Resident Evil nears $280 million and could become Zach Cregger’s biggest hit
Resident Evil is tracking at $247.6 million worldwide and could top Weapons and Tomb Raider after its China release.
- Deadline expects the film to launch in China on October 5 and pull in around $35 million in its first week.
- If that forecast holds, the global total could climb past $280 million and overtake Tomb Raider ($274.6 million).
What happened
According to reporting from Gamespot and Deadline, Resident Evil is on track to become Zach Cregger’s biggest box-office success. At the time of publication, the film had reached $247.6 million worldwide, while Cregger’s previous top title, Weapons, stood at $270 million globally.
The key factor is the China release. The film premiered there on October 5 and was tracked for an opening week of roughly $35 million. If that estimate proves accurate, Resident Evil could finish above $280 million worldwide, according to the source.
That would push the film past not only Weapons, but also Tomb Raider, which sits at $274.6 million worldwide. The comparison also references Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Final Chapter, which remains the highest-grossing Resident Evil film with $159.5 million in China and $312.2 million worldwide.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: Resident Evil debuts in China.
October 7, 2026: The film is reported at $247.6 million worldwide.
October 7, 2026: Deadline expects a Chinese opening week of about $35 million.
October 7, 2026: Based on that forecast, the worldwide total could rise above $280 million.
2016: Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Final Chapter reaches $312.2 million worldwide and $159.5 million in China.
2022: Barbarian finishes at $46 million worldwide.
2023: Miss March is reported at $4.6 million worldwide.
2026: Weapons becomes Cregger’s biggest film with $270 million worldwide.
2026: Resident Evil reaches $247.6 million worldwide and gets a China release.
Background
The comparison with Cregger’s earlier films shows how quickly his box-office total has grown. Barbarian finished at $46 million worldwide, while Miss March reportedly made $4.6 million. Weapons had been his biggest title so far at $270 million worldwide.
Within the Resident Evil franchise, The Final Chapter remains the benchmark. The 2016 film earned $312.2 million worldwide and $159.5 million in China, making it the highest-grossing Resident Evil movie according to the cited figures. Current tracking places Resident Evil at No. 17 among video game adaptations.