Key Events and How to Map It: Resident Evil Movie Timeline
The Resident Evil franchise has earned its reputation as one of the most recognizable in gaming and film. It became a blockbuster movie series of action, biohazards, and terrifying creatures. If you’ve tried to figure out the Resident Evil movie timeline, you may have noticed that it doesn’t necessarily follow the game's story. Here’s everything you need to know about the Resident Evil movie. We start with an overview of the franchise, showing you a chronological list of the Resident Evil movies. Then, we’ll show you how to create a structured timeline with a tool so you can see the key moments all at once. We'll conclude by examining how the Resident Evil films and video games tell the story differently. In this tutorial, We will explain the complicated yet fascinating universe of the Resident Evil movie timeline.

- Part 1. Introduction of Resident Evil
- Part 2. Timeline of Resident Evil Movie
- Part 3. How to Make a Timeline of Resident Evil Movie Using MindOnMap
- Part 4. What's the Difference Between Resident Evil Movies and Games
- Part 5. FAQs about Resident Evil Movie Timeline
Part 1. Introduction of Resident Evil
Resident Evil is more than just a game or a movie. It is a worldwide phenomenon that has influenced the survival horror genre. Resident Evil has a unique ability to pull you in through its mixture of frantic action, creepy atmosphere, and terrifying creatures.
The Game That Started It All
Resident Evil dates back to the first game that Capcom published for the PlayStation back in 1996, which gave players a slow-burning, puzzle-centered horror experience. Set in the notorious Spencer Mansion, the game had special agents Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine uncover the nefarious machinations of the Umbrella Corporation, a pharmaceutical company known for experimenting with lethal viruses. With limited ammo, spooky corridors, and frightening undead, Resident Evil defined the genre for survival horror games. The series saw many sequels, spin-offs, and even remakes over the years, and all of them took horror gaming to the next level. From the bombastic thrills of Resident Evil 4 to the harrowing first-person perspective of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard to the glorious reimagining of Resident Evil 2 Remake, the series has evolved but never strayed too far from its spooky roots.
Bringing the Horror to the Big Screen
Given the spectacular success of the games, it was simply a question of time before Resident Evil came to Hollywood. The original Resident Evil film, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, was released in 2002. However, instead of directly adapting the video game’s storylines, the movie creates a new protagonist, a woman who wakes up in an underground facility run by the Umbrella Corporation. (Milla Jovovich plays the Alice). The films pursued a-new trajectory by emphasizing frenetic action, gripping fisticuffs, and apocalyptic cinema, as opposed to the retard, suspense-building terror of the games. Across six films, Alice’s War Against Umbrella included explosive confrontations, armies of zombies, and endless plot twists to keep fans on their toes.
Part 2. Timeline of Resident Evil Movie
The Resident Evil film series is an action zombie with many explosions. But you may have been a little lost if you’ve attempted to figure out the timeline of the Resident Evil movie series. Unlike the games, the series doesn't have much consistency. The timelines are changed, creating a different version of the Resident Evil universe.
To help you understand, here’s a breakdown of the movies in chronological order, following the events as they occur in the story (not their release dates).
Resident Evil (2002): Alice wakes up in The Hive, an underground Umbrella facility. A deadly virus outbreak turns scientists into zombies, leading to the fall of Raccoon City.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)- The virus spreads to the city. Alice, now enhanced with superhuman abilities, joins Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira to escape before Umbrella nukes the area.
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)- The world is now post-apocalyptic. Alice, Claire Redfield, and other survivors travel across the wasteland, searching for a haven while fighting new bioengineered threats.
Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)- Alice and Claire head to Los Angeles in search of survivors and face Albert Wesker, one of Umbrella’s top villains. The fight escalates as Alice loses and regains her powers.
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)- Alice is captured by Umbrella and placed in an underwater facility. She battles clones, former allies, and Umbrella’s bio-weapons before learning she is humanity’s last hope.
In Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016), Alice returns to Raccoon City for the decisive battle with Umbrella. She fights to break Umbrella's hold on her permanently, and secrets about the virus and her background are exposed.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)- A reboot of the franchise, following the games’ storyline with Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Chris Redfield, and Jill Valentine, focusing on the fall of Raccoon City.
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This Resident Evil movie series timeline is filled with action, biohazards, and twists, making it a thrilling ride for franchise fans!
Part 3. How to Make a Timeline of Resident Evil Movie Using MindOnMap
The Resident Evil movie timeline is one of the best things to follow when you watch Resident Evil movies. Organizing the story arc into a timeline can clarify the movie’s plot. Fortunately, MindOnMap can be an ideal tool to climb and reach there! MindOnMap is a free and powerful online tool that is easy to operate to generate mind maps and timelines. It’s great for organizing information visually and gives even the most daunting subjects, such as the timeline Resident Evil movies, a streamlined way of saving pieces that you can eat individually. You can plot out what happens where across films in the franchise and how the story develops across all the movies.
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Key Features of MindOnMap
● It has an intuitive interface that makes creating timelines a breeze, even if you're not tech-savvy.
● The timeline format can also appeal to the eyes and is easy to skim over.
● You can share your timeline with friends or collaborators, so working on a project together can be simple.
● Your timeline can embed images, links, and even videos to take you on a journey through the Resident Evil series like never before.
● Drag and drop functionality lets you quickly reposition elements, tailoring your design to fit your needs.
Steps to Create Your Resident Evil Movie Timeline Using MindOnMap
Sign up for a free account on MindOnMap and log in. You can begin a new project on the dashboard, which will be displayed automatically.
After selecting the New option, choose the fishbone template.

Begin by adding your timeline's title after the major milestones in the Resident Evil movie series. Then, start adding a topic and subtopic. You can include key details like movie release dates and the most significant plot points.

Explain the events in time order, from past to present. Use color codes, icons, and images to make important things stand out.

Part 4. What's the Difference Between Resident Evil Movies and Games
While the Resident Evil games and movies share a name, they tell their stories differently.
● Story & Characters: The games follow typical survival horror plots involving Chris, Jill, Leon, and Claire, while the movies center on Alice, who does not appear in the games, and follow a much action-driven narrative.
● Tone & Atmosphere: The games focus on horror, suspense, and resource management, while the movies prefer fast-paced action and grand-scale battles.
● Villains & Monsters: The timed games maintain bioweapons like Tyrants and Nemesis as terrifying and mysterious threats while exaggerating or changing them for adaptation in the movies.
● Gameplay vs. Cinematic Action: The games put you in a more direct experience of fear and survival, while the movies offer a more passive, boisterous, Hollywood-style adventure.
Resident Evil movies and games provide two different experiences for horror heads and action buffs! If you want to learn them more clearly, you can try to use MindOnMap to create a mind map , making these items more visual.
Part 5. FAQs about Resident Evil Movie Timeline
Is the Resident Evil movie timeline connected to the games?
Not exactly. While the games inspire the movies and feature some of the same characters, they follow a separate storyline. The movie timeline introduces Alice, a completely original character, while the games focus more on classic protagonists like Leon Kennedy, Jill Valentine, and Chris Redfield.
Which Resident Evil movie is closest to the games?
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) is the closest adaptation. It directly follows the events of Resident Evil 1 and Resident Evil 2, incorporating characters and locations straight from the games.
What is the best way to experience the full Resident Evil story?
If you want the most complete Resident Evil timeline, it’s best to play the games first and then watch the movies as a separate adaptation. The games provide the true survival horror experience, while the film offers an alternate action-packed take on the franchise.
Conclusion
One of the most recognizable action-leaning survival-horror series turned into narrative-driven IP. While the Resident Evil movie series timeline is separate from the games, it still presents a different experience for fans. A legendary adventure you can't forget, the struggle against the Umbrella Corporation is an adventure everyone needs to experience if you get your kicks from zombie films or video games!