Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Becomes the Highest-Grossing Film in the Franchise Can It Keep Climbing
Video game adaptations have faced a tumultuous journey at the box office, and few franchises exemplify this struggle as clearly as ‘Resident Evil.’ For years, the series fluctuated between modest successes and significant failures, making a full-scale revival seem improbable. However, this fall, Zach Cregger’s reboot has transformed the narrative in an unexpected way.
The original film series debuted in 2002, featuring Milla Jovovich’s Alice across six films. Sony’s last effort to rejuvenate the brand, 2021’s ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City,’ opened to a mere $5.3 million and concluded with a global total of $41.9 million. Cregger, following his work on ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons,’ introduced a fresh standalone story with Austin Abrams portraying a medical courier caught in an outbreak.
The achievement has now been confirmed. Sony announced that the film reached $320.2 million globally during its fourth weekend in theaters, with $138.5 million from North America and $181.7 million from international markets. This total surpasses the $312.2 million earned by ‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter,’ making Cregger’s film the highest-grossing entry in the franchise.
The film’s journey began with an impressive start. It opened to $60 million domestically, marking the largest debut in the series, alongside an additional $48.3 million internationally for a global opening of $108.3 million. This single opening weekend surpassed the entire worldwide earnings of the original 2002 film.
Critics have responded positively as well. The film boasts a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B+ CinemaScore, making it the best-reviewed video game adaptation on the platform. It also became the first film in the franchise to exceed $100 million at the domestic box office, crossing the $150 million threshold—considered its break-even point—within just nine days.
The film’s success in China provided a significant boost. It debuted there on October 5 with a $35 million opening, propelling its worldwide total past $280 million and establishing Cregger’s film as his highest-grossing project to date, surpassing ‘Weapons’ at $270 million. Japan followed suit with its release on October 9.
Cregger opted not to retell any specific game story. Instead, he crafted a standalone reboot that bears no connection to the Jovovich films or the 2021 reboot, focusing on capturing the essence of the gaming experience. Analyst Paul Dergarabedian noted to Variety that having Cregger at the helm helped create “something familiar feel fresh and original again.”
The audience demographics also contributed to its broad appeal. Reports from the opening weekend indicated that 37% of attendees were fans of Cregger, while 46% identified as franchise enthusiasts. This crossover appeal provided the film with a wider audience than typical genre reboots.
However, there are important considerations. ‘The Final Chapter’ heavily relied on international markets, generating approximately $159.5 million in China and $36.5 million in Japan, which together accounted for nearly $196 million of its total. Additionally, ticket prices have increased since then, and inflation-adjusted figures place that film around $435 million.
Nonetheless, the new film’s domestic performance is the standout story. ‘The Final Chapter’ earned only $26.8 million in the US, while Cregger’s film has already surpassed $138 million there. With a reported budget of $75 million, the profit outlook appears promising.
The first trailer for Zach Cregger’s ‘RESIDENT EVIL’ has been released.
In theaters on September 18. https://t.co/eeVCAGzy6M— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 30, 2026
As of recent reports, a sequel has not yet been officially confirmed, but the impressive numbers make that decision seem straightforward. Cregger has also shown interest in adapting games like ‘Resident Evil 7: Biohazard’ and ‘Resident Evil Village.’ For Sony, a franchise that once appeared exhausted now looks ripe for expansion.
With the film still screening globally and additional markets contributing, the final total is expected to rise well beyond this milestone.
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