Resident Evil has defined survival horror games.

We've survived the Spencer Mansion, escaped Raccoon City, battled bio-weapons the size of skyscrapers, and watched more movie reboots than anyone expected.

But for the first time in years, it feels like Resident Evil has a clear future across movies and games.

Here's everything we know.

The Biggest Project: Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Movie

The biggest Resident Evil project on the horizon is unquestionably the upcoming theatrical reboot directed by Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind Barbarian and Weapons.

Unlike previous films that focused heavily on action, Cregger has repeatedly said his goal is to capture what made the games terrifying in the first place: tension, vulnerability, and survival. The film arrives in theaters on September 18, 2026.

A New Hero Instead of Leon?

Perhaps the most controversial decision is introducing an entirely new protagonist named Bryan, a medical courier who finds himself trapped during the Raccoon City outbreak.

Instead of another super-soldier, Bryan is intentionally portrayed as an ordinary guy.

According to Cregger:

• He has no combat training.
• He's terrible at surviving.
• He's basically just trying not to die.

The director even compared him to Frodo walking into Mordor—completely out of his depth.

That goal seems to have Bryan be your POV Protagonist to suck the audience into this nightmare and recapture what Resident Evil originally was: FEAR.

Don't Hold Your Breath for Fan Service

If you're hoping Leon Kennedy, Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, or Nemesis dominate the movie...

...you may want to temper expectations.

Like me, most fans would love to specifically see Leon in a reboot, since Resident Evil 2 on PS1 is how most OG fans got introduced to the world, but I am willing to give it a shot... ba dum cha!

Cregger has openly said he refuses to force legacy characters into the story if they don't naturally belong. Instead, the film tells its own story that happens alongside the events of Resident Evil 2, which is still an awesome point in the story to pick things up.

Even so, that decision has divided fans.

Some hate the idea. Some are excited for a fresh take.

The Horror Comes First

One thing nearly every interview has emphasized is pacing.

Instead of slow setup followed by explosions, Cregger says the movie "pops off" within minutes and barely slows down.

Each location presents a new nightmare—very similar to how the original games move players from one terrifying encounter to another.

If you've ever limped through a hallway with one shotgun shell left...

...this sounds much closer to the Resident Evil we've been asking for.

Will Fans welcome this direction?

As the movies went on, I found myself cringing and rolling my eyes a bit to often BUT... they printed money as you can see from the above chart. 

I like the idea that they are going back to the tension and atmospheric dread that makes Resident Evil games exciting. 

However, they are still creating the same problem they had with the first film series.

Inventing a new character and telling a new perspective on Resident Evil 2, seems like a missed opportunity.

As a fan, if you had to choose, would you rather see this "Every Man Medical Courier" trying to figure out this world during the Raccoon City outbreak or Leon Kennedy's story faithfully adapted from the videogame?

Even though I think we would all pick the latter, I'm willing to give this movie a shot and I think a lot of fans will too.

Resident Evil's Gaming Future Has Never Looked Better

While movies are getting the headlines, Capcom continues doing what it does best.

The most recent release of Resident Evil: Requiem continues to build hype around the Franchise. Holding at a 89 Metacritic score with 97% positive reviews.

This mainline series adds a brand-new protagonist paired with the fan-favorite Leon.

The game is a masterclass in gameplay loop design. Splitting the experience into two different perspectives and two distinctly different styles of gameplay.

It was a risky move... to decide to make half the game from the perspective of timid, nervous newbie Grace, with a focus on more stealthy and suspenseful gameplay, but.... it actually worked! It brings a nice balance to Leon's high-octane action side of the game!

This is one of the things that actually gives me hope about the movie. If you explained the game style of each character and made me choose one, it would have been Leon all day, BUT then I would have really missed out on a very fun and different play style.

Unlike Halo, where whenever you play as anyone other than Master Chief, you are counting the seconds until you can get back to being your favorite Spartan. This dual play mechanism actually has a purpose and merges two games into one perfectly.

You become invested in Grace and enjoy her character arc.

I hope we can say the same things when we get to step into the perspective of Bryan in the new movie.

And If you haven't played the game yet, what are you waiting for!

Final Thoughts

Resident Evil is entering one of its most interesting eras.

• A major theatrical reboot from one of horror's hottest directors.
• A renewed focus on survival horror instead of spectacle.
• A successful future for the games.
• And the possibility that Hollywood has finally learned why fans fell in love with the franchise in the first place.

We'll find out this September whether the gamble pays off.

One thing is certain:

Resident Evil isn't dead.

It's evolving.

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