'Resident Evil' opens with franchise-best $60 million at North American box office

Zach Cregger's "Resident Evil" topped the North American box office with a franchise-best $60 million debut from 3,684 locations, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Sony release surpassed all seven prior films' domestic runs except "Resident Evil: Afterlife" ($60.1 million in 2010), earning a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score. Audiences were 66% male and 75% under 35, giving it a B+ CinemaScore. The film cost $75 million to produce. Internationally, it added $48.3 million for a $108.3 million global launch. Cregger's previous hits include "Barbarian" ($46 million on a $5 million budget) and "Weapons" ($270 million on $38 million). Horror films have generated over $1.1 billion domestically this year.