‘Resident Evil’ Blows Past Projections With $108.3 Million Worldwide Opening

I told you this thing was going to be fucking huge.

Earlier this week, I argued that the projections for Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil were playing it safe. Tracking had it opening to roughly $40–50 million domestically and around $80 million worldwide. My prediction? It would blow past $100 million globally.

Sure enough, Sunday’s estimates put Sony Pictures and Constantin Film’s reboot at $108.3 million worldwide.

Here’s the opening-weekend breakdown:

• Domestic: $60 million
• International: $48.3 million
• Worldwide: $108.3 million

That’s the biggest domestic opening in Resident Evil franchise history, with the film playing in 3,684 North American theaters. It also earned a B+ CinemaScore from opening-night audiences. These are Sunday estimates; final weekend figures will follow.

The marketing, the hype, and Cregger coming off Barbarian and Weapons made this feel much bigger than the forecasts suggested. Add strong reviews to that mix, and I just couldn’t see this landing anywhere near the more conservative worldwide projections.

What excites me most, though, is seeing this franchise come roaring back.

Paul W.S. Anderson’s run gave us years of giant, popcorn-munching action spectacles. Welcome to Raccoon City attempted a fresh start that never developed into another series. Now Cregger has put his own stamp on Resident Evil, and audiences have shown up in a massive way.

After months of arguing about whether he needed to recreate specific characters and storylines from the games, it’s pretty satisfying to see a filmmaker’s own interpretation connect like this. I want filmmakers who are excited about the movie they’re making, and Sony clearly knew how to sell what Cregger delivered.