Every Resident Evil Animated Movie Ranked

The iconic “Resident Evil” series from Capcom, a pioneer in the “survival-horror” video game category, is among the most widely recognized game series. Launched for the PlayStation 1 in 1996, players could select one of two characters belonging to the fictional elite military unit S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics and Rescue Service). They navigated pre-rendered backdrops using fixed, cinematic camera angles similar to earlier survival-horror attempts such as “Alone in the Dark” from 1992.

As a die-hard Resident Evil fan, I can’t help but reminisce about my journey through the chilling narrative of the original Resident Evil game. The story revolves around me, as part of the S.T.A.R.S. team, investigating a sinister mansion linked to the Umbrella Corporation – a shadowy organization notorious for their twisted genetic experiments that spawned zombies and horrific creatures.

However, the gameplay experience transformed significantly with Resident Evil 4 on PlayStation 2. It shifted from its initial survival horror style to an immersive third-person action game perspective, which has been a staple for most subsequent entries, including Capcom’s remakes of earlier Resident Evil games. Even first-person perspectives have been explored, such as in Resident Evil: Survivor on the PS1, and the latest mainline installments, Resident Evil VII and Resident Evil Village.

Beyond the surge in popularity of the franchise, various spin-off media also emerged, including comics, novels, action figures, and the blockbuster live-action “Resident Evil” movies starring Milla Jovovich. However, a reboot titled “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” in 2021 didn’t fare as well. Additionally, CG-animated “RE” films and miniseries were produced, some of which we will be ranking below for your reading pleasure. Find out if our rankings align with your own.

7. Biohazard 4: Incubate (2006)

For the upcoming posts, it’s important to clarify that in Japan, the “Resident Evil” series is known as “Biohazard.” This title makes more sense given that the evil Umbrella Corporation uses bio-chemicals to create their horrific creations like zombies, lickers, and super-soldiers such as Mr. X and Nemesis. The CG-animated film “Biohazard 4: Incubate” was exclusively released in Japan in 2006, following the massive impact of “Resident Evil 4.

The movie primarily comprises scenes from the game along with a few segments of gameplay, running for about 100 minutes. To maintain this duration, substantial portions of the original game were trimmed or abbreviated. Notably missing are several chapters in the middle, such as chapters three to five. These omissions encompass battles against the colossal salamander enemy called “Del Lago” and interactions with the contaminated Genado character.

If a movie is merely gameplay footage with minimal additional content, then playing the game itself might be more rewarding, as you would experience the full scope of it. At one time, a unique offering like “Biohazard 4: Incubate” could have been intriguing, particularly for those seeking to follow the narrative. However, with an abundance of video game let’s plays available online today, that novelty has faded, which is why it ranks lower on our list.

6. Biohazard 4D-Executer (2000)

In 2000, a unique spin-off titled “Biohazard 4D-Executer” was launched by Capcom, a notable addition to their horror game series. Unlike its counterpart “Resident Evil 4: Incubate,” this version was exclusively released in Japan, which is why it’s referred to as “Biohazard 4D-Executer.” Unlike the traditional gameplay of “Incubate,” “4D-Executer” was more like a ride, lasting approximately 20 minutes. It was screened at Japanese amusement parks, where the seats moved in sync with the action, mimicking the experience of simulation rides such as Universal Studios’ “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” or Disneyland’s former attraction, “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.

Similar to the first “Resident Evil” movie starring Milla Jovovich, “Biohazard 4D-Executer” deviates from the main video game series by introducing new characters not found in the official canon (which is a point of contention in its ranking). Instead, it’s a “gaiden,” or side story, set within the “Resident Evil” universe. The film takes place around the time when Raccoon City was already overrun with zombies and monsters due to the events of “Resident Evil 2” or “Resident Evil 3.” The narrative revolves around a team of ordinary military specialists who are sent on a mission to locate a rogue scientist within the city. While there are some enjoyable creature effects and gruesome scenes, the story itself is rather forgettable.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the CG-animation in this production felt surprisingly primitive and blocky, even by the standards of its time. Frankly, it barely surpassed the quality of the FMVs from the games, which is saying something. All in all, while it was an intriguing experiment for the franchise, it’s safe to say that it falls into the lower echelons of the series.

5. Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)

2008’s “Resident Evil: Degeneration” marks the debut of Capcom and Sony Pictures Entertainment’s first full-length computer-generated (CG) animated film in the “Resident Evil” series. Previous attempts such as “Biohazard 4D-Executer” and “Biohazard 4: Incubate” were either not feature-length or reused gameplay footage, respectively, rather than presenting original stories. Consequently, it’s reasonable to assume that the animation in “Resident Evil: Degeneration,” being the first of its kind, may not be as polished as later productions.

The plot for “RE: Degeneration” unfolds within the Resident Evil timeline, bridging the gap between “Resident Evil 4” and “Resident Evil 5.” This animated film delves into backstory details, particularly focusing on the emergence of the antagonistic Tricell corporation. The majority of the story takes place at a fictional airport named Harvardville, where Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, two main characters from various Resident Evil games, try to contain a virus outbreak.

As a devoted fan, I have to admit that “RE: Degeneration” wasn’t quite up to par with my expectations. The primary issue lies in the early CGI animation, which, without a big budget like Pixar, results in movements that feel stiff, particularly when it comes to character facial expressions. The airport setting, while not the worst, could have been more vibrant and engaging.

However, let’s be fair, “Resident Evil: Degeneration” isn’t the lowest point in the Resident Evil universe – far from it! Even among the Resident Evil feature film adaptations, it doesn’t hold the title of worst. And in this list of animated adaptations? Not even close.

But when compared to later CGI-animated Resident Evil films, its flaws in animation quality, flat voice acting, unremarkable location, and predictable storyline make it a bit of a letdown. Consequently, it ranks lower on our list of favorites.

4. Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)

In the four years following the debut of “Resident Evil: Degeneration” in 2008, Capcom and Sony Pictures Entertainment chose to create and distribute another CG-animated “Resident Evil” film titled “Resident Evil: Damnation,” which hit theaters in 2012.

Similar to the previous film, this installment is situated after the game “Resident Evil 4” and continues the journey of video game hero Leon S. Kennedy. Instead of teaming up with Claire Redfield as in “RE: Degeneration” and “Resident Evil 2,” Leon joins forces with the intriguing espionage character, Ada Wong, who has a history with Leon that spans on-again, off-again romantic relationships. This story unfolds in a former Soviet Eastern Slav republic, where Leon attempts to halt the employment of biological weapons amidst the ongoing civil war. Predictable action sequences such as monster attacks, gunfights, and explosions occur, much like other “Resident Evil” animated films. Unfortunately, this film’s narrative suffers from a lack of originality, making it somewhat unremarkable compared to its peers, particularly due to the less vibrant, grayish backdrop.

The movie showcases significantly enhanced animation compared to “RE: Degeneration,” featuring more lifelike facial expressions, seamless motion-capture movement, and well-coordinated action sequences. However, despite these advancements, it falls short when compared to the subsequent installments of the series.

3. Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021)

Contrary to most other listings (“Biohazard 4D-Executor” being an exception), “Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness” is not a full-length CG-animated movie, but rather a four-part CG-animated miniseries. These episodes were released on Netflix in 2021, providing it with additional screen time to explore characters more deeply and present more thrilling monster encounters.

The narrative unfolds during the interval between “Resident Evil 4” and “Resident Evil 5,” focusing on Leon S. Kennedy, who by then has become a recognizable figure for these CG-animated “Resident Evil” adaptations, joining forces yet again with Claire Redfield. Their mission remains unchanged: to thwart the menace of monstrous creatures and zombies, this time in the vicinity of the White House.

Currently, Netflix’s “Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness” excels in numerous ways. It centers around fan-favorite characters from the Resident Evil series, Leon and Claire, and boasts some of the most intense (and indeed, abundant) action found in any of these entries. However, there are certain aspects that prevent it from claiming the top spot overall.

For one, despite having a significantly longer runtime than any other ranked CGI Resident Evil films, the narrative itself remains predictable and basic, appearing somewhat overextended in the process. It echoes many of the same themes as other CGI Resident Evil movies, but takes more time to resolve and frequently revisits these themes across different episodes. Additionally, viewers have varying opinions on the ending that leaves Leon and Claire at odds with each other.

2. Resident Evil: Death Island (2023)

2023 saw the launch of “Resident Evil: Death Island,” the latest CG-animated installment in the Resident Evil series I’ve been hooked on. In the game timeline, it falls between “Resident Evil 6” and “Resident Evil 7.” It gathers most of the iconic characters from our gaming adventures over the years – Leon S. Kennedy, Chris and Claire Redfield, even Jill Valentine – except for Ethan Winters who was the protagonist in “Resident Evil 7” and “Resident Evil Village.” Interestingly, this is the first time in Resident Evil lore that fan-beloved characters Leon and Jill cross paths.

The tale of “Resident Evil: Death Island” unfolds on the infamous Alcatraz Prison Island, reminiscent of the ’90s action movie “The Rock”. The beloved team from “Resident Evil” are called upon to invade the abandoned prison, thwarting another possible bio-terrorism threat. Inside this complex, you’ll encounter a mix of monsters, chaos, and the usual suspenseful elements that Resident Evil is known for.

Among the CG-animated movies we’ve compiled, this one stands out as the latest and boasts exceptional animation quality, featuring flawless facial expressions, motion-captured action scenes, and intricate textures that surpass those in previous films. This contributes significantly to its high ranking. Additionally, what elevates it further is the reunion of our beloved characters engaging in joint combat for the first time – quite exciting indeed! However, it tends to lean towards the exaggerated and comedic, which somewhat diminishes the horror aspect that’s characteristic of the series.

1. Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017)

2017’s “Resident Evil: Vendetta” is the third computer-animated film set within the Resident Evil series, sandwiched between “Resident Evil: Damnation” and “Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness.” Fans are thrilled as this is the first time that Leon S. Kennedy and fan-favorite character Chris Redfield have collaborated extensively in the Resident Evil universe (except for a brief exchange in Resident Evil 6, and later working together again in “Resident Evil: Death Island”). Moreover, “Resident Evil: Vendetta” introduces the character of Rebecca Chambers into these adaptations. Initially one of Chris’ S.T.A.R.S. team members in the first Resident Evil game, she later starred in her own title, “Resident Evil 0,” a prequel to RE 1, and now functions as a scientist assisting Chris and Leon.

Positioned between “Resident Evil 6” and “Resident Evil 7,” the movie “Resident Evil: Vendetta” follows characters Chris, Leon, and Rebecca as they work to thwart a villain named Glenn Arias from unleashing a lethal virus across New York City. While the story shares some similarities with other Resident Evil animated films, “RE: Vendetta” stands out for its well-developed character arcs and impressive action sequences. This blend of compelling character development and thrilling action earns it top marks in our book. The story’s relatable stakes and tension also add to the excitement — and terror — of the action scenes.

2025-01-13 22:30