Zach Cregger's new movie adaptation of Resident Evil arrives in theaters on September 18, 2026, accompanied by the publication of early critical reviews praising its lean, original survival-horror approach.

  • Release date: September 18, 2026
  • Director: Zach Cregger
  • Co-writer: Shay Hatten
  • Lead actor and role: Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier

Production and Plot Details

The film features practical effects for mutant monsters and focuses on an original story detached from established game protagonists like Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield. The plot follows a medical courier navigating a snowstorm to Raccoon City. The runtime is approximately 90 minutes.

"Turns out eighth time's a charm, as despite much pre-release griping over the absence of iconic game characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, director Zach Cregger's Resident Evil isn't just the best Resi movie by a distance; it's the best video game movie full stop"

Jordan Farley, Reviewer

"Cregger takes his love for both the franchise and the genre and channels them into something we've never really seen before"

Jake Kleinman, Reviewer

"By backing away from the stories and characters of the video games, Cregger dodges the giant bullet of 'that’s not my Leon Kennedy' and instead lets us finally experience Resident Evil ourselves, through our own eyes"

Eric Frederiksen, Reviewer

"Even though it’s an original story, Cregger’s take on Resident Evil sets a new high bar for video game movies by capturing the source material’s demented spirit while doing something clever and inventive with it"

Discussing Film, Review Outlet

"Clocking in at 90 minutes, Cregger's Resident Evil puts a lean, mean spin on an iconic horror franchise that's only poised to keep getting bigger, with a story that sits within the margins of the existing games while still giving fun, clever nods to its source material"

Carly Lane, Reviewer

Critical Reception

"Screw what hardcore fans say a movie adaptation should be"

Pie Conzaga, Reviewer

"Is it a good movie?"

Owen Gleiberman, Reviewer

"Cregger very much makes the film his own while displaying his obvious affinity for the source material"

Frank Scheck, Reviewer

"Resident Evil is automatically up there with Exit 8 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as the best live-action video game movie ever made"

Lisa Laman, Reviewer

"Cregger’s shameless romp, though smallish in scale, feels like the best Resident Evil film in the franchise’s long history"

Donald Clark, Reviewer

Fans and moviegoers can watch the film in theaters starting this week, experiencing an original, fast-paced survival-horror narrative that breaks away from previous adaptations while attempting to capture the feel of playing the games.