Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is off to a strong start at the US box office, with the horror reboot on track to deliver the biggest opening in the 24-year franchise.
The film took in US$26.3 million on Friday, including previews, from 3,684 cinemas. It is now projected to make between US$53 million and US$60 million over the three-day weekend. Sony is estimating US$53 million to US$55 million, while industry projections are reaching the higher end of that range.
If those numbers hold, the film will set a new opening record for the Resident Evil series. It will also mark Cregger’s biggest debut, surpassing his 2025 horror film Weapons, which opened to US$43.5 million and went on to gross US$151.5 million domestically.
Deadline reported the film’s opening range and Friday performance, noting that its US$26.3 million first day includes previews.
Audience response has also been stronger than previous entries in the franchise. The film received a B+ CinemaScore, the highest grade for a Resident Evil movie so far. PostTrak data shows 71% of audiences said they would definitely recommend it, while that figure rose to 76% among moviegoers aged 35 to 44.
The audience was 66% male and 34% female. Around 54% bought tickets on the same day, while 46% said they came because they liked the franchise. Another 37% cited Cregger as a reason for seeing the film.
Premium formats are also contributing to the opening. They account for 53% of the weekend’s business, with IMAX making up 16%.
The wider box office is expected to reach around US$111 million for the weekend, putting it ahead of the same weekend last year. Practical Magic 2 and Spider-Man: Brand New Day are expected to follow Resident Evil.
