Zach Cregger's reimagining of the 'Resident Evil' series has made a remarkable splash at the box office, capturing the attention of horror aficionados just as autumn approaches. The film, a fresh take on the zombie-infested world, secured an impressive $26.3 million on its opening day across 3,684 cinemas, positioning itself as the undisputed top new release. Industry experts anticipate its earnings to climb to approximately $55 million by Sunday, establishing a new record for the highest-grossing opening in the 'Resident Evil' franchise's history. This achievement surpasses the previous benchmark set by 'Resident Evil: Afterlife' in 2010, which garnered $26 million during its entire opening weekend.
Inspired by Capcom's acclaimed horror video games, this iteration of 'Resident Evil' is helmed by Zach Cregger, known for his previous works like 2025's 'Weapons' and 2022's 'Barbarian.' Cregger's prior horror venture, 'Weapons,' also saw significant box office success, opening with $43 million and concluding its global run with $270 million. In the new 'Resident Evil,' Austin Abrams stars as a medical courier entangled in a zombie outbreak while making a crucial delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. The screenplay, co-written by Cregger and Shay Hatten, offers an original narrative that diverges from the established characters of the video game universe.
Initially, some dedicated fans expressed reservations regarding Cregger's decision to craft an entirely new story for the reboot, departing from familiar characters. However, these concerns appear to have been unfounded, as the film has received positive early reviews and strong word-of-mouth. While Owen Gleiberman of Variety previously described earlier 'Resident Evil' movies as 'hyperviolent, hyperkinetic video-game zombie sludge,' he lauded Cregger's rendition as a 'sweetly executed piece of escapist trivia' possessing 'a quirky relatability.'
Concurrently, other films also continued to perform well. 'Practical Magic 2,' featuring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, secured the second spot on Friday, adding $3.1 million in its second week. Its weekend earnings are projected to reach $10.4 million, bringing its total cumulative gross to $48.2 million. 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and 'The Odyssey' maintained their presence in the Friday top five. The Spider-Man sequel landed at No. 2 with an additional $1.53 million, while Universal's 'The Odyssey' claimed fourth place, collecting $1.36 million. These contributions push 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day's domestic total to an impressive $944.15 million and 'The Odyssey's to $609.8 million.
Another newcomer, Vertical's 'The Weight,' a historical thriller starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe, garnered approximately $1.17 million across 1,504 theaters on Friday, placing it fifth. Industry estimates suggest it will earn $2.3 million over its opening weekend. Furthermore, GKids' animated feature, 'Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom,' debuted with $540,000 across 2,173 theaters. The film, directed by Steve Cox and Matthew Walker, is expected to accumulate roughly $1.4 million through the weekend, chronicling Shaun the Sheep's Halloween Eve adventures as he attempts to fix a ruined pumpkin patch with science experiments, leading to an encounter with a mysterious beast.
The successful launch of the 'Resident Evil' reboot underscores the continued appeal of the horror genre and familiar franchises, even when presented with a fresh narrative perspective. The film's robust opening figures indicate that director Zach Cregger's innovative approach resonated with moviegoers, attracting both long-time fans and new audiences. This strong performance not only revitalizes the 'Resident Evil' series but also highlights the dynamic nature of the current box office landscape, where new entries can still achieve significant commercial success alongside established hits and sequels.
