Sony Pictures' new take on the beloved Capcom video game property is currently projected to open domestically between $45 and $60 million next weekend, according to Box Office Theory. This marks a significant increase from earlier bullish tracking estimates of $35 to $50 million, as reported by Deadline. Even at the lower end of these projections, Cregger’s Resident Evil is set to shatter franchise records.
The Resident Evil film series boasts a cumulative global box office of over $1 billion across seven live-action theatrical releases spanning two decades, making it one of only six horror franchises to achieve this milestone. However, these films have historically seen modest domestic openings, with 2010's Resident Evil: Afterlife holding the record at $26.6 million (leading to a $300.2 million worldwide total). Cregger's reboot is thus poised to significantly outpace all previous entries.
The film stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier thrust into a relentless fight for survival as a night of chaos unfolds. He's joined by a compelling cast including Zach Cherry (Severance), Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country), and Paul Walter Hauser (The Naked Gun).
Zach Cregger's vision for Resident Evil places the story within the games' universe without directly adapting a specific title, a creative choice that, despite some fan debate, appears to be generating considerable mainstream interest. The franchise's established global appeal is a major asset; for instance, 2017's Resident Evil: The Final Chapter earned a modest $26.8 million domestically but soared to $314.1 million worldwide. This global strength suggests the new film won't solely rely on a massive North American turnout, unlike many other horror releases.
While the original Resident Evil film in 2002 helped break the "video game movie curse," its sequels, led by Milla Jovovich, were not typically critical darlings. Cregger, known for his ability to craft both commercially successful and well-received films, could elevate the franchise's critical standing – a feat that Hollywood has only recently started to achieve with video game adaptations. This is especially crucial given the disappointing performance of 2021's Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, which garnered only $41.9 million globally.
Following the immense success of Weapons, which grossed $270 million worldwide against a reported $40 million budget, Cregger has proven his ability to turn original concepts into theatrical triumphs. Now, the question is whether he can replicate this success with an established IP that has seen its financial ups and downs. If current estimates hold, the answer will be a resounding yes when Resident Evil arrives in theaters on September 18, 2026.