Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Achieves Impressive Rotten Tomatoes Score as Critics Praise It

Video game adaptations have often faced challenges in winning over critics, and the ‘Resident Evil‘ franchise has been particularly affected by this trend for years. With a history of forgettable theatrical releases and a Netflix series that was canceled after just one season, the beloved Capcom survival horror series has long sought a screen adaptation that truly honors the source material.

That quest seems to have finally borne fruit. Zach Cregger, known for his work on ‘Barbarian’ and the Oscar-winning ‘Weapons,’ has taken on the franchise for the first time, describing his approach as a love letter to the games. He aims to capture the exhilarating dread of advancing with limited resources and the uncertainty of what lurks in the shadows. Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier thrust into a nightmare for which he is ill-prepared.

This ambition is reflected in the film’s performance. ‘Resident Evil’ has secured an impressive 98 percent Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 56 reviews, marking an extraordinary achievement for a franchise that has never reached such heights of critical acclaim on the big screen before.

Critics have been enthusiastic in their praise since the initial reactions began to surface. Tomatometer-approved critic EJ Moreno referred to the film as “a true horror blockbuster,” noting that “Zach Cregger goes bigger, scarier, and at his most fun.” This enthusiasm has been echoed by many reviewers, who highlight the film’s combination of relentless tension, gory creature effects, and Cregger’s signature dark humor.

Several reviews have likened the film to John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing,’ emphasizing its body horror and creature design as standout features. Critics have also commended how the movie captures the essence of playing a ‘Resident Evil’ game, with first-person sequences and escalating dread that reflect the survival horror experience rather than merely rehashing familiar storylines from 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

Not every response has been entirely positive, as some reviewers have pointed out that the film leans more toward comedy than a purist adaptation might suggest. A few have even claimed it ranks among Cregger’s weaker directorial efforts, given the high standards set by his previous films. Nevertheless, the overall consensus among critics remains overwhelmingly favorable, with many declaring it the best video game movie ever made, despite any minor critiques.

With ‘Resident Evil’ set to premiere in theaters on September 18, this critical reception places significant pressure on a franchise that has struggled for years to convert its gaming success into cinematic recognition. If audience reactions align with the critics’ sentiments, Cregger may have finally delivered the ‘Resident Evil’ adaptation that fans have been eagerly awaiting for decades.

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