Updated

Updated · Variety · Sep 18

Zach Cregger Revamps Resident Evil With 1 Original Story Packed With Game References

Updated

Updated · Variety · Sep 18

Zach Cregger Revamps Resident Evil With 1 Original Story Packed With Game References

Q: With an $80 million budget at stake, can Zach Cregger's relentless zombie nightmare break franchise box office records this weekend?

Yes—based on current tracking, Zach Cregger’s *Resident Evil* has a strong chance to set a new domestic opening record for the franchise this weekend, though how far it climbs depends on whether it expands beyond core horror and gaming fans. The key benchmark is clear: the series’ biggest North American debut remains *Resident Evil: Afterlife* at $26.65 million in 2010. Current tracking for the new film is already above that, with most estimates in the $30 million to $40 million range and some reports suggesting presales could push it toward $50 million or higher. Even the conservative end of that range would likely be enough for a franchise-best domestic start. The film’s momentum is being helped by several factors. Early reactions have been unusually strong for a *Resident Evil* movie, with critics praising its intensity, creature effects, humor and fidelity to the games’ horror tone. Cregger’s post-*Barbarian* and post-*Weapons* profile is also a commercial asset, especially with younger male moviegoers, where tracking suggests the strongest interest. Sony’s IMAX and premium-format rollout should further lift opening-weekend grosses. The main risk is reach. The movie uses an original protagonist rather than iconic game leads like Leon or Jill, and that could limit turnout among some longtime fans. For an $80 million production, breaking the opening-weekend record is likely; becoming a major theatrical hit will depend more on word of mouth and staying power after launch.

3 articles · Updated · Variety · Sep 18

Sony’s new “Resident Evil,” now in theaters, breaks from direct game adaptation by following Austin Abrams’ medical courier Bryan through a fresh Raccoon City outbreak.
Cregger still anchors the reboot in franchise lore, weaving in Umbrella Corporation labs, zombie dogs, T-virus-style tendrils, stitched-together monsters and first-person shooter imagery.
Bryan’s path mirrors the games’ survival mechanics: he starts unarmed, then scavenges a handgun, shotgun and assault rifle while searching locked spaces for scarce ammo.
The film marks another franchise reset after 2021’s failed “Welcome to Raccoon City,” aiming to revive a series that began with Capcom’s 1996 game and previously spawned 6 live-action movies.