Resident Evil, the Zach Cregger-directed action horror film starring Austin Abrams, opened to $108.3 million worldwide — the biggest debut in the franchise’s history. The result surpassed the $70 million opening of last year’s Weapons, Cregger’s previous directorial work.
The search term “austin abrams” is among the top rising searches in the United States today, according to Google Trends. The movie’s debut has drawn attention to Abrams.
Abrams and the Franchise
Austin Abrams plays the lead in Resident Evil, which is the latest entry in the long-running action horror franchise. Zach Cregger directed the film for TriStar Pictures, Constantin Film and Davis Films.
The opening figure of $108.3 million is the best start the franchise has ever seen. The previous biggest opener was 2012’s Resident Evil: Retribution, which bowed to $70.6 million worldwide. That earlier film finished at $240 million worldwide, with Russia and Japan included in its initial total.
The movie’s debut also beats the global final of the original 2002 Resident Evil ($102.9 million) and the last title, the failed reboot Welcome to Raccoon City ($41.9 million). The highest grossing title in the series remains 2016’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, which earned $312 million globally, with 51% of that, or $159.5 million, coming from China.
International Debut Numbers
Resident Evil expanded its audience beyond the Milla Jovovich movies, which dominated earlier entries in the franchise. The UK led international markets with $5.8 million, up from 2010’s 3D Afterlife, which opened to $2.5 million there. Mexico followed at $5.6 million, higher than Afterlife’s reported $3.2 million.
France did $2.6 million, higher than The Final Chapter’s reported $1 million start. Germany counted $2.5 million, also ahead of Final Chapter’s $1.3 million. Other top markets included Australia ($2.6 million), Spain ($2.3 million), Brazil ($2 million), Italy ($1.7 million), Saudi Arabia ($1.6 million), the UAE ($1.4 million), Indonesia ($1.4 million), Taiwan ($1.2 million), the Philippines ($1.2 million) and India ($1.1 million).
The movie has 13% of foreign markets left to go, including Thailand (Sept. 24), Japan (Oct. 9) and China (still to be dated). South Africa opens Sept. 23 and Central Asia is Sept. 24.
Comparisons and Context
At $48.3 million internationally, Resident Evil is the best horror debut for the genre this year, higher than Backrooms’ $36.6 million. It is 66% over Weapons, 33% above A Quiet Place: Day One and 18% ahead of Alien: Romulus on a like-for-like basis at current exchange rates.
A24’s highest grossing movie ever, Backrooms, has now passed the $400 million mark at the global box office.
What Happens Next
The remaining territories will determine whether Resident Evil surpasses The Final Chapter’s $312 million total. Japan, Thailand and China have not yet opened, and their box office potential is significant.
The movie’s trajectory so far is strong, with multiple markets already reporting solid figures.
Source material: “Box Office Global: 'Resident Evil' $108M WW Franchise, Zach Cregger Record; 'Coyote vs. Acme' Approaches $100M,” Deadline.
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