Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Emerges as an Oscar Contender After Critical Acclaim

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
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Video game adaptations have long struggled to gain critical respect, often landing somewhere between forgettable and outright derided. However, Zach Cregger’s reboot of ‘Resident Evil’ appears to be a significant turning point, reshaping the conversation around the franchise.

Cregger came into this project with impressive momentum. Following his breakout success with the low-budget hit ‘Barbarian’ in 2022, he followed up with ‘Weapons,’ a $38 million production that grossed $270 million globally and earned Amy Madigan an Academy Award for her performance. This track record made him an unexpected yet inspired choice to helm a franchise that saw its previous entry, 2021’s ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City,’ open to just $5.3 million domestically.

The results have surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. ‘Resident Evil’ currently boasts a 96 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from numerous reviews, officially marking it as the highest-rated horror film of 2026 and the best-reviewed film of Cregger’s career, even outpacing ‘Weapons.’ This critical acclaim has sparked serious awards discussions, with Sony reportedly launching an Oscar and Golden Globes campaign for the film, as confirmed by box office analyst Gitesh Pandya, who noted that screenings for Oscar voters are already scheduled.

Sony’s strategy seems to be concentrating its awards push on technical categories rather than the major above-the-line races, a common tactic for genre films that often struggle to break into categories like Best Picture or acting. The film features cinematography by Dariusz Wolski and an original score from Hays and Ryan Holladay, providing clear targets for Sony’s campaign in cinematography and score, both of which have already received strong praise from critics.

This approach aligns with recent Academy trends, where horror and horror-adjacent films like ‘Sinners,’ ‘Frankenstein,’ and ‘Weapons’ collectively garnered eight statuettes at this year’s ceremony, including wins in cinematography, score, and both makeup and production design categories. While ‘Resident Evil’ is more of a popcorn thrill ride than a prestige awards contender, recent history suggests that genre films can indeed compete when the craftsmanship is exceptional.

The film’s box office performance mirrors its critical acclaim. ‘Resident Evil’ debuted with $60 million domestically, marking the best opening in the franchise’s eight-film history, and it crossed $108 million globally within its first weekend against a reported $75 million budget. Audience reactions have been equally enthusiastic, with the film earning a B+ CinemaScore and a 91 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, both series bests.

Screenshot 2026 09 18 at 08 18 54 Resident Evil 2026 Rotten Tomatoes

The film follows Bryan, portrayed by Cregger’s ‘Weapons’ collaborator Austin Abrams, a medical courier whose routine delivery spirals into a chaotic night of survival horror across Raccoon City. Unlike previous entries in the franchise, Cregger’s version largely avoids direct connections to established game characters, opting instead for a more contained premise that critics have lauded for its focus and pacing.

With ‘Resident Evil’ now established as both a commercial and critical triumph, Cregger’s career trajectory shows no signs of slowing. He is already set to produce a prequel centered on Madigan’s character from ‘Weapons,’ along with an upcoming Steven Spielberg-produced sci-fi feature titled ‘The Flood,’ both of which have reportedly ignited fierce bidding wars among studios.

Whether ‘Resident Evil’ can secure nominations remains uncertain, but the combination of record reviews, box office success, and an active studio campaign positions it stronger than most video game adaptations have ever achieved.

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