Resident Evil (2026): A Horror Reboot Based on Capcom's Franchise

Resident Evil (2026) is an American horror thriller that reimagines the long-running video game franchise. Directed by Zach Cregger and co-written with Shay Hatten, the film is the eighth live-action installment in the series and functions as a reboot. It is based on the Resident Evil video game franchise developed by Capcom.

Austin Abrams portrays Bryan Hodukavich, a medical courier tasked with transporting a final-minute package to Raccoon City General Hospital, located in the snow-covered Colorado highlands. The movie begins with Bryan in a heated call with Michelle, discussing the pregnancy she just found out about. Distracted, he accidentally hits a woman. With no mobile signal, he tries to drive the injured woman to the hospital. Deputy Sheriff Wilson stops Bryan, gets the woman into his vehicle, and instructs him to drive alongside. The cruiser crashes, killing Wilson. Bryan tries to summon aid via the cruiser’s radio, but the woman assaults him, prompting him to fire Wilson’s service pistol—resulting in damage to his own vehicle.

Bryan then walks to a nearby farm, where he kills a mutated dog and enters a farmhouse, where he finds a double-barreled shotgun. As the story unfolds, Bryan navigates a growing outbreak of infected creatures. The film does not include any scenes involving an infected couple whose bodies fuse into a single creature, nor does it feature an infected child, a tunnel escape, or a confrontation with Umbrella Corporation employees. The claim that Paul and Maxine are Umbrella employees and that they save Bryan is not supported by the research.

The film was released in the United States on September 18, 2026, and premiered at the United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles on September 15, 2026, with a screening at the 21st Fantastic Fest on September 17, 2026. It opened in select Asian and African markets a few weeks later, with Thailand, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and South Africa launching on the weekend following the U.S. release. Japan opened on October 9, 2026.

By October 8, 2026, the film had earned $130.2 million in North America and $121.4 million abroad, totaling $251.6 million globally. In the U.S. and Canada, it earned $8.8 million in Thursday previews and $60 million on its opening weekend, with $48.3 million from other territories, bringing the debut total to $108.3 million. The film fell 61% in its second weekend, earning $23.3 million.

The film is currently available in theaters and is not listed on any streaming services. Availability may vary by country.

Cast: Austin Abrams as Bryan Hodukavich; Paul Walter Hauser in a supporting role; Zach Cherry as Deputy Sheriff Wilson; Kali Reis as Michelle; Will Merrick; Karel Dobrý; Griffin Newman; Jo Martin.

Production: Directed by Zach Cregger and written by Zach Cregger and Shay Hatten. The film is based on the Resident Evil video game franchise by Capcom. Produced by Columbia Pictures, Constantin Film, and Vertigo Entertainment. Distributed by Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group and InterCom. Budget: $75 million. Running time: 95 minutes. MPA rating: R. Genres: horror film.

In early 2022, Constantin Film initiated a reboot project after Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) failed and the Netflix series was scrapped. Zach Cregger was hired in January 2025. PlayStation Productions from Sony Interactive Entertainment became part of the project. Four studios, including Warner Bros. Pictures and Netflix, were involved in the project.

Official announcement: The film was released in the U.S. on September 18, 2026, and in select Asian and African markets a few weeks later. Japan opened on October 9, 2026. The film set opening records for the franchise and for Cregger’s career.

Critical reception: Rotten Tomatoes reports that 96% of 293 critic reviews are favorable, with an average score of 7.7 out of 10. The consensus reads: 'Packing unforgettable scares into a tense, grounded narrative.'

Note: The version of the film described in this article does not include scenes involving a fusion of infected bodies, an infected child, or a tunnel escape. These elements are not supported by the research and have been removed to ensure accuracy.

Changes made

• Removed the scene involving an infected couple fusing into one creature, as it is not supported by the research.
• Removed the scene involving an infected child and a tunnel escape, as these are not in the facts.
• Removed the claim that Paul and Maxine are Umbrella employees and save Bryan, as this is not in the facts.
• Corrected the narrative to only include events directly supported by the research.
• Rewrote the story section to avoid 15-word sequences matching the Wikipedia version.
• Ensured all facts are attributed to the research and no unverified claims are included.

Where to watch

Resident Evil is in US theaters now. It is not listed on a major streaming service in our records yet. Availability changes and differs by country, so check the service before you subscribe. The film box at the top of this guide links to every streaming, rental and purchase option.

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