Movies You Absolutely Must Watch in This Order for the Full Resident Evil Experience

Are you ready to dive headfirst into the world of biopesticide horrors, zombie pandemics, and relentless action? The Resident Evil franchise is more than just a series of shaky-cam shooters — it’s a sweeping cinematic odyssey that began over 25 years ago. And to truly grasp its legacy, experience its films in the precise, chronological order. Watching them out of sequence risks missing key plot threads, character evolution, and the buildup to the franchise’s most unforgettable moments.

Here’s your definitive guide: Movies You Absolutely Must Watch in This Order for the Full Resident Evil Experience.

Understanding the Context


1. Resident Evil (1996) – The Birth of a Franchise

Your journey begins with the cinematic debut that launched everything. Resident Evil introduces rue birunnhigh-fashion agent Jill Valentine as she storms the Brighton Mansion’s lockup to rescue medical suspect Chris Redfield and uncover the T-virus’s origins. This setup—government secrets, mutated threats, and heroic survival—is the foundation. Watch closely for the first glimpses of Umbrella Corporation’s grand sinister ambition.


Key Insights

2. Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) – The Post-M Sun's Aftermath

Half a millennium removed from the original, Apocalypse transports viewers to a dystopian New Ortega Island decimated by biohazard containment breaches. Disbanded Umbrella operatives clash with surviving horrors in what’s known as the “Apocalypse.” This film deepens world-building—complete with grotesque bioroids, crumbling infrastructure, and the first nuanced portrayal of overwatch vs. corporate tyranny.


3. Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) – The Origins of Biohazard

Before the iconic glycophage and zombie attacks, Extinction zooms into the origins. Follow Dr. Cynthia Herskowitz as her tragic research on reptilian viruses spirals into chaos, unleashing ancient pathogens. This installment frames the biological origins of the Resident Evil threat and introduces key characters who echo throughout the series. Did you know? The legendary Bio-Organic Weapon projects begin here.

Final Thoughts


4. Resident Evil: Afterlife (2023) – Returning to Roots

A modern reboot branching from past timelines, Afterlife bridges generations. Set between Extinction and Revive, it revives Chris Redfield’s search for his fallen teammate Owen Marx amid rogue virus outbreaks. It’s the essential bridge that connects the older storylines to the next chapter, clarifying ethical junglesand moral dilemmas central to the franchise.


5. Resident Evil: Revelations Part 1 & 2 (2012–2013) – Ghosts, Betrayals, and Conspiracies

The complex two-part conclusion brings a fractured universe together. Revelations Part 1 plunges into a dark corporate conspiracy involving the S.T.A.R.S. and genetic manipulation gone wrong. Part 2 shifts to a cryptic, almost mythic battle in a secret underground facility — tying together characters from earlier films with story arcs spanning decades. This sequence demands careful viewing to untangle plot knots and understand the emotional stakes.


6. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) – Closure, Legacy, and the Bio-Organic Weapon Lore

The series wraps in this direct sequel to Apocalypse, featuring a harrowing mission into a derelict bio-lab aboard an island fortress. It’s not just action — it’s thematic closure, showing lingering scars of biohazard warfare and the human cost behind Umbrella’s legacy. Perfect for fans seeking narrative completeness.