Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil
movie scores a release date and a distributor. Based on the Capcom horror video game series, the upcoming film will mark the latest in a long line of adaptations for the franchise. After six movies starring Milla Jovovich from 2002 to 2017, a franchise reboot arrived in the form of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City from director Johannes Roberts in 2021. Netflix then tried its hand at a Resident Evil series, but cancelled it after one season. Cregger’s Resident Evil movie was announced in January 2025.
ᴅᴇᴀᴅline reports that Sony will release Cregger’s Resident Evil movie in theaters on September 18, 2026. This move from Sony, which distributed all previous movies, comes after Warner Bros. was reportedly eying the film. Though no story details for the movie have been revealed just yet, the report notes that the film serves as a throwback to the original video game’s horror roots. Cregger shared the following statement about his vision for Resident Evil:
“I’ve been a rabid fan of these games for decades, and to be able to bring this amazing тιтle to life is a true honor.”
Producer Robert Kulzer of Constantin, which is producing and co-financing the movie, also commented on the adaptation, teasing a unique vision:
“The world of Resident Evil experienced through Zach’s vision is an irresistible feat.”
Sanford Panitch, president of Sony Pictures Motion Pictures Group also called the film “one of our most important releases in 2026,” speaking to the company’s excitement about the adaptation. Other producers on the project include Constantin’s Robert Kulzer, Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee and Miri Yoon, and PlayStation Productions.
What Resident Evil’s Release Date Means For The Movie
2026 Will Be A Big Year For Zach Cregger
Considering the film was only reported to be in development in January, a September 2026 release suggests that Sony is excited about Cregger’s vision for Resident Evil. Cregger, who burst onto the horror scene with Barbarian in 2022, wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten (John Wick: Chapter 4), and it will seemingly mark his next project after Weapons, a horror film with a release date set for January 16, 2026.
To make this September 2026 release date, the new Resident Evil movie will have to start filming at some point this year. Casting and production information now may only be a few months away as plans start to fall into place. The film has the opportunity to reboot the franchise and pave the way for a new series of films after the poor performance of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. Even though many of the movies aren’t well-received critically, the franchise has been mᴀssively successful financially, grossing $1.2 billion worldwide.
Our Take On Resident Evil’s Upcoming Release
Cregger Could Usher In A New Era For The Franchise
Welcome to Raccoon City was a disappointment theatrically, grossing only $42 million on a $25 million budget. Barbarian, on the other hand, an original horror movie, managed to reach $45 million based on positive word-of-mouth. With Cregger at the helm, the upcoming Resident Evil movie has a chance to set the franchise down a new path toward future success, in addition to being scary and action-packed.
Barbarian has a 92% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and was made on a $4.5 million budget.
The Resident Evil video games continue to be popular, and new installments are released every few years. There’s clearly a big audience for this franchise, but the last few installments arguably haven’t quite hit the mark or reached the IP’s full potential. A return to the franchise’s horror roots sounds like a promising direction for Cregger’s Resident Evil movie to take, and one that is deserving of a wide theatrical release.
Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline
Resident Evil
- Created by
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Shinji Mikami, Tokuro Fujiwara
- First Film
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Resident Evil
- Latest Film
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Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
- First TV Show
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Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness
- Latest TV Show
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Resident Evil
Summary
“Resident Evil” is a survival horror franchise that originated as a video game series before expanding into films, animated movies, TV shows, comics, and novels. The franchise focuses on the outbreak of a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly virus developed by the Umbrella Corporation, leading to a global apocalypse filled with zombies and other mutated creatures. Known for its tense atmosphere, intricate puzzles, and engaging storylines, “Resident Evil” has become one of the most successful and influential franchises in both gaming and horror entertainment.
