New Resident Evil movie boosts game sales by over 50%, analytics show

Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie is having a blockbuster effect on the video games that inspired it, according to data reported by IGN.

Analytics from Alinea Analytics show a dramatic sales spike for two key Capcom titles in the week after the film's theatrical release. On PlayStation 5, sales for the Resident Evil 2 remake surged by 64%, while sales for the 2023 remake of Resident Evil 4 jumped 54%.

When Steam PC sales are included, the total sales increase for the games was an additional 11% and 14% respectively, per the report. The revenue spike on PlayStation was even more pronounced, rising 80% and 84% for the two titles, though the outlet notes Capcom had placed the games on sale shortly before the movie's debut.

The film's success also translated to more players logging in. Daily active users for the Resident Evil 2 remake climbed 48% after September 18th. Player counts for Resident Evil 4 (2023), Resident Evil 3 Remake, and Resident Evil Requiem also saw increases between 20% and 25%.

IGN's report suggests the boost is linked to the film's parallel story to the RE2 remake game and the performance of star Austin Abrams. The outlet calls the film the most profitable Resident Evil movie ever made.