:Resident Evil (film series)

{{Main|Resident Evil (film){{!}}Resident Evil (film)}}

File:WonderCon2010 - Milla Jovovitch 2336.jpg portrayed Alice in the original six films.]]

File:Resident Evil (real film series) – Production locations.svg

In January 1997, Constantin Film acquired the live-action film rights to the Resident Evil franchise with Alan B. McElroy possibly writing the script.{{cite magazine| title= Constantin buys 'Evil' rights| magazine= Variety| date= January 14, 1997| url= https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/constantin-buys-evil-rights-1117433527/ | access-date= September 1, 2010}} George A. Romero was hired by Sony Pictures and Capcom to direct and write Resident Evil. His script was later rejected and he was ultimately dropped.{{Cite news| title= Resident Evil Film News| publisher= Computer and Video Games| date=January 27, 2001|url= http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=16136&skip=yes| access-date= November 26, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071011063254/http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=16136&skip=yes |archive-date = October 11, 2007 | url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine |last=Chernov |first=Matthew |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/spotlight/resident-evil-george-romero-failed-1201942677/ |title=The film that never was: why George Romero's 'Resident Evil' failed to launch |magazine=Variety |date=December 14, 2016 |access-date=August 29, 2019 |page=116}} While Romero's script was supported by a number of people from Capcom and Constantin, it was rejected by Constantin producer Bernd Eichinger,{{cite web|last=Weedon|first=Paul|date=17 July 2017|title=George A. Romero (interview)|url=http://paulweedon.co.uk/george-romero-transcript/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220182956/http://paulweedon.co.uk/george-romero-transcript/|archive-date=20 December 2019|access-date=2 June 2019|website=Paul Weedon}} as well as Capcom producer Yoshiki Okamoto.{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=2017-07-17 |title=Watch George A. Romero discuss his Resident Evil 2 commercial |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/7/17/15983438/george-a-romero-resident-evil-commercial |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Polygon}} A documentary based on this adaptation was released on digital on January 7, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=November 20, 2024 |title='George A. Romero's Resident Evil' Documentary Releasing in January 2025 [Exclusive] |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3840097/george-a-romeros-resident-evil-documentary-releasing-in-january-2025-exclusive/ |access-date=November 21, 2024 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}} In late 2000, Paul W. S. Anderson was announced as director and writer.{{cite magazine| last= Harris| first= Dana| title= Anderson game to take 'Resident'| magazine= Variety| date= October 4, 2000| url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/anderson-game-to-take-resident-1117787328/ | access-date= February 28, 2022}} Anderson stated the film would not include any tie-ins with the video game series as "under-performing movie tie-ins are too common and Resident Evil, of all games, deserved a good celluloid representation".{{Cite news| title=Resident Evil Director explains character and story line changes | publisher= News Spong| date=June 26, 2001| url=https://spong.com/article/1837/Resident-Evil-Director-explains-character-and-story-line-changes| access-date= February 28, 2022}} In 2001, Milla Jovovich was cast as Alice, an original character who serves as the main protagonist of the film.{{Cite news| title= Milla Jovovich ready for action!| publisher= Counting Down| date= March 14, 2001| url= http://www.countingdown.com/movies/13839/movieinfo/production?item_id=13853| access-date= November 26, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} By May 2001, Columbia TriStar was in final negotiations to acquire North American distribution rights to the film and budgeted it at $40 million.{{cite magazine|last=Dunkley|first=Cathy|date=May 9, 2001|title=Col TriStar giving 'Evil' the eye|url=https://variety.com/2001/film/awards/col-tristar-giving-evil-the-eye-1117798958/|magazine=Variety|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131017211108/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117798958.html|archive-date=October 17, 2013|access-date=February 28, 2022}}

In the film, the Umbrella Corporation operates a secret genetic research facility named the Hive. Located beneath Raccoon City, the Hive has been sealed by its AI, the Red Queen, after the release of the T-virus into the facility. The Red Queen kills everyone in the facility to ensure that the T-virus does not reach the surface, but the T-virus reanimates them, transforming the humans and animals into aggressive zombies and mutants. Alice was once a security operative working for the corporation until her memory was wiped by the Red Queen's nerve gas. As her team investigates the Hive, a monstrous Umbrella test subject called a Licker pursues them onto a train. Alice survives along with teammate Matt Addison, but they are separated and taken by an Umbrella hazmat unit, where Matt begins to genetically transform. Alice awakens from a coma to a ravaged Raccoon City after a T-virus outbreak.

{{Main|Resident Evil: Apocalypse{{!}}Resident Evil: Apocalypse}}

A sequel began production in 2003 after the success of the first film.{{cite magazine| last= Harris| first= Dana| title= 'Resident' redo slated| magazine= Variety| date= October 10, 2002| url= https://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/resident-redo-slated-1117874186/| archive-url= https://archive.today/20131017211141/http://variety.com/2002/film/news/resident-redo-slated-1117874186/| archive-date= October 17, 2013| access-date= February 28, 2022| url-status= live}} Anderson returned as the writer but, due to his work on Alien vs. Predator, Alexander Witt took over the director's role.{{cite video| people=Paul W.S. Anderson, Jeremy Bolt| title= Resident Evil: Apocalypse Writer and Producer Commentary| medium= DVD| publisher= Sony Entertainment| date= 2004}} The film released on September 10, 2004.

In the film, the viral outbreak reaches the surface and to contain the infection, Major Timothy Cain seals all exits to and from Raccoon City. Among the people trapped in the city are Jill Valentine and her partner Peyton Wells. After Alice awakens from her coma, she rescues Jill and Peyton from a group of Licker monsters. They are contacted by Dr. Charles Ashford, who directs them to an evacuation point in exchange for the rescue of his daughter Angela, trapped elsewhere in the city. Weapon Nemesis attacks the team after Cain commands it to kill all STARS (Special Tactics And Rescue Service) members. The team rescues Angela and makes its way to the evacuation helicopter guided by Umbrella mercenary Carlos Olivera. After Alice's confrontation with Cain and Nemesis leaves them dead, she and the team fly away from Raccoon City as it is destroyed by a nuclear missile. The helicopter crashes in the Arklay Mountains, and Alice is found by an Umbrella search team and taken to a research station. When Alice awakens, she displays extraordinary powers, and escapes with help from Jill and Carlos. As they drive away, Dr. Alexander Isaacs, a top-ranking Umbrella employee, reveals that Alice's escape is part of Umbrella's plan.

{{Main|Resident Evil: Extinction{{!}}Resident Evil: Extinction}}

In November 2005, Screen Gems gained the rights for the third installment in the franchise, which was then subtitled Extinction.{{cite magazine|last= McClintock |first=Pamela |title='Evil' knocking |magazine=Variety |date=November 5, 2005 |url=https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/evil-knocking-1117932441/ |access-date= February 28, 2022}} Anderson returned as a writer and filming took place in Mexico. Russell Mulcahy was the director. The film was released on September 21, 2007.{{cite news |last=Davidson |first=Paul |title=A Date for Extinction |publisher= IGN |date=July 27, 2006 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/27/a-date-for-extinction |access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326063543/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/721/721308p1.html |archive-date=March 26, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}

The world has been consumed by the T-virus and Umbrella Corporation develops clones of Alice to find one who displays her powers. Elsewhere, Claire Redfield leads a convoy of survivors across the Nevada desert, including Raccoon City survivors Carlos Olivera and L.J. Wayne. Alice roams the country alone, staying off the grid. After accidentally destroying her motorcycle, she joins Redfield's convoy, rescuing them from a mob of attacking crows using her telekinetic powers. Alice and the convoy head to Las Vegas to gather supplies so that they can reach Alaska to find "Arcadia", thought to be a safe haven. In Las Vegas, they are ambushed by a group of Umbrella Corporation's new super zombies created by Dr. Alexander Isaacs, which kills most of the convoy. L.J., who had been bitten earlier and hiding the progress of the infection, now completely transforms and bites Olivera. Dr. Isaacs himself is bitten and retreats to the Umbrella base where he injects himself with large doses of the anti-virus as a cure. He transforms into a Tyrant, a towering creature with regenerative and psionic powers. Alice, Claire and Carlos locate a helicopter in Umbrella base and plan to use it to extract the survivors to Alaska. Olivera makes his last stand by sacrificing himself and plowing his truck into a horde of zombies, giving the rest time to load the survivors. Claire and the survivors head towards Alaska, while Alice stays behind to confront Isaacs, and discovers her clones in the facility. After she defeats Isaacs, Alice contacts Umbrella and warns them that she is coming for them with an army of her clones.

{{Main|Resident Evil: Afterlife{{!}}Resident Evil: Afterlife}}

Before the third installment had been released, Constantin prepared to release a fourth entry.{{cite magazine|title=Digest: Constantine readies 'Evil' sequels |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 16, 2005 |url=http://umbrellapayrollcompany.co.uk/digest-constantine-readies-evil-sequels/ |access-date=September 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227023620/http://umbrellapayrollcompany.co.uk/digest-constantine-readies-evil-sequels/ |archive-date=December 27, 2014 }} The film was set in Japan and filmed in 3D with the Fusion Camera System developed by James Cameron and Vince Pace for the 2009 film Avatar.{{cite news| last= Bentley| first= David| title= Avatar inspires new Resident Evil trilogy in 3D| newspaper= The Coventry Telegraph| date= July 4, 2009| url= http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2009/07/avatar-inspires-new-resident-e.html| access-date= September 1, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130704114751/http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2009/07/avatar-inspires-new-resident-e.html| archive-date= July 4, 2013}} It was written and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and released on September 10, 2010.

After the events of Extinction, Alice and her clones attack the Umbrella Headquarters in Tokyo. Wesker escapes and destroys the facility, killing the clones. He is confronted by Alice aboard his helicopter, and injects her with a serum that removes her super-human abilities. The helicopter crashes, and only Alice is seen emerging from the rubble. After six months of a failed aerial search for other survivors, Alice heads toward the supposed location of Arcadia. She lands on an airfield in Alaska, and finds Claire with an Umbrella controlling device attached to her chest and a wiped memory. Claire and Alice fly to Los Angeles, where they stumble on a prison wherein they meet Luther West and Chris Redfield, Claire's brother. The survivors explain that Arcadia is really a tanker off the coast that has been broadcasting a looped message and is picking up survivors. During an attempted escape, Alice, Claire and Chris are the only ones to emerge and they reach the tanker only to find it abandoned. Claire's memory begins to return and she remembers Umbrella workers attacking her group of survivors and moving them to the tanker. They learn that the ship is an Umbrella research facility, which is conducting experiments on the survivors. The three meet Albert Wesker, who has been granted super-human abilities from the T-virus. After the fight, Alice transmits a message to survivors calling them to create a new and true safe haven. As the film closes, a fleet of Umbrella Corporation gunships led by Valentine prepares to lead an assault on the survivors.

{{main|Resident Evil: Retribution{{!}}Resident Evil: Retribution}}

Written and directed by Anderson, Retribution was planned to be filmed back to back with the sixth installment, but Anderson decided to focus on the fifth film.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2013/exclusive-paul-w-s-anderson-is-definitely-directing-resident-evil-6|title=Paul W.S. Anderson is Definitely Directing 'Resident Evil 6'|publisher=First Showing|date=March 13, 2013}} Filming took place in Toronto, Ontario from mid-October to December 23, 2011. Colin Salmon who played One and Michelle Rodriguez who played Rain Ocampo in the first film returned.{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/517515/casting-bits-nick-nolte-tom-waits-offered-the-road-peter-bogdanovich-the-healer-colin-salmon-returns-resident-evil-retribution/|title=May Take 'The Low Road', Peter Bogdanovich Joins 'Super 8' Star in 'The Healer', Colin Salmon Seeks 'Retribution'|last=Han|first=Angie|publisher=/Film|date=September 13, 2011|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925101921/http://www.slashfilm.com/casting-bits-nick-nolte-tom-waits-offered-the-road-peter-bogdanovich-the-healer-colin-salmon-returns-resident-evil-retribution/|archive-date=September 25, 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/26441|title=Michelle Rodriguez Returning for Some 'Retribution'!|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=Bloody Disgusting|publisher=The Collective|date=September 22, 2011|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924024752/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/26441|archive-date=September 24, 2011|url-status=live}} Oded Fehr, who portrayed Carlos Olivera in the second and third films, also returned. Three characters from the video games made their debut in the film series—Johann Urb as Leon S. Kennedy, Kevin Durand as Barry Burton, and Li Bingbing as Ada Wong.{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike |date=September 27, 2011 |title=Michelle Rodriguez, Johann Urb Join Milla Jovovich In 'Resident Evil 6' |url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/09/michelle-rodriguez-johann-urb-join-milla-jovovich-in-resident-evil-5/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928014701/http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/michelle-rodriguez-johann-urb-join-milla-jovovich-in-resident-evil-5/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2011 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite tweet|author=Milla Jovovich|user=MillaJovovic|number=119415829380075520|title=AND if u checked out my vid yesterday from the table reading u wld hve noticed Johann Urb! He is our Leon Kennedy n looks jst like him BTW!!|date=September 29, 2011 |access-date=February 28, 2022}} It was released internationally on September 14, 2012.{{Cite news|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|title='Resident Evil 5' To Shoot In Toronto|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 16, 2011|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/resident-evil-5-shoot-toronto-223604/|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011074352/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/resident-evil-5-shoot-toronto-223604|archive-date=October 11, 2011|url-status=live}}

Alice awakens in an Umbrella base where she is interrogated by Valentine. During a power failure orchestrated by Ada Wong, Alice escapes from her cell and encounters her. Wong explains that Wesker plans to aid Alice's escape and battle the base's supercomputer Red Queen, to save what's left of mankind. Wesker has organized a team of freelance operatives to infiltrate the base and help Alice and Ada escape, including Leon S. Kennedy, Barry Burton and Luther West. Along the way, Alice finds a clone of a girl named Becky. They also face clone versions of Carlos Olivera, One and Rain Ocampo, all under the direction of Valentine. After Alice meets with the rescue team, Valentine's soldiers catch up to them, resulting in a shootout that kills Burton, Olivera and One. Alice, West, Kennedy and Becky reach the surface and are met by a submarine, from which Valentine, the clone Rain, and a captured Ada emerge. Valentine battles Alice while Rain fights Kennedy and West. Alice manages to remove the scarab device from Valentine, returning her back to normal, and joins Kennedy in defeating Rain. Alice, Ada, Becky, Leon and Valentine travel to Wesker's base. Wesker injects Alice with the T-virus, returning her superhuman powers, then tells her that she is responsible for saving the remaining humans from extinction.{{cite web|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/121/1216176p1.html|title=Resident Evil: Retribution Title Tweak|work=IGN|date=January 9, 2012|access-date=June 5, 2012}}

{{main|Resident Evil: The Final Chapter{{!}}Resident Evil: The Final Chapter}}

Anderson wrote and directed the sixth and final film in the series, subtitled The Final Chapter, which was filmed in 2D and was post-converted to stereoscopic 3D.{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/exclusive-paul-w-s-anderson-confirms-resident-evil-6-will-end-the-franchise/|title=Paul W.S. Anderson Confirms Resident Evil 6 Will End the Franchise|publisher=MovieWeb|date=December 21, 2012|access-date=February 28, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/resident-evil-6-title-the-final-chapter/|title=Resident Evil 6 Title: Last Installment Called "The Final Chapter"|work=Collider|access-date=August 8, 2015}}{{cite web |last=Vejvoda |first=Jim |date=September 18, 2015 |title=Resident Evil: The Final Chapter Begins Production, Full Cast and Plot Synopsis Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/09/18/resident-evil-the-final-chapter-begins-production-full-cast-and-plot-synopsis-revealed |access-date=September 19, 2015 |work=IGN}} Milla Jovovich reprised her role as Alice, with only Shawn Roberts, Iain Glen and Ali Larter returning from previous entries as Albert Wesker, Dr. Isaacs and Claire Redfield, respectively. Continuing from the last film, Anderson expressed his desire for the final film to "come full circle", bringing back characters, themes and the environment of the Hive from the first movie. Filming was set to begin in South Africa in August 2014 but was delayed to the summer of 2015 due to Jovovich's pregnancy. Principal photography commenced on September 18, 2015, in South Africa. It was released on December 23, 2016, in Tokyo and on January 27, 2017, in North America.{{cite web|last=Luster|first=Joseph|date=April 26, 2016|title="Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" Movie to Debut First in Japan|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/04/26-1/resident-evil-the-final-chapter-movie-to-debut-first-in-japan|access-date=August 30, 2016|website=Crunchyroll|publisher=Ellation, Inc.}}{{cite web|title=Sony Pictures Dates 16 Films Through|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/468725-sony-pictures-dates-16-films}}{{Cite web|title=Resident Evil: The Final Chapter Poster Released|url=https://comicbook.com/popculturenow/news/resident-evil-the-final-chapter-poster-released/|access-date=February 28, 2022|website=ComicBook|date=September 6, 2017}}

Three weeks after the events in Retribution, humanity is on its last legs after Alice is betrayed by Wesker in Washington, D.C. Alice encounters the Red Queen, who tells her that she must return to Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation has developed an airborne anti-virus which will kill every organism infected by the T-virus. In a race against time, Alice is captured by Dr. Isaacs, who reveals his previous incarnation was a clone. Alice escapes and arrives in Raccoon City, where she joins forces with Claire Redfield. After holding off Dr. Isaacs' undead army, Alice, Claire and a team of survivors make their way towards the Hive. They encounter the Red Queen, who tells them the T-virus was created by James Marcus, the founder of the Umbrella Corporation to save his daughter, Alicia, from an ailment that caused her to age rapidly. James was betrayed by his business partner, Dr. Isaacs, and killed by Albert Wesker. Dr. Isaacs and the board of the Umbrella Corporation then intended to release the T-virus to cleanse the world, save the rich and powerful with cryogenics in the Hive, and later rebuild it as they desire. After confronting Wesker and the real Dr. Isaacs at the bottom of the Hive, Alice learns she is a clone of the still-living Alicia Marcus. Alice releases the anti-virus, eliminating all infected by the T-virus. She survives, and gains the memories of Alicia Marcus as a reward to reclaim the childhood she never had. The series ends with Alice riding a motorcycle, stating that her job is not finished yet and that it will take several years for the anti-virus to circle the globe.

{{Main|Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City{{!}}Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City}}

In May 2017, Constantin chairman Martin Moszkowicz stated that a reboot of the series was in development.{{cite web |last=Hopewell |first=John |title='Resident Evil' Franchise Set for a Reboot (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/resident-evil-reboot-cannes-film-festival-1202439086/ |access-date=May 21, 2017 |website=Variety}} In the same month, it was announced that James Wan would produce the reboot with a script by Greg Russo, with both later leaving the project.{{cite web|last=Busch|first=Anita|title='Resident Evil' Franchise Reboot: James Wan On Board To Produce From Greg Russo Script|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/resident-evil-movie-reboot-james-wan-produce-greg-russo-script-1202100081/|website=Deadline|date=May 22, 2017}}{{Cite web|last=Topel|first=Fred|date=2018-12-17|title=James Wan No Longer Producing 'Resident Evil' [Exclusive]|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/3538392/james-wan-no-longer-producing-resident-evil-exclusive/|access-date=2019-08-20|website=Bloody Disgusting!}} In December 2018, Johannes Roberts was hired as writer and director.{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |title='Resident Evil' Reboot Finds Writer, Director in '47 Meters Down' Filmmaker (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/resident-evil-reboot-writer-director-johannes-roberts-1203081290/ |access-date=December 6, 2018 |website=Variety}} Roberts stated that his film will be separate from the previous films in the series, with the story being based on Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=2021-03-21 |title=New Resident Evil Film Title Officially Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-2021-movie-welcome-to-raccoon-city-title |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=IGN |language=en}} By October 2020, the principal cast was reported with Kaya Scodelario cast as Claire Redfield, Hannah John-Kamen as Jill Valentine, Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield, Neal McDonough as William Birkin, Tom Hopper as Albert Wesker, and Avan Jogia as Leon S. Kennedy.{{Cite web |last1=N'Duka |first1=Amanda |last2=D'Alessandro |first2=Anthony |date=2020-10-06 |title='Resident Evil' Reboot: Kaya Scodelario, Robbie Amell, Hannah John-Kamen & More To Star In Origin Story Adaptation |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/resident-evil-reboot-kaya-scodelario-robbie-amell-hannah-john-kamen-origin-story-1234591729/ |access-date=2021-11-08 |website=Deadline}} Other cast members, Donal Logue, Chad Rook, Lily Gao and Marina Mazepa were cast as Chief Brian Irons, Richard Aiken, and Ada Wong and Lisa Trevor, respectively. Filming began on October 17, 2020, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, with reshoots in May 2021.{{Cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|date=2020-09-25|title=Film industry returns as 'Resident Evil' reboot set to begin filing in Sudbury|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/film-industry-returns-as-resident-evil-reboot-set-to-begin-filing-in-sudbury-1.5120765|access-date=2021-11-08|website=Northern Ontario}}{{Cite web|title=Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City Currently Undergoing Reshoots|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/resident-evil-welcome-to-raccoon-city-reshoots/|access-date=2021-11-08|website=ComicBook}} The film was released on November 24, 2021, by Sony Pictures Releasing in the United States.{{cite web|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|date=March 31, 2021|title=Sony Delays 'Resident Evil' Release Date|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/sony-delays-resident-evil-release-date-1234941945/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419172021/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/sony-delays-resident-evil-release-date-1234941945/|archive-date=April 19, 2021|access-date=March 31, 2021|website=Variety}}

Claire Redfield uncovers secrets about the Umbrella Corporation's experiments and accidents and travels back to her hometown of Raccoon City to warn her brother Chris Redfield. Meanwhile, a zombie outbreak begins after residents are poisoned in the water supply. Chris, along with fellow STARS members Jill Valentine and Albert Wesker, travel to the Spencer Mansion to recover bravo team and find out what is happening in the town. Claire travels with rookie police officer Leon S. Kennedy to the Raccoon City Orphanage to flee the city before it is destroyed, where they encounter a Licker and Claire's old friend Lisa Trevor. Wesker betrays Jill and attempts to steal the virus produced by Dr. William Birkin, a scientist working for the Umbrella Corporation. On the verge of death, Birkin injects himself with the G-virus, saving his life and mutating him into the Tyrant. The survivors flee on an underground train with Birkin's daughter Sherry and destroy the tyrant with a rocket launcher. In a mid-credits scene, Albert Wesker is saved from death by Ada Wong and is given his trademark sunglasses.

In January 2025, it was reported that Zach Cregger was writing and directing a new film reboot, to be co-produced by Constantin Film and PlayStation Productions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/resident-evil-reboot-zach-cregger-1236117563/|title=Zach Cregger to Tackle 'Resident Evil' Reboot, Igniting Bidding War|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=January 24, 2025|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=January 28, 2025}} In March 2025, Sony Pictures won a bidding war to secure the rights to the Resident Evil franchise, including its upcoming untitled project, with Columbia Pictures serving as the film's new distributor. Sony has set a release date of September 18, 2026 for the project.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/resident-evil-reboot-sony-1236156938/|title=Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Movie Lands at Sony|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=March 7, 2025|author=Borys Kit|access-date=March 7, 2025}}

In 2016, producer David Kern revealed that a crossover film with the Underworld film series had been considered.{{cite web |last=Jayson |first=Jay |date=October 7, 2016 |title=Marvel Is Doing Something With Blade According To Kate Beckinsale |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-is-doing-something-with-blade-according-to-kate-beckinsal |access-date=July 29, 2024 |publisher=ComicBook.com}}

In January 2019, Netflix was in development of a series based upon the Resident Evil franchise.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=January 24, 2019 |title='Resident Evil' TV Series In Works At Netflix |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/resident-evil-tv-series-in-works-netflix-1202541277/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122011702/https://deadline.com/2019/01/resident-evil-tv-series-in-works-netflix-1202541277/ |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |access-date=August 27, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} At the time, Deadline Hollywood reported that the series was to be set in the universe of the films, but when the series was ordered in 2020, Andrew Dabb was hired and confirmed that it would not.{{Cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|title='Resident Evil' TV Series Officially a Go at Netflix|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/resident-evil-tv-series-officially-a-go-at-netflix|date=August 27, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020|work=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=August 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827183046/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/resident-evil-tv-series-officially-a-go-at-netflix|url-status=live}} Resident Evil premiered on July 14, 2022,{{Cite web |last=Rosario |first=Alexandra Del |date=2022-03-17 |title=Netflix's 'Resident Evil' Live-Action Series Gets Premiere Date & Art |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/netflixs-resident-evil-live-action-series-gets-premiere-date-art-1234980812/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} to mixed reviews from critics and negative reviews from audiences. In August 2022, the series was canceled after one season.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-08-26 |title='Resident Evil' Series Canceled By Netflix After One Season |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/resident-evil-series-canceled-netflix-one-season-1235101187/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

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• This table shows the major characters that were featured in the films, sorted according to the actors' billing order, those adapted from the video games.
• A dark grey cell indicates that the character was not in the film.
• A {{note label|game|G|}} indicates the character was adapted from the video games.
• An {{note label|original|O|}} indicates an original character that was later adapted by the video games.
• A {{note label|young|Y|}} indicates a role as a younger version of the character.
• A {{note label|uncredited|U|}} indicates an uncredited role.
• A {{note label|cameo|C|}} indicates a cameo role.
• A {{note label|voice|V|}} indicates a voice-only role.
• An {{note label|archive|A|}} indicates an appearance through archival footage or photo stills.

Apocalypse, Extinction, Afterlife and Retribution all opened at number one at the North American box office.

{{Hatnote|Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article}}

The first six films, all written and produced by Anderson, received mixed or negative reviews from critics.{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Andrew |date=2019-08-18 |title=New Resident Evil Movie In Development |url=https://screenrant.com/resident-evil-movie-in-development/ |access-date=2022-12-22 |website=Screen Rant |quote=Although generally receiving mixed to negative reviews from critics, each installment was popular enough with audiences to turn enough of a profit that more were made.}}{{better source needed|date=March 2025}} However, they have gained a cult following among a distinct subset of reviewers. Calum Marsh of the National Post admired the Anderson-directed entries, saying: "The first is classical, close-quarters horror ... Part four, Afterlife, is a riot of ludicrous action and superhero brawn ... but it's a mere amuse bouche next to the five-star spread of part five, Retribution—a glorious, practically experimental sci-fi action wonder."{{Cite news |last=Marsh |first=Calum |date=2017-01-27 |title=The newest Resident Evil failed to screen for critics – because critics failed Resident Evil |work=National Post |url=https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/movies/the-newest-resident-evil-failed-to-screen-for-critics-because-critics-failed-resident-evil |access-date=2022-08-01}} Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The A.V. Club called them "lean and lively and fun and totally unpretentious", and commended Anderson's style, "focused on organizing action and orientating the viewer".{{Cite web |last=Vishnevetsky |first=Ignatiy |date=2014-12-11 |title=Alice in wasteland: A play-through of the 5 Resident Evil movies |url=https://www.avclub.com/alice-in-wasteland-a-play-through-of-the-5-resident-ev-1798275121 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=The A.V. Club |quote=Anderson's work has an unusual relationship with film criticism, because, while his movies—most of which don't screen for the press—get drubbed by most reviewers, they also enjoy a serious cult following among a distinct subset of critics.}}

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released all seven films on DVD, Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray, and digital download. The films were also released in DVD, Blu-ray and 4K box sets:

The novelizations for the first three Resident Evil films were written by Keith R. A. DeCandido. The novelization for the fifth film was written by John Shirley, and the sixth by Tim Waggoner. The fourth film did not receive a novelization.

The novel for the first film, titled Resident Evil: Genesis, was published over two years after that film's release, while the Extinction novel was released in late July 2007, two months before the film's release. There was also a Japanese novelization of the first film, unrelated to DeCandido's version, written by Osamu Makino. Makino also wrote two novels based on the game Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.

• List of highest-grossing horror films
• Resident Evil (video game series)

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Category:Action film series

Category:Capcom franchises

Category:Film series introduced in 2002

Category:Science fiction horror film series

Category:Films about rebellions

Category:Screen Gems franchises

Category:Sony Pictures franchises

Category:German film series

Category:Mad scientist films