The 2026 Resident Evil film, which hit theaters worldwide in mid-September, has swiftly climbed the box office ranks, now boasting a global take of over $320 million. This impressive haul positions it as the top earner among all Resident Evil adaptations, surpassing even 2017's Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, which concluded the Milla Jovovich-led saga with $312 million.
However, the story, as reported by Ecran Large, isn't entirely straightforward. The new film's substantial budget, estimated between $75-80 million (with Cregger's salary alone reportedly hitting $20 million), is considerably higher than most of its predecessors. For instance, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter was made on a budget of just $40 million, while the very first Resident Evil film in 2002 cost only $33 million. When factoring in inflation, the earlier films, particularly those starring Jovovich, demonstrated remarkable efficiency in their returns.
Where Cregger's Resident Evil truly shines is in its domestic performance. It has garnered an impressive $138 million in North America, setting a new record for the franchise in that territory by a considerable margin. This contrasts sharply with The Final Chapter, which limped to a mere $27 million domestically, relying heavily on overseas markets for its success.
Indeed, international markets, especially Asia, played a crucial role in the previous films' fortunes. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter notably pulled in a staggering $159 million from China alone, a figure that dwarfed its domestic take and was comparable to major Marvel blockbusters at the time. The 2026 Resident Evil has just begun its run in China, opening with a strong $40 million, but will need to sustain that momentum to match its predecessor's exceptional performance in the region. In Japan, the new film has earned $3 million so far, significantly less than The Final Chapter's $36 million.
Despite these nuances, the overall success of the 2026 Resident Evil is undeniable. It's not expected to reach the stratospheric heights of other major video game adaptations like Uncharted, Rampage, Warcraft, or Pokémon Detective Pikachu, all of which crossed the $400 million mark. However, its performance stands in stark contrast to recent genre entries like Mortal Kombat II, which struggled to reach $130 million globally on a comparable budget.
For director Zach Cregger, this achievement marks another significant step in his rapidly ascending career. Following the critical and commercial success of Barbarian and the anticipated release of Weapons in 2025, Resident Evil further solidifies his standing as a filmmaker to watch. His next major directorial project, the sci-fi thriller The Flood starring Jennifer Lawrence, is slated for an August 2028 release, ensuring Cregger's name remains a fixture in upcoming genre discussions.