Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is wasting little time making its mark on the long-running horror franchise.

The new film earned $8.8 million from Thursday preview screenings, setting a new preview box office record for the Resident Evil film series. The strong start comes as the reboot officially arrives in theaters today, September 18.

Directed by Cregger, the filmmaker behind Barbarian and Weapons, the latest adaptation is now expected to deliver the biggest domestic opening weekend in franchise history. Current projections have the film targeting roughly $40 million to $50 million, with some estimates suggesting the strong reception could push the total even higher.

The previous franchise high for a domestic opening belonged to Resident Evil: Afterlife, which debuted with approximately $26 million in 2010.

The box office numbers aren’t the only major win for the reboot.

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil

As of Friday, Resident Evil holds an impressive 96% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 146 critic reviews, making it easily the best-reviewed live-action movie in the franchise. The film has also opened to strong audience reception, currently holding a 91% verified audience score.

That marks a dramatic turnaround for a franchise that has historically struggled with critics despite maintaining a sizable fanbase and becoming a major box office property.

Cregger’s film introduces an original story rather than directly adapting one of the games. Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier whose routine delivery quickly becomes a fight for survival as he finds himself caught in a night of chaos and infected creatures.

The cast also includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Johnno Wilson and Paul Walter Hauser.

With franchise-record preview numbers and the strongest reviews the series has ever received, Resident Evil is entering its opening weekend with considerable momentum.

Resident Evil is now playing in theaters.

Jason Voorhees is back.

Peacock has released the bloody new trailer for Crystal Lake, A24’s upcoming Friday the 13th prequel series, and the latest footage appears to tease the early beginnings of one of horror’s most iconic killers.

The series stars Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees and takes audiences back decades before the events of the original Friday the 13th. But while much of the story will explore Pamela and the tragedy surrounding her son, the new trailer makes it clear that Jason himself will have a major presence.

Among the trailer’s most intriguing moments is a shot appearing to show a young Jason wearing a blue jumpsuit and attacking someone with a knife. Other footage further teases the character’s transformation toward the Jason Voorhees horror fans know.

Callum Vinson portrays the young Jason in the series.

Jason Voorhies, Crystal Lake [A24]

Set in 1971, Crystal Lake follows Pamela after Jason disappears in the waters of Crystal Lake and his body is never recovered. As Pamela continues to believe her son could still be alive, two strangers begin investigating her past, setting off a series of increasingly disturbing and violent events.

The series comes from creator, writer and showrunner Brad Caleb Kane, with A24 producing for Peacock.

Rather than simply recreating the original films, Crystal Lake looks to expand the mythology surrounding the Voorhees family while showing audiences a side of Jason’s story that has largely remained unexplored on screen.

And judging by the new trailer, Jason’s path toward becoming the legendary Crystal Lake killer may begin sooner than fans expected.

Crystal Lake premieres October 15 on Peacock.

The upcoming Resident Evil movie is getting one of the strangest theater collectibles we have seen yet.

Regal has revealed its official popcorn promotion for Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil, but instead of another oversized plastic popcorn bucket, the theater chain is leaning directly into the movie’s medical horror.

Fans will be able to pick up a Resident Evil Organ Transplant Popcorn Bag, designed to look like the type of medical transport container used to carry human organs.

Yes, your popcorn is apparently the organ.

The collectible comes with a large popcorn and features Resident Evil branding along with a medical inspired design. Regal joked about the promotion by telling fans that the heart is not included.

It is an appropriately bizarre piece of merchandise for Cregger’s take on the long running horror franchise, which appears ready to push the violence and gore considerably further.

Need a transplant? We recommend this popcorn bag 🫀🍿

Get your hands on the Resident Evil Organ Transplant Popcorn Bag when you see Resident Evil at Regal. Tickets are on sale now: https://t.co/vqcCWmIw27 pic.twitter.com/x8J4grtVsk

— Regal (@RegalMovies) September 1, 2026

A New Resident Evil Nightmare

The new Resident Evil stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier who finds himself caught in a horrifying fight for survival as a seemingly routine night descends into chaos.

The cast also includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser, and Johnno Wilson.

Cregger has previously described the movie as the most violent project he has made and promised fans a brutal and bloody experience. The filmmaker is coming off Weapons and is approaching Resident Evil as a new interpretation of Capcom’s iconic survival horror franchise.

The Organ Transplant Popcorn Bag will be available at Regal theaters in conjunction with the movie’s release.

Resident Evil infects theaters September 18, 2026.