Zach Cregger’s 2026 Resident Evil reboot, the second reimagining of Sony’s long-running action horror franchise, is set to hit theaters on Sept. 18, 2026. The film, which had its world premiere on Sept. 16 at The United Theater in Los Angeles, was shown to festivalgoers and early reactions have already begun circulating on social media. According to Hollywood Reporter, full reviews are embargoed until 9 a.m, as PT on Sept. 16, and the film will also screen at the 2026 Fantastic Fest on Sept. 17 before its global release.

A Standalone Story Set in Raccoon City

The film follows Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, who is caught in a deadly outbreak in Raccoon City, According to BILD, Bryan’s routine delivery turns into a fight for survival as he handles a city descending into chaos. The film does not adapt any specific video game plot but instead tells an original story set during the events of the Resident Evil universe, According to Filmstarts, the story is set in modern-day Raccoon City and follows Bryan as he attempts to escape the infected city.

The film’s cast also includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser, with Cregger directing and co-writing the film alongside Shay Hatten. According to Cinemagavia, the film was produced by Vertigo Entertainment, Constantin Film, and PlayStation Productions and is being distributed in Spain by Sony Pictures Releasing de España.

Post-Production Changes After Test Screenings

Cregger, known for his comedy background in films like Weapons (2026) and Barbarian (2022), made a significant change to the film after test screenings, According to Filmstarts, the test audience found the film too humorous. In response, Cregger removed as many jokes as possible from the final cut. He later said that the final version of the film pleased both the audience and himself, and that he does not miss any of the deleted jokes. No information has been released about whether the humor-laden version still exists or how many gags were removed.

Resident Evil has a mixed history in film adaptations — the Milla Jovovich-led series, which began in 2002, included six films over 14 years; Sony’s first reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021), directed by Johannes Roberts, was a commercial and critical failure. According to Hollywood Reporter, the franchise also suffered a blow in 2022 when Netflix canceled its Resident Evil TV series after just one season.

Early Reactions and Industry Context

Despite the franchise’s rocky history, early reactions to Cregger’s film are reportedly positive — According to Undead Walking, the film has ended the streak of underwhelming Resident Evil adaptations. The article notes that Cregger’s approach,creating an original story rather than adapting a specific game,was key to the film’s success. The article also highlights that the film’s release comes at a time when video game adaptations are gaining traction, citing the success of projects like The Last of Us and Fallout.

According to Cinemagavia, the film is 95 minutes long and is categorized as an action-horror film; it is a co-production between the United States and Germany and is being distributed internationally by Sony Pictures. In Germany, the film will be released on Sept. 17, 2026, according to BILD.