Looking for the correct Resident Evil movies in order? You’re not alone. With six Alice-led films, a 2021 reboot, a brand-new 2026 movie on the way, and a separate animated series that ties into the games, the franchise can feel chaotic.
This guide gives you the clear Resident Evil live-action movies order, the animated films, the best watching order for new viewers, and a simple timeline breakdown so you never get lost in the Umbrella Corporation’s mess.
Quick Answer / TL;DR – Best Watching Order (Live-Action)
For most people, this is the recommended way to experience the Resident Evil movies in 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 (2016)
- Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) – optional reboot
- Resident Evil (2026) – upcoming new reboot (releases September 18, 2026)
The first six form one continuous story. The 2021 and 2026 films are separate reboots.
Also Read: Maze Runner Movies in Order
Resident Evil Live-Action Movies in Order
The original six films follow Alice (played by Milla Jovovich) and form their own continuity. Release order and chronological/story order are the same.
1. Resident Evil (2002)
Runtime: 100 minutes | IMDb: 6.6 | Rotten Tomatoes: 36%
Alice wakes up with amnesia inside the Hive, an underground Umbrella Corporation facility. A deadly T-virus has been released, turning staff into zombies. She teams up with a military team (including Michelle Rodriguez) to escape before the facility is sealed forever.
Main cast: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy This is the film that launched the entire live-action series and introduced the iconic Alice character created specifically for the movies.
2. Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Runtime: 94 minutes | IMDb: 6.1 | Rotten Tomatoes: 18%
Picking up immediately after the first film, the T-virus has escaped into Raccoon City. Alice joins forces with Jill Valentine, a young Angela Ashford, and others to survive the outbreak and the arrival of the monstrous Nemesis.
Main cast: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Oded Fehr, Thomas Kretschmann This entry brings in more game characters and ramps up the action.
3. Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
Runtime: 94 minutes | IMDb: 6.2 | Rotten Tomatoes: 24%
Years later, the world is a wasteland. Alice travels across the desert with a convoy of survivors while Umbrella continues to hunt her. She discovers she may be the key to stopping the global infection.
Main cast: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Oded Fehr, Iain Glen The series goes full post-apocalyptic here with memorable desert set pieces.
4. Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
Runtime: 97 minutes | IMDb: 5.8 | Rotten Tomatoes: 21%
Alice continues her search for survivors and answers, eventually reaching a supposed safe haven in Los Angeles. Umbrella’s experiments and clones become central to the story.
Main cast: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Wentworth Miller, Shawn Roberts Paul W.S. Anderson returns to the director’s chair. The film leans heavily into 3D action sequences.
5. Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
Runtime: 95 minutes | IMDb: 5.3 | Rotten Tomatoes: 28%
Alice wakes up inside an Umbrella testing facility that recreates major locations from the series. She must fight through simulated environments while uncovering more about her past and Umbrella’s true plans.
Main cast: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Kevin Durand, Sienna Guillory Fan-service heavy with returning characters and big set pieces.
6. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
Runtime: 106 minutes | IMDb: 5.5 | Rotten Tomatoes: 37%
The concluding chapter of Alice’s story. She returns to where it all began for a final confrontation with the Red Queen and Umbrella’s remaining forces as the last of humanity faces extinction.
Main cast: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts, Iain Glen This brings the original six-film saga to a close.
7. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
Runtime: 107 minutes | IMDb: 5.2 | Rotten Tomatoes: 30%
A complete reboot that attempts a more game-faithful take. It combines elements of the first two games and follows Claire Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and others during the Raccoon City outbreak.
Main cast: Kaya Scodelario, Robbie Amell, Hannah John-Kamen, Avan Jogia This film exists in its own continuity and has no connection to the Alice films.
8. Resident Evil (2026) – Upcoming
Directed by Zach Cregger (Barbarian, Weapons), this is a fresh reboot scheduled for release on September 18, 2026. It follows a new protagonist caught in an outbreak and is designed as a new starting point rather than a continuation of previous films. Early trailer footage shows a snowy, atmospheric take on the franchise.
Resident Evil Animated Movies in Order
These CGI films (and the related series) are much closer to the video game continuity and feature classic characters like Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Chris Redfield, and Jill Valentine.
Release order (recommended watching order):
- Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)
- Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
- Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017)
- Resident Evil: Death Island (2023)
There is also the Netflix miniseries Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021), which fits between Degeneration and Damnation in the broader game timeline for many fans.
These animated entries are generally better received by game fans than most of the live-action Alice films.
How to Watch Resident Evil Movies in Order
For new viewers (recommended): Start with the six Alice films in release order. They form one continuous, self-contained story. You can treat Welcome to Raccoon City and the 2026 film as optional separate experiences afterward.
For completionists / game fans:
- Watch the Alice series first (or skip it if you only care about game accuracy).
- Then watch the animated films in release order.
- Add Welcome to Raccoon City and the new 2026 film as reboots.
Chronological note: Within the Alice saga, release order = story order. The reboots stand alone.
How many Resident Evil movies are there?
There are seven released live-action Resident Evil movies: the six Alice films (2002–2016) plus Welcome to Raccoon City (2021). Four main CGI animated films also exist. A new reboot directed by Zach Cregger arrives September 18, 2026.
All Resident Evil Movies in Order of Release Date
Here are the Resident Evil Films in order, they were released.
Original series:
1. Resident Evil — March 15, 2002
2. Resident Evil: Apocalypse — September 10, 2004
3. Resident Evil: Extinction — September 21, 2007
4. Resident Evil: Afterlife — September 10, 2010
5. Resident Evil: Retribution — September 14, 2012
6. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter — January 27, 2017
Reboot series:
1. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City — November 24, 2021
2. Resident Evil — September 18, 2026
Resident Evil Movie Timeline Explained
There are essentially three separate live-action continuities:
- The Alice Timeline (2002–2016) – Original six films. Alice is the central character. This universe takes major liberties with the games.
- Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) – Soft reboot that tries to adapt the early games more closely. Standalone.
- Resident Evil (2026) – Brand-new reboot under Zach Cregger. Another fresh start.
The animated films exist in a continuity much closer to the main video game timeline.
This is why searching for “Resident Evil movie timeline” or “Resident Evil films in chronological order” often causes confusion — the franchise simply isn’t one single timeline.
Where to Watch
Availability rotates frequently across major streaming platforms and digital storefronts. The original six films and Welcome to Raccoon City regularly appear on services that carry action-horror catalogs. The animated films are often available for digital purchase or on platforms that host Capcom-related content. Check your preferred streaming service or digital rental options for the most current listings, as rights change often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Resident Evil movies connected to the games? The original six Alice films take heavy creative liberties and are only loosely inspired by the games. Welcome to Raccoon City and the animated films stay much closer to game lore. The 2026 film is another original take.
Do I need to watch the Resident Evil movies in order? Yes for the first six (Alice saga). The later reboots can be watched independently.
Is there a new Resident Evil movie coming? Yes. Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is scheduled for theatrical release on September 18, 2026.
How many Resident Evil movies are there? Seven released live-action films (six Alice + one 2021 reboot), plus the upcoming 2026 film. There are also four main CGI animated features.
Which Resident Evil movie is the best? Opinions vary widely. Many fans prefer the 2002 original or Extinction among the live-action entries, while game fans often rank the animated films (especially Damnation) higher.
Should I watch the animated movies? If you like the games and want more Leon, Claire, Chris, and Jill, yes — they are worth watching.
Conclusion
Whether you’re diving into the wild Alice saga or preferring the more game-accurate animated entries, knowing the Resident Evil movies in order makes the experience far more enjoyable. Start with the 2002 original, ride the wave through The Final Chapter, then decide whether you want the reboots or the CGI adventures next.
The franchise may be messy, but that’s part of its chaotic charm — just like the T-virus itself.
Which Resident Evil movie is your favorite? Drop it in the comments below — Alice defenders and game purists are both welcome.
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