Zach Cregger’s 'Resident Evil' Reboot Is Set for a Record-Breaking Opening

The Resident Evil reboot directed by Zach Cregger has an exciting box office outlook for its debut and could set a new record for the franchise. According to projections reported by Deadline, the film is expected to gross around $35 million in its opening weekend in the United States, but strong presales and first-day performance could push that estimate as high as US$ 50 million.

If it reaches $35 million, the new Resident Evil will already have the biggest domestic opening in the franchise, surpassing the $26.6 million of Resident Evil 4: Afterlife (2010).

Interest in the reboot is also being driven by Cregger’s success with Weapons, which grossed $151.5 million in the U.S. and $270 million worldwide. The film starring Austin Abrams and Paul Walter Hauser is currently leading among male audiences under 25, but its biggest challenge will be attracting viewers beyond the franchise’s most dedicated fans.

Everything you need to know about the new Resident Evil 

Starring Austin Abrams, the feature follows a medical courier who finds himself in the middle of an outbreak of infected creatures.

The cast also includes Paul Walter Hauser (The Fantastic Four: First Steps), Kali Reis (True Detective), Zach Cherry (Severance) and Johnno Wilson (I Love That For You). 

The new version of Resident Evil hits theaters on September 17, with Shay Hatten (Ballerina, John Wick 3 and 4), handling the screenplay and Zach Cregger (Weapons, Barbarian) directing. 

Back when the reboot was announced, four studios were competing for the film, with Warner and Netflix emerging as two of the main contenders. However, the project will remain with Sony and is being overseen by Columbia Pictures. 

Interestingly, this is the franchise’s second reboot, following Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City in 2021, as well as a Netflix series that left a bitter taste for fans of Capcom’s game series.