The latest Resident Evil reboot has given the franchise its biggest global opening since it first reached cinemas. Zach Cregger’s new reboot has opened with $108.3 million worldwide, giving the Capcom franchise its biggest global start.
Released in cinemas on September 18, 2026, the Sony Pictures film made $60 million across the US and Canada and another $48.3 million internationally. It was produced for a reported $75 million before marketing, putting the reboot on a strong commercial footing.
There's no announced streaming price because Resident Evil is currently a theatrical release. This result suggests audiences may be responding to more than the name on the poster: a familiar game franchise rebuilt around a filmmaker with his own identity.
Treasure Ayanfe Adetula
Why Did Resident Evil Connect This Time?
Cregger, who directed Barbarian and Weapons, entered the project with a growing reputation for unpredictable horror. The Guardian’s interview with Zach Cregger reported that he had never watched the previous Resident Evil films, although he has been a fan of the games.
That distance matters. Instead of continuing the Milla Jovovich-led film series, Cregger created a new story around Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams.
Bryan is sent to deliver a transplant organ near Raccoon City and becomes trapped in a night of infected creatures and survival. Cregger has said, “The point is, it’s an original movie, even though it is Resident Evil.” That idea may explain why the reboot has attracted both franchise fans and newcomers.
What Makes This Reboot Feel Different?
Cregger has treated the video game itself as a storytelling tool rather than a list of references. Bryan moves through different environments, searches for resources, and faces escalating threats, giving the film the structure of a game session. The Guardian also noted that Cregger uses camera angles associated with third-person shooters to strengthen that feeling.
Rotten Tomatoes currently lists Resident Evil at 95% from critics and 91% from verified audience ratings. Its critics' consensus calls it a “propulsive tribute” to the experience of playing a horror game.
The reception matters because earlier live-action films struggled with critics. The 2026 film is currently the only live-action Resident Evil movie with a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Is The Box Office Success Bigger Than Resident Evil?
The $60 million North American debut is the best in the series, beating Resident Evil: Afterlife, which made $26 million in 2010 before inflation adjustments. International ticket sales added $48.3 million.
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