Zach Cregger’s fresh take on the video‑game franchise opened to $108 million worldwide, eclipsing the 2002 film’s total run in just three days.
Zach Cregger’s latest Resident Evil has turned the opening weekend into a record‑breaking sprint. The horror‑action picture opened at the top of the North American chart, pulling in $26.3 million on its first day – Thursday previews included – and went on to collect $60 million domestically over the three‑day weekend.
On the global stage the numbers are even more striking. The film amassed $108 million worldwide by Sunday, a sum that already exceeds the total worldwide gross of the 2002 installment, which managed $103 million over its entire theatrical run. If the trend holds, the new entry could also outpace the earnings of the 2004 sequel, Apocalypse, before its second week.
The opening momentum was not without the usual dip. Day two saw a 23 percent slide, while day three slipped another 34 percent, yet the weekend haul remained robust enough to rewrite the franchise’s box‑office story.
The cast, led by Austin Abrams as courier‑turned‑survivor Bryan, is bolstered by Paul Walter Hauser’s Carl and Zach Cherry’s Dave. Kali Reis appears as Pauline, and Johnno Wilson fills an undisclosed role. Critics have praised the film’s blend of classic horror beats with fresh, game‑inspired set‑pieces, and audience scores are trending upward on early‑screening platforms.
Industry watchers note that Cregger’s performance marks his strongest box‑office showing to date. The director, who previously helmed The Bye Bye Man and The Darkest Hour, has managed to tap both the nostalgia of long‑time fans and the appetite of newer viewers for high‑octane scares.
For Indian audiences, the film’s R‑rating and its release alongside a slew of local titles could influence weekend footfall patterns. The opening weekend coincided with the release of several regional blockbusters, yet Resident Evil still carved out a sizable share of multiplex screens, suggesting a healthy appetite for Hollywood horror in the sub‑continent.
The numbers also raise questions about the franchise’s future trajectory. With the original’s entire global run already eclipsed, the studio may consider accelerating plans for a sequel or spin‑off, especially if international markets continue to respond positively.
The next box‑office report, due early next week, will reveal whether the film can sustain its early lead or if the typical sophomore‑week drop will bite. Either way, Cregger’s Resident Evil has already forced a rewrite of the series’ financial playbook.
Box‑office snapshot
- Opening day (incl. Previews): $26.3 million (U.S.)
- Domestic weekend total: $60 million
- Worldwide weekend total: $108 million
- 2002 film lifetime gross: $103 million
Stay tuned for the next update on Thursday, when the studio is expected to release the full‑week numbers and outline its rollout strategy for the Indian market.
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