(Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)
The latest Resident Evil movie is expected to smash a massive box office record for the horror franchise. Following strong early reviews and international interest, filmmaker Zach Cregger’s newest installment in the RE lore could deliver the franchise’s biggest domestic opening yet, fueled by strong early buzz and audience interest.
As reported by Variety, Sony’s horror-comedy reboot based on the video game series is tracking toward a $40 million to $50 million domestic debut. Additionally, independent tracking services also expect the initial ticket sales to surpass $50 million and near $60 million. For this latest reboot and eighth overall film in the series, Sony reportedly invested $75 million in the production.
If those projections hold, the film would break the franchise’s domestic opening-weekend record, which is held by Resident Evil: Afterlife. The 2010 movie notably opened at $26.6 million.
Another reason why exhibitors have such high hopes for this film is that it has been directed by Cregger. For those unversed, the filmmaker’s previous movie, Weapons, practically electrified the box office last August with its $270 million global earnings against a $38 million budget.
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil brings a fresh take to the franchise
Cregger’s version of Resident Evil inevitably brings a fresh take to the franchise. Instead of slavishly retelling the franchise’s plots, this reboot delivers a tense, 90-minute survival-horror thrill ride that effectively captures the authentic feeling of playing the video games.
The movie follows Bryan (played by Austin Abrams), a hapless courier tasked with delivering a package to the remote Raccoon City General Hospital. Things soon go awry as he finds himself caught in the middle of the T-virus outbreak. He must then fight his way through infected creatures to survive.
This one also omits familiar heroes like Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, focusing instead on an ordinary, hapless outsider surviving the chaos. The reboot draws on the atmosphere and gameplay elements of the early games while maintaining its own standalone story.
Resident Evil hits theaters on Sept. 18, 2026.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.net.
