Resident evil film order, The sprawling world of Resident Evil has captivated gamers for decades with its blend of action horror and survival suspense. This terrifying universe has also found a home on the big screen, but with multiple films, reboots, and an original character leading the charge, navigating the Resident Evil film order can be a challenge. Fear not, fellow survivors! This guide will equip you with the knowledge to tackle the films in the most thrilling sequence.
The Original Series: A Milla Jovovich Adventure (2002-2016)
This series, spanning six films, takes a significant departure from the video games’ storylines and characters. Instead, it focuses on Alice (Milla Jovovich), a powerful warrior with a mysterious past, who battles the Umbrella Corporation and its hordes of undead monstrosities.
Resident Evil (2002): The inaugural film throws Alice into the heart of the Hive, a subterranean biohazard facility overrun by the T-virus. Here, she joins forces with a team sent to investigate the outbreak.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004): Picking up shortly after the first film, Alice finds Raccoon City in ruins and must fight her way through hordes of zombies and monstrous creatures created by the T-virus.
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007): Years later, Alice leads a group of survivors across a wasteland crawling with the infected.
Resident Evil: Afterlife (3D) (2010): Alice searches for a safe haven in a world dominated by the Umbrella Corporation and its control over the infected. Familiar video game characters like Jill Valentine and Claire Redfield make their first appearances here.
Resident Evil: Retribution (3D) (2012): Alice uncovers the truth about her origin and purpose as she infiltrates the heart of Umbrella’s operations.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016): The final battle against the Umbrella Corporation and the approaching extinction of humanity takes center stage.
What to expect: This series is a wild ride filled with action sequences, sci-fi elements, and over-the-top monster battles. While it features some iconic Resident Evil creatures like Lickers and Nemesis, the storylines are largely original and focus on Alice’s journey.
Is it for you? If you enjoy action horror with a strong female lead and aren’t too concerned about strict adherence to the video game narratives, this is a great place to start.
Welcome to Raccoon City (2021): A Reboot for a New Generation
In 2021, the franchise received a reboot with “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.” This film takes a more faithful approach to the source material, following the stories of Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy, and Claire Redfield as they face the horrors unleashed by the T-virus outbreak in Raccoon City.
What to expect: This film stays closer to the video games’ narratives and characters, featuring iconic locations like the Raccoon City Police Department and the Spencer Mansion. Expect a darker and more suspenseful tone compared to the original series.
Is it for you? If you’re a fan of the video games or prefer a more grounded horror experience, this reboot is a good starting point.
Animated Spin-offs: Expanding the Universe
The Resident Evil universe extends beyond live-action films with two CG animated movies:
Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008): This film bridges the gap between “Apocalypse” and “Extinction” and features Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield on a mission to stop a new outbreak.
Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017): This film follows an alliance between Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, and Rebecca Chambers as they combat a bioweapon unleashed by a criminal organization.
What to expect: These films offer a unique visual style and delve deeper into established video game characters and storylines.
Is it for you? If you’re a fan of the video games and want to see animated takes on familiar characters, these are worth checking out.
So, How Should You Watch the Resident Evil Films?
There isn’t a single “correct” order, but here are some recommendations:
Chronological Order by Release: This is a straightforward approach, starting with the original series (2002-2016) followed by the reboot (“Welcome to Raccoon City,” 2021) and then the animated films (“Degeneration” and “Vendetta”).
FAQ’S
How many Resident Evil live-action movies are there?
As of May 2024, there are seven live-action Resident Evil movies.
Is there one timeline for all the movies?
Nope! There are actually two timelines to consider. The first six movies (2002-2016) follow a new character, Alice, created specifically for the films. The most recent film, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021), serves as a reboot and stays closer to the video game storylines.
What order should I watch the original Alice timeline movies?
Here’s the order for the Alice timeline:
Resident Evil (2002)
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
What order should I watch the reboot movie?
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) is a standalone film, so you can watch it without needing any prior knowledge.
Are there any other Resident Evil movies I should know about?
There are four animated CGI films – Degeneration (2008), Damnation (2012), Vendetta (2017), and Death Island (2023) – but they exist outside the live-action timelines.
Should I watch the movies before playing the games?
The movies take liberties with the video game storylines and characters. You can enjoy them without playing the games, but they offer a different experience.
Are the movies scary?
While the earlier films have horror elements, the series leans more towards action-horror with plenty of monster battles.
Do I need to watch all the movies in order?
The Alice timeline movies have a continuing story, so watching them in order is recommended. The reboot and animated films are independent experiences.
Where can I watch the Resident Evil movies?
Availability can change depending on streaming services and regions, but you might find them on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or by renting or purchasing them digitally.
Is there more Resident Evil content coming?
The live-action film series seems to have concluded, but there’s always the possibility of future projects. The video game franchise continues to thrive with new installments, and there’s a live-action Netflix series (cancelled after one season) and an animated series, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021).
To read more, Click here
