Zach Cregger’s “Resident Evil” reboot is on track for the biggest opening weekend in the 24-year history of the film franchise. The horror-survival movie pulled in $26.3 million on its first day, including a franchise-record $8.8 million from Thursday previews, and Sony Pictures now projects a three-day domestic opening between $53 million and $55 million — with some estimates running as high as $60 million.
- Opening day: $26.3 million, including $8.8 million in Thursday previews (both franchise records)
- Weekend projection: $53 million-$55 million, possibly up to $60 million
- Studio’s original forecast: $40 million
- Budget: $75 million
- Critics’ score: 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, the best of any “Resident Evil” film
- Audience grade: B+ CinemaScore, also a franchise best
A franchise that finally clicked with critics
The seven previous live-action “Resident Evil” films scored between 18% and 37% on Rotten Tomatoes. Cregger’s version is sitting at 96% certified fresh, with an audience score in the low 90s to match. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman wrote that this take is sharper and more purposeful than the earlier entries in the series.
The new film drops the established “Resident Evil” characters, including Milla Jovovich’s Alice from the original six movies, in favor of an original story. Austin Abrams stars as a medical courier caught in a viral outbreak while making a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital, with Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser in supporting roles. Some longtime fans were skeptical of leaving the games’ characters behind, but reviews and early word-of-mouth suggest the gamble paid off.
Cregger’s hot streak continues
The opening is also the best of Zach Cregger’s career, topping the $43.5 million debut of his 2025 horror hit “Weapons,” which went on to make $270 million worldwide against a $38 million budget. Cregger also directed 2022’s “Barbarian” before that. “Resident Evil” is his first major studio franchise film, made on twice the budget of “Weapons,” and it’s outperforming that film’s opening by a wide margin.
What else is at the box office this weekend
“Resident Evil” is the only wide new release this weekend, so it was never going to face much competition for the top spot. “Practical Magic 2,” starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, sits in second place in its second week, adding roughly $3.1 million on Friday toward a projected $10.4 million weekend and a running total near $48.2 million.
Further down the chart, Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe’s historical thriller “The Weight” opened in a smaller run of around 1,500 theaters, taking in about $1.17 million on Friday toward a projected $2.3 million weekend.
What’s next
The fall box office is expected to get busier from here. Next weekend brings three new wide releases: Paramount’s Brad Pitt-led survival thriller “Heart of the Beast,” Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s “Forgotten Island,” and A24’s “Primetime.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the Resident Evil reboot make on opening weekend?
Sony Pictures projected a three-day domestic opening between $53 million and $55 million, with some estimates as high as $60 million, after the film earned $26.3 million on its opening day.
Who stars in the new Resident Evil movie?
Austin Abrams leads the cast as a medical courier caught in a viral outbreak, with Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser in supporting roles. The film does not feature Milla Jovovich’s Alice or other established franchise characters.
Who directed the Resident Evil reboot?
Zach Cregger, who also wrote the film with Shay Hatten. He previously directed the 2025 horror hit “Weapons” and 2022’s “Barbarian.”
How does the reboot compare to earlier Resident Evil movies critically?
It holds a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest of any film in the franchise; the previous seven live-action installments each scored between 18% and 37%.