Zach Cregger’s quirky Resident Evil film proves skeptics wrong with series-best opening weekend
Zach Cregger’s new Resident Evil film has become a major box office success, defying industry skeptics and setting a new record for the franchise. The film earned $108.3 million globally during its opening weekend, comprising $60 million from North America and $48.3 million internationally. This result significantly exceeded industry predictions of $40–50 million.
The opening represents the strongest debut ever for a Resident Evil film adaptation. It ranks as the second-best horror film opening of 2026, behind only Backrooms ($118 million). The film has already surpassed the lifetime box office total of 2021’s Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City and exceeded the original 2002 Resident Evil film, which earned $102.9 million across its entire theatrical run. Industry analysts suggest the film is positioned to outperform several previous Resident Evil movies by substantial margins.
The strong performance demonstrates significant audience interest in Cregger’s distinctive approach to the horror source material, validating the filmmaker’s vision for reimagining the franchise. The commercial success indicates continued viability for video game adaptations in the theatrical market, particularly within the horror genre.