Sony has revealed the initial footage of Zach Cregger’s anticipated Resident Evil reboot at it’s CinemaCon presentation, providing attendees with a more sinister interpretation of the beloved franchise. The highly anticipated live-action reboot of Resident Evil is scheduled to hit theaters on September 18, 2026.
Instead of following a well-known plot from the beloved video games, this film will present an original narrative featuring new characters. The plot centers around Bryan, a courier portrayed by Austin Abrams, who becomes embroiled in a viral outbreak occurring within a hospital in Raccoon City.
Currently, Sony has unveiled the initial footage of Resident Evil, showcasing Abrams’ character entering a house amidst snowy conditions, attempting to use a phone because of car troubles. Yet, upon entering, he discovers disturbing horrors lurking just beyond the threshold.
Take a look at the description of the Resident Evil footage presented during Sony’s CinemaCon panel below.
Star Austin Abrams is spotted trudging through the snow before he knocks on a house’s door. The door swings open, and Abrams requests to use the phone due to car issues. When he makes the call, it goes straight to voicemail. Next, Abrams is depicted sprinting into a barn, on the hunt for weapons. He discovers a body. Following this, Abrams finds himself in a sewer, where he notices a person sitting there. He is then shown dashing back into the snow, locking zombies inside a room. Finally, Abrams is seen in a city where bodies are plummeting from skyscrapers, crashing onto parked cars.
During the panel, Zach Cregger made an appearance to talk about his new cinematic interpretation of the franchise. He shared that he has experienced “a ton of Resident Evil,” detailing how he developed a passion for all aspects of the games, from their atmosphere to their mechanics.
This captures the core of what he aims to embody in his original film set in the game universe. Cregger has undeniably established himself as a powerhouse in the horror genre, garnering numerous awards and nominations for his 2025 film, Weapons.
In addition to this, he takes on the role of director for Resident Evil, collaborating with co-writer Shay Hatten (known for John Wick – Chapter 4). Despite the fresh narrative direction, the preview suggests that the franchise is under expert stewardship.
The live-action Resident Evil films have garnered a somewhat negative reputation due to their incorporation of game elements to craft new, original narratives that often fail to match the allure of the source material. This trend has persisted across all seven American live-action films produced to date, in addition to a Netflix series of the same title that received poor critical reviews.
In addition to Abrams, the film will feature Paul Walter Hauser in the role of Carl and Johnno Wilson as Max. Zach Cherry and Kali Reis are also included in the cast for roles that have not yet been disclosed. As of now, no additional cast members from the Resident Evil franchise have been announced.
It remains uncertain whether any of the actors revealed so far will portray well-known characters from the series, or if Raccoon City will be the sole element of recognition. The film is set to debut at a time when the franchise is experiencing a remarkable rise in popularity, largely due to the recent launch of its latest game, Resident Evil Requiem.
Released in February 2026, the game achieved sales of five million copies within just a week, making it the fastest-selling title in the franchise’s history. With it’s popularity at an all-time high, this could significantly boost the movie’s chances of success.
Despite lacking a conventional storyline from the games, the footage suggests that Abrams’ character possesses the qualities necessary to spearhead the mission. It also hints at a mysterious, complex narrative that maintains a relentless atmosphere of fear.
The film seems to embrace the franchise’s more sinister aspects, emphasizing the struggle against the undead and the fight for survival. Resident Evil is set to hit theaters on September 18, 2026.
With the fresh narrative currently in development, it appears that this film will play a pivotal role in the franchise, potentially determining it’s future success on the big screen for years ahead. Cregger’s proven experience suggests that the project is in capable hands, while also offering a new perspective on the storytelling within the franchise.