'Resident Evil' Hits 96% on Rotten Tomatoes Ahead of Release in Biggest Critical Win Yet for Horror Franchise

Zach Cregger's new 'Resident Evil' film is on course to become the franchise's best‑reviewed entry yet, holding a 96% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes ahead of its cinema release.

The score puts Cregger's reboot comfortably ahead of every previous live‑action 'Resident Evil' film, marking a sharp contrast with a series that has generally struggled with critics despite a large fanbase. Rotten Tomatoes currently lists 'Resident Evil' as Cregger's highest‑rated film, ahead of 'Weapons' and 'Barbarian'.

The film is scheduled to arrive in UK cinemas on 18 September 2026, with early reviews already describing it as a significant improvement over previous attempts to bring Capcom's video game series to the big screen.

'Resident Evil' Scores 96% on Rotten Tomatoes

The current 96% score represents the strongest Rotten Tomatoes performance for a 'Resident Evil' film to date. The previous live‑action adaptations all scored below 40%, including the original 2002 movie, which received 36%, and 2021's 'Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City', which scored 30%.

The score is based on reviews from critics who have seen the film ahead of its general release and could still change as more reviews are added.

Rotten Tomatoes' own first-reviews roundup highlights praise for the film's fast pace, humour and approach to the video game source material. Some critics have gone further, describing Cregger's version as potentially one of the strongest video game adaptations yet.

Zach Cregger Takes Over the Horror Franchise

Cregger, who previously directed the acclaimed horror films 'Barbarian' and 'Weapons', co‑wrote and directed the new 'Resident Evil' alongside screenwriter Shay Hatten. Rather than directly continuing the previous film series, the movie is being presented as an all‑new story and reinvention of the franchise.

The film follows Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, a medical courier whose routine journey turns into a fight for survival after he becomes caught up in a horrifying outbreak in Raccoon City. Sony describes the film as an action‑focused race for survival as the city descends into chaos.

The cast also includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Johnno Wilson and Paul Walter Hauser. The film has received an R rating in the US and carries a 15 age rating in the UK.

A Major Change for 'Resident Evil'

The critical response represents a contrast with the franchise's previous big‑screen history. The original 'Resident Evil' arrived in 2002, starring Milla Jovovich as Alice and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. It was followed by five further films centred on Jovovich's character, with 'Resident Evil: The Final Chapter' concluding that series in 2016.

The franchise was subsequently rebooted with 'Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City' in 2021, which attempted to move closer to characters and locations from the games but received a 30% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. A Netflix television adaptation followed in 2022 but lasted for only one season.

Cregger's film is taking a different approach, with Rotten Tomatoes' early reviews noting that it captures the spirit of the games while giving the filmmaker room to create his own story.

'Resident Evil' Arrives in Cinemas

With its 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, Cregger's 'Resident Evil' enters its theatrical release with stronger early critical momentum than any previous film in the franchise. However, the final critical score will depend on additional reviews, while audience reaction remains a separate question. Rotten Tomatoes currently has the film's audience score pending.

For now, the numbers mark a notable early chapter for Cregger's reinvention of 'Resident Evil'. After years of mixed critical reactions, the horror franchise is heading into its latest cinematic release with its strongest reviews yet.