Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Movie: Winter is Coming to Raccoon City

Forget what you thought you knew about Raccoon City's weather! New set photos from Zach Cregger's upcoming Resident Evil film confirm a chilling, snowy transformation for the iconic locale, hinting at a fresh take on the beloved horror universe.

TL;DR

• Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie is currently filming in Prague, Czechia.
• Set photos confirm a snow-covered Raccoon City, an unusual twist for the game's typically rainy Midwestern setting.
• The film promises an original story set within the game's canon, aiming for a theatrical release on September 18, 2026.

Imagine Raccoon City, that rain-soaked, Midwestern hub of biological disaster, but instead of slick, wet streets, you're trudging through fresh snow, the kind that muffles screams and makes the air bite. That’s the frosty new vision emerging for Zach Cregger’s upcoming Resident Evil Movie, as first set photos from Prague reveal a dramatically different, yet utterly compelling, backdrop for the horror.

Filming for the highly anticipated adaptation kicked off in mid-October in Czechia, with a significant action sequence taking place in Prague's Karlín neighborhood from October 29 to November 2. Local residents were greeted by streets blanketed in artificial snow, setting a distinctly wintery tone for the zombie-infested metropolis. These unofficial glimpses, shared widely on social media by accounts like RESIDENCE of EVIL, quickly confirmed that the film is indeed bringing a snowy Raccoon City to life. Source: [RESIDENCE of EVIL on X, November 4, 2025]

Prague Transforms into a Chilling, Snow-Dusted Raccoon City

Prague, a city renowned for its versatile architecture, is once again doubling as an American urban center, specifically the infamous Raccoon City. Photos show various details that firmly place the narrative in the familiar U.S. setting, including American signage, police cars sporting Colorado plates (even if Martin County, Sheriff’s Department isn't a real Colorado location), and a diner transformed into the "Oak Street Diner"—a potential subtle nod to Tall Oaks from Resident Evil 6. Source: [The Prague Reporter, November 3, 2025]

The streets around the Negrelli Viaduct in Karlín were ground zero for large-scale action sequences. These night shoots featured simulated gunfire, explosions, and high-speed vehicle stunts, indicating that Cregger isn't holding back on the franchise's signature chaos. Production notices even requested nearby residents to keep their indoor lights off to maintain the dark, atmospheric visuals the filmmakers are going for. Source: [The Prague Reporter, November 3, 2025]

This wintery makeover is a notable departure from the games' typical portrayal of Raccoon City as a rainy, vaguely Midwestern locale. However, other Resident Evil titles, like Code Veronica and Resident Evil: Village, have explored snowy environments, proving the franchise can thrive in sub-zero temperatures. This twist certainly promises fresh opportunities for the storytelling.

Navigating the Resident Evil Universe with a Fresh Perspective

Zach Cregger, known for his critically acclaimed horror films like Barbarian and Weapons, has a clear vision for this new Resident Evil movie. He has stated that he's not adapting any specific plotline from the video games. Instead, he’s crafting an entirely original narrative with new characters, but one that firmly exists within the established lore and timeline of the Resident Evil universe.

Cregger on his approach: "I don't think I am taking any more liberties with this [movie] than the game franchise does. I think I am coloring within the lines." — Zach Cregger, via GameSpot

"It's an entirely original story. When you watch it, you'll be like, 'This is very Zach.' It's just [that] it takes place in the Resident Evil world. I don't think fans of the games are gonna be bummed." — Zach Cregger, via EW

This approach means the film won't feature familiar faces like Leon Kennedy or Jill Valentine, but it will unfold within the same timeline and rules, possibly alongside the events of Resident Evil 2. By setting the story in an intact, pre-outbreak Raccoon City (implied by the city map and normal operations, prior to the September-October 1998 destruction), Cregger aims to capture the "signature dread" of the games – that feeling of being trapped with limited resources as horrors lurk. He explicitly stated he hasn't even watched the numerous previous live-action adaptations, focusing solely on the source material's essence. Source: [MovieWeb, November 6, 2025]

Meet the Faces Bringing the Winter Horror to Life in Raccoon City

The cast for this ambitious project is shaping up, featuring a mix of established and rising talent. Austin Abrams, known from Euphoria and Cregger’s Weapons, is set to lead as a courier tasked with delivering a crucial antidote in the infected city. He'll be joined by Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country), Zach Cherry (Severance), Johnno Wilson (Twisted Metal), and Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird, Richard Jewell).

Behind the camera, the film boasts veteran cinematographer Dariusz Wolski, celebrated for his work with Ridley Scott and on the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The production is a collaborative effort between Sony's TriStar Pictures, Constantin Film, and PlayStation Productions, with local support from Stillking Films in Czechia. The Czech Audiovisual Fund has allocated CZK 191 million (approximately USD 9.1 million) in support, reflecting an estimated total local spend of CZK 764 million (USD 36 million) for the production. Source: [The Prague Reporter, November 3, 2025]

Now, some might raise an eyebrow at the snowy Raccoon City. After all, the games primarily depict it as a rain-soaked locale. However, this change is not necessarily a limitation. Snowy environments naturally amplify the sense of isolation and chilling atmosphere, elements crucial to horror. Think of classic films like The Shining or The Thing; sub-zero temperatures can inherently dial up the suspense and vulnerability, offering a fresh visual and thematic canvas for the outbreak to unfold.

Another point of contention could be Cregger’s decision for an original story and characters instead of adapting a beloved game directly. While some fans yearn to see iconic game narratives brought to the screen verbatim, this approach offers a significant tradeoff. By creating a separate, canonical story, Cregger avoids the pitfalls of previous adaptations that often alienated fans by heavily altering established lore or character arcs. This method respects the game's universe while expanding it, potentially opening doors for future films that could feature familiar characters without rewriting their histories. It’s a way to build new dread without retelling stories fans already know by heart.

Example: Imagine a die-hard fan, Sarah, who’s seen every Resident Evil movie adaptation crash and burn. When she first heard about Cregger's Resident Evil featuring snow, her initial thought was, "Oh no, not another radical change." But then she remembered Cregger's track record with Barbarian and Weapons, films that played with audience expectations and delivered genuine scares. She started to think, "Maybe a frozen Raccoon City isn't just different, maybe it's brilliant."

Practical Takeaways for Fans

• Mark Your Calendars: Resident Evil is scheduled to invade theaters on September 18, 2026.
• Expect Something New, Yet Familiar: The film promises an original story set in a snow-covered Raccoon City, but it will operate firmly within the existing game lore and timeline.
• Trust the Horror Vision: Director Zach Cregger is focused on delivering the raw survival-horror tone and "signature dread" that the games are famous for.
• Keep an Eye Out: With filming continuing into January, more official details, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and potential Easter eggs are likely to surface.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Resident Evil Movie

When is the new Resident Evil movie coming out? The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 18, 2026. Will familiar Resident Evil characters appear in this film? No, director Zach Cregger has stated the film features an entirely original story with new characters, though it takes place within the established game canon. Is this movie adapting a specific Resident Evil game? No, it's an original story. Cregger mentioned it lives in the world of Resident Evil 2 and 3 but adheres more to the tone of Resident Evil 4. Why is Raccoon City covered in snow in the set photos? The artificial snow on set suggests a winter setting, a notable departure from Raccoon City's typical rainy depiction in the games. This twist offers a fresh atmospheric backdrop for the horror.

Sources

• RESIDENCE of EVIL on X, November 4, 2025
• The Prague Reporter, "PHOTOS: Resident Evil blankets Prague’s Karlín neighborhood in snow for key action scene," November 3, 2025
• GameSpot, "Filming For New Resident Evil Movie Has Begun, Set Photos Show A Snowy Raccoon City," November 5, 2025
• MovieWeb, "First Set Photos From Weapons Director's Resident Evil Movie Reveal Winter Setting," November 5, 2025
• GamesRadar+, "Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie is filming – and we're getting a snow-covered Raccoon City," November 5, 2025
• Eurogamer.net, "First set photos from Weapons director's Resident Evil movie reveal winter setting," November 5, 2025
• IGN, "Raccoon City to Appear in Resident Evil Film, According to Set Photos," November 6, 2025
• CBR, "Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil Reboot: First Set Photos Reveal Raccoon City," November 6, 2025