As the Resident Evil franchise steadily marches towards its 30th anniversary, enough time has passed that a whole generation of fans now consider the series’ divisive film adaptations to be just as integral to the IP’s identity as the games that they’re supposedly based on. And with Zach Cregger’s upcoming cinematic reboot promising to take […]
As the Resident Evilfranchise steadily marches towards its 30th anniversary, enough time has passed that a whole generation of fans now consider the series’ divisive film adaptations to be just as integral to the IP’s identity as the games that they’re supposedly based on.
And with Zach Cregger’s upcoming cinematic reboot promising to take the franchise back to its horrific roots, we thought that it might be fun to look back on the adaptations of yesteryear and rank every entry in this long-running series. After all, with seven live action films and an eight-episode TV show, I’d argue that there’s a Resident Evil adaptation for every kind of fan.
As usual, don’t forget to comment below with your own personal rankings if you disagree with our order, but keep in mind that we’ll be excluding the franchise’s various animated entries due to the fact that their stories are actually considered canon in the games – meaning that they’re technically not adaptations.
It’s a real shame that Paul W.S. Anderson’s iteration of the series went out with a proverbial whimper just as the gaming franchise was starting to make its horrific comeback, but it’s hard to defend an action-horror flick with repetitive fight scenes and little-to-no scares.
Alas, there isn’t much to like about this undead road trip other than Milla Jovovich’s natural charm. That being said, I guess we should be grateful that this definitive ending has allowed for new takes on the series from other, more horror-oriented filmmakers.
7. Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
RE: Retribution may be structured like a level-based videogame and even features the live-action debut of fan-favorite characters like Leon S. Kennedy, Ada Wong and Barry Burton, but this overproduced mess is still a low point for the franchise.
From its nonsensical script to its over-reliance on CGI action, Retribution feels more like a corporate-mandated cash-grab than a movie made by people who actually care about the series.
I do love its over-the-top rendition of Wesker, though.
6. Resident Evil (2022)
An episodic format feels like a natural fit for an IP as lore-heavy as the Resident Evil games, and while Netflix’s adaptation wasn’t exactly a big hit with fans due to its young-adult elements and convoluted timeline, this short-lived TV show is still worth watching if you know your way around the games’ extensive mythology.
Of course, the late Lance Reddick’s performance as Albert Wesker is the real reason to watch the show, as his surprisingly nuanced take on a traditionally two-dimensional villain remains a highlight of the franchise as a whole.
5. Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
Paul W.S. Anderson’s long-awaited return to the director’s chair may have resulted in an objectively bad sequel, but I’d argue that this over-the-top piece of stereoscopic schlock is some of the most fun that an action-horror fan can have with their clothes on.
Featuring some of the most stylized set-pieces in the series as well as some tongue-in-cheek nods to the then-recent RE5, Afterlife is a great time if you choose to experience it as an action-packed haunted-house attraction rather than a proper narrative film.
4. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
Johannes Roberts’ attempt at breathing new life into the (un)dead franchise may have received a bad rap upon release, but I still think this underfunded passion project is a lot more fun than it has any right to be. Adapting two titles at once was certainly a bold choice, but Roberts mostly makes up for this rushed approach by adding in a healthy dose of both humor and fan service – not to mention a welcome return to genre scares.
And while the flick stumbles in the narrative department (especially where characterization is concerned), this is still the only Resident Evil adaptation to actually feel like it takes place in the same world as the games.
And hey, they absolutely nailed the live-action depiction of Lisa Trevor!
3. Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
My personal favorite entry in the franchise (though not necessarily the best), Alexander Witt’s RE: Apocalypse has a lot going for it if you can stomach a bloated runtime and an increased focus on action. After all, this is the first film to feel like it takes place in Raccoon City, and it also happens to feature the best antagonist in the entire series.
It’s still a shame that Leon S. Kennedy is nowhere to be found, but this thrilling midnight movie is still a kick-ass sequel boasting a plethora of impressive practical effects and some great atmosphere.
2. Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
Directed by Ozploitation veteran Russell Mulcahy (who also helmed the original Highlander), RE: Extinction takes the franchise in a much shlockier direction and is all the more entertaining for it. Taking place in a Mad-Max-inspired rendition of post-apocalyptic Nevada, the movie barely resembles its source material, but that doesn’t really matter when its original creations are so much fun.
Extinction suffers from a disjointed script and an assortment of predictable plot points, but memorable scenes like that thrilling crow attack (not to mention the first live-action depiction of the games’ Tyrant) mostly make up for its narrative flaws.
1. Resident Evil (2002)
It may not be the George A. Romero project that we’ve all dreamed of, but I still defend Paul W.S. Anderson’s first foray into the undead world of Resident Evil as a legitimately great horror flick. Boasting a great cast, incredible atmosphere and a kick-ass soundtrack, I’d argue that this cheesy midnight movie sold more copies of the game than Lady Dimitrescu’s exaggerated figure ever could.
The movie only tangentially resembles its namesake, but the fact that this script was initially meant to be an original horror story inspired by the director’s impressions of playing through the games makes me appreciate it more than a straightforward adaptation of an existing story.
