‘Resident Evil’ Set to Break Box Office Records This Weekend
Zach Cregger has made quite an impact in recent years, with ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons’ becoming two of the most discussed horror films lately. Both movies earned their acclaim through original narratives and surprising twists, making his choice to adapt a well-known video game franchise for his third feature a surprising move.
That franchise is ‘Resident Evil,’ which has had a rocky history at the box office. Although it has amassed over $1.2 billion globally from seven previous films, it has never truly dominated the North American box office, with 2010’s ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ holding the domestic opening weekend record at a modest $26.6 million.
However, that record is about to be shattered. Deadline’s latest box office forecast estimates that Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ could open between $40 million and $50 million domestically, with an additional $31 million expected from international markets, potentially bringing the film’s global opening weekend total to around $80 million at the high end.
Even under Deadline’s more conservative projections, a $40 million domestic opening would set a new record for the franchise, surpassing the previous mark established 16 years ago. Some independent trackers are even more optimistic, suggesting ticket sales could reach closer to $60 million once all figures are finalized.
Some forecasts are even bolder, with projections from Global Box Office indicating the film could debut anywhere from $120 million to $150 million worldwide, highlighting the wide range of expectations as the opening weekend approaches.
The film will be released widely in approximately 3,000 domestic locations, with preview screenings starting Thursday afternoon ahead of its official opening on Friday, September 18. The reported production budget for the movie is between $75 million and $80 million, which is significantly higher than Cregger’s previous films but still relatively modest compared to many studio blockbusters vying for similar box office success.
Much of the optimism surrounding the film can be traced back to Cregger’s recent successes. His 2025 film ‘Weapons’ opened to $43 million domestically on a $38 million budget and went on to gross $270 million worldwide, becoming one of the year’s biggest sleeper hits and even earning an Oscar for Amy Madigan.
‘Resident Evil’ sees Cregger reuniting with ‘Weapons’ star Austin Abrams, who portrays Bryan, a medical courier caught in a chaotic viral outbreak while delivering to Raccoon City. The supporting cast includes Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis, with early reviews being positive, as critics commend the film’s fresh take compared to earlier entries in the franchise.
The first trailer for Zach Cregger’s ‘RESIDENT EVIL’ has been released.
In theaters on September 18. pic.twitter.com/eeVCAGzy6M
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 30, 2026
The stakes are higher than they may seem, considering the franchise’s inconsistent box office performance. Sony’s last attempt at a ‘Resident Evil’ reboot, 2021’s ‘Welcome to Raccoon City,’ was both a critical and commercial failure, earning only $42 million worldwide against a $25 million budget.
Every original entry in the Paul W.S. Anderson-led series opened in the $20 million range domestically, not adjusted for inflation, making Cregger’s projected debut a significant leap for a franchise that has historically underperformed relative to its brand recognition. ‘Resident Evil’ is also the only major new wide release this weekend, which almost guarantees it the top spot at the domestic box office, regardless of the final numbers.
Theater operators are hoping the film will provide a much-needed boost to the early fall box office, especially with a light release schedule otherwise dominated by holdovers like ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ and ‘The Odyssey.’ A stronger-than-expected debut would also solidify Cregger’s reputation as a filmmaker capable of drawing audiences, whether he’s working from original content or reimagining an established IP.
Sony will learn how well these projections hold up once the final numbers come in this weekend, with early tracking indicating that first-day ticket sales were robust enough to push estimates even higher than initial forecasts.
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