Zach Cregger's Resident Evil reboot is staging a franchise resurrection at the box office, posting the strongest preview numbers in the property's theatrical history with $8 million to $9 million from Thursday night screenings alone. The director known for his horror-comedy sensibilities with The Hugry Games and V/H/S franchises has delivered what Sony Pictures and Screen Gems clearly hoped for: a film that converts longtime fans and newcomers alike.
The 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes underscores the creative gamble paying off. Cregger avoided the stumbles that plagued previous Resident Evil films, particularly Paul W.S. Anderson's six-film saga that prioritized spectacle over the survival-horror tension the source material demands. This adaptation, starring Tom Holland in development phases before the actual cast locked in, maintains connective tissue to the video game's DNA while building a distinct cinematic identity. The franchise has cycled through multiple interpretations. Anderson's films prioritized action and zombie hordes. The 2021 Netflix series took a serialized, mythology-heavy approach across two seasons. Cregger's film appears to thread a different needle entirely.
Industry analysts projected $40 million to $50 million for the opening weekend, a respectable range for a horror tentpole in 2025. Thursday previews suggesting an $8M-$9M start position the film to potentially eclipse the lower end of those estimates, depending on Friday and Saturday legs. For context, the original Resident Evil (2002) opened with $40.1 million domestically, though that film benefited from massive novelty and franchise hunger at the time. The video game property itself remains a juggernaut, with Capcom releasing Resident Evil Village in 2021 to critical and commercial success, demonstrating the IP's durability across mediums.
The 4DX mention in previews speaks to Sony's confidence in spectacle and immersion. The franchise's survival-horror core, built on resource scarcity and environmental tension, translates well to motion-activated seating. Cregger's background in found-footage horror and genre deconstruction positions him to leverage that technology thoughtfully rather than as mere gimmick.
The reception matters beyond opening weekend box office. Resident Evil has suffered reputation damage from Anderson's films, which critics dismissed for their action-blockbuster approach and narrative drift from source material. The Netflix series, while building a passionate fanbase, remained divisive among purists. A well-received theatrical film restores credibility to the franchise and creates momentum for the rumored prequel projects already in development at Sony.
For Sony and Screen Gems, this marks a significant win in their horror slate. After mixed results with films like Morbius and Madame Web, strong audience reception for Resident Evil validates the studio's investment in comic book and video game IP when creators like Cregger are given directorial control. The preview numbers suggest word-of-mouth will carry through the weekend, and legs will depend on how the film sustains audience goodwill beyond opening frame.