After a month of dominating the box office, Resident Evil is finally starting to fade from multiplexes. The horror reboot, directed by Zach Cregger, has been a massive success, but with new releases like DC's Clayface and A24's You Can See Everything vying for the same audience, its theatrical footprint is shrinking rapidly.
This week, the film lost another 557 theaters, bringing its total down to 2,148 locations. That's a significant drop from its opening weekend, when it debuted in nearly 3,700 theaters. The decline is a natural part of a film's lifecycle, especially when faced with stiff competition from fresh titles targeting the same horror and comic-book fans.
A Box Office Juggernaut
Despite the theater count reduction, Resident Evil has had an incredible run. It recently crossed the $150 million mark domestically and has grossed nearly $365 million worldwide against a modest $80 million budget. That makes it one of the biggest horror hits of the year, trailing only Obsession ($520 million globally) and Backrooms ($400 million globally).
The film has also been a critical darling, earning a 96% "Certified Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the best-reviewed wide release of the year. This is a remarkable achievement for a video game adaptation, a genre that has historically struggled to win over critics.
A Standalone Story
One of the reasons Resident Evil has resonated so strongly is its self-contained narrative. Unlike many franchise films, it doesn't rely on extensive lore or set up sequels. Instead, it tells a complete story about a medical courier (Austin Abrams) who gets caught in the middle of a zombie outbreak in Raccoon City. The film also stars Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis, and has been praised for its tense atmosphere and clever direction.
Cregger, who previously made the breakout hit Barbarian and the Oscar-winning Weapons, has proven himself a master of modern horror. His ability to blend scares with compelling storytelling has made Resident Evil a must-see for genre fans.
What's Next?
As Resident Evil continues its theatrical run, it faces an uphill battle to stay in the top five. With Clayface and You Can See Everything drawing in similar audiences, the film may soon find itself pushed out of the spotlight. However, its legacy is already secure as one of the most successful and well-reviewed horror movies of the year.
For those who haven't seen it yet, now is the time to catch it in theaters before it's gone. And if you're looking for more scares, check out our list of top horror TV shows since 2020 or dive into horror films that hook you in the first minutes. You can also explore the greatest horror films of all time for more recommendations.
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