First Footage of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Movie Teases Faithful Adaptation

Director promises a true-to-the-games experience as mysterious footage debuts at CinemaCon

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:04am

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An abstract close-up photograph of a shattered glass lens reflecting a faint red light, conveying the sense of dread and danger associated with the Resident Evil video game series.The first look at the Resident Evil movie adaptation promises to capture the franchise's signature atmosphere of horror and suspense.Austin Today

The first footage from the upcoming Resident Evil movie adaptation directed by Zach Cregger was shown behind closed doors at CinemaCon. Cregger, known for horror hits like Barbarian, teased that the film will stay true to the spirit of the popular video game franchise, with a focus on atmosphere, pacing, resource management, and dread. The footage showed a character entering an apparently empty house before encountering zombies, setting the stage for what Cregger promises will be a thrilling, cinematic experience for fans.

Why it matters

The Resident Evil franchise has a devoted fanbase that has been eager to see a faithful big-screen adaptation of the games. Cregger's involvement as director, known for his skill in the horror genre, has generated significant anticipation, as he has promised to capture the essence of the games rather than stray too far from the established lore. The debut of the first footage at CinemaCon provides an early glimpse into Cregger's vision and has set the stage for the film's release later this year.

The details

In the footage shown at CinemaCon, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, the character of Austin Abrams' enters an apparently empty house, saying, "I'm in like a seriously fucked up situation right now." The character then encounters zombies, teasing the horror and dread that will be central to Cregger's take on Resident Evil. Cregger has stated that unlike his previous films, this adaptation will have a more straightforward narrative, with the protagonist embarking on a "foot journey from point A to point B." The director has also emphasized his deep familiarity with the Resident Evil games, promising to capture the atmosphere, pacing, and resource management that have made the franchise so popular with fans.

  • The first footage from the Resident Evil movie was shown at CinemaCon on April 14, 2026.
  • The Resident Evil movie is scheduled to be released on September 18, 2026.

The players

Zach Cregger

The director of the upcoming Resident Evil movie, known for his work on horror films like Barbarian and Weapons.

Austin Abrams

The actor who plays the lead character in the first footage shown from the Resident Evil movie.

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What they’re saying

“Over the last couple of decades, I have played a shitload of Resident Evil. I have put an embarrassing amount of hours into these games. I love the atmosphere, love the pacing, I love the resource management, I love the dread. It's just so naturally cinematic.”

— Zach Cregger, Director

“Unlike my last two films, there's not gonna be any narrative acrobatics. You are gonna be locked in with one protagonist, on a foot journey from point A to point B.”

— Zach Cregger, Director

What’s next

The Resident Evil movie is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 18, 2026, giving fans a chance to see if Cregger's vision for the franchise stays true to the games as promised.

The takeaway

Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie has generated significant anticipation among fans of the video game franchise, with the director's commitment to capturing the essence of the games rather than straying too far from the established lore. The debut of the first footage at CinemaCon has provided an early glimpse into Cregger's approach, which emphasizes atmosphere, pacing, and a focus on the protagonist's journey, suggesting a thrilling and faithful adaptation for audiences.