The latest installment of the “Resident Evil” film series debuted strongly at the North American box office, generating an estimated $60 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend across 3,684 theaters in the United States and Canada. Distributed by Sony Pictures, the horror movie, directed by Zach Cregger, marks the eighth film in the franchise, which dates back to 2002, and sets a new benchmark for the series’ domestic performance.
The film stars Austin Abrams as a medical courier whose final assignment leads him into a perilous encounter with infected creatures in the fictional city of Raccoon City. It has received widespread critical acclaim, with a current 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting a positive reception that stands out compared to previous entries.
“Resident Evil” displaced Warner Bros’ “Practical Magic 2” from the top spot. The sequel, featuring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprising roles in a story about modern-day witches cursed to doom men they love, earned $12.2 million in its second weekend. The sustained box office presence of established titles was also notable, with Sony’s “Spider-Man” adding $6.5 million to bring its North American total to $944.5 million.
Other films rounding out the top five included “The Odyssey,” which took in $4.9 million, and “Coyote vs Acme,” a live-action/animated comedy featuring Will Forte alongside Wile E. Coyote, which earned another $4.5 million. Additional entries in the top ten encompassed “The Runner” ($3.2 million), “Daniel and the Fiery Furnace” ($3.1 million), “Transformers: The Movie” ($3.1 million), “The Weight” ($2.3 million), and “Buddy” ($1.9 million).
The success of “Resident Evil” reflects a renewed interest in the franchise and bolsters Sony’s position in a competitive market amid releases from other major studios. The film’s blend of horror elements and action, coupled with strong critical reviews, contributed to its leading box office performance this weekend.