After a 15-year reign, Resident Evil 5 has been surpassed as the best-selling game in Capcom's survival horror series. The publisher revealed that the Resident Evil 2 remake has now sold 19.75 million copies, exceeding Resident Evil 5's lifetime sales of 19.01 million.
The enduring sales of Resident Evil 5 highlight the significant anticipation surrounding its original release, which followed the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 4. Meanwhile, the continued success of the Resident Evil 2 remake, launched in 2019, demonstrates the enduring appeal of the franchise's back catalog. Its performance has likely been boosted by the subsequent releases of other titles featuring Leon S. Kennedy, such as the Resident Evil 4 remake and Resident Evil Village.
Other recent entries in the series are also performing strongly. The Resident Evil 4 remake has sold an impressive 16 million copies, and Resident Evil Village has reached 8 million sales. Both titles are expected to see further sales increases as they receive discounts and post-launch content, potentially challenging the Resident Evil 2 remake for the franchise's top spot.
Across its entire history, the Resident Evil franchise has now achieved a combined total of 213 million copies sold, a figure that places it slightly ahead of Square Enix's Final Fantasy series, which has sold 212 million copies as of its last update. Other notable Capcom titles include Pragmata, with 2.51 million copies sold, and Monster Hunter: World, which has achieved an outstanding 30.45 million sales.
The Resident Evil franchise is also expanding into other media, with a new movie directed by Zach Cregger set to release on September 16, followed by Resident Evil Veronica in 2027.