In 2002, the release of Resident Evil in cinemas caused quite a sensation among video game enthusiasts and fans of zombie movies. It went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of that year and has generated billions of dollars since then. It is rare for a video game adaptation to endure long enough to spawn up to seven films. However, Resident Evil defied the odds and established itself as a remarkable achievement in the realm of video game-inspired films. While critics may hold differing opinions, there are still many individuals who acknowledge the captivating, intense, and unforgettable nature of this survival horror flick, even 21 years after its initial release.
While the zombie franchise garnered mixed reactions throughout its progression, it managed to cultivate a devoted fan base and leave a profound imprint on the action-horror genre. Resident Evil's immense popularity and success resulted in the lead character, Milla Jovovich, becoming indelibly linked to the series and gaining widespread acclaim for her captivating portrayal of Alice. Paul W.S. Anderson was also praised for his ability to craft a movie that deviated from the faithful adaptation of a beloved video game, yet still captivated audiences with its own gripping narrative.
The original film has spawn series of sequels and remakes, and yet another installment, titled Resident Evil: Death Island, is eagerly anticipated. This new chapter will take place within the video game universe and feature beloved characters from the franchise. Additionally, there are reports of an upcoming live-action remake called The Umbrella Chronicles, although no release date has been announced. For fans of the fierce and gun-wielding Alice, as well as the chilling and terrifying zombie world of Resident Evil, there are a multitude of movies and TV shows to revisit. Here's how each movie and TV show in the franchise ranks, according to Rotten Tomatoes score.
9 Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) — 19%
The second film in thefranchise, Resident Evil: Apocalypse picks up from where the first film left off. It further explores T-Virus outbreak and Alice’s fight against the umbrella Academy. The film presents a rather powerful superhuman monster called Nemesis. Alice and a resilient group of survivors must navigate through the infected city, contending not only with Nemesis but also a relentless horde of zombies. Joining forces with her is the tough cop Jill Valentine, portrayed by Sienna Guillory, as they fearlessly combat both the undead and monsters.
The second film in this zombie franchise received an even lower rating from critics compared to the first. With complaints of being overstuffed, ridiculous, incomprehensible, unbelievable, and lacking purpose, negative reviews abound for this first sequel. However, fans hold a different perspective, considering it an entertaining and frightening film with a gripping plot that warrants viewing. Although enjoyable, it falls short for some viewers in comparison to the original.
8 Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) — 21%
In this fourth film, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Alice continues her fight against zombies and the nefarious Umbrella Academy. This film introduces a blend of familiar and fresh faces, including Claire Redfield ( Ali Larter), Chris Redfield (Wentworth Miller), K-Mart (brought to life by Spencer Locke), Luthor (Boris Kodjoe), Bennett (portrayed by Kim Coates), Angel (Sergio Peris-Mencheta), and other intriguing characters. As the story unfolds, it delves deeper into the themes of survival, high-octane action, and the ongoing conflict between Alice and the powerful Umbrella Corporation.
In this installment as well as others, Jovovich steals the spotlight with her riveting performance. The presence of Wesker as the villain adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the overall experience. While the plot may not reach the same heights as its predecessors, the new setting, impressive effects, genuinely horrifying zombies, and solid performances from both the lead and supporting cast compensate for any shortcomings. Fans who appreciate the franchise's loud and action-packed nature will undoubtedly find pleasure in this film as well. However, judging by its low rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it is clear that, like its predecessors, it did not meet the expectations of critics.
7 Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) — 24%
The third film in the Resident Evil franchise, Extinction, picks up after the Umbrella Corporation’s T-Virus has ravaged the planet, turning most of the Earth's population into zombies and creating a desolate wasteland. Alice resurfaces as a lone survivor in the desert, trying to avoid detection by Umbrella’s forces. In this installment, she meets Claire Redfield who is leading a group of survivors to a safe haven known as Arcadia.
The inclusion of K-Mart, Nurse Betty and Claire Redfield, alongside the ass-kicking super-skilled heroine, Alice, add to the general appeal of this exhilarating zombie flick. However, it’s not just the captivating female characters that make it alluring; the well-executed effects, gruesome gore, eerie atmosphere, and intriguing plot combine to create a thrilling popcorn movie experience. However, both fans and critics have criticized it for being somewhat absurd and repetitive.
6 Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) — 28%
In Resident Evil: Retribution, Alice finds herself crossing paths with a group of resistance fighters, including Ada Wong (Li Bingbing), Leon S. Kennedy (Johann Urb), and Luther West (Boris Kodjoe), who are also trapped in a facility known as the “White House”. They form an alliance to escape and put an end to Umbrella's control. Amidst the challenges, Alice discovers the shocking truth that Albert Wesker (portrayed by Shawn Roberts) is still alive and harbors a sinister plan to eradicate the entire human race. With the weighty task of stopping Wesker and continuing her mission to dismantle Umbrella, Alice must find a way to prevail and protect humanity.
Written and directed by Anderson, this fifth installment may be the least liked film in the franchise. Perhaps viewers grew tired of the film's focus on Alice's relentless zombie and monster slaying without a compelling plot, or perhaps it simply didn't reach the same level of excellence as its predecessors. Despite being regarded as the weakest entry; the film still offers a thrilling experience as Alice tenaciously pursues her mission to dismantle the formidable Umbrella Corporation. Fans of the Resident Evil game series may find joy in the inclusion of iconic characters from the game like Leon Kennedy and Ada Wong.
5 Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon city (2021) — 30%
In contrast to the original movie, this new franchise was praised for following the game more closely in its adaptation. Set in 1998, the story as Claire Redfield returns to her now decaying hometown and also reunites with her brother. However, as the city becomes overrun by deranged individuals plagued by cannibalistic delirium, plunging it into complete chaos, Claire, Chris, and a small group of determined police officers are forced to unravel the mystery behind this horrifying ordeal.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City brings together characters from various films in the series, transporting the story back to the 90s. The lukewarm reception it received on Rotten Tomatoes serves as further evidence that Resident Evil movies have never been a beloved franchise among critics. However, despite the criticism, fans who have eagerly anticipated a series that truly encapsulates the essence of Resident Evil will likely hold this installment in high regard. When compared to Netflix's adaptation of Resident Evil, this particular film is regarded as a gem by many.
4 Resident Evil (2002) — 35%
Screen Gems
Constantin Film
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
The first Resident Evil movie revolves around a deadly viral outbreak and follows a group of individuals trapped inside a secret underground facility called "The Hive.” It stars Jovovich as the highly-skilled super soldier who must fight her way through the infected facility while uncovering the secrets behind the outbreak. To succeed in her mission, she works together with another commando known as Matt Addison (Eric Mabius).
Despite receiving a favorable rating of over 60% from the audience, critics were less impressed, criticizing it for being cheesy, overly loud, and not remaining faithful to the source video game. However, this initial film is widely regarded as a strong entry in the Resident Evil franchise, setting the stage for the subsequent post-apocalyptic movies that would follow its storyline. The jarring deaths, captivating performance by Jovovich, intriguing backstory, and mind-blowing action sequences all blend seamlessly to create an entertaining zombie thriller experience.
3 Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) — 37%
The sixth and final chapter, aptly titled Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, wraps up the overarching narrative of Alice’s fight against the Umbrella Corporation In this movie, Alice faces the critical task of rescuing Humanity from the brink of extinction. To achieve this, she confronts Dr. Isaac and delves into her own past to find a solution to eradicate the T-Virus once and for all. While some fans may view this concluding movie as a major letdown, it actually holds the highest rating on Rotten Tomatoes among the six films in the franchise. One aspect that received widespread criticism from fans was the editing and shaky camera angles. However, Jovovich's epic portrayal of Alice kept the film engaging.
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1 Resident Evil: TV Series (2022) — 53%
Developed by Andrew Dabb for Netflix, the American horror TV series, Resident Evil, is loosely based on the series of video game of the same name by Capcom. Though set in a different universe, it has a lot of similarities with the already-known Resident Evil storyline. The narrative centers around the offspring of the infamous Resident Evil villain, Dr. Albert Wesker (Lance Reddick), as they navigate two different timelines,2022 and 2036. With only eight episodes, the series faced cancelation after just one season due to underwhelming viewership figures on Netflix. It was well-received by critics even though fans felt the series wasn't any good.
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