Since 1996, the Resident Evil franchise has released more than 30 games, 7 live-action movies, and 4 CGI films. Indeed, it’s a lot to take in at first.
It’s okay. We've all been there. You want to get into Resident Evil, but then you find out there are multiple versions of the story. Suddenly, you’re asking, “Where do I even begin?” Let's find out.
In this article
Part 1: Resident Evil Games Series Timeline
Here’s the simple answer: there are three main timelines. The original video games, the Anderson movie series (2002 - 2016), and the CGI animated films based on the games. Each tells its own version of a global virus outbreak. This guide breaks it down for you.
So, let’s walk through all three timelines, starting from the “Resident Evil Games Timeline”.
Resident Evil Zero (1998)
Resident Evil Zero started the whole story. It follows Rebecca Chambers, a rookie S.T.A.R.S. medic, and Billy Coen, an escaped convict. They investigate a derailed Umbrella train in the Arklay Mountains. As you'd expect, it's packed with mutated horrors.
What makes this game so important is how it shows the roots of Umbrella's twisted experiments. We get our first real look at Albert Wesker and William Birkin, key players in what's to come. The game leads directly into Resident Evil 1.
Resident Evil (1998)
This is the one that started it all. After a string of disappearances, S.T.A.R.S. members Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine explore the creepy Spencer Mansion. Naturally, they find zombies and more. Way more.
It's a self-contained story, but it also sets up the franchise's core themes. We learn just how dangerous Umbrella is - and that the worst is still to come.
Resident Evil Code: Veronica (1998)
In Veronica, Claire Redfield returns, still searching for her brother. She ends up imprisoned on Rockfort Island, another Umbrella outpost gone wrong. Meanwhile, Chris shows up to save her, just as things fall apart.
The real star is Albert Wesker. He's now superhuman and scarier than ever. His return shifts the story big time; and sets up his role as a major villain.
Resident Evil 4 (2004)
Leon is back, this time sent to rural Spain to rescue the President's daughter. But this isn't a typical virus outbreak. The locals are infected with something new: Las Plagas, a parasite that controls its host.
It's a shift in direction, but the Umbrella link remains. Ada Wong and Wesker are both involved, chasing the parasite for their own twisted goals.
Resident Evil: Revelations (2005)
Set between Resident Evil 4 and 5, Revelations follows Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield. They're now agents of a new group called the BSAA. They investigate a ghost ship linked to a bioterrorist group called Veltro.
The game shows how global bioterrorism is rising. It also introduces the BSAA as the world's new defense against viral outbreaks. Jill and Chris are still on the frontlines.
Resident Evil 5 (2009)
Chris Redfield travels to Africa, where he uncovers a plot to spread a new virus called Uroboros. His partner, Sheva Alomar, helps him fight off infected enemies and confront Albert Wesker.
This game wraps up Wesker's story. We learn he's a bio-engineered superhuman. Chris finally defeats him, but the virus threat grows larger than ever—and far more global.
Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2011)
Claire Redfield is back, working for TerraSave, an organization helping bio-terror victims. She and Moira Burton, Barry's daughter, are kidnapped and thrown onto an island ruled by a new villain, Alex Wesker.
The game reintroduces Barry, who later arrives to save them. It explores fear-based viruses and gives us a darker, more personal survival horror story. Claire's journey continues here.
Resident Evil 6 (2012)
Resident Evil 6 is big and messy. It follows four storylines across the globe. Leon, Chris, Sherry, Ada, and Wesker's son Jake all fight to stop the spread of the deadly C-Virus.
Despite the chaos, this game connects everything; new viruses, old characters, and global politics. It ends with most of the heroes still standing, but the bioterror threat is far from over.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
Resident Evil 7 introduces a new character, Ethan Winters. He searches for his missing wife in a creepy Louisiana mansion owned by the infected Baker family. The virus here is called the E-Type.
It's a smaller, scarier story but still ties to the larger series. Chris Redfield shows up at the end, now working for Blue Umbrella.
Resident Evil Village (2021)
Village picks up shortly after RE7. Ethan tries to save his daughter Rose in a snowy European village. The village is filled with werewolf-like monsters and mutant lords. He's once again thrown into bioterror chaos.
The game connects back to Umbrella's origins and gives Chris Redfield a major role. It hints at a new future for the franchise, with Rose possibly continuing the fight.
Resident Evil 9 (TBD)
Capcom hasn't revealed much about Resident Evil 9 yet, but it's expected to continue the Winters family storyline - or shift focus to the fallout after Village. Many fans believe it will explore Chris Redfield's next steps or introduce a brand-new hero.
The world is still facing threats from the Mold and bioterror remnants. Whatever happens, Resident Evil 9 could close out the modern trilogy and set the future course for the series.
Part 2: Resident Evil Movie Timeline - Anderson Live-Action Series
The Anderson Live-Action Series is a separate movie timeline that doesn’t follow the games exactly. It stars a new character named Alice, who isn’t in the games, but still fights zombies and the evil Umbrella Corporation. The story is different, more action-focused, and built like a sci-fi movie series.
Resident Evil (2002)
The very first Resident Evil movie wasn't exactly like the games, but it had its own vibe. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, the film introduced a new character into the world of Umbrella and zombies. It was stylish, fast, and focused more on sci-fi action than survival horror.
Still, it worked. Fans got creepy labs, the Red Queen, and that famous laser hallway. It started a movie universe that nobody saw coming.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Apocalypse picked up right where the first film left off. It turned the action up to eleven. This time, Alice isn't just surviving, she's fighting back. We also got fan favorites from the games like Jill Valentine and Nemesis. They're brought to life with some very early 2000s flair.
It's loud, and explosive. And if you wanted to see zombies causing chaos in Raccoon City, this movie gave you exactly that.
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
In Extinction, the T-virus has wiped out most of the world. Alice is back, ber than ever, while Umbrella tries cloning her to copy her powers. The real Alice joins a group of survivors heading for Alaska, hoping it's a safe zone far from the infected.
This entry also introduces fan-favorite characters Claire Redfield (Ali Larter) and Albert Wesker (Jason O'Mara).
Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
Afterlife is the first film since the original with Paul W.S. Anderson back as director. It takes place a year after Extinction. Alice teams up with her clones to launch a full-on attack on Umbrella HQ and Albert Wesker. But things go wrong. Wesker takes away her powers, leaving Alice to face the apocalypse without her usual strength.
The movie keeps pulling from the games. The film also introduces Chris Redfield (Wentworth Miller), another fan-favorite character from the games.
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
Resident Evil: Retribution picks up right after Afterlife. Alice is captured by Umbrella and taken to an underwater facility. She must fight her way through deadly simulations to escape.
The film introduces game characters like Leon S. Kennedy (Johann Urb), Ada Wong (Bingbing Li), and Barry Burton (Kevin Durand). Alice teams up with Wesker to stop the Red Queen. She now controls Umbrella and wants to wipe out all life on Earth.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
The final movie in the Anderson series goes back to where it started -The Hive in Raccoon City. Alice learns the full truth behind the T-virus and her past, while preparing for one last battle against Umbrella.
It wraps up the story with high-speed action, twists, and some closure for fans. Not everyone loved it, but it gives the franchise a fast, fiery farewell.
Game-CGI Movie Universe
The Game-CGI Movies are animated movies based on the same world as the games. They feature familiar game characters like Leon, Claire, and Chris. These movies show what happens between the games. If you're following the main game story, they will help fill gaps.
Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)
Set a year after Resident Evil 4, this film reunites Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield. A zombie outbreak at an airport sets off a deadly chain of events. It leads them to uncover a conspiracy involving the T-Virus and a corrupt pharmaceutical company.
It's the first full-length CG movie in the series. The animation feels dated, but seeing Claire and Leon back together makes it a treat for longtime fans.
Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
Leon heads to a war-torn Eastern European country where B.O.W.s are being used in a civil war. Ada Wong returns, and there's plenty of political intrigue mixed with intense Licker action.
The animation and action are better than Degeneration. And it gives context to Leon's role before Resident Evil 6. It's often praised as one of the ber entries.
Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017)
Set between Resident Evil 6 and 7, Vendetta brings Leon, Chris Redfield, and Rebecca Chambers together. They battle a new villain, Glenn Arias. His mission? He wants revenge using a deadly virus.
The movie focuses heavily on action, with stylish gunfights and brutal zombie battles. Leon and Chris share some great moments, and Rebecca finally gets her spotlight again.
Resident Evil: Death Island (2023)
Set after Vendetta, this film brings together Leon, Chris, Jill Valentine, Claire, and Rebecca. They investigate a zombie outbreak on Alcatraz Island caused by a new virus.
The movie has action, emotional callbacks, and slick animation. Fans loved finally seeing Jill return. And all five heroes fight side-by-side. It's considered the best CG entry yet.
Part 3: How to Make the Resident Evil Timeline using EdrawMind?
The Resident Evil series has many games, movies, and stories. Making a timeline is a great way to see the events in order and understand how the story fits together.
If you're just starting out, EdrawMind is a great choice. Let's go through the steps to make your own Resident Evil timeline:
Step 1: Start a New Project
- Open EdrawMind and sign in with a social media account.
- You can also sign up for a free Wondershare account.
- Or you can just use EdrawMind online in your browser.
- On the homepage, click Create and select Local MindMap to start a new file.
Try the app & get 500 free AI tokens
Step 2: Choose Timeline Style
- Click the Main Idea in the center of the screen.
- In the floating menu, click Layout.
- From the list, select Timeline (down) to make your layout look like a timeline.
Step 3: Add Timeline Events
- Click the Main Idea again and go to More in the menu. Choose Topic to create your first event.
- Click a Main Topic, then select Subtopic to add more events like game releases or movie dates.
Step 4: Edit & Customize
- Click any part of the timeline to select it. Use the floating menu or right-side toolbar to make it look the way you want.
- Double-click on a topic to write your own text - like "Resident Evil 1996."
- You can change font size, colors, and text style from the menu.
Step 5: Add Pictures to Events
- Download any Resident Evil image and open it in EdrawMind.
- Use the menu or toolbar to change how it looks.
- Then, drag and drop the picture onto your event to add it.
Pro-tip: Reshape Images
- Open the image in EdrawMax.
- Click on the image, then press Crop to Shape.
- Move the crop box to keep only the part you want.
- Copy it and paste it into your EdrawMind timeline.
Step 6: Save or Export Your Work
- Once you're done, click the File button in the top-left.
- Choose Save to keep your work in EdrawMind's format.
- Or click Export to download it in another file type like PNG, JPG, PDF or PNG, etc.
Final Thoughts: Which Resident Evil Timeline Should You Follow?
Resident Evil gives fans so many ways to enjoy its world. You can play through intense survival horror, watch explosive movie battles, or enjoy animated adventures that add more depth to the story. Each timeline brings something cool and different to the table.
But with so much going on, it's easy to lose track. That's where EdrawMind comes in. It helps you organize everything into one clean, easy-to-follow timeline in minutes. Give it a try and organize your world!
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