New Resident Evil Movie Will Be "More Horror Than Action"

A brand-new Resident Evil movie is on the way, set to hit theaters on September 18, 2026. This time, it's being helmed by Barbarian director Zach Cregger, and the goal? Bring back the survival horror vibes that made the games so legendary—something past film adaptations kinda missed by going all-in on action.

Cregger laid out his vision at Sony’s CinemaCon event, explaining (via IGN):

“There's a moment in almost every Resident Evil game where you’re stuck in a dark hallway, low on health, and there’s no way around. You have to push forward, even though you know something horrible is waiting for you.”

That sense of dread? That’s exactly what Cregger wants to capture in this reboot. He’s co-writing the script with Shay Hatten (John Wick: Chapter 3), and together, they’re crafting a tight, terrifying story that follows "one central protagonist from point A to point B, as they descend deeper into hell," much like the structure of the games.

This is a huge shift from past Resident Evil films. The Milla Jovovich-led series (2002–2016) was a box office hit, raking in over $1.2 billion, but it often strayed from the games, introducing new characters and prioritizing flashy sci-fi action. Even the 2021 reboot, Welcome to Raccoon City, attempted to stick closer to the games but didn’t fully nail the horror fans were craving.

Now, this new film is taking a different route. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it’s leaning heavily into horror and might even include elements of a wilderness survival thriller. While plot details are still under wraps, some speculate the story could take us back to the iconic Spencer Mansion, possibly following Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine as they unravel the nightmare inside.

Sony Pictures won the rights after a bidding war against Warner Bros. and Netflix, which means they’re serious about making this a hit. Longtime Resident Evil producer Constantin Film is co-financing the project alongside PlayStation Productions and Vertigo Entertainment.

As for casting? Nothing’s confirmed yet, but Austin Abrams (Euphoria, The Walking Dead) is rumored to be in talks for a major role—especially since he and Cregger are already working together on an upcoming horror film called Weapons.

Production kicks off in summer 2025 in Europe, so everything’s on track for that 2026 release. For fans who’ve been waiting ages for a truly faithful, horror-driven adaptation, this might finally be it.

And it’s not just the movie making waves—Resident Evil as a franchise is thriving. A new game is reportedly in development, and there are even rumors of Resident Evil 0 and Code Veronica remakes in the works.

It’s a good time to be a Resident Evil fan!