After seven live-action films and a short-lived Netflix series, Resident Evil is heading back to the big screen, this time under the direction of Barbarian filmmaker Zach Cregger.
The highly anticipated reboot has landed at Sony, which will release the film on September 18, 2026.
There was a bidding war between major studios for this film, including Warner Bros. and Netflix, which put the project in high demand. But ultimately, the franchise is staying put at Sony, the studio behind all previous Resident Evil films.
Unlike the Milla Jovovich-led action-heavy adaptations, Cregger’s version promises to bring the series back to its horror roots, offering a more faithful take on the original video games. He’s writing the script alongside Shay Hatten (Army of the Dead).
Cregger made a massive impact with Barbarian, and now, he’s ready to tackle one of gaming’s most iconic franchises: “I’ve been a rabid fan of these games for decades and to be able to bring this amazing title to life is a true honor.”
Sony clearly sees this as a major tentpole release, with Sanford Panitch emphasizing just how much faith the studio has in Cregger’s vision.
“Zach is one of the most talented exciting new directors to come on the scene in many years. His brilliant approach in restarting and refreshing this legendary Sony franchise instantly makes this one of our most important releases in 2026.”
The last attempt at a Resident Evil movie was 2021’s Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, which aimed for game accuracy but fell flat with fans and at the box office. Before that, Paul W.S. Anderson’s six-movie saga starring Jovovich leaned heavily into action spectacle.
Then there was Netflix’s Resident Evil series, which arrived in 2022 only to be canceled after one season following a disappointing reception.
With Cregger at the helm and a renewed commitment to horror, this latest Resident Evil adaptation might finally give fans what they’ve been waiting for.
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