Watch order
Resident Evil film & TV timeline
Live-action films, Netflix series, and Capcom-linked CGI movies in US release order—with separate canon layers (Anderson, reboot film, Netflix, game-adjacent animation) and a clear split from the games timeline on /resident-evil.
Release order
When each Resident Evil film or series premiered in the US—one row per theatrical film, CGI movie, or full season drop. The Paul W.S. Anderson six-film arc (2002–2017) is its own universe; Welcome to Raccoon City, Netflix, and the CGI line are separate branches.
- Anderson movies only → 2002 → Apocalypse → Extinction → Afterlife → Retribution → Final Chapter
- Game-adjacent CGI → Degeneration → Damnation → Vendetta → Infinite Darkness → Death Island (optional)
- Reboot era → Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) OR Netflix series (2022)—not connected to each other
- Newcomers → pick one universe; do not mix Anderson Alice plot with Netflix Wesker daughters
Story order tips
When events happen in each adaptation's fiction—Anderson's Alice timeline, Welcome to Raccoon City's 1998 reboot, Netflix's 2022 and 2036 split, and CGI side stories that loosely track game-era Leon and Claire. None of these rows merge into Capcom game Story order on /resident-evil.
- Anderson films → Alice-focused sci-fi arc—not game canon
- Welcome to Raccoon City → 1998 game reboot film—standalone
- Netflix → New Raccoon City 2022 and post-outbreak 2036—cancelled after one season
- CGI films → optional Leon/Claire side stories near RE4–RE6 game eras—FAQ on games page
Story order
When events happen in each adaptation's fiction—Anderson's Alice timeline, Welcome to Raccoon City's 1998 reboot, Netflix's 2022 and 2036 split, and CGI side stories that loosely track game-era Leon and Claire. None of these rows merge into Capcom game Story order on /resident-evil.
- Anderson films → Alice-focused sci-fi arc—not game canon
- Welcome to Raccoon City → 1998 game reboot film—standalone
- Netflix → New Raccoon City 2022 and post-outbreak 2036—cancelled after one season
- CGI films → optional Leon/Claire side stories near RE4–RE6 game eras—FAQ on games page
Timeline
When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.
Release order
Resident Evil
TheatricalFilmAndersonPaul W.S. Anderson directs—Alice awakens in the Hive beneath Raccoon City.
- Overview
- Milla Jovovich as Alice launched the six-film live-action saga—loosely inspired by RE1.
- In-game setting
- Separate from Capcom canon— borrows Umbrella and zombies, not game plot.
- Should you play it?
- Start here only for the Anderson universe.
- Release date
- US theatrical premiere March 15, 2002.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
TheatricalFilmAndersonAlice returns as Raccoon City falls—Nemesis and Jill Valentine appear.
- Overview
- Second Anderson film—Raccoon City destruction on a blockbuster scale.
- In-game setting
- Nemesis and Jill echo RE3 but plot diverges immediately.
- Should you play it?
- Direct Anderson sequel after the 2002 film.
- Release date
- US theatrical premiere September 10, 2004.
Resident Evil: Extinction
TheatricalFilmAndersonPost-apocalypse desert convoy—Alice leads survivors toward Alaska.
- Overview
- Mad Max–tone pivot—Las Vegas set piece and Umbrella desert HQ.
- In-game setting
- No direct game chapter—Anderson-only wasteland fiction.
- Should you play it?
- Third Anderson film in release order.
- Release date
- US theatrical premiere September 21, 2007.
Resident Evil: Degeneration
DVDStreamingCGIAnimationLeon and Claire at an airport outbreak—first Capcom-linked CGI film.
- Overview
- Fully CG movie set after RE4—TerraSave Claire meets agent Leon.
- In-game setting
- Game-adjacent side story—optional after RE4 on the games page.
- Should you play it?
- Optional CGI path—before or after Damnation.
- Release date
- US DVD premiere December 30, 2008.
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Theatrical3DFilmAndersonAlice searches for Arcadia—Chris Redfield and Claire join the Anderson cast.
- Overview
- Shot for 3D—Prison and tanker set pieces before Umbrella sea base.
- In-game setting
- Chris and Claire appearances—still Anderson timeline only.
- Should you play it?
- Fourth Anderson film—continue after Extinction.
- Release date
- US theatrical premiere September 10, 2010.
Resident Evil: Retribution
Theatrical3DFilmAndersonAlice in an Umbrella testing simulation—clone armies and Red Queen.
- Overview
- Tokyo opening and simulated Raccoon City—franchise at peak VFX scale.
- In-game setting
- Simulation nods to games—no shared canon.
- Should you play it?
- Fifth Anderson film—leads into Final Chapter.
- Release date
- US theatrical premiere September 14, 2012.
Resident Evil: Damnation
DVDStreamingCGIAnimationLeon undercover in a fictional Eastern European war—Las Plagas-style bioweapons.
- Overview
- Second CGI film—Leon solo spy thriller tone.
- In-game setting
- Side story near RE6-era fiction—optional for Leon fans.
- Should you play it?
- Optional—after Degeneration in CGI release order.
- Release date
- US DVD premiere September 25, 2012.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Theatrical3DFilmAndersonAlice returns to the Hive—Anderson saga finale.
- Overview
- Closes the six-film Alice arc—Raccoon City origin revisit.
- In-game setting
- End of Anderson universe—not game ending.
- Should you play it?
- Finish Anderson path here.
- Release date
- US theatrical premiere January 27, 2017.
Resident Evil: Vendetta
Theatrical eventDigitalCGIAnimationLeon, Chris, and Rebecca vs Glenn Arias—A-virus plot.
- Overview
- Fathom one-night US theatrical (June 19, 2017) then digital.
- In-game setting
- CGI side story—Rebecca returns; optional RE5-era context.
- Should you play it?
- Optional CGI—after Damnation.
- Release date
- US Fathom Events premiere June 19, 2017.
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness
NetflixAnimationMiniseriesFour episodes—Leon and Claire uncover a US government conspiracy.
- Overview
- Netflix CG miniseries between Vendetta and Death Island in release history.
- In-game setting
- Game-adjacent—set around RE4-era Leon; optional side story.
- Should you play it?
- Optional CGI—watch after Vendetta or skip.
- Release date
- US Netflix premiere July 8, 2021 (four episodes).
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
TheatricalFilmRebootJohannes Roberts reboot—RE1 and RE2 game mash in 1998 Raccoon City.
- Overview
- Standalone reboot—Leon, Claire, Chris, Jill, Wesker in one night.
- In-game setting
- Inspired by RE1/RE2—not a direct game adaptation; ignores Anderson films.
- Should you play it?
- Separate from Anderson and Netflix—one-and-done theatrically.
- Release date
- US theatrical premiere November 24, 2021.
Resident Evil (Netflix)
NetflixTV seriesLive-actionEight episodes—Wesker's daughters in New Raccoon City 2022 and 2036.
- Overview
- First live-action RE series—Lance Reddick as Wesker; dual timeline structure.
- In-game setting
- New Raccoon City—not game Raccoon City; cancelled after season 1.
- Should you play it?
- Standalone reboot—ignore Anderson and Welcome film.
- Release date
- US Netflix premiere July 14, 2022 (eight episodes, same day).
Resident Evil: Death Island
Digital4K UHDCGIAnimationLeon, Claire, Chris, Jill, and Rebecca reunite on Alcatraz.
- Overview
- Latest CGI film as of July 2026—all-star game cast crossover.
- In-game setting
- Side story—optional cap to the CGI film line.
- Should you play it?
- Optional—end of CGI release list below.
- Release date
- US digital and 4K UHD premiere July 25, 2023.
FAQ
Which movie universe to pick, Anderson vs Netflix vs games, CGI placement, and cancelled reboots.
Watch order
Resident Evil (2002) → Apocalypse (2004) → Extinction (2007) → Afterlife (2010) → Retribution (2012) → The Final Chapter (2017). Ignore Welcome to Raccoon City and Netflix for this path.
Canon & games
The Resident Evil games timeline (/resident-evil) covers Capcom's release and story order from RE1 through Requiem. This page is films and TV only.
At least four live-action branches: (1) Paul W.S. Anderson six-film Alice saga (2002–2017), (2) Welcome to Raccoon City (2021 one-off reboot), (3) Netflix live-action (2022, cancelled), plus CGI films that loosely tie to game-era Leon/Claire stories—not the Anderson plot. None replace Capcom game canon.
No single answer—Anderson and Netflix are original fiction. Welcome to Raccoon City adapts RE1/RE2 beats with changes. CGI films are the closest optional supplements to game lore. Play the games without watching any film.
Optional & extras
More timelines
Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.
- Game series
Resident Evil
Resident Evil release and story order (1996–2026), DLC placement, remake vs classic paths, and where to start.
- Game series
Five Nights at Freddy's
Five Nights at Freddy's release and story order (2014–2025), in-universe chronology, disputed lore dates, and where to start.
- Game series
Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid release and story order (1987–2025), Big Boss and Solid Snake chronology 1964–2018, MSX classics, and where to start.
- Game series
Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider release and story order (1996–2027)—Classic Core, Legend trilogy, Survivor reboot, and where to start.