Resident Evil is returning to our screens later this year with a new reboot from the mind of Weapons director (and Resi superfan) Zach Cregger. However, while this will be the eighth movie in the franchise, it acts as a new start for the game on the big screen. This means it won't be linked to Paul W.S. Anderson's movies nor the panned 2021 film Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. Instead, Cregger's version tells an original, fresh story set in the game universe.
Don't expect to see Resident Evil legend Leon S. Kennedy then, as this version introduces new characters to the franchise. Weapons star Austin Abrams leads the cast as a previously unseen hospital courier, and is joined by Paul Walter Hauser and Zach Cherry in the mysterious new story. So for everything we know about who they're playing – as well as what the new trailer reveals – we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the Resident Evil movie below.
This features details on the cast and plot news, as well as when exactly the movie will hit our screens. We've also got a whole load of exclusive insight from Cregger himself from our set visit last year to help you get up to speed. Read on for all the zombie-filled fun – and while you're at it, check out our guide to the best Resident Evil games.
Resident Evil movie release date
Resident Evil will be released in theaters on September 18, 2026.
Zach Cregger first got involved in the movie in 2024, signing on as a co-writer and director with casting happening that summer. Filming on the movie took place in Prague in October 2025 with post-production in full flow by early 2026, making it a pretty quick turnaround to its release later this year.
Resident Evil movie cast
The Resident Evil movie cast has been confirmed, but don't expect any familiar characters to appear. The film tells an original story in the franchise meaning we won't be getting Resi legends like Leon or Jill Valentine on screen, despite being key figures in the games.
"Leon exists in the games. I don't want anyone to ruin that for me," Cregger explained to GamesRadar+. "I figure if I am honoring the games, I'm just going to tell another story that feels like playing in the world of the game, but I'm not stepping on the toes of any of Leon's storyline. I'm not recasting Leon, god forbid. You know, I'm letting Leon stay Leon."
Instead, the movie features a cast list of relatively well-known actors, including Weapons breakout Austin Abrams in the lead role. Check out the full list below.
- Austin Abrams – Bryan, a medical courier
- Zach Cherry – Dave, a scientist
- Kali Reis – Pauline, an ex-military character
- Paul Walter Hauser – Carl
- Johnno Wilson – Max
Resident Evil movie plot
The Resident Evil movie follows Bryan (played by Austin Abrams) who is a hapless medical courier tasked with delivering a package to a remote hospital in Racoon City. However, he soon encounters more than he bargained for when he gets trapped in the snowy mountains en route to the medical center amid a terrifying outbreak. The story follows him as he attempts to survive the night as zombies close in from all around.
Although it is an original story, Cregger has confirmed when it takes place in the game's timeline. Speaking to GamesRadar+ on our set visit in 2025, he explained that the story sits "on the periphery" of the second game. "You know, where Raccoon City is having its big night, but tell just another story that could be happening in parallel to that," he said.
It seems like the movie will also feature a whole load of references for fans of the Resident Evil games too as Cregger is a massive fan of the franchise. "A lot of the references to the games, if you don't know them, they're just gonna go right over your head, and they're not gonna waste your time," he promised when we quizzed him on what would be included.
Is there a Resident Evil movie trailer?
Yes, the first trailer for the Resident Evil movie has been released, and you can watch it above. The snow-filled teaser introduces Austin Abrams' Bryan as a courier tasked with delivering a package to a remote hospital. It begins with the character arriving at a house in search of a phone after landing himself in a "seriously messed up situation".
However, things soon start going wrong as we see him encounter a moving corpse, bloated bodies in a sewer, and a whole load of disembodied limbs moving of their own accord. It certainly seems like Cregger's horror won't be skimping on zombie scares…
We expect a few more trailers will be released in the coming months ahead of the film's release in September. We'll keep you posted when these drop as we break down what exactly they reveal, too.
For more, check out our guide to the most exciting upcoming horror movies heading our way and our round-up of all the upcoming video game movies in the works.
