History of Resident Evil (film series) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 4, 2025

The "Resident Evil" film series, adapted from Capcom's popular Japanese video game franchise, delves into a world ravaged by a deadly virus that transforms humans into flesh-eating zombies and mutates other creatures into horrifying monsters. The movies follow Alice, a highly skilled protagonist, as she confronts the sinister Umbrella Corporation, the entity responsible for the viral outbreak, while battling hordes of the undead and monstrous creatures.

January 1997: Film Rights Acquired

Constantin Film acquired the rights for a Resident Evil film adaptation in January 1997, with Alan B. McElroy potentially writing the script.

2000: Director Changes

Initially, George A. Romero was set to direct and write the first Resident Evil film for Sony Pictures and Capcom. However, his script was rejected, and he was eventually let go. Later that year, Paul W. S. Anderson was announced as the new director and writer.

May 2001: Distribution Rights and Budget Secured

In May 2001, Columbia TriStar entered negotiations to acquire the distribution rights for the film in North America. The film's budget was set at $40 million.

2002: Resident Evil (2002) Release

The first Resident Evil film, written and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, was released in 2002.

2003: Production Begins on Sequel

Production for the sequel, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, started in 2003.

September 10, 2004: Resident Evil: Apocalypse Release

The sequel to the first film, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, premiered on September 10, 2004.

2004: Resident Evil: Apocalypse Release

Resident Evil: Apocalypse, the second film in the franchise, was released in 2004. Anderson wrote the film, while Alexander Witt directed it.

November 2005: Screen Gems Acquires Rights for Third Film

Screen Gems obtained the rights for the third installment, initially titled Resident Evil: Extinction, in November 2005.

July 2007: Resident Evil: Extinction Novel Released

The novelization of Resident Evil: Extinction was published in July 2007, two months before the film's release.

September 21, 2007: Resident Evil: Extinction Release

The third film in the franchise, Resident Evil: Extinction, premiered on September 21, 2007.

2007: Resident Evil: Extinction Release

Resident Evil: Extinction, the third film in the franchise, was released in 2007. Anderson returned as writer, and Russell Mulcahy directed the film.

2009: Preparation for Fourth Film and 3D Filming

While the third film was in production, Constantin Film began preparing for the fourth installment. This film was set to be shot in Japan using the Fusion Camera System, a new 3D technology developed by James Cameron and Vince Pace.

September 10, 2010: Resident Evil: Afterlife Release

The fourth Resident Evil film, Resident Evil: Afterlife, was released on September 10, 2010.

2010: Resident Evil: Afterlife Release

The fourth film, Resident Evil: Afterlife, premiered in 2010. Both written and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, it was filmed using the Fusion Camera System, a new 3D technology.

December 23, 2011: Filming Wraps on Resident Evil: Retribution

Filming for Resident Evil: Retribution concluded in Toronto, Ontario on December 23, 2011.

September 14, 2012: Resident Evil: Retribution Released Internationally

The fifth installment in the franchise, Resident Evil: Retribution, premiered internationally on September 14, 2012.

2012: Resident Evil: Retribution Release

Resident Evil: Retribution, the fifth installment in the franchise, was released in 2012. Paul W. S. Anderson both wrote and directed the film.

August 2014: Filming Delayed

Filming for the sixth film was initially scheduled to begin in August 2014 but was postponed to the summer of 2015 due to Milla Jovovich's pregnancy.

September 18, 2015: Filming Begins in South Africa

Principal photography for Resident Evil: The Final Chapter began on September 18, 2015, in South Africa.

December 23, 2016: Tokyo Release

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter premiered in Tokyo on December 23, 2016.

2016: Crossover Film Considered

Producer David Kern revealed that a crossover film with the Underworld series was considered in 2016.

2016: Resident Evil: The Final Chapter Release

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, the sixth and final film in the initial series, was released in 2016. Paul W. S. Anderson returned as writer and director.

January 27, 2017: North America Release

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter was released in North America on January 27, 2017.

May 2017: Reboot Announced

Constantin chairman Martin Moszkowicz confirmed the development of a Resident Evil reboot in May 2017.

December 2018: Director and Writer Announced

Johannes Roberts was hired as the writer and director for the Resident Evil reboot in December 2018.

January 2019: Netflix Series in Development

Netflix began developing a Resident Evil series in January 2019, initially planned to be set within the film universe.

October 2020: Main Cast Revealed

The primary cast for the reboot was announced in October 2020.

October 17, 2020: Filming Begins

Filming for the Resident Evil reboot commenced in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on October 17, 2020.

2020: Series Order and Showrunner

Netflix ordered the Resident Evil series in 2020 and hired Andrew Dabb as the showrunner. Dabb clarified that the series would not be set in the film universe.