How to Watch the Resident Evil Movies in Order

How to Watch the Resident Evil Movies in Order

Looking back at the years, there has always been a taste for zombie-related movies and shows among the mainstream audience. The Resident Evil movies are undoubtedly the highest-grossing zombie film franchise to date.

Based on a video game franchise that was already insanely popular among gaming enthusiasts, Paul W. S. Anderson’s exemplary direction and Milla Jovovich’s passionate performance took it to the big screen, garnering millions of viewers.

The movies include several characters and villains from the video game series. Still, they are carefully curated to be independent of one another, telling their own tales and introducing Milla Jovovich as a showstopper to the Resident Evil lore. 

What Order Do the Resident Evil Movies Go in?

March 12, 2008, brought about the inception of the series with a bang that resulted in the production of back-to-back sequels due to the public response. Just as the movie was aired, another one of its sequels was under construction immediately. 

It is not difficult to keep track of the years in which each of the Resident Evil movies was first made available to the public. Below you will find information about the Resident Evil in release order along with their corresponding release dates.

1Resident Evil2002
2Resident Evil: Apocalypse2004
3Resident Evil: Extinction2007
4Resident Evil: Afterlife2010
5Resident Evil: Retribution2012
6Resident Evil: The Final Chapter2017
7Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City2021

All The Resident Evil Movies In Order Explained

Resident Evil movies are one of the grittiest, thrilling, and most entertaining works of art to ever grace the cinema screen, packed with stunning visuals, enthralling action sequences, and surreal soundscapes.

The sci-fi element, including the weapons and the bloodthirsty monsters surrounding a corporate conspiracy, was the perfect tool to appall the masses—grossing 1.2 billion dollars (the highest ever from a movie series based on video games).

However, with so many parts, along with video games and a Netflix series on the roll, it might be confusing as to what to watch and in what order. Check out the synopsis of each movie below and get ready for a journey in Anderson’s dark Resident Evil universe.

1. Resident Evil (2002)

Resident Evil (2002)
  • Release Date: March 12, 2002
  • IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 35%
  • Letterboxd: 2.9
  • Directed By: Paul W. S. Anderson
  • Leading Stars: Milla Jovovich, Paul W. S. Anderson, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius

A commando team that must infiltrate the ‘hive’ – a sizable underground genetics laboratory run by the ruthless Umbrella Corporation. A deadly virus killed the lab’s employees and caused them to come back to life as the evil undead.

Before the virus threatens to take over the entire planet, the team has only 3 hours to shut down the lab’s quantum computer and shut the facility.

2. Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)

Resident Evil Apocalypse (2004)
  • Release Date: September 10, 2004
  • IMDB Rating: 6.1/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 19%
  • Letterboxd: 2.6
  • Directed By: Alexander Witt
  • Leading Stars: Milla Jovovich, Oded Fehr, Sienna Guillory, Sophie Vavasseur

The world is exposed to a deadly virus developed in a covert Umbrella Corporation lab beneath Raccoon City. To contain the virus, Umbrella seals off the city, turning it into a desolate wasteland where everyone stuck inside transforms into a mutant zombie.

Jill Valentine, a former Umbrella security guard, and Carlos Oliviera, a mercenary, join forces with Alice to find a scientist who might be able to help.

3. Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

Resident Evil Afterlife (2010)
  • Release Date: October 15, 2010
  • IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 21%
  • Letterboxd: 2.5
  • Directed By: Paul W. S. Anderson
  • Leading Stars: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Wentworth Miller, Shawn Roberts 

As she fights Umbrella Corp. in a world overrun by the walking dead, Alice persists in gathering survivors. Finally, Alice and her group left for a purported safe haven in Los Angeles, where they were joined by an old friend.

But, instead of safety, they discover a tripwire about to set off and a zombie-infested city. The movie is filled with horror, thrill, and action—admired for its screenplay. 

4. Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

Resident Evil Retribution (2012)
  • Release Date: September 28, 2012
  • IMDB Rating: 5.3/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 28%
  • Letterboxd: 2.5
  • Directed By: Paul W. S. Anderson
  • Leading Stars: Milla Jovovich, Paul W. S. Anderson, Sienna Guillory, Michelle Rodriguez

Alice’s last hope for the human race awakens deep inside Umbrella Corp.’s covert operations facility as the deadly T-virus keeps transforming the world’s populace into armies of flesh-eating zombies. She explores the complex more and more, revealing more and more about her enigmatic past.

Alice battles to escape from a world on the brink of oblivion with the help of old and new friends. Finally, she searches the world for those liable for the outbreak, which leads to a revelation that will blow your mind.

5. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017)

Resident Evil The Final Chapter (2017)
  • Release Date: January 27, 2017
  • IMDB Rating: 5.5/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 37%
  • Letterboxd: 2.3/5
  • Directed By: Paul W. S. Anderson
  • Leading Stars: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Ruby Rose, Iain Glen 

The evil Umbrella Corp.’s release of the T-virus has extended to every part of the world, bringing zombies, demons, and other monsters to life. Alice goes on a last-ditch mission with her friends to attack the company’s headquarters buried beneath what was once Raccoon City.

The outcome of the climactic battle will determine whether the rest of humanity survives or perishes. However, the Red Queen is well-aware that Alice is on her way.

Resident Evil Movies in Order: The New Franchise

The New Franchise kicks off with “Welcome to Raccoon City”, which is the sixth live-action film based on the video game series, and it acts as a reboot of the Resident Evil film franchise that it relaunches by adapting the narrative of the first and second games from Capcom.

6. Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City (2021)

Resident Evil Welcome To Raccoon City (2021)
  • Release Date: November 24, 2021
  • IMDB Rating: 5.2/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 30%
  • Letterboxd: 2.2
  • Directed By: Johannes Roberts
  • Leading Stars: Kaya Scodelario, Avan Jogia, Tom Hopper, Hannah John-Kamen

Welcome to Raccoon City, once-thriving Umbrella Corp.’s headquarters. After the company left, the city was reduced to a desolate, dying city with great evil simmering beneath the surface.

A group of survivors must cooperate to discover the truth about Umbrella and survive the night when that evil is unleashed.

How To Watch Resident Evil Movies In Order: FAQs

When it comes to learning how to watch Resident Evil Movies in Order, you may come across a few concerns. Below we provide answers to some common questions:

The chronological and release order for Resident Evil movies is the same, so they can be watched in the release order:

  • Resident Evil (2002)
  • Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
  • Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
  • Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
  • Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
  • Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017)
  • Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City (2021)

Since the two are unrelated, you can watch the show without watching the movies. They are not the original source material because the movies are based on the games.

All the Resident Evil movies carry the same plotline, centering along Umbrella Corp and Alice, so yes, the movies are connected. However, the last one is from a new franchise (Resident Evil: Welcome To The Raccoon City), which has very little connection with the previous movies regarding the core plotline.

“Resident Evil” was one of the marketing team’s suggestions. According to reports, the name was chosen simply because the game is set in a huge, dangerous mansion where horrible monsters live. In other words, evil resides in this place.

Even though they share several themes, concepts, and characters, Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City has no connection to the Anderson movies. However, most of the characters and places from the games are present in Anderson’s films, which essentially take place in an alternative world.

Alice, the main character of the six Resident Evil movies, has never appeared in any of the video games.

Wrapping Up

The Resident Evil Movies franchise might not be as complicated to follow despite an engrossing and entertaining storyline because there’s no difference between the release order and the chronological order of things, as opposed to the Star Wars franchise.

However, it’s important to approach things correctly with all the video games and series in place. Therefore, we hope this article has helped you discover how to watch all Resident Evil movies in order. Feel free to contact us, if you need any help or assistance!