Sony's 'Resident Evil' reboot makes $8.8 million in previews, setting a franchise record and positioning for a strong opening weekend.
Sony's latest installment in the ‘Resident Evil’ series, directed by Zach Cregger, has made headlines with $8.8 million in box office previews. This figure marks the highest preview earnings for the franchise to date, as reported by Variety on September 18, 2026.
This reboot presents a fresh take on the iconic horror video game series, drawing both longtime fans and new audiences to theaters. With a domestic opening weekend forecast between $40 million and $50 million, some projections even suggest it could approach $60 million based on early positive reviews.
The ‘Resident Evil’ franchise, which began with a video game in 1996, has undergone numerous adaptations across film and television. The previous film installments, starring Milla Jovovich and directed mostly by Paul W.S. Anderson, experienced mixed success at the box office, with the high point being the 2010 film ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’, which opened to $26 million domestically.
Cregger’s reboot aims to revitalize the series after eight prior films, and the substantial preview earnings indicate significant interest in this new direction. Notably, Cregger's last film, ‘Weapons’, achieved a global box office of $270 million, setting a high standard for his current project.
The new ‘Resident Evil’ has a budget of $75 million, suggesting it will need robust box office performance to reach profitability. Given current projections, it appears well-positioned to surpass its opening weekend goals. Moreover, the audience’s reception is expected to be positive, bolstered by the film's premise, which features Austin Abrams as a medical courier facing a zombie apocalypse.
Fans of the original video game and film series can anticipate a blend of horror and action, as the reboot seeks to maintain the essence that made the franchise popular while innovating its storytelling approach. The significant shift in narrative direction by Cregger may resonate with viewers seeking both nostalgia and novelty.
If the ‘Resident Evil’ reboot performs successfully at the box office, it may lead to additional sequels or spin-offs in the franchise, indicating that there remains a viable market for video game adaptations. The success of films like ‘Super Mario’, which have recently outperformed previous video game adaptations, suggests an increasing interest in adapting popular gaming narratives into cinematic forms.
In conclusion, the robust early earnings of the ‘Resident Evil’ reboot highlight the potential for revitalizing a franchise that has been dormant at the box office. Tracking its performance during the upcoming weekend will reveal the extent of its appeal to a contemporary audience.
The noteworthy $8.8 million preview earnings from the ‘Resident Evil’ reboot signal a promising return for Sony’s franchise and serve as a significant benchmark for Cregger's career following his recent success. If this latest film resonates well with both critics and audiences, it could reinforce the viability of video game adaptations in Hollywood.
For further insights related to this franchise, check out our coverage on Practical Magic 2’s recent box office and analysis of notable video game movies successes at large.
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