Resident Evil Movie Packed With Leon S. Kennedy Easter Eggs for Fans

The Resident Evil movie, which released September 18, is filled with Easter eggs for longtime fans of the franchise. While the film tells a new story rather than adapting existing game narratives, director Zach Cregger layered in references to iconic elements from the games.

Among the most detailed Easter eggs are multiple nods to Leon S. Kennedy, one of the series' most beloved characters. As the protagonist Bryan navigates Raccoon City toward the hospital in the film's climax, a shopfront visible in the background reads 'Leon S. Kennedy Guns and Ammo'. The reference fits the character well, as Leon is a rookie cop known for his weapons expertise in the games.

When asked about this Easter egg by a Deadline journalist, Cregger expressed uncertainty about how it ended up in the film, suggesting it may have been added by other crew members. The reference appears as Bryan flees from zombies hurling themselves off rooftops while heading toward the hospital.

A second Leon Easter egg was spotted by theater-goers in the hospital's underground carpark. Leon's car is parked among the vehicles in the garage where Bryan pauses to plan his next move. Reddit users and other fans noted this as a particularly clever touch for those familiar with the character.

The film also includes other classic Resident Evil references beyond Leon, such as typewriters, herbs, and first aid spray cans that fans of the games will recognize. The Resident Evil movie released to strong box office performance, earning $9 million from Thursday night previews in the US alone, setting a franchise record. It also received an 8/10 from GameSpot and is currently the highest-rated video game adaptation on record.