Resident Evil Movies Ranked: Every Film Tier List (2026)
I ranked every Resident Evil movie worst to best, including Zach Cregger's new 2026 reboot. See my tier list and build your own.
Iris 7 min read
Whether you're a long-time fan or just looking to revisit the entire series after watching the latest installment, here is my personal ranking of every Resident Evil film. From S Tier down to D Tier, covering both live-action and CG movies.
If you disagree with my order, feel free to arrange them yourself using this Resident Evil movies tier list and see how your ranking compares.
The Tier List at a Glance
- S Tier: Resident Evil (2026)
- A Tier: Resident Evil (2002), Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017), Resident Evil: Death Island (2023)
- B Tier: Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010), Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008), Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
- C Tier: Resident Evil: Extinction (2007), Resident Evil: Damnation (2012), Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
- D Tier: Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016), Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
Why This Ranking Is Different in 2026
The release of the latest entry completely shook up the franchise's reputation:
- Record-Breaking Opening: The 2026 reboot pulled in roughly $60 million domestically and surged past $108.3 million worldwide, setting a new franchise milestone.
- Critical Acclaim: It holds around a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, a staggering leap from the 39% high-water mark of previous live-action adaptations.
- A True Win: Unlike Sony's previous attempt with Welcome to Raccoon City, which opened to a modest $5.3 million, this project finally hit the sweet spot.
S Tier: The One Everyone Should Watch
Resident Evil (2026): The Reboot Fans Waited 24 Years For
If you only watch one film on this list, make it this one. Director Zach Cregger—known for Barbarian and Weapons—turned the franchise into a fast, funny and properly scary horror film.
- What works: Austin Abrams plays a medical courier who fights through an outbreak in Raccoon City, and critics praised the mix of scares and dark humor. Reviewers also noted that it commits to being its own thing instead of leaning on game references.
- The numbers: It is the best-reviewed film ever based on a video game on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, and it has grossed about $400 million worldwide so far.
- The catch: It is a new take, so if you want a straight copy of the games, this is not it.
A Tier: Strong Picks Worth Your Time
Resident Evil (2002): The Original That Started It All
It is not a game adaptation in the strict sense, but it nails the mood.
- What works: The Hive, the Red Queen and Milla Jovovich's Alice make it tense and stylish. It kicked off a franchise that has grossed over $1.2 billion.
- The catch: It feels dated now, and the story drifts from the games.
Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017): The Action Favorite
This CG film is the one many game fans point to first.
- What works: Chris, Leon and Rebecca team up, and the action scenes are some of the best in any Resident Evil movie.
- The catch: The plot is simple, and non-fans may not connect with the characters.
Resident Evil: Death Island (2023): The Fan-Service Reunion
A big team-up film for people who love the games.
- What works: Leon, Chris, Jill, Claire and Rebecca all show up, and it is fun to see them share a story.
- The catch: Newcomers may feel lost, and the story is lighter than the best entries.
B Tier: Fun, Flawed and Rewatchable
Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010): The 3D Action Hit
This is where the live-action series leaned into spectacle.
- What works: It opened to $26.6 million, a franchise record at the time, and the action is slick and fast.
- The catch: The slow-motion style and the Alice-centered plot are far from the games.
Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008): The First CG Outing
A game-faithful story about an airport outbreak.
- What works: Leon and Claire are at the center, so it feels closer to the games than most of the live-action films.
- The catch: The animation looks dated, and the pacing is slow.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004): The Nemesis Sequel
It brings the action to Raccoon City.
- What works: Nemesis and Jill Valentine finally show up, which is a treat for game fans.
- The catch: The story is thin, and critics were not kind to it.
C Tier: Only for Completionists
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007): The Desert Sequel
A change of scenery with a post-apocalyptic mood.
- What works: The desert setting gives it a different look, and Claire Redfield appears.
- The catch: It is more of a road movie than a horror film, and it loses the tension of the first.
Resident Evil: Damnation (2012): Leon in a War Zone
A darker CG entry with a political backdrop.
- What works: It has Leon and a stronger war-story tone, and the monsters look good.
- The catch: The plot is murky, and the characters feel flat.
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012): The Clone Maze
A film that leans on spectacle over story.
- What works: The set pieces are big, and old faces return.
- The catch: The plot feels like a collection of remixed ideas, and it is hard to care about the stakes.
D Tier: Skip Unless You're Curious
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016): The Series Finale
Meant to be a satisfying end, but it does not deliver.
- What works: It ties off Alice's story and returns to the Hive.
- The catch: The editing makes the action hard to follow, and the story is overcomplicated.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021): The Reboot That Flopped
An attempt to be closer to the games, but it lost its way.
- What works: It borrows locations and characters from the first two games, and some fans enjoyed the nods.
- The catch: It opened to $5.3 million and made about $42 million worldwide. The pacing and the tone did not work for most viewers.
Two Questions Everyone Asks
- Do I need to watch the older movies before the 2026 film?
No. The 2026 film is a fresh reboot, so you can go in with no background. Reviewers have noted that it mostly avoids deep-cut references and does its own thing. If you want extra context, watch the 2002 film first, but it is optional.
- Which Resident Evil movies are closest to the games?
The CG films, Degeneration, Damnation, Vendetta and Death Island, use game characters such as Leon, Chris and Claire. The live-action series from 2002 to 2016 centers on Alice, a character created for the films, so it feels less like the games. The 2026 reboot sits in between: it is a new story, but it is built around Raccoon City.
FAQ: Resident Evil Movies Ranked
- What is the best Resident Evil movie?
The 2026 film. It has the best reviews in the live-action series by a wide margin, and it is the franchise's biggest opening.
- What is the worst Resident Evil movie?
I put Welcome to Raccoon City and The Final Chapter in D tier. The first flopped at the box office, and the second is hard to follow.
- Who directed the 2026 Resident Evil movie?
Zach Cregger, who also made Barbarian and Weapons. He wrote it with Shay Hatten.
- Who is in the 2026 Resident Evil cast?
Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser.
- When was Resident Evil (2026) released?
It premiered in Los Angeles on September 15, 2026, and opened in the US on September 18, 2026.
- Is the 2026 film connected to the Milla Jovovich movies?
No. It is a second reboot, so it starts fresh.
- What order should I watch the movies in?
For the live-action series, watch in release order from 2002 to 2016. The CG films stand on their own, and the 2026 reboot can be watched first or last.