Resident Evil Loses 380 Theaters as Zach Cregger’s Reboot Closes In on $150 Million Domestic
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil reboot is finally making room for newer titles after a record-breaking run. The R-rated horror film, which opened to near-unanimous praise and some of the best reviews Gamersuniverse has covered all year, has been pulled from roughly 380 theaters heading into its fifth weekend, dropping its total theater count from an opening-weekend high of 3,684 down to about 2,705 nationwide.
Short Answer: Was Resident Evil Removed From Theaters?
No, the 2026 Resident Evil movie was not banned, cancelled or completely removed from theaters. Heading into its fifth weekend, Sony Pictures’ reboot simply went through a standard Week 5 theatrical rotation, losing roughly 380 screens as multiplexes handed auditoriums and Premium Large Format (IMAX) slots over to newer October releases. Resident Evil is still playing in roughly 2,705 theaters nationwide and has already grossed nearly $150 million domestically and over $360 million worldwide.
| Category | Resident Evil (2026) Status |
|---|---|
| Theatrical Status | Still in theaters nationwide (not banned or pulled completely) |
| Opening Weekend Peak | 3,684 theaters (North America) |
| Week 5 Theater Count | ~2,705 theaters (down ~380 screens in Week 5 rotation) |
| Domestic Box Office | ~$150 million (including ~$5 million in Weekend 5) |
| Worldwide Box Office | $360+ million (highest-grossing Resident Evil film ever) |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 96% Certified Fresh |
| Streaming / Digital Release | Not officially announced by Sony Pictures yet |
Why Was Resident Evil Removed From So Many Theaters?
If you noticed local showtimes disappearing and searched why Resident Evil was removed from theaters, or removed from theatres in the UK and international markets, the answer comes down to normal box office scheduling rather than any controversy. Studio booking agreements with major theater chains typically lock in a wide footprint for the first two to three weeks of a blockbuster’s run. By Week 4 and Week 5, exhibitors begin trimming screens or moving holdover titles into smaller auditoriums so new wide releases can take over prime evening slots and IMAX or PLF screens.
In fact, holding onto more than 2,700 locations in its fifth week is a sign of how well Zach Cregger’s reboot has performed. Most horror releases lose half their footprint by Week 3, whereas Resident Evil kept more than 73 percent of its opening-weekend theaters into mid-October thanks to strong word of mouth and repeat viewings.
Still Earning Its Keep in a Shrinking Release
Even with hundreds of screens gone, Resident Evil isn’t finished yet. The film added an estimated $5 million domestically over its fifth weekend in theaters, a modest number on its own but a sign that the movie still has an audience left to reach before it moves to home video. Gamersuniverse has tracked this film’s box office run closely since its franchise-record opening weekend in September, and the pattern has held: steady legs, strong word of mouth, and a slow fade rather than a sudden collapse.
Resident Evil has lost roughly 380 theaters heading into its fifth weekend, but it’s still playing in over 2,700 locations nationwide.
A New High-Water Mark for the Franchise
The numbers behind that slow fade are still remarkable for a seven-film franchise that began 24 years ago. Resident Evil has now pulled in close to $150 million domestically and more than $360 million worldwide, which is enough to overtake Resident Evil: The Final Chapter’s $314 million global haul and make Cregger’s reboot the highest-grossing entry the series has ever produced. It also cleared the lifetime worldwide total of Cregger’s own previous film, Weapons, which closed its run at $270 million on a $38 million budget and later won Amy Madigan the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
Critically, the film has held onto its 96 percent Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, keeping it as both the best-reviewed Resident Evil movie ever made and the highest-rated video game adaptation in the aggregator’s history. That combination of critical and commercial success has pushed the film to roughly 13th place on the list of 2026’s highest-grossing movies worldwide, ahead of two high-profile Disney releases, the live-action Moana remake and The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Resident Evil is still playing in theaters for now, and Gamersuniverse will keep tracking its run as it approaches a home video release. For more on how it got here, catch up on our coverage of its first reviews and its full cast and story breakdown.
Resident Evil (2026) Theater & Streaming FAQ
Is Resident Evil still in theaters?
Yes. Despite losing around 380 screens in its fifth week, Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is still playing in roughly 2,705 theaters across North America as well as international cinemas, though Premium Large Format and IMAX screenings have mostly rotated to newer releases.
When will Resident Evil (2026) be on streaming or digital?
Sony Pictures has not officially announced a digital PVOD or streaming release date yet. Because the film has held onto strong box office numbers into its fifth weekend, the studio is letting its theatrical window run before locking in a home release date.
How much has Resident Evil made at the box office?
As of its fifth weekend, the 2026 reboot has earned nearly $150 million at the domestic box office (including an estimated $5 million in Week 5) and more than $360 million worldwide, passing Resident Evil: The Final Chapter ($314 million) to become the highest-grossing film in franchise history.
How many theaters is Resident Evil playing in right now?
The movie is currently playing in about 2,705 theaters nationwide, down from its opening-weekend peak of 3,684 locations after a standard Week 5 screen reduction of roughly 380 theaters.
Was Resident Evil banned or pulled from theatres?
No. The film was never banned or pulled from release. Headlines mentioning that Resident Evil lost hundreds of theaters refer only to the normal Week 5 screen rotation as multiplexes free up auditoriums for new October movies.
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Picture Source: Sony Pictures
