Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Achieves Highest Audience Score Yet
Zach Cregger has established himself as a leading name in modern horror, creating two original stories that have become significant successes through word-of-mouth. Therefore, when it was revealed that he would be adapting a video game for his next project, horror fans reacted with a mix of excitement and cautious curiosity.
This caution is understandable given the franchise’s history. Previous live-action films in the ‘Resident Evil’ series have struggled to impress critics, with scores ranging from a lowly 18% for 2004’s ‘Resident Evil: Apocalypse’ to a mediocre 38% for 2017’s ‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.’ None of the earlier seven films managed to achieve a fresh rating.
Cregger’s new ‘Resident Evil’ has dramatically changed that narrative. The film debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with an impressive 96% Tomatometer score and, even more importantly, a 90% audience score on the Popcornmeter, based on early verified ratings following its theatrical release.
The 90% audience score is particularly noteworthy, marking the highest rating of Cregger’s directing career. His breakout film, ‘Barbarian,’ holds a 70% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes despite a strong 92% critics rating, highlighting the divisive nature of its plot twist. His follow-up, ‘Weapons,’ performed better with an 85% audience score and a 93% critics rating, but ‘Resident Evil’ has now surpassed both.
Much of the audience’s enthusiasm seems to stem from Cregger’s commitment to the tone of the source material rather than adhering strictly to the storylines of specific games. The film centers on Bryan, a medical courier portrayed by ‘Weapons’ star Austin Abrams, who becomes embroiled in a viral outbreak in Raccoon City during what should have been a routine delivery.
Critics have echoed this sentiment. Courtney Howard from Variety described the film as “a wild, hilarious, unpredictably bonkers thrill ride from start to finish,” praising Abrams for embodying the perfect hapless everyman amidst the chaos. This blend of comedy and genuine terror has become a hallmark of Cregger’s style, resonating well with audiences.
The decision to focus on an original protagonist instead of established franchise characters like Leon Kennedy or Chris Redfield was a risky move that could have alienated long-time fans. However, early reactions indicate that this choice allowed Cregger to create tension and set pieces around a relatable lead, rather than being constrained by decades of lore.
Cregger has garnered enough goodwill from horror audiences that they were willing to follow him into this new direction. Both ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons’ earned acclaim for subverting expectations, and this unpredictability appears to be a key factor in why ‘Resident Evil’ is resonating with ticket buyers.
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
For a series that has spent nearly two decades oscillating between mediocre reviews and complex fan reactions, achieving a 90% audience score signifies a true turning point. It suggests that Cregger’s approach—treating the material with genuine care rather than franchise obligation—was precisely what ‘Resident Evil’ needed to connect with a wider audience.
It’s important to note that Rotten Tomatoes scores can fluctuate as more verified ratings come in, so these numbers may change as the film’s theatrical run progresses. Nevertheless, starting with such strong reviews from both critics and audiences places ‘Resident Evil’ in a unique position within the often hit-or-miss video game movie genre.
With Cregger hinting at potential story developments for the future, a positive audience reception like this strengthens the case for expanding this new vision of the franchise. For now, ‘Resident Evil’ stands as the best-reviewed entry in the series, marking a significant achievement for Zach Cregger.
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