The Resident Evil Movie Timeline: Explained
The Resident Evil franchise began as a popular video game series, but it also made its mark on the big screen with a total of seven live-action movies. These films feature characters and villains from the games, while weaving their own separate stories. The iconic Milla Jovovich portrays the original character, Alice, who becomes entangled in the nightmarish events unleashed by the Umbrella corporation.
How Many Resident Evil Movies Are There?
Before we delve into the chronological order, let’s clarify the count. There are seven live-action Resident Evil movies in the original timeline. However, there are also four feature-length animated films (such as Resident Evil: Degeneration, Damnation, Vendetta, and Death Island), which we’ll list separately as the live-action movies exist in an alternate timeline/universe.
The Resident Evil Live-Action Movies in Chronological Order:
- Resident Evil (2002): The film that started it all. Introduces Alice and sets the stage for the T-virus outbreak.
- Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004): A direct sequel to the first film, bringing back familiar faces and escalating the chaos.
- Resident Evil: Extinction (2007): The third installment, where Alice faces new threats in a post-apocalyptic world.
- Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010): Alice continues her fight against the Umbrella Corporation and its monstrous experiments.
- Resident Evil: Retribution (2012): A mind-bending adventure that takes Alice across different simulated environments.
- Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016): The epic conclusion to Alice’s saga, as she battles for humanity’s survival.
The Resident Evil Animated Movies in Chronological Order:
- Biohazard 4D-Executer (2000): Before the animated feature Resident Evil: Degeneration, there was this short 19-minute film. It introduces new characters on a search and rescue mission in Raccoon City. Their quest leads them to a warehouse where a T-Virus creature mimics other organisms’ biology, much like John Carpenter’s The Thing. The animation and visuals were impressive for its time. It’s not considered part of the canon – it’s basically just a little side story with all new characters.
- Biohazard 4: Incubate (2006): This unique entry combines cutscenes and gameplay from Resident Evil 4 and Ada Wong’s Separate Ways campaign. The result is a complete 90-minute-long animated movie that summarizes the events of the original game. It’s a great refresher before diving into the 2023 remake.
- Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008): The first full-length animated feature in the franchise. It follows Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield as they battle a new T-Virus outbreak at an airport, taking place between Resident Evil 4 and 5. The film is firmly canon and offers insights beyond the games.
- Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021): The TV series takes place shortly after Resident Evil: Degeneration, approximately one year later in 2006. It features both Leon and Claire, and its events lead up to the events of Resident Evil 5 (set in 2009).
- Resident Evil: Damnation (2012): Leon S. Kennedy returns in this sequel. He finds himself in a war-torn Eastern European country, facing B.O.W.s (Bio-Organic Weapons) and political intrigue. The animation quality is top-notch, and the story adds depth to the Resident Evil universe, taking place between the fifth and sixth games in the series.
- Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017): Taking place between the events of Resident Evil 6 and Resident Evil 7, this film reunites Leon, Chris Redfield, and Rebecca Chambers. Together, they confront a new bioterror threat orchestrated by a vengeful villain. Expect intense action and a healthy dose of nostalgia.
- Resident Evil: Death Island (2023): The latest animated installment, taking place a year after Vendetta. Jill, Chris, Leon, Claire, and Rebecca Chambers team up on Alcatraz Island to face a fresh menace. It’s a leap from previous films, as all core protagonists join forces for the first time.
Where Does Resident Evil: Death Island Fit on the Timeline?
The most recent film, Resident Evil: Death Island, is a computer-animated sequel to Resident Evil: Vendetta. It takes place in 2015, fitting between Resident Evil 6 (set in 2013) and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (set in 2017). So, if you’re planning a marathon, make sure to include this one!
How Long to Watch All of the Resident Evil Movies?
If you’re up for the challenge, watching all six original Resident Evil movies will take you over 9.5 hours. And if you want to add Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (the reboot), that’s an additional 107 minutes to your zombie-filled movie marathon.