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Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind Barbarian, directed and co-wrote Resident Evil with Shay Hatten. The film is no longer an upcoming reboot: Sony lists its U.S. theatrical release as September 18, 2026, and it has opened in theaters. Rather than retell a game’s established plot, it follows a new character through a night of danger in the world of Resident Evil 2.
Who made the new Resident Evil movie?
Cregger directed the film and co-wrote it with Shay Hatten. Sony presents it as an all-new story and a reinvention of the franchise. The production is credited to Columbia Pictures and Constantin Film, in association with TriStar Pictures; Constantin Film lists Sony Pictures Entertainment as distributor. Producers named by Constantin Film are Robert Kulzer, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan. Sony Pictures’ official film page and Constantin Film’s listing provide the credits.
What is the story, and how does it connect to the games?
The official synopsis follows Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, caught in a chaotic and horrifying night. The film introduces him as a new character rather than centering a named game protagonist.
Cregger told PlayStation.Blog that the story takes place in the world of Resident Evil 2, with changes made for dramatic purposes. He described his aim this way: “So I wanted to tell a story that could take place in the Resident Evil world, but wasn’t telling a story that the games had already told.” That makes the movie connected to the games’ setting, but not a direct retelling of a particular game’s plot.
#1 Best Overall
- All six Resident Evil movies, now together in one collection! Based on the popular video game series and starring Milla Jovovich, these sci-fi thrillers are must-watch genre classics!
Cregger also pushed back on the idea that he simply attached the franchise name to an unrelated film. In a September 25, 2026 interview with The Atlantic, he said: “The one thing that I really hate is the accusation that I’ve been getting that I just want to make a movie and slap Resident Evil on it.”
Who is in the cast?
Austin Abrams stars as Bryan. Sony’s official cast list also names Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser. The available official synopsis identifies Bryan, but does not establish character details for the other listed cast members.
When did it come out?
Sony announced a U.S. theatrical release date of September 18, 2026. As of October 8, 2026, the film has been released; its official listing is at Sony Pictures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What was its opening weekend?
In a report published September 20, 2026, the Associated Press reported a studio-estimated $60 million in ticket sales from 3,684 locations in the United States and Canada. AP described it as the franchise’s best opening. That was an opening-weekend estimate, not a final domestic or worldwide gross.
Rank #3
- In San Francisco, Jill Valentine is dealing with a zombie outbreak, Leon Kennedy is tracking a kidnapped DARPA scientist and Claire Redfield is investigating a monstrous fish. Joined by Chris Redfield and Rebecca Chambers, they discover the trail of clues from their separate cases all converge on Alcatraz Island, where a new evil awaits their arrival.
The same AP report put the global launch at $108.3 million, including $48.3 million internationally. It also reported a B+ CinemaScore grade and PostTrak exit-poll results in which 66% of the audience was male and 75% was under 35. These are opening-weekend snapshots, not current or lifetime audience measurements. AP quoted Rentrak head of marketplace trends Paul Dergarabedian saying, “Zach Cregger is a household name in the world of horror.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield reunite to investigate the connection between two zombie outbreaks in distant countries and uncover a threat that will shake the nation to its very core.
Rank #4
- The Digital Copy Expiration Date in the product detail is for all the films in this collection**
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