Are you ready to enter the world of Resident Evil, where zombies, monsters, and evil corporations await? If you’re a fan of the video game series or just looking for some thrilling movies to watch, you might be wondering how to best enjoy the Resident Evil franchise. With seven live-action movies, four animated films, and several TV series, there’s a lot to explore. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you how to watch the Resident Evil movies in order and why you should watch them.
How Many Resident Evil Movies Are There?
The Resident Evil franchise started as a video game series in 1996 and has since become one of the most successful and popular media franchises of all time. The games are known for their survival horror elements, where players have to fight against zombies and other creatures infected by a virus created by the Umbrella Corporation, a sinister biotechnology company.
The first live-action movie adaptation of the games was released in 2002, starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, an original character created for the films. The movie was a hit, spawning six sequels that followed Alice’s journey as she battled against the Umbrella Corporation and the undead. The live-action movies are loosely based on the games, but they also feature many iconic game characters and locations.
In addition to the live-action movies, there are also four feature-length animated films that are more faithful to the games. These films are set in the same universe as the games and feature game characters like Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and Chris Redfield. The animated films are more focused on the sci-fi and action aspects of the franchise than the horror.
Netflix has also produced two TV series based on the Resident Evil franchise: one live-action and one animated. The live-action series is set in two timelines: one following Jade Wesker and Billie Wesker, the daughters of Albert Wesker, a major antagonist in the games; and another following Jade Wesker in the future, where only 15 million humans remain after a global outbreak. The animated series is called Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness and follows Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield as they investigate a zombie attack at the White House.
Watching Resident Evil Movies in Chronological Order
If you want to watch the Resident Evil movies in order of their story events, you’re in luck. The chronological order of the movies is exactly the same as their release order. Here’s how you can watch them from start to finish:
Resident Evil (2002): The first movie introduces us to Alice, a security officer who wakes up in a mansion with no memory of who she is or what she does. She soon discovers that she works for the Umbrella Corporation, a company that has unleashed a deadly virus called the T-virus in an underground facility called The Hive. Alice joins a team of commandos to infiltrate The Hive and stop the outbreak, but they encounter hordes of zombies and other mutated creatures along the way. The movie is loosely based on the first two Resident Evil games.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004): The second movie picks up right after the first one, with Alice escaping from The Hive and finding herself in Raccoon City, a city that has been infected by the T-virus. Alice teams up with Jill Valentine, a former police officer and game character; Carlos Oliveira, a mercenary; and L.J., a survivor, to escape from the city before it is destroyed by a nuclear missile strike. They also have to face Nemesis, a monstrous creature created by Umbrella that is programmed to kill Alice.
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007): The third movie takes place five years after Apocalypse, with Alice wandering in the Nevada desert after escaping from Umbrella’s clutches. She meets up with Claire Redfield, another game character and leader of a convoy of survivors; Carlos Oliveira; L.J.; and K-Mart, a young girl, who are looking for a safe haven in Alaska. Meanwhile, Albert Wesker, another game character and head of Umbrella; Dr. Isaacs, an Umbrella scientist; and Jill Valentine, who has been brainwashed by Umbrella, are hunting for Alice, who has developed superhuman abilities due to exposure to the T-virus.
Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010): The fourth movie takes place one year after Extinction, with Alice leading an assault on Umbrella’s headquarters in Tokyo with her clones. She confronts Albert Wesker, who injects her with an antidote that removes her powers. Alice then travels to Alaska to find Claire Redfield and her convoy, but only finds Claire alone with an Umbrella device attached to her chest that erases her memory. Alice removes the device and takes Claire to Los Angeles, where they find a group of survivors hiding in a prison. They also meet Chris Redfield, Claire’s brother, and another game character. The group plans to escape to a ship called Arcadia, which is broadcasting a message of safety, but they have to deal with zombies, Umbrella soldiers, and a giant creature called the Executioner.
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012): The fifth movie is a direct continuation of Afterlife, with Alice being captured by Umbrella and taken to an underwater facility called Umbrella Prime. There, she meets Ada Wong, another game character and an agent working for Albert Wesker, who helps her escape. Alice also encounters clones of her friends and enemies, who are part of Umbrella’s simulations of various outbreaks around the world. Alice teams up with Leon S. Kennedy, Barry Burton, and Luther West, all game characters and allies of Ada Wong, to rescue Jill Valentine, who is still under Umbrella’s control, and escape from the facility.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016): The sixth and final movie of the live-action series takes place immediately after Retribution, with Alice being the only survivor of an attack by Umbrella on Arcadia. She is contacted by the Red Queen, an artificial intelligence that controls Umbrella’s facilities, who tells her that there is a cure for the T-virus hidden in The Hive and that she has 48 hours to retrieve it before the last human settlements are wiped out by Umbrella. Alice returns to Raccoon City and reunites with Claire Redfield, who has joined a group of survivors led by Doc. They also meet Albert Wesker, who is now working with Dr. Isaacs, the original creator of the T-virus, and who has a horde of zombies at his disposal. Alice learns the truth about her origins and the T-virus and faces her final showdown with Umbrella.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021): The latest movie is a reboot of the franchise, which means it has no connection to the previous live-action movies. Instead, it follows the events of the first two Resident Evil games more closely, with game characters like Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Albert Wesker taking centre stage. The movie is set in 1998 and tells the story of how a group of survivors try to escape from Raccoon City after it is infected by the T-virus.
For those who want to watch the animated movies as well, here’s the order:
Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008): The first animated movie takes place in 2005, seven years after the events of Resident Evil 2 and 3. It follows Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield as they investigate a zombie outbreak at an airport and a bioterrorist attack involving a new virus called the G-virus.
Resident Evil: Damnation (2012): The second animated movie takes place in 2011, between Resident Evil 5 and 6. It follows Leon S. Kennedy as he infiltrates a war-torn Eastern European country where bio-organic weapons are being used by rebels. He also meets Ada Wong, who has her own agenda.
Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017): The third animated movie takes place in 2016, between Resident Evil 6 and 7. It follows Chris Redfield as he pursues a rogue soldier named Glenn Arias, who plans to unleash a new virus called the A-virus on New York City. He teams up with Leon S. Kennedy and Rebecca Chambers, a former member of S.T.A.R.S. and a game character.
Resident Evil: Death Island (2023): The fourth animated movie takes place in 2023, after Resident Evil 8: Village. It follows Ethan Winters, the protagonist of Resident Evil 7 and 8, as he wakes up on an island full of zombies and other creatures after surviving a helicopter crash. He meets Jill Valentine, who is investigating the island’s secrets.
Why Watch the Resident Evil Movies?
The Resident Evil movies are not just for fans of the games. They are also for anyone who enjoys action-packed movies with horror and sci-fi elements. The movies offer a different take on the Resident Evil universe, with original characters and stories that expand on the lore of the games. The movies also feature many familiar game characters and locations that fans will recognise and appreciate.
The live-action movies are known for their spectacular action sequences, stunning visual effects, and charismatic performances by Milla Jovovich as Alice. The movies also have a strong female presence, with Alice being one of the most iconic action heroines in cinema history.
The animated movies are more faithful to the games, with more emphasis on the sci-fi and plot aspects of the franchise. The movies also have more fan service, with game characters interacting with each other and showcasing their skills.
The Netflix series are also a great way to enjoy the Resident Evil franchise, as they offer more depth and variety to the story and characters. The live-action series is a new addition to the canon, with original characters and a dual timeline that explores the past and future of the Umbrella Corporation and its experiments. The animated series is a continuation of the games, with fan-favourite characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield returning to face new threats and mysteries.
Conclusion
The Resident Evil franchise is a rich and diverse media phenomenon that has something for everyone. Whether you prefer horror, action, or sci-fi, you’ll find a movie or series that suits your taste. The movies and series also provide a different perspective on the Resident Evil universe, separate from the games, making them a fresh experience even for long-time fans. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready for a roller-coaster ride through the world of Resident Evil.
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