location is the historic Pacific Electric Building in downtown Los Angeles.
This massive 1911 structure once housed the offices of LA’s famous electric railway system. By the late 1980s, however, parts of it were empty – which made it perfect for Hollywood.
In the movie, the building appears during rooftop sequences where the Predator lurks invisibly above the city. If you’re a fan of the creature’s cloaking technology, this is basically the spot where it perfected the art of watching humans panic from above.
Today the building has been transformed into the Pacific Electric Lofts, a residential complex.
Fun trivia: This building appears in dozens of movies, making it one of the most frequently used filming locations in LA. But for fans of Predator 2 (1990), it will always be remembered as one of the Predator’s favorite hunting perches.
Imagine living here and explaining to friends: “Yeah, that balcony? An alien once used it to stalk drug dealers.” Instant conversation starter.
🚇 Belmont Tunnel (Hollywood Subway) – The Hidden Spaceship
If you’re a hardcore fan of Predator 2, you definitely remember the final act reveal. After chasing the creature across rooftops and subways, Harrigan discovers the Predator’s spaceship hidden underground.
Parts of these scenes were filmed around the Belmont Tunnel or Hollywood Subway, an abandoned subway tunnel in Los Angeles. This location has a long Hollywood history and has been used in music videos, movies, and TV shows.
In the Predator 2 (1990) movie, the tunnel represents the moment the story goes from crime thriller to full sci-fi showdown. It’s also the location where fans first saw the legendary Predator 2 trophy wall.
Among the skulls displayed? A very familiar one: an Alien skull, teasing the future Alien vs Predator crossover.
Unfortunately, most of the tunnel itself is closed today, but the surrounding area can still be seen. Which means you can visit and imagine the Predator ship lurking somewhere below. Hopefully.
🎨 Brewery Artist Lofts – The Meat Plant Showdown
The government’s attempt to capture the Predator happens in one of the weirdest locations in the movie: a slaughterhouse. These scenes were filmed at the Brewery Artist Lofts complex near North Main Street in Los Angeles.
In the movie, the building doubles as a grimy meat-packing facility where agents attempt to trap the creature using extreme heat suits. Spoiler: It doesn’t go well.
Fans remember this scene for two reasons:
- The Predator absolutely destroys the government team.
- The introduction of several cool weapons including the Predator 2 gun used by the agents.
Today, the building is actually a huge artist community, hosting galleries and creative studios. Which is a funny contrast. Because the place where an alien slaughtered half a tactical team is now filled with painters and sculptors.
Art truly does transform spaces.
🍺 Footsie’s Bar – Harrigan’s Downtime
Even cops chasing extraterrestrial hunters need a drink sometimes. Enter Footsie’s Bar in Highland Park.
This real dive bar appears in Predator 2 during a scene where Harrigan meets his fellow officers. It’s one of the most accessible filming locations, because the bar is still open today.
Fans visiting can literally sit at the same counter where characters from the Predator 2 cast had their conversations. If you visit, order a drink and toast to the only detective crazy enough to chase an invisible alien through downtown LA.
Fun trivia: Footsie’s Bar has appeared in several movies and TV shows thanks to its gritty, old-school LA vibe. You can spot it in productions like Speed, Shameless, New Girl, and Sons of Anarchy, where its authentic dive-bar atmosphere makes it a favorite filming spot for Hollywood crews.
🚉 Union Station – The Subway Investigation
Los Angeles Union Station appears during the subway investigation scenes in Predator 2 (1990). The station is one of the most famous rail terminals in America and a favorite filming location for Hollywood.
Its massive waiting room, Art Deco architecture, and long platforms make it instantly cinematic. In the movie, police activity around the station highlights how the Predator’s killings are spreading across the city.
For fans, this location is one of the easiest to visit. The station is fully open to the public and a major transportation hub. Plus, it’s appeared in dozens of movies including Blade Runner and The Dark Knight Rises.
So even if you don’t spot a Predator here, you’ll definitely spot some movie history.
🏠 Ennis House – The Drug Lord Mansion
The drug lord Ramon Vega’s mansion in Predator 2 was inspired by the famous Ennis House in Los Feliz.
Designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the building is one of the most visually striking homes in Los Angeles. Its Mayan-inspired design gives it a mysterious, almost alien look – which explains why filmmakers loved using it.
In Predator 2 (1990), the mansion serves as the setting for the violent scene where the Predator wipes out Vega’s gang. The house itself is private property today, but fans can still view it from the street.
Fun fact: The building has also appeared in Blade Runner and several other films. So technically, this house has hosted both replicants and Predators. Not bad for a single residence.
🏢 1100 Wilshire Boulevard – Vega’s Penthouse
The exterior of Vega’s luxurious apartment was filmed at 1100 Wilshire Boulevard.
This tall building provided skyline shots during the scenes where the Predator attacks the Jamaican gang. The contrast between the sleek modern tower and the brutal violence happening inside made the scenes even more dramatic.
Today, the building is a residential apartment complex with one of the most famous rooftop pools in LA. Which means residents can relax in the same place where the Predator once hunted criminals.
Just imagine explaining that to guests: “Welcome to my apartment building. An alien killed several gangsters here in 1990.”
Real estate agents probably leave that detail out.
🎥 20th Century Fox Studios – Interior Sets
Many interiors of Predator 2 (1990) were filmed at 20th Century Fox Studios in Century City.
This included:
- The Predator spaceship interior
- The famous Predator 2 trophy wall room
- Several police department scenes
The trophy room became one of the most important moments in sci-fi movie history. Why? Because fans spotted the skull of an Alien, confirming that both franchises existed in the same universe.
The studio sets also allowed the filmmakers to build the Predator ship environment, including the moment when Harrigan receives the legendary Predator 2 pistol.
The antique flintlock pistol is one of the coolest props in the franchise – and one of the most searched items by collectors and NECA Predator 2 figure fans.
🗺️ Predator 2 Location Tour Route
If you ever visit Los Angeles, you can follow this fan-friendly Predator 2 tour route:
- Union Station
- Pacific Electric Building
- Eastern Columbia Building
- Winston Street
- Santee Street
- 1100 Wilshire Blvd
- Brewery Artist Lofts
- Footsie’s Bar
Travel tips:
- Most locations are within 10 minutes of downtown LA
- Visit Winston Street during daytime
- Bring screenshots from the movie for photo comparisons
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
No thermal vision required.
❓ Predator 2 FAQ
What is the Predator 2 (1990) plot summary?
The movie follows an LAPD detective investigating brutal killings in Los Angeles, only to discover an alien hunter stalking the city for trophies.
Who are the main actors in the cast of Predator 2?
The Predator 2 cast includes Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Rubén Blades, Maria Conchita Alonso, and Bill Paxton.
What is the Predator 2 trophy wall?
The Predator 2 trophy wall is a scene showing skulls collected by the Predator. One skull belongs to an Alien, hinting at the Alien vs Predator crossover.
What is the Predator 2 pistol?
The Predator 2 pistol is an antique flintlock gun given to Harrigan by the Predator elders at the end of the movie.
What gun does Harrigan use in Predator 2?
Harrigan carries a Smith & Wesson revolver.
📺 Where to Watch Predator 2
If you’re ready for some alien-hunting chaos, here are the easiest ways to watch Predator 2.
- Amazon Prime Video: Rent or buy the Predator 2 1990 full movie in HD.
- Other platforms: Apple TV, YouTube Movies, Google TV.
- Blu-ray/DVD: The best option for fans of NECA Predator 2 merchandise.
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. All referenced titles, names, and related intellectual property are the property of their respective owners, and no copyright infringement is intended.
- Where Was Predator 2 Filmed? Iconic LA Locations Guide - March 8, 2026
- Where Was Predators (2010) Filmed? - March 7, 2026
- Where Was The Predator Filmed? Real 2018 Movie Locations - March 6, 2026
Discover more from Ahoy Matey Blog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.