The Resident Evil franchise has been a staple of the survival horror genre since its inception in 1996 and has since expanded to include numerous video games, movies, and TV shows. While some entries in the franchise have been lauded as masterpieces of horror, others have been criticized for their lackluster storytelling and poor execution. With such a wide range of adaptations, it can be difficult to determine which ones are worth your time. That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive ranking of the Resident Evil franchise, from worst to best, to help you navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of this iconic horror universe.
So grab your weapons and prepare to face off against hordes of the undead as we delve into the world of Resident Evil.
12. Resident Evil (2022 Netflix Series)
Resident Evil is a Netflix Original that serves as the latest reboot of the Resident Evil franchise but dreadingly ranks last on the list due to its confusing plot, weak characters, and lackluster action sequences. It’s a real disappointment to the franchise, to say the least. The series attempts to tell a new story set in the Resident Evil universe, with a focus on a new cast of characters and a new virus outbreak.
One of the biggest issues with the series is its confusing plot. The series jumps back and forth between different timelines and perspectives without proper explanation or transition, making it difficult for viewers to keep up with what’s happening. The characters are also weakly developed, with many of them feeling like generic archetypes rather than fully-realized individuals with distinct personalities and motivations.
The action sequences in the series are also underwhelming, with many of them feeling uninspired and lacking in tension. The series relies too heavily on jump scares and gore to create tension, rather than building it up through atmosphere and pacing. While the use of practical effects is a nice touch, the series ultimately fails to deliver the intense and thrilling experience that fans of the games are familiar with.
Another issue with the series is its inconsistent tone. At times, the series feels like a serious drama, while at other times, it feels like a cheesy B-movie. This inconsistency makes it difficult for viewers to fully engage with the story and characters.
11. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is the most recent movie in the Resident Evil film franchise and unfortunately lacks coherence and has a ton of subpar acting. The movie attempts to adapt the plot of the first two games in the series, with a focus on the mansion incident and the outbreak in Raccoon City.
One of the biggest issues with the movie is its lack of coherence. The movie jumps back and forth between different characters and timelines without proper explanation or transition. The characters are poorly developed, with many of them feeling like one-dimensional archetypes rather than fully-realized individuals.
The movie also suffers from subpar acting, with many of the actors delivering wooden performances. While some actors, such as Kaya Scodelario (who plays Claire Redfield) and Robbie Amell (who plays Chris Redfield), deliver decent performances, others, such as Tom Hopper (who plays Albert Wesker) and Hannah John-Kamen (who plays Jill Valentine), feel miscast and struggle to bring their characters to life.
In terms of action, the movie has its moments but ultimately fails to deliver the tense and thrilling experience that fans of the games are familiar with. The use of practical effects is a nice touch, but the movie relies too heavily on jump scares and gore to create tension, rather than building it up through atmosphere and pacing.
10. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
The movie picks up immediately after the events of Resident Evil: Retribution, with Alice (Milla Jovovich) returning to Raccoon City to stop the Umbrella Corporation once and for all.
The movie’s plot is convoluted and difficult to follow, with many new characters and concepts introduced without proper explanation. The movie attempts to tie up loose ends from the previous movies, but it does so in a way that feels forced and unsatisfying. The new villain, Dr. Isaacs, is underdeveloped and lacks any real motivation beyond a desire for power.
The movie’s action sequences are also lackluster, with choppy editing and poor choreography. The use of slow motion can be distracting and takes away from the tension of the scenes. The final battle between Alice and Dr. Isaacs is underwhelming and fails to deliver the epic showdown that fans were expecting.
Additionally, the movie’s attempts at fan service feel forced and out of place. The return of characters such as Claire Redfield and Albert Wesker feels like a cheap ploy to appeal to fans of the games, rather than a natural progression of the story.