Resident Evil Movie Officially Becomes Zach Cregger's Biggest Hit

The cinematic universe of Resident Evil is once again proving its global draw, with the latest film adaptation officially set to become director Zach Cregger's highest-grossing movie ever. As of this week, the film has surpassed the $270 million worldwide gross of Cregger's previous commercial success, Weapons, and is projected to climb even higher.

The significant boost in revenue comes courtesy of a strong opening in China, where the film debuted on October 5th and is expected to pull in approximately $35 million within its first week. This influx is projected to push the film's global total beyond $280 million. This international performance echoes the success of previous Resident Evil films, particularly The Final Chapter (2016), which earned a staggering $159.5 million in China alone, representing over half of its worldwide gross.

A New Box Office Record for Cregger

This latest Resident Evil installment marks a significant career milestone for Zach Cregger. His earlier directorial efforts, while critically acclaimed, had not reached these financial heights. His 2022 horror hit Barbarian grossed $46 million worldwide, and his debut feature, Miss March, earned $4.6 million. The current Resident Evil film's performance not only solidifies Cregger's commercial viability but also places it firmly within the top ranks of video game movie adaptations, set to overtake Tomb Raider (2018) at $274.6 million if it reaches its $280 million target.

What This Means for the Franchise and Fans

While Resident Evil is enjoying considerable commercial success and positive critical reception, the question of a sequel looms. Zach Cregger himself has expressed a desire to move on from franchise filmmaking, despite having ideas for future stories within the Resident Evil universe. This stance leaves fans in an interesting position, eager for more while acknowledging the director's creative direction. The success of this film, however, might present a compelling case for continued investment in the cinematic Resident Evil franchise, potentially with new creative teams at the helm.

What's Next

Zach Cregger's next project is an original deep-space sci-fi movie titled The Flood, slated to star Jennifer Lawrence. While this signals a shift away from established IPs for the director, the Resident Evil franchise's continued box office power suggests that further cinematic adventures are likely, though details remain unannounced.