Zach Cregger's 'Resident Evil' Reboot Sets Franchise Record with $55M Projected Weekend
Sony's zombie horror reboot earned $26.3 million on its opening day across 3,684 domestic screens, leading all new releases Friday. The film is projected to gross around $55 million by Sunday, surpassing the previous franchise best of $26 million set by 'Resident Evil: Afterlife' in 2010.
Sony's reboot of the long-running horror franchise opened strongly on Friday, pulling in $26.3 million from 3,684 locations. That figure positions the film as the clear leader among new releases for the day, with industry projections pointing to a three-day total near $55 million.
That projected weekend haul would more than double the previous franchise benchmark, set by 2010's "Resident Evil: Afterlife," which opened to $26 million. The strong debut arrives as theaters enter the fall season, suggesting continued audience appetite for horror content during the traditionally spooky months.
This debut could signal renewed commercial viability for video game adaptations, a category that has historically struggled to translate fan bases into box office success. The projected record-breaking opening may encourage studios to greenlight similar projects, while also demonstrating that established horror franchises can be successfully rebooted for modern audiences. Theater owners and distributors could benefit from the film's performance as a reliable draw during the early fall window.