So, you want to dive into the Resident Evil films. Good luck. Honestly, trying to figure out what is the order of the resident evil movies is a bit like trying to navigate the Spencer Mansion without a map. You think you know where you’re going, and then a licker jumps through a window and ruins your afternoon.
The biggest hurdle for most people is that there isn't just one "order." There are actually three distinct timelines that don't talk to each other. If you try to watch them all as one continuous story, your brain will melt. You've got the Alice saga, the rebooted Raccoon City universe, and the animated films that actually tie into the video games.
Let's break this down before you accidentally watch a movie where the world is a desert and then wonder why the next one has a fully functioning civilization.
The Alice Saga: The Milla Jovovich Era
This is what most people mean when they talk about the movies. Directed mostly by Paul W.S. Anderson, these six films follow a character named Alice who doesn't even exist in the games. It’s essentially a high-budget fan-fiction series where Milla Jovovich does cool stunts and the plot is... well, it's there.
- Resident Evil (2002): The one that started it all. Very 2000s. Lots of leather and industrial metal. It’s mostly a "trapped in a basement" horror movie with a killer AI called the Red Queen.
- Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004): Alice wakes up in the middle of the Raccoon City outbreak. This is where we see Nemesis, though he looks a bit like a guy in a rubber suit because, well, he was.
- Resident Evil: Extinction (2007): Suddenly, the whole world is a desert. This is a massive jump from the previous film, but it’s basically Mad Max with zombies.
- Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010): Alice goes to Tokyo. Then Alaska. Then Los Angeles. It’s a lot of traveling. This was the peak of the 3D craze, so expect a lot of things flying at the camera.
- Resident Evil: Retribution (2012): This one is basically a "greatest hits" reel. It brings back dead characters via clones and uses simulated environments. It feels very much like a video game level.
- Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016): The grand finale. It retcons a ton of stuff from the previous five movies, but it finally gives Alice an ending.
If you watch these, just stick to the release order. The chronology matches the release dates, even if the logic between movies is occasionally shaky.
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The 2021 Reboot and the New Horizon
After the Alice story ended, the studios decided they wanted something closer to the games. Enter Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.
This movie is a total reboot. It has zero connection to Milla Jovovich. It tries to cram the plots of the first and second games into about 100 minutes. It’s gritty, it’s set in 1998, and it features actual game characters like Leon Kennedy and Jill Valentine as the main stars.
While it didn't set the box office on fire, it's the start of a separate timeline. And get this: there is actually another reboot in the works for late 2026. Zach Cregger (the guy who did Barbarian) is reportedly involved, which is a wild choice that might actually make it scary for once.
The Animated Movies: The "True" Canon
If you are a fan of the Capcom games, these are the only ones you should really care about. These movies take place in the same universe as the games. If Leon S. Kennedy does something in a movie, it’s considered "real" in the game world.
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Here is how you should watch them to keep the timeline straight:
- Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008): Set in 2005. It’s basically a reunion for Leon and Claire after the events of the second game.
- Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021): This is technically a mini-series on Netflix, but it’s essentially a four-part movie. It happens in 2006.
- Resident Evil: Damnation (2012): Takes place in 2011. Leon goes to Eastern Europe. It features some of the best action in the entire franchise.
- Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017): Set in 2014. This one gets a bit "John Wick" with the gunfights, but it brings back Rebecca Chambers, which was a nice touch for old-school fans.
- Resident Evil: Death Island (2023): The big one. Set in 2015. It’s the first time all the "Big Five" (Leon, Chris, Jill, Claire, and Rebecca) are on screen together.
Why Does the Order Matter?
If you mix these up, you’ll be incredibly confused. In the Alice movies, the world ends. In the animated movies, the world is fine, and people are just dealing with localized bio-terror attacks.
Essentially, you have to choose your "flavor." Do you want over-the-top action movies that ignore the source material? Go with the Alice Saga. Do you want a faithful adaptation of the lore? Stick to the animated films.
The biggest mistake people make is trying to fit the 2021 movie into the Alice timeline. You can't. It’s like trying to fit a square peg in a T-Virus-shaped hole.
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What You Should Do Next
If you’re a newcomer, start with the 2002 Resident Evil. It’s the most accessible.
If you’ve played the games and just want more story, skip the live-action stuff entirely and start with Resident Evil: Degeneration.
Whatever you do, keep a notepad handy. You’re going to need it to track all the clones, memory wipes, and secret underground labs.
Once you've finished the main films, check out the Resident Evil Netflix series from 2022—but only if you're prepared for something that feels more like a teen drama than a horror show. It's technically its own thing too, further complicating an already messy franchise.
For the most cohesive experience, watch the Alice saga from 1 to 6, then switch gears to the animated canon starting with Degeneration. This allows you to appreciate the "blockbuster" version of the world before diving into the gritty details of the game lore.