Resident Evil Movies in Order: Release Order, Reboots and Where the Animated Films Fit

The simplest way to watch the Resident Evil movies is release order: the six Paul W. S. Anderson films from 2002 to 2017, then Welcome to Raccoon City (2021), then Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil (2026). But those eight live-action films are three separate continuities, not one story, and the animated films and Netflix series sit in yet another place. If you only want one film, start with the 2026 movie.

This guide gives the release order, explains which films connect, shows where the animated films fit in the game timeline, and says what you can skip. It avoids plot spoilers.

Resident Evil movies in release order

Dates are US release dates from Wikipedia’s franchise page. The Final Chapter opened in Tokyo on December 23, 2016, before its North American date, and release dates elsewhere differ. Streaming availability varies by country and changes often, so check your local service instead of assuming one platform carries every film.

Note that the 2002 film and the 2026 film share a title. This guide writes “(2026)” when it means Cregger’s film.

Do the Resident Evil movies share one story?

No. There are three live-action starting points:

Wikipedia describes Welcome to Raccoon City as a reboot separate from the six-film series, and says the 2026 film is a second reboot. Cregger has said he had not seen the earlier films and built his version more on the games, so you can watch any of the three branches without the others.

The original series: six films, one story

The original series runs from Resident Evil (2002) to The Final Chapter (2017). Wikipedia lists all six as one continuity, and they are the only films here that need to be watched in order. By Wikipedia’s worldwide figures, the highest-earning of the six is The Final Chapter at about $314.1 million, followed by Afterlife at about $300.2 million.

These films are a loose, action-heavy take on the games, not a faithful retelling. Watch them in release order if you want that story, and skip them without losing anything if you prefer the game-faithful versions below.

The first reboot: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)

Directed by Johannes Roberts, Welcome to Raccoon City mainly adapts the first two games (1996 and 1998). It features Kaya Scodelario as Claire Redfield, Hannah John-Kamen as Jill Valentine, Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield and Avan Jogia as Leon Kennedy. It runs 107 minutes.

It was not a hit. Wikipedia lists about $42 million worldwide against a $25 million budget, about 30% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and a C+ from CinemaScore audiences. If you want to see game characters on screen, it is the only live-action film that uses them, but it is not essential viewing.

The second reboot: Resident Evil (2026)

Zach Cregger’s film opened in the US on September 18, 2026, after a Los Angeles premiere on September 15, and reached digital release on November 3, 2026, according to Wikipedia. It runs 94 minutes and the BBFC rated it 15 in the UK.

It follows a new character, a medical courier named Bryan (Austin Abrams), during the Raccoon City outbreak, and uses no characters from the games. Cregger told the PlayStation Blog that the world of Resident Evil 2 is “kind of where this takes place,” with a few changes for dramatic license. Our guide to what game lore matters for the 2026 film covers that in detail, and our Umbrella Corporation explainer gives the background on the company behind the outbreak.

Reception is the best of any film in the series. Wikipedia reports a 96% positive Rotten Tomatoes score from 302 reviews, a Metacritic score of 79 and a B+ from CinemaScore audiences, with some critics finding the plot thin. It opened to $60 million in the US and Canada; see our opening weekend report for the box-office detail. Review scores and totals change, so treat them as a snapshot from November 4, 2026.

Where do the animated films and the Netflix series fit?

The CG-animated films and the Netflix anime Infinite Darkness are a separate branch. Wikipedia says they take place in the same continuity as the Resident Evil games, so they connect to the game story, not to the live-action movies. In story order, with the settings Wikipedia gives:

Release dates for the animated films are those listed on their Wikipedia pages, and regional dates and platforms differ. They are best for fans of the games. Degeneration and Death Island are the easiest entry points because they bring back several main characters. Wikipedia says Damnation was written to lead into Resident Evil 6.

What about the 2022 Netflix live-action series?

The live-action Resident Evil series premiered on Netflix on July 14, 2022, and Netflix cancelled it on August 26, 2022, after one eight-episode season. It alternates between 2022 and 2036 and follows Jade and Billie Wesker, with Ella Balinska and Adeline Rudolph in the lead roles. Wikipedia lists a 54% Rotten Tomatoes score and says audience reaction was overwhelmingly negative. It stands apart from the films and the games, so you can skip it without missing anything.

A suggested viewing path

This is our viewing suggestion, not a studio recommendation:

• Just want one film: Resident Evil (2026). It needs no prior viewing.
• Want the classic Hollywood action run: watch the six Anderson films in release order.
• Want game characters on screen: Welcome to Raccoon City for live action, or Degeneration and Death Island for animation.
• Want the games’ story in animation: follow the animated table above.
• Short on time: skip the Netflix live-action series; it ties to nothing else.

If you enjoy franchise marathons, our other order guides cover Alien, Predator and Halloween. Playing instead of watching? See which Resident Evil remake to play first on Switch 2. Everything we publish on the series is in the Resident Evil hub.

FAQ

What order should I watch the Resident Evil movies in?

Release order: the six Anderson-era films (2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2017), then Welcome to Raccoon City (2021), then Resident Evil (2026). Only the first six form a connected story.

Do I need to watch the earlier Resident Evil movies before the 2026 film?

No. Zach Cregger’s film is a second reboot with a new main character and does not rely on the earlier films or the games.

Are the Resident Evil movies based on the games?

Yes, loosely. The 2021 film mainly adapts the first two games, the 2026 film is set in the world of Resident Evil 2, and the Anderson-era films tell a different story around the same universe.

Do the animated Resident Evil films connect to the live-action movies?

No. Wikipedia says the animated films share a continuity with the games, not with the live-action films.

Which Resident Evil movie is best reviewed?

By Wikipedia’s figures as of November 4, 2026, the 2026 film, with 96% positive on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic.

Is the Netflix Resident Evil series worth watching?

It was cancelled after one season and received mixed critic scores and a negative audience reaction. It is optional.