Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Just Broke a Record No Video Game Movie Has Ever Touched
Video game adaptations have spent decades fighting an uphill battle for critical respect, with even the genre’s biggest hits usually landing somewhere between “pleasant surprise” and “better than expected.” That ceiling has felt almost permanent, no matter how much box office success these films manage to rack up along the way.
‘Resident Evil’ carried its own extra layer of baggage heading into this reboot, given the franchise’s six previous entries never came close to critical favor despite years of box office dominance. A new director taking on one of gaming’s most beloved horror franchises was always going to be a gamble.
That gamble has paid off in historic fashion. Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ is now the first movie based on a video game IP to ever receive Metacritic’s “Universal Acclaim” seal from critics, scoring an 81 on the site based on 43 reviews alongside a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Zach Cregger’s RESIDENT EVIL is now the FIRST movie based on a video game IP to ever receive the Universal Acclaim seal from critics on Metacritic.
— Global Box Office (@GlobalBoxOffice) September 18, 2026
The most critically acclaimed video game films of all time:
1️⃣ RESIDENT EVIL (2026) — 96% on RT and 81 on Metacritic
2️⃣ Werewolves… pic.twitter.com/QMFrAPxxF4
That 96 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and 81 Metascore combination puts ‘Resident Evil’ comfortably ahead of every other video game adaptation on record. ‘Werewolves Within’ previously held strong critical standing with an 86 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and a 66 on Metacritic, followed by ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ at 86 percent and 56.
‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ and ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ round out the rest of the top five, sitting at 68 percent and 53 on Metacritic, and 69 percent and 47 on Metacritic, respectively. None of those films came anywhere near the “Universal Acclaim” threshold that Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ just crossed.
The gap between this reboot and its predecessors makes the achievement even more striking. Every one of the previous six ‘Resident Evil’ films directed by Paul W.S. Anderson topped out below a 49 Metascore, with 2021’s ‘Welcome to Raccoon City’ managing only a 44.
Cregger’s version didn’t just improve on that record, it obliterated it, more than doubling the franchise’s previous best critical showing. Critics have widely praised the film as capturing “the spirit, if not the letter, of the games,” while also calling it simply one of the best video game movies ever made.
Much of the critical praise has centered on lead actor Austin Abrams, who plays Bryan and has been singled out for what reviewers describe as a star-making performance. He’s joined by a supporting cast that includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Johnno Wilson, and Paul Walter Hauser.
The film’s technical execution has also drawn attention, with its cinematography reportedly emulating the third-person camera approach familiar from the games themselves. Reviewers have also praised its creature design, with some calling it home to “some of the grossest monsters you’ll ever see.”
The first trailer for Zach Cregger's ‘RESIDENT EVIL’ has been released.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 30, 2026
In theaters on September 18. pic.twitter.com/eeVCAGzy6M
Critics aren’t the only ones on board. ‘Resident Evil’ pulled in a B+ from opening-night audiences on CinemaScore, marking the highest grade the franchise has ever received across its 24-year history, easily topping the B grades earned by the original 2002 film and 2004’s ‘Apocalypse.’
That audience approval lines up with a 92 percent Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting the acclaim isn’t confined to critics alone. Reported preview numbers ahead of the film’s September 18, 2026 release reportedly shattered the franchise’s previous records as well, pointing to a strong opening weekend to match the reviews.
Despite the historic reception, some reviewers have flagged an abrupt ending and occasional pacing issues in the film’s comedic beats as weaknesses. A handful of critics also questioned the protagonist’s survival instincts at certain points in the story, though these critiques appear to be relatively minor compared to the overwhelming praise.
Still, for a franchise that spent over two decades struggling to win over critics, crossing into Metacritic’s “Universal Acclaim” territory represents an entirely new chapter. Whether this reboot marks a lasting shift for video game movies as a genre remains to be seen, but ‘Resident Evil’ has undeniably raised the bar.
Does Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil deserve all the critical acclaim?
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