China-boosted Resident Evil regains global box-office lead; The Social Network sequel underperforms

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —

China’s Box Office Boost Lifts Resident Evil Back to Global Top Spot as The Social Reckoning Struggles

The Sony Pictures release, adapted from the iconic video game franchise, now holds the highest cumulative worldwide gross ($320.2 million) in the eight-film series, surpassing Resident Evil: The Final Chapter ($312.2 million), which benefited from a $159.5 million haul from China alone.

The film’s dominance was further cemented by a $3.5 million debut in Japan and a $7.7 million contribution from IMAX screens in China, marking Cregger’s highest-grossing directorial effort, eclipsing his 2025 thriller Weapons ($270.1 million).

The resurgence of Resident Evil comes as Sony celebrates a rare triumph in an industry where franchise fatigue and audience fatigue often dampen returns. Meanwhile, the studio’s other major release, Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning, faced a tepid reception, opening to just $5.5 million in North America and $3.5 million internationally—a combined $9 million that placed it seventh globally.

The film, which explores corporate ethics through the lens of a whistleblower narrative, has only released in 29 international markets so far, with Brazil and Mexico slated for October 22. Comparisons to David Fincher’s 2010 hit The Social Network—which grossed $224.9 million globally, including $128 million internationally—highlight the challenges of recapturing the cultural momentum of a decade-old phenomenon.

Universal Pictures, meanwhile, secured the second spot globally with Other Mommy, an adaptation of Josh Malerman’s novel directed by Rob Savage and produced by James Wan. The Blumhouse Atomic Monster production opened to $45.2 million worldwide, with $27.5 million coming from North America, where it topped the chart.

Internationally, it led in key markets like the UK/Ireland ($2.6 million), Italy ($2.2 million), and Mexico ($1.9 million), outperforming recent horror releases such as M3GAN and The Black Phone. With a reported production budget of $18–19 million, Other Mommy is poised to deliver a profitable return, particularly as its international rollout continues, with France opening this week and Germany, South Korea, and Japan following in November.

The weekend’s box office performance underscored the uneven trajectory of major releases. While Resident Evil and Other Mommy thrived, Amazon MGM Studios’ Verity—a Colleen Hoover adaptation starring Amanda Seyfried—fell 64% in its second North American weekend but held stronger internationally, where it has already grossed $60.1 million compared to $53.9 million domestically.

The film’s global total of $114 million now ranks as the second-highest for a Hoover adaptation, trailing only It Ends With Us ($351.4 million). Verity remains one of eight holdover titles in the worldwide top 10, alongside Heart of the Beast ($131.4 million, performing particularly well in France), Forgotten Island ($50.2 million, a DreamWorks animation with a gradual international rollout), and India’s Drishyam – The Conclusion ($51.5 million).

The dominance of Chinese and international markets was further evident as Resident Evil and Other Mommy outperformed domestic releases. In Malaysia, where the box office has seen a 21% year-on-year increase, non-English language films and documentaries have struggled to gain traction, a trend reflected in the broader regional landscape. Meanwhile, Disney’s Avengers: Endgame: Encore and China’s Mr. & Mrs. Pardon—a comedy—fell out of the global top 10 this weekend, signaling shifting audience preferences.

The weekend’s releases also highlighted the challenges faced by prestige dramas. The Social Reckoning, despite its star-studded cast—including Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, and Jeremy Strong—failed to generate the same buzz as its 2010 predecessor. The film’s limited international release and slower rollout in key markets like Brazil and Mexico may have contributed to its modest opening.

In contrast, Resident Evil’s success demonstrates the enduring appeal of high-stakes action-horror, particularly when backed by a strong Chinese box office performance—a critical factor in the global film industry.

For Universal, the weekend’s results offer a mixed bag. While Other Mommy’s strong debut suggests robust audience interest in horror, the studio’s animated release Forgotten Island—set in the Philippines—has taken a more gradual approach, opening to just $6.5 million this weekend, with key markets like the UK/Ireland and France yet to release. The film’s cumulative total stands at $50.2 million, with Australia ($4.7 million) and the Philippines ($3.6 million) leading the way.

The weekend’s box office data also revealed the resilience of certain genres and franchises. Resident Evil’s return to the top spot not only solidified its place as the highest-grossing film in its series but also underscored the importance of China as a major revenue driver. For Sony, this success comes at a time when the studio is navigating a competitive landscape, where blockbusters must balance global appeal with localized marketing strategies.

Meanwhile, the underperformance of The Social Reckoning serves as a reminder of the challenges in translating prestige narratives into commercial success, particularly when competing against high-octane action films.

As the industry continues to evolve, the weekend’s box office results offer valuable insights into audience behavior. The dominance of franchises like Resident Evil and the strong international performances of films like Other Mommy suggest that audiences remain drawn to familiar yet fresh adaptations. However, the struggles of The Social Reckoning and the gradual rollout of Forgotten Island indicate that not all strategies guarantee immediate success.

For Malaysian and regional audiences, the weekend’s releases also reflect broader trends in the film industry, where global blockbusters often dictate the pace of the box office while local and regional productions continue to carve out their own niches.

Related: Sony Pictures