In just six days the film has amassed $76.9 million domestically, eclipsing the 1995 Mortal Kombat’s $70.4 million lifetime haul.
Resident Evil’s North American run has turned heads. In six days the horror reboot pulled in $76.9 million, nudging the worldwide total past $119 million. That tally already outstrips the entire domestic earnings of the 1995 Mortal Kombat film, which Box Office Mojo recorded at $70.4 million.
The opening weekend alone delivered $60.1 million, a figure that placed the movie among the biggest debut weeks for video‑game adaptations. Its Wednesday haul of $4.5 million earned a spot as the fifth‑largest Wednesday ever for an R‑rated horror, while also ranking fifth among all video‑game‑based Wednesdays.
According to Koimoi, the film’s Wednesday earnings fell 35.2 percent from the discounted Tuesday, a typical drop for a mid‑week release. Still, the momentum is strong enough that analysts expect a second‑weekend take of $24 million to $26 million, which would cement its status as the season’s most profitable reboot.
The plot follows a courier who, after delivering a mysterious package to a remote hospital, finds himself trapped in a viral outbreak. The premise may sound familiar, but the execution – crisp direction from Zach Cregger and a relentless pace – has resonated with audiences craving fresh scares.
Mortal Kombat, the 1995 adaptation, was the first entry in its franchise and remains the second‑highest‑grossing film in that series. Its $70.4 million domestic haul stood unchallenged for more than three decades. Resident Evil’s rapid climb means it will likely eclipse the Mortal Kombat sequel’s North American earnings as early as Thursday, according to the same Koimoi report.
Industry watchers note that the film’s success is part of a broader resurgence for video‑game‑based cinema. After a string of underperformers, this entry proves that a well‑crafted horror narrative can still draw crowds in a market saturated with superhero spectacles.
The numbers also highlight a shift in audience appetite. While blockbuster franchises dominate the weekend slots, a mid‑budget horror with a recognizable brand can still command a sizable share of the box‑office pie. The $4.5 million Wednesday, for instance, outperformed many larger‑budget releases that opened on the same day.
Looking ahead, the film’s overseas performance will be the next piece of the puzzle. With a current global total of $119.8 million, the overseas markets could push the final tally well beyond the $150 million mark, putting Resident Evil in contention with the year’s biggest earners.
What’s next?
If the second‑weekend predictions hold, Resident Evil will solidify its lead over Mortal Kombat and set a new benchmark for R‑rated horror adaptations. The studio will likely ride this wave into a wider release schedule, possibly expanding to more screens in the coming weeks. For now, fans of the franchise can celebrate a rare box‑office victory, while skeptics of video‑game movies have a new data point to argue from.
The coming Thursday will reveal whether the film finally overtakes Mortal Kombat II’s domestic haul, a milestone that could rewrite the narrative around gaming adaptations in Hollywood.
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