Resident Evil & Girls und Panzer Dominate Japan’s Box Office – Cregger’s Reboot Rides to #2, Fifth Film Hits #5

The Japanese box‑office charts are in full‑tilt and the spotlight is on two very different worlds: the gritty, zombie‑infested streets of a live‑action Resident Evil reboot and the polished, tank‑laden battlefields of Girls und Panzer das Finale’s newest chapter. In a single weekend, Zach Cregger’s film secured the #2 spot while the fifth installment of the six‑part Girls und Panzer saga opened at #5—both a testament to the genre diversity that keeps anime‑film fans glued to the screen.

What We Know

• Resident Evil (live‑action reboot of CAPCOM’s survival‑horror franchise) opened in Japan on October 9 and, in its first three days, sold 356,000 tickets and earned ¥626,567,150 (≈US$3.97 million). By the end of day 4 (including the national holiday on Monday, October 12), the film had sold 470,000 tickets and grossed ¥813 million (≈US$5.15 million). It sits at #2 for its opening weekend.
• The film stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, with supporting performances by Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser. It was directed by Zach Cregger, known for Barbarian and Weapons, and distributed by Sony Pictures Digital Productions.
• Girls und Panzer das Finale – Part 5 premiered on the same day, October 9. In its first three days it earned ¥267,301,400 (≈US$1.69 million) and ranked #5. The film is the first in the series to be screened in Dolby Cinema, Dolby Atmos, 4DX, and MX4D.
• The storyline follows Ōarai Girls High School after their semi‑final victory, heading to the finals against St. Gloriana Girls’ College, featuring the return of Alice and new rival Darjeeling.
• Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island remains the top‑grossing film of the year, climbing to #1 in its 12th weekend, selling 375,000 tickets and earning ¥562,647,900 (≈US$3.56 million) over Friday‑Sunday. It has sold 12.29 million tickets and earned a cumulative ¥17,807,643,600 (≈US$112 million).

Why Fans Are Excited

The simultaneous success of a horror‑action juggernaut and a tank‑battling anime series shows how diverse the anime‑film market has become. For Resident Evil, the fact that the live‑action adaptation—an international franchise with a dedicated fanbase—has already pulled in nearly half a million admissions in just four days is a huge milestone. It signals that the live‑action genre can compete with traditional anime releases for audience attention.

Meanwhile, Girls und Panzer’s debut at #5 is a triumph for fans of the long‑running tank‑anime. The series’ move into Dolby Cinema and other high‑tech formats is a first, giving viewers an immersive experience that mirrors the intense, strategic battles on screen. The film’s narrative, set after the semi‑finals, promises high‑stakes drama and the return of beloved characters, fueling anticipation for the final showdown.

Both releases also highlight the power of cross‑media storytelling. Resident Evil is a direct reboot of a video‑game franchise, while Girls und Panzer has evolved through manga, TV series, and a multi‑part film arc. The fact that each can command significant box‑office numbers in a market saturated with domestic anime shows the genre’s resilience.

Background

Resident Evil has been in development for several years. The live‑action reboot, directed by Zach Cregger, aims to translate CAPCOM’s iconic horror experience to the big screen. The film’s U.S. release on September 18 already saw it earn an estimated US$60 million in its opening weekend, a strong indicator of its global appeal.

Girls und Panzer das Finale is the sixth‑part film series that began in 2020. The franchise, based on the 2009 manga by Haruhiko Mikimoto, follows high‑school girls who pilot tanks in competitive battles. The fifth film’s plot centers on the climactic finals, where the stakes are higher than ever, and the introduction of St. Gloriana’s new members adds fresh tension.

The inclusion of Dolby Cinema and other premium formats is a strategic move to elevate the viewing experience—something that has worked well for other anime adaptations like Eiga Chiikawa, which currently holds the top spot in Japan’s all‑time box‑office ranking.

What’s Next

With Resident Evil at #2, the film will likely continue its momentum over the next week, especially as the U.S. holiday period ends and more domestic audiences flock to theaters. If it maintains a strong hold, it could close in the top three for a second weekend, further cementing its status as a blockbuster.

For Girls und Panzer, the next step is the final film of the series. The current #5 ranking is a solid foundation, and the premium formats should help drive additional ticket sales. Fans will be watching closely to see whether the series can break into the top three in its final chapter.

Meanwhile, Chiikawa the Movie continues to dominate the overall market, and its 12th‑weekend #1 position indicates a sustained interest that could keep the franchise at the top of the all‑time charts.

Closing

The Japanese box‑office landscape is proving that both high‑concept horror and high‑energy anime can coexist and thrive. Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil has proven that live‑action adaptations can punch above their weight, while Girls und Panzer demonstrates that a well‑built franchise can keep fans engaged across multiple media formats. As the weekend progresses, keep your eyes on the charts—these films are setting the tone for what anime‑film fans can expect in the coming months.