Since their release in 2002, the Resident Evil films have enveloped viewers in a violent deluge of human flesh and the zombies that feed on it.
It is indisputable that the Resident Evil film franchise is the most popular one based on a video game, despite the fact that many critics have panned the movies for being too violent and ignoring the games’ core stories.
You may be a fan of the Resident Evil video game series and interested in seeing the movies to see how closely they stick to the source material. I must caution you, though, to not get your hopes up too high.
Since 1996, when the first Resident Evil game was released for game consoles, fans have been on a roller coaster of terror thanks to the steady stream of spinoff movies and television shows. In addition, it can be difficult to keep tabs on all the updates that have been made.
This guide, however, will assist you in doing just that, and you will be able to select the optimal viewing sequence for the entirety of the Resident Evil canon films and television series.
Release Order
The first film in the franchise, which was released almost twenty years ago and has grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, had a relatively humble beginning.
1. Movies
- 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)
- Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) (upcoming)
2. Animated Movies
- Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)
- Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
- Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017)
3. TV Series
- Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021)
- Resident Evil (announced)
Many beginners start to wonder if all of the episodes listed above are part of the same continuity at this point.
Is there a definitive timeline that includes both live-action and animated films and TV shows? Find out what we found out below by reading:
Chronological Order
The live-action films don’t make much sense when taken apart from the video game series. Resident Evil: Apocalypse, which was inspired by Resident Evil 3 and featured its villain Nemesis, was the only film that came close to accurately depicting the game. The six parts must be viewed in the specified order of their initial broadcast.
For the animated series and the lone show, Infinite Darkness, I recommend starting with the Netflix series. It takes place between the events of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5.
The animated films Degeneration, Damnation, and Vendetta should be watched next. While the live-action films only had tenuous connections to the games’ stories, the animated ones are generally accepted as canon. All three films span the timeline between Resident Evil 4 and 7. This group of three works can be considered a mini-trilogy.
- Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021)
- Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)
- Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
- Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017)
Where To Watch
Watch Resident Evil on:
How Much Time Will It Take To Watch
To watch every single Resident Evil film and episode of the most recent TV series in one sitting would take about 16 hours and 25 minutes.
Here’s a quick breakdown each installment wise:
- Movies – 9 hours 47 mins
- Animated Movies – 4 hours 48 mins
- TV Series – 1 hour 45 mins
About Resident Evil
Capcom’s Resident Evil video game series and accompanying media property is a staple of the Japanese horror video game and media market. This series is dedicated to tales of pandemics and other viral disasters. The games in the series span first-person shooters, third-person shooters, and survival horror.
There are now live-action movies, animated movies, TV shows, comic books, novels, audio dramas, and other forms of media and goods based on the property.
The first six movies centre on the fictional figure Alice, played by Milla Jovovich. Umbrella Corporation’s bioweapons have unleashed a zombie apocalypse, and former security specialist/covert operator Alice fights to stop it. Claire Redfield, Jill Valentine, Ada Wong, Carlos Olivera, Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Barry Burton, and the villains Albert Wesker (the CEO of Umbrella Corporation) and James Marcus (the company’s top virologist) all make appearances in the games.
