Summary (tl;dr)

The official teaser trailer for the new "Resident Evil" movie, directed by Zach Cregger and starring Austin Abrams, has just been released, sparking widespread interest for the film scheduled to premiere in September 2026.

Essential Background

The "Resident Evil" franchise originated from a highly popular series of survival horror video games developed by Capcom. Over the years, it has seen numerous live-action film adaptations and even a Netflix television series, though their critical and commercial reception has been inconsistent. Following the mixed performance of the "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" film in 2021 and the cancellation of the 2022 Netflix series, discussions for a new film reboot began in early 2022.

The Full Story

Today, April 30, 2026, Sony Pictures unveiled the official teaser trailer for the upcoming "Resident Evil" movie, set for release on September 18, 2026. Zach Cregger, acclaimed for his directorial work on "Weapons" and "Barbarian", is at the helm, co-writing the screenplay alongside Shay Hatten. The film stars Austin Abrams, who previously collaborated with Cregger on "Weapons", in the lead role of Bryan, a medical courier who finds himself embroiled in a horrifying viral outbreak. This iteration is being described as a complete reinvention of the franchise, aiming to deliver a terrifying experience inspired by the early "Resident Evil" video games, specifically "Resident Evil 2". It features an original story designed to run parallel to the timeline of the games. The cast also includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser. Pre-production for the movie commenced in January 2025, with principal photography beginning in October 2025 in Prague.

Why It Matters

The release of the teaser trailer and the trending related keywords signal a resurgence of interest and anticipation for the "Resident Evil" film franchise. Director Zach Cregger's commitment to an original, horror-centric story that is deeply rooted in the game's universe, rather than being a direct adaptation, has particularly piqued fan curiosity. His background in horror films suggests a potential return to the survival horror genre's core elements, which could revitalize the film series after previous adaptations received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike.

Geographic Location

• Prague, Czech Republic (filming location)