There are currently six live-action Resident Evil films in the main series, starring Milla Jovovich, and one reboot film titled Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. This excludes animated features and short films within the franchise.
The Resident Evil Filmography: A Deep Dive
The Resident Evil film franchise, inspired by the wildly popular Capcom video game series, has had a somewhat divisive, yet undeniably impactful run in cinemas. While often diverging significantly from the game’s lore, the movies have captivated audiences with their action-packed sequences and dystopian horror themes. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the Resident Evil movie universe, addressing the core question of how many films exist and exploring the various facets of this cinematic adaptation.
The Main Series: Alice’s Journey
The core Resident Evil movie series, featuring Milla Jovovich as the protagonist Alice, consists of six films:
- 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)
This series follows Alice’s evolution from an amnesiac security operative to a powerful, genetically-enhanced warrior fighting against the insidious Umbrella Corporation and the T-Virus outbreak. While not always critically acclaimed, the series has enjoyed considerable box office success, demonstrating its appeal to a broad audience. The original Resident Evil kicked off the franchise, setting the stage for the subsequent action-horror instalments. The Umbrella Corporation serves as the consistent antagonist, furthering their bio-weapon goals throughout the series.
Rebooting the Franchise: Welcome to Raccoon City
In 2021, Sony Pictures released Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, a reboot of the film franchise. This film aimed for a closer adaptation of the first two Resident Evil video games, featuring iconic characters like Claire and Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, and Jill Valentine. Though intended to reignite the live-action franchise with greater fidelity to the source material, its reception was mixed, leaving the future of this particular reboot uncertain. While the main series leans heavily on action and Alice’s unique journey, Welcome to Raccoon City focuses on the core characters and the events that transpired in the infamous Raccoon City.
Animated Features and Short Films: Expanding the Universe
Beyond the live-action films, the Resident Evil universe extends to several animated features, including:
- Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)
- Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
- Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017)
- Resident Evil: Death Island (2023)
These animated films, often considered more faithful to the video game canon, feature recognizable characters and storylines from the games. Additionally, several short films and promotional materials have been released, further enriching the Resident Evil narrative. Although not typically counted when discussing the Resident Evil movie series in its strictest sense, these animated entries offer a complementary viewing experience for dedicated fans, elaborating on characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield.
Resident Evil Movies: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 12 frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the Resident Evil movie universe:
1. Are the Resident Evil movies based on the video games?
While inspired by the Resident Evil video game franchise, the movies take significant liberties with the source material. The original series featuring Alice diverges considerably from the game’s storylines, characters, and lore. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City attempts a more direct adaptation, particularly of the first two games. However, even Welcome to Raccoon City takes some creative licenses.
2. Who is Alice in the Resident Evil movies?
Alice, played by Milla Jovovich, is a protagonist created specifically for the film series. She is not a character in the Resident Evil video games. Alice is a former Umbrella Corporation security operative who develops superhuman abilities due to exposure to the T-Virus. She becomes the central figure in the fight against Umbrella Corporation.
3. What is the T-Virus in the Resident Evil movies?
The T-Virus is a genetically engineered virus developed by the Umbrella Corporation. In the films, it is primarily responsible for turning people into zombies and other mutated creatures. The release of the T-Virus into Raccoon City triggers the initial outbreak and sets the stage for the events of the series. The properties of the T-Virus vary between the movies and the games, but the core concept of turning humans into ravenous undead remains consistent.
4. How many Resident Evil movies does Milla Jovovich star in?
Milla Jovovich stars in all six films of the main Resident Evil series: Resident Evil, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Resident Evil: Extinction, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Resident Evil: Retribution, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. Her portrayal of Alice is considered iconic by many fans of the franchise.
5. Are the animated Resident Evil movies canon with the games?
The animated Resident Evil movies are generally considered more canon with the video games than the live-action films, particularly the original series. They often feature characters and storylines directly adapted from the games and tend to adhere more closely to the established lore. The animated movies expand on the events and character relationships from the games.
6. What is the plot of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City?
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City reimagines the events of the first two Resident Evil video games. It follows Claire Redfield as she returns to Raccoon City and uncovers a conspiracy orchestrated by the Umbrella Corporation. The film also introduces characters like Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, and Jill Valentine as they fight to survive the zombie outbreak. The plot centres on the origins of the T-Virus outbreak and the downfall of Raccoon City.
7. Will there be more Resident Evil movies after Welcome to Raccoon City?
The future of the live-action Resident Evil film franchise remains uncertain. While there have been discussions about potential sequels to Welcome to Raccoon City, no official announcements have been made. The reception to the reboot will likely play a significant role in determining the future of the series.
8. What is the Umbrella Corporation’s role in the Resident Evil movies?
The Umbrella Corporation is the primary antagonist throughout the Resident Evil film franchise. They are a powerful and secretive corporation responsible for developing the T-Virus and conducting unethical experiments that lead to the zombie outbreak. The Umbrella Corporation’s nefarious agenda drives the narrative conflict in both the main series and the reboot.
9. How do the Resident Evil movies end?
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter concludes with Alice destroying the Umbrella Corporation’s headquarters and distributing an antivirus to cleanse the world of the T-Virus. However, the future is left ambiguous, suggesting that new threats may emerge. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City ends with the destruction of Raccoon City and hints at the spread of the T-Virus beyond the city limits, setting the stage for potential sequels that explore the events of Resident Evil 2 and beyond.
10. Are there any recurring characters from the video games in the original Resident Evil film series (besides the antagonist)?
While the original series deviates heavily, characters like Jill Valentine, Claire Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, and Chris Redfield do make appearances, although their roles and characterizations often differ significantly from the video games. Wesker is a prominent recurring villain. The appearance of these characters provides fan service but doesn’t necessarily align with the game’s canon.
11. Is Resident Evil: Death Island a sequel to Resident Evil: Vendetta?
Yes, Resident Evil: Death Island is a sequel to Resident Evil: Vendetta. Both are CGI animated movies set within the main Resident Evil timeline featuring Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and Jill Valentine.
12. Where can I watch the Resident Evil movies?
The availability of Resident Evil movies on streaming platforms varies by region. You can typically find them on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and digital rental services like Apple TV and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for the most up-to-date information.