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Resident Evil (2026) is the second reboot of the long-running live-action film franchise based on Capcom’s iconic survival horror games. Directed by Zach Cregger (Barbarian), who co-wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten, the film promises a darker and more faithful take on the source material.
Produced by Columbia Pictures and PlayStation Productions in association with Constantin Film and Vertigo Entertainment, the movie marks the eighth installment overall in the Resident Evil film series.
It is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026, in IMAX.
After the mixed reception of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) and the cancellation of Netflix’s Resident Evil series, this reboot represents a full creative reset.
Resident Evil 2026 – Teaser Trailer
What Is Resident Evil (2026) About?
Unlike previous adaptations, this film will not retell the stories of Leon, Claire, or other main game protagonists.
Director Zach Cregger has confirmed that the film is:
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An original story
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Set within the Resident Evil universe
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More closely inspired by the tone of the games
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Not a direct adaptation of any single title
Cregger cited Resident Evil 2 (1998), Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999), and Resident Evil 4 as tonal influences. That likely means claustrophobic horror, slow-building dread, and grounded survival — rather than large-scale action spectacle.
The story reportedly centers on Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, though plot specifics remain tightly under wraps.
What’s clear is that the focus will shift back toward horror, tension, and atmosphere rather than superhero-style action.
Cast
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Austin Abrams as Bryan (a medical courier)
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Paul Walter Hauser
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Zach Cherry
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Kali Reis
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Johnno Wilson
At this stage, full character breakdowns for the supporting cast have not been officially revealed.
Abrams leading the film signals a younger, grounded perspective — possibly someone thrown into a biohazard nightmare rather than a trained soldier.
Development: Why Another Reboot?
After Welcome to Raccoon City underperformed critically and commercially, and Netflix’s series was cancelled in 2022, the franchise’s future was uncertain.
By early 2022, Constantin Film began exploring another reset. Rumors circulated about a project titled Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, and by 2024, Zach Cregger emerged as Sony’s top choice to helm a new direction.
In January 2025, Cregger was officially announced as director and co-writer.
A bidding war followed between:
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Sony / Columbia Pictures
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Warner Bros. Pictures
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Netflix
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Other major studios
Sony ultimately secured distribution rights in March 2025.
Cregger has openly stated he has not seen the previous Resident Evil films, reinforcing that this will not be stylistically connected to the Milla Jovovich era or the 2021 reboot.
Filming & Production
Principal photography began in Prague on October 10, 2025.
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Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski
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Produced by: Columbia Pictures & PlayStation Productions
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Co-financed by: Constantin Film
The Prague location hints at potentially European settings, possibly echoing the rural gothic atmosphere of Resident Evil 4.
How Will This Be Different From Previous Films?
Previous Resident Evil adaptations leaned heavily into:
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Over-the-top action
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Superhuman protagonists
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Loose connections to the games
Cregger’s involvement suggests a shift back toward:
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Slow-burn horror
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Isolation
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Psychological tension
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Smaller-scale survival stakes
Given his work on Barbarian, expectations are that this reboot will emphasize dread and unpredictability rather than CGI-heavy spectacle.
Release Date
Resident Evil (2026) will be released in the United States on September 18, 2026.
The film will have an IMAX release through Sony Pictures Releasing.
FAQ
Is Resident Evil (2026) connected to the Milla Jovovich films?
No. It is a separate reboot and the second major reset of the franchise.
Will Leon, Claire, or Jill appear?
Director Zach Cregger has confirmed the film will not retell existing game character stories, suggesting a new cast of original characters.
Is the movie based on a specific game?
No. It is an original story inspired by the tone and atmosphere of Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4.
Who is directing the new Resident Evil film?
Zach Cregger, known for the horror film Barbarian.
Conclusion
Resident Evil (2026) represents another bold attempt to finally align the film franchise with what made the games iconic: claustrophobic horror, tension, and vulnerability.
With Zach Cregger at the helm and PlayStation Productions involved, the studio appears determined to return to survival horror roots instead of action spectacle.
After multiple adaptations that divided fans, this reboot may be the franchise’s best shot at capturing the fear that started it all.
Whether it becomes the definitive Resident Evil film remains to be seen — but for the first time in years, the direction feels promising.
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