Zach Cregger’s horror-survival film Resident Evil, based on the popular video game franchise, is feasting at the box office with a projected $53 million to $55 million opening weekend, according to Sony Pictures. As of Friday, the film had earned $26.3 million, including $8.8 million in Thursday previews, and is now expected to surpass $60 million if momentum continues. The film, which opened in 3,684 North American theaters, carries a $75 million production budget and is already outperforming the studio’s initial projection of $40 million.

Reboot Surpasses Franchise Records

This opening would mark the biggest debut in the 21-year history of the Resident Evil film series — the franchise’s first feature film, Resident Evil (2002), directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich, opened to $17.7 million domestically, while Jovovich appeared in five sequels before the 2021 reboot Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, which underperformed at the box office. The entire series has collectively grossed more than $1.2 billion worldwide.

Cregger, who also co-wrote the film, is seeing a career-best opening with this film, Resident Evil surpasses the $43.5 million debut of his previous Oscar-winning film Weapons, released in August 2025. The film is also the best-reviewed entry in the franchise, with a 96 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest of any Resident Evil film, and a 92 percent audience score.

Cast and Production Details

Starring Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser, Resident Evil follows a medical courier in Raccoon City as he attempts to deliver a critical item during a deadly viral outbreak. The film is produced by TriStar Pictures, Constantin Film, and Davis Film. It is a complete reboot of the franchise, moving away from the previous Milla Jovovich-led adaptations and instead adapting the original 1996 Resident Evil video game series by Capcom.

The film’s success at the box office is also helping solidify Cregger as a rising force in Hollywood, and Following the success of Weapons and Barbarian, Resident Evil demonstrates his ability to deliver both critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. The film also marks the first time a Resident Evil movie has earned an A+ CinemaScore from audiences, according to a studio release.

Industry and Cultural Impact

The strong opening of Resident Evil is not only a win for Sony Pictures but also for the horror genre, which has seen a resurgence in box office performance in 2025. The film’s success comes amid a broader trend of horror and survival films gaining traction with both critics and audiences, but the positive reception for Resident Evil suggests that audiences are eager for fresh takes on established franchises, particularly those rooted in video game adaptations.

With a production budget of $75 million and a projected $55 million opening, the film is already showing a strong return on investment. If it maintains its pace, it could reach the $100 million mark in North America alone — a key milestone for the franchise and for Cregger’s filmography. The film is now the second-highest opening in the horror genre this year, trailing only behind another highly anticipated release.