Resident Evil's Box Office Success Highlights Horror's Staying Power

Zach Cregger's Resident Evil has become the surprise hit of 2026, pulling in $108.3 million worldwide and $60 million domestically in its opening weekend alone. The film, which ditches the video game franchise's established characters for an original story about a courier trying to reach Raccoon City as an infection breaks out, scored a 95% critics' rating and 91% audience score.

The success continues a strong year for horror at the box office, following hits like Obsession and Backrooms. For Iowans looking to catch more films in the same vein, here are ten movies that deliver similar thrills.

What makes Resident Evil different from previous adaptations

Cregger's film breaks from the video game franchise by avoiding established characters and most of the game's monster roster. Instead, he delivers a horror-comedy hybrid about a man trying to get into Raccoon City when everything goes wrong. The approach paid off, with the film posting the best ratings and box office numbers in the franchise's history.

This marks a shift for video game adaptations, which have historically struggled to connect with audiences. The strong reception suggests Hollywood may finally be cracking the code on bringing games to the big screen.

Ten horror movies similar to Resident Evil

Resident Evil (2002)

The original film starring Milla Jovovich as Alice takes a straightforward horror approach, similar to Cregger's version. Alice wakes up in a mansion above the Hive as an infection begins spreading below. It's violent, scary, and gory, holding up as a solid horror movie in its own right.

Dead Alive (1992)

Peter Jackson's zombie comedy splatter film shares key DNA with Resident Evil: gory body horror effects balanced with humor. The virus that turns people into grotesque creatures echoes the practical effects work Cregger uses throughout his film.

28 Days Later (2002)

Danny Boyle's zombie thriller follows a courier waking from a coma to find London overrun. Like Resident Evil, it's essentially a massive chase scene with a hapless protagonist trying to reach safety while being pursued by relentless infected.

The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter's Antarctic horror classic features body horror that's grotesque and impossible to look away from. The creature designs, built with practical effects, mirror the disturbing creations in Resident Evil. The film flopped initially but became a cult favorite, much like the vibe running through Cregger's work.

Train to Busan (2016)

This South Korean zombie film follows a father protecting his daughter during an outbreak on a train. While Resident Evil isn't built around family, it does feature Bryan dealing with his strained relationship with his pregnant girlfriend, adding a personal touch similar to Train to Busan.

The Crazies (2010)

The remake of George A. Romero's 1973 film follows a small Iowa town infected with a virus that turns residents into mindless killers. Timothy Olyphant stars as a sheriff protecting his pregnant wife. The cause of the virus makes this the closest comparison to Resident Evil's Umbrella Corporation plot.

The Evil Dead (1981)

Sam Raimi's debut horror film balances comedy and terror better than most, a skill Cregger has mastered across his three horror movies. Raimi's innovative special effects, made on a shoestring budget, give the film a charm that still resonates.

Overlord (2018)

Set on the eve of D-Day, this underrated film follows paratroopers who discover Nazi experiments turning soldiers into monstrous killing machines. Like Resident Evil, it features humans transformed into grotesque creatures who attack the heroes unexpectedly.

Slither (2006)

Before James Gunn became a superhero movie director, he made this horror comedy about worm-like parasites that turn people into infected creatures. The gross-out effects and humor balance directly parallel what Cregger achieves in Resident Evil.

Weapons (2025)

Cregger's previous film follows a small town where a classroom of children disappears overnight. Amy Madigan won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Aunt Gladys. The film earned critical praise and proved Cregger's knack for balancing humor and horror.

Why horror keeps outperforming expectations

The 2026 box office trend shows horror films connecting with audiences in a big way. From Obsession to Backrooms to Resident Evil, the genre keeps delivering strong returns. For Iowans who enjoy a good scare, these ten films offer plenty of options similar to what made Resident Evil such a success.