Sony’s 2026 Resident Evil reboot has officially become the highest-grossing entry in the long-running horror franchise, surpassing the global record set nearly a decade ago. While the film has begun a planned exit from hundreds of screens to accommodate the mid-October wave of new horror releases, its box office trajectory confirms it as a major commercial success for the studio.
The film, directed by Zach Cregger and starring Austin Abrams, has grossed $323.1 million worldwide. This total successfully eclipses the previous franchise high of $312.2 million held by 2016’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. The record-breaking performance comes as the film enters its second month in theaters, bolstered by a strong international showing.
Despite the record-setting revenue, the film’s domestic theater footprint is beginning to contract as the Halloween season intensifies. According to tracking data from The Numbers, the reboot’s theater count decreased from a peak of 3,684 locations to 3,085. This reduction is a standard industry maneuver, allowing exhibitors to make room for newer genre entries such as Other Mommy and Verity.
This specific iteration of the franchise has benefitted from a notable shift in critical and audience reception compared to its predecessors. The 2026 film currently holds a 96% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes and earned a B+ CinemaScore from opening-weekend audiences. These marks represent a significant departure from previous entries, which often struggled to find critical favor despite their commercial viability.
The film’s performance is particularly noteworthy given its ability to maintain momentum against new competition. By crossing the $300 million global milestone, the reboot has established a new financial ceiling for the series. Industry analysts suggest that the combination of high critical scores and record-breaking box office performance makes a sequel highly likely.
The Resident Evil reboot has demonstrated significant staying power. While its screen count will continue to decline as it approaches its digital and home media windows, its status as the franchise’s new financial leader remains secure.
