Zach Cregger’s 2026 reboot of Resident Evil has grossed $361 million globally, surpassing Disney’s latest theatrical tentpole The Mandalorian and Grogu to mark a lucrative turnaround for the horror franchise, per movieweb.com.
Produced by Sony Pictures on a $75 million budget, the 95-minute action-horror film has delivered nearly a fivefold return on investment within its first three weeks of release. Industry guidelines typically consider a film profitable once it achieves three times its production costs.
By contrast, Disney’s return to cinemas following a seven-year theatrical hiatus for the Star Wars franchise struggled financially. The Mandalorian and Grogu, built on a $165 million budget alongside an estimated $100 million marketing campaign, generated $350 million worldwide. The film failed to meet its break-even threshold, making it the lowest-grossing live-action installment in Star Wars history.
The box office performance has significantly altered sequel prospects for both properties. While Disney has not greenlit a second installment for The Mandalorian and Grogu, the financial success of Resident Evil has cleared the path for a follow-up.
However, a sequel may face delays. Director Zach Cregger is committed to producing Gladys, a spin-off prequel to his film Weapons, and directing the science-fiction thriller The Flood, scheduled to begin filming in 2027. Sony Pictures has not confirmed whether it will wait for Cregger or appoint a new director to maintain momentum.
Meanwhile, Disney continues its shift back toward theatrical releases with Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone film set roughly five years after The Rise of Skywalker.
The success of Resident Evil represents a sharp recovery for the film franchise following years of diminishing returns in the North American market, including the underperformance of 2021’s Welcome to Raccoon City.
•Featured image courtesy Sony Pictures