There are, at the time of writing, eight official Resident Evil movies, spanning two distinct continuities. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these films, including their chronological order, critical reception, and key differences.
Unpacking the Resident Evil Film Legacy
The Resident Evil franchise, born from a groundbreaking video game series, has successfully transitioned to the silver screen, albeit with varying degrees of adherence to its source material. The films have captivated audiences with their action-packed sequences, zombie hordes, and compelling (or sometimes, divisive) interpretations of beloved characters. Understanding the full breadth of the cinematic universe requires a closer look at both its established and rebooted timelines.
The Milla Jovovich Era: Six Films
The original Resident Evil film series, starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, represents a significant departure from the video game’s core narrative. This continuity focuses on Alice’s journey as a genetically engineered super-soldier battling the Umbrella Corporation and its bio-organic weapons (BOWs). These films are known for their stylized action, futuristic setting, and loose adaptation of game lore.
The films in this series are:
- 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)
The Reboot: Welcome to Raccoon City
In 2021, Sony Pictures released Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, a reboot of the film franchise. This film aimed to be a more faithful adaptation of the first two Resident Evil video games, focusing on the events that transpired in Raccoon City during the initial T-Virus outbreak. It features iconic characters like Claire Redfield, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Leon S. Kennedy and sticks closer to the survival horror genre.
The Animated Films: An Alternative Canon
While not considered part of the live-action movie canon (and therefore not included in the initial count of eight), it’s worth mentioning the animated Resident Evil films. These movies, which include Resident Evil: Degeneration, Resident Evil: Damnation, and Resident Evil: Vendetta, are canonically connected to the video game series and feature familiar characters. They offer a different visual style and often explore plotlines not covered in the live-action adaptations. It’s also worth noting the recent animated series on Netflix, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, which falls within this same canon. These are considered supplemental, however, not replacing or competing with the main film continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Resident Evil Movies
This section provides answers to common questions about the Resident Evil movies, offering further clarification and insights.
FAQ 1: What is the chronological order of the Milla Jovovich Resident Evil films?
The chronological order perfectly aligns with the release order: Resident Evil, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Resident Evil: Extinction, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Resident Evil: Retribution, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. This provides a linear narrative following Alice’s struggle against Umbrella.
FAQ 2: Is Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City a sequel or a reboot?
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is a reboot, meaning it disregards the events of the previous six films and restarts the film series with a new storyline and cast.
FAQ 3: Why are the Resident Evil movies so different from the video games?
The original Resident Evil film series, particularly those after the first film, took creative liberties with the source material. The director, Paul W.S. Anderson, wanted to create a unique interpretation of the franchise, focusing more on action and a central protagonist (Alice) not featured in the original games. This decision proved divisive among fans.
FAQ 4: Will there be more Resident Evil movies after Welcome to Raccoon City?
While no official sequels to Welcome to Raccoon City have been announced, the ending hinted at the possibility of future installments. The success of the film will likely determine whether Sony Pictures chooses to continue with this rebooted timeline.
FAQ 5: Are the animated Resident Evil movies connected to the live-action films?
No, the animated Resident Evil films (Degeneration, Damnation, Vendetta) are part of the video game canon and are not connected to either the Milla Jovovich series or the Welcome to Raccoon City reboot.
FAQ 6: Who is Alice in the Resident Evil movies, and why isn’t she in the video games?
Alice is a character created specifically for the Resident Evil films. She is a genetically engineered super-soldier with amnesia who becomes the central protagonist of the original film series. She does not appear in any of the Resident Evil video games.
FAQ 7: Which Resident Evil movie is considered the “best” by critics and fans?
Opinions vary widely. Some fans appreciate the first Resident Evil (2002) for its horror elements and setting the stage. Others enjoy the action sequences in later installments. Welcome to Raccoon City has garnered some praise for its closer adherence to the video game source material, but overall critical reception for the franchise has been mixed. There’s no universally acclaimed “best” film.
FAQ 8: What is the Umbrella Corporation’s role in the Resident Evil movies?
The Umbrella Corporation is a pharmaceutical giant secretly developing bio-organic weapons (BOWs), including the T-Virus, which causes zombification. In both the original series and the reboot, Umbrella’s actions are the primary cause of the zombie outbreaks and other bio-terror events.
FAQ 9: Which Resident Evil characters from the games appear in the movies?
Several iconic characters from the video games appear in the films, including Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, Albert Wesker, and Carlos Oliveira. However, their portrayals and storylines often differ significantly from their video game counterparts, especially in the original series.
FAQ 10: How much have the Resident Evil movies grossed worldwide?
Collectively, the Resident Evil movies have grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing video game film franchises. The original six films starring Milla Jovovich accounted for the majority of this revenue.
FAQ 11: Where can I watch all the Resident Evil movies?
The availability of the Resident Evil movies varies depending on your region and streaming service subscriptions. They are often available on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max, as well as for rent or purchase on digital storefronts like iTunes and Google Play. Physical copies (Blu-ray and DVD) are also widely available.
FAQ 12: What are the main differences between the original Resident Evil film series and Welcome to Raccoon City?
The main differences lie in the focus and faithfulness to the source material. The original series centers on Alice and her action-oriented battles against Umbrella, while Welcome to Raccoon City aims to be a more accurate adaptation of the first two Resident Evil games, emphasizing survival horror and featuring key characters and storylines from those games. The visual style, tone, and overall narrative diverge significantly between the two continuities.