Resident Evil Reboot Earns Critical Acclaim and Strong Previews

Zach Cregger's new Resident Evil film opened in theaters today, September 18, 2026, to widespread critical acclaim and strong early box office performance, marking a successful reboot for the long-running video game adaptation franchise. The film, which stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier caught in a T-virus outbreak in Raccoon City, has earned a 96% critics score and a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest ratings in the franchise's history. In Thursday preview screenings, the film generated an estimated $8 million to $9 million, setting a new record for the series and exceeding initial analyst projections. This performance positions it for a potentially strong opening weekend, which could determine the future of the franchise. Director Zach Cregger, known for the horror films Barbarian and Weapons, crafted an original story that forgoes established characters from previous films and games, focusing instead on survival horror and claustrophobic tension. The film includes numerous references to the Capcom video games, such as healing items, typewriters, and weapon progressions, which have been praised as a love letter to the source material.