Resident Evil, a video game franchise that began in Japan in 1996 as Biohazard, has inspired a series of films and a Netflix series since 2002. Created by game designers Shinji Mikami and Tokuro Fujiwara, the franchise has had six main films, a 2021 reboot titled Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, and now a new film, Resident Evil (2026), directed by Zach Cregger. This latest film aims to be a more faithful and faithful adaptation of the original game, which is known for its survival horror themes and zombie outbreaks. When ranking the Resident Evil films from worst to least worst, Resident Evil: Final Chapter (2016) is often cited as the weakest, ending the story of protagonist Alice in a way that feels underwhelming compared to the previous films. The 2021 reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, tried to stay closer to the game’s source material but was criticized for a rushed plot and flat character development. In contrast, Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004), directed by Alexander Witt, expanded the story to the fictional town of Raccoon City, offering more action and scale. Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010), directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, introduced superpowers to the protagonist Alice and was noted for its use of 3D technology and a style reminiscent of The Matrix. The original Resident Evil film from 2002 started the cinematic journey, focusing on a character with amnesia trapped in a mysterious underground facility. Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) was considered the most chaotic and action-packed film in the series, featuring a high number of stunts and acrobatics. Resident Evil: Extinction (2007), directed by Russell Mulcahy, shifted the setting to the Nevada desert, creating a post-apocalyptic atmosphere similar to Mad Max: Fury Road. The new Resident Evil (2026) film is being hailed as a fresh start, discarding earlier cinematic versions of the story. It delivers a terrifying and visually striking experience, treating the original game as a horror classic. The film is praised for its intense, graphic scenes and moments of humor, offering a new take on the franchise that fans of the games may find more authentic and immersive.