Why it’s great: The series went full post-apocalyptic desert. This is where Alice gets her telekinetic powers (yes, it’s weird) and we get the best "clone" storyline. Plus, the Las Vegas sequence with crows and a truck full of zombies? Chef’s kiss.
Spanning 14 years and six films, the Paul W. S. Anderson-helmed (and later directed) Resident Evil series stands as one of the most financially successful video game adaptations in cinema history. While critically divisive, the franchise carved a unique identity—abandoning strict game canon for a post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk-tinged action-horror saga centered on Alice (Milla Jovovich), an original character with superhuman abilities.
This collection, released between 2002 and 2016, tells a continuous, self-contained story that culminates in a globe-spanning war against the Umbrella Corporation. resident evil all movies collection 20022016 top
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Global Box Office: $312 million
Billed as the end of Alice’s saga, The Final Chapter retcons major plot points. The Red Queen (the AI from the first film) suddenly helps Alice, revealing that the T-Virus was created to cure a genetic disease. Alice must return to the Hive to get the antivirus. Why it’s great: The series went full post-apocalyptic
1. Milla Jovovich as Alice She is the heart and soul of these films. Jovovich throws herself into the physicality of the role with a commitment rarely seen in action B-movies. She makes Alice a compelling protagonist, even when the script lets her down.
2. Practical Effects and Creature Design While the CGI varies in quality across 14 years, the practical makeup effects on the zombies and monsters remain impressive. The "Undead" designs in the later films are grotesque and memorable. Unlike the recent reboot Welcome to Raccoon City
3. Pure Entertainment Value These films are "popcorn cinema" at its finest. They don't require deep philosophical thinking—they require you to turn off your brain, enjoy the soundtrack, and watch Milla Jovovich kick a zombie dog in the face while riding a motorcycle.
Unlike the recent reboot Welcome to Raccoon City (2021), the original film series lives in a separate continuity. It centers on Alice (Milla Jovovich), an original character not found in the games. She begins as a security operative with amnesia and evolves into a genetically-engineered super-soldier fighting the corrupt Umbrella Corporation.
Why this collection matters: It was the first major Hollywood horror franchise built around a female action lead. Over 14 years, the series grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, proving that zombie action had mainstream legs.
The core timeline: