Tag: Zach Cherry

Oscar Predictions: Resident Evil

Before this week, the highest Rotten Tomatoes score among the seven Resident Evil pictures belonged to 2016’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter at a whopping 37%. Of course, it was not the final chapter for the video game based franchise. Zach Cregger’s reboot opens this weekend where Evil is expected to post good grosses. Austin Abrams stars with a supporting cast including Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser.

To say the Tomato record is broken is understatement as it sports 96% with Metacritic at 80 (Final Chapter also held the MC best at 49). Cregger’s predecessor Weapons was an unexpected summer smash in 2025 that won Amy Madigan a Supporting Actress Oscar as the witchy Aunt Gladys. The pic itself likely came close to nabbing Best Picture and Original Screenplay mentions.

Evil is not your typical awards player though Makeup & Hairstyling and Visual Effects are at least worthy of bringing up. Weapons might’ve come close to getting in for the latter. Despite the much better than expected critical reaction, I doubt this gets in those tech competitions but the shortlists will be worth monitoring down the line. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Resident Evil Box Office Prediction

Adapted from the video games that kicked off 30 years ago, Resident Evil is rebooted for the second time on the big screen starting September 18th. It has the advantage of being directed by Zach Cregger. His Barbarian was a critical favorite in 2022 followed by the massive box office success ($150 million) of Weapons last year. Austin Abrams (who memorably appeared in Weapons) stars alongside Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser.

Starting in 2002, Milla Jovovich headlined six Evil entries. The top opener was #4, Resident Evil: Afterlife and it took in $26 million for starters. Three others (parts 2, 3, 5) managed $20M+ out of the gate. However, audiences weren’t checking in by part 6 (The Final Chapter) which premiered with $13 million.

2021’s reboot Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City brought the pics to new lows with a debut just north of $5 million and $17 million overall stateside (both easy franchise lows). The tide should turn here in major fashion for the action horror series.

In a best case scenario, Cregger’s participation and a hunger from genre fans for fresh product could not only set an Evil best for opening weekends. That shouldn’t be an issue. This has the possibility of grossing $60M+ from Friday to Sunday and that would be more in three days than any Evil movie has made domestically in total. I think mid 50s is where it lands but don’t be too afraid to consider the over.

Resident Evil opening weekend prediction: $55.8 million

The Breadwinner Box Office Prediction

Nate Bargatze is one of the best selling stand-ups in the country and Sony hopes his popularity translates to the big screen when The Breadwinner opens May 29th. With a Mr. Mom-ish premise, the comedian stars and cowrites with Mandy Moore, Colin Jost, Zach Cherry, Kumail Nanjiani, and Will Forte in the supporting cast. Eric Appel directs.

This genre is a tough sell at multiplexes over the last few years as many titles go the streaming route. The Breadwinner has the potential to break out thanks to Bargatze’s following. Anything in the higher teens should be considered a massice success and teens is respectable. I have it falling just under that.

The Breadwinner opening weekend prediction: $12.1 million

For my Backrooms prediction, click here:

Backrooms Box Office Prediction

For my Pressure prediction, click here:

Pressure Box Office Prediction