It sure is a great time to be a Resident Evil fan; new amazing games are still being released and we’ve even gotten a new live-action reboot. Now, if you’ve played and watched everything Resident Evil and it’s still isn’t enough? Fortunately, there are movies that closely resemble the iconic franchise, and some of the beloved games are even based on them. And we’re here to tell you about these movies that you absolutely must see right now!
Honorable Mentions:
Wyrmwood & Wyrmwood: Apocalypse
This duology of films takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where flesh-eating zombies have taken over the world and the remaining survivors have turned to one another. These movies provide an action-packed experience that needs to be watched back to back. It is a bloody good time, except there’s going to be way more blood than you except.
25. Dead Rising: Watchtower (2015)
Starting off the list is this forgotten big-screen adaptation of another Capcom IP, Dead Rising. Following the story of Chase Carter, a reporter who finds himself in the thick of a zombie outbreak and must now uncover the secrets of how and why it happened.
This movie may not be as big of a blockbuster as the Resident Evil films, but it is still nonetheless enjoyable on its own. The movie is chock-full of references that will make fans glee and it has a thrilling third act that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
24. Army of the Dead (2021)
A group of mercenaries led by Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) attempts to infiltrate Las Vegas, now home to the undead, to pull off a casino heist before the city gets destroyed by a nuclear bomb. But of course, their plan falls apart when they realize that the zombies have now evolved and adapted.
While Zack Synder’s new zombie flick may not be as great as his Dawn of the Dead adaptation from 2004, it totally makes up for being highly entertaining. Featuring a large ensemble pitted against some of the most unique and absurd zombies to date. This is a movie you do not wanna miss.
23. The Horde (2009)
While on the hunt for a criminal gang, a team of police officers discovers an apartment block that’s overrun by zombies. Now, the two groups must try and work together to survive the undead.
Watching this movie feels like a pure adrenaline rush, thanks to its many memorable intense scenes. If you don’t mind viewing a movie with subtitles then make sure you’ve got this on your list right now.
22. House of the Dead (2003)
In this infamous adaption of a classic zombie game, a group of college friends makes their way to a rave in the middle of an island, only to be greeted by the living dead.
This movie may be regarded as one of, if not the worst video game movie adaptation of all time, but don’t be fooled as this notorious Uwe Boll flick is actually pretty fun, and I was even surprised to find myself smiling by the end. . It’s a movie that’s not afraid to go insane and doesn’t stop showcasing awesome set pieces, one after another. Its 10-minute action sequence that’s full of slow-motion zombie ass-kicking, makes the movie worth watching alone.
21. Doom (2005)
Another video game movie adaptation, 2005’s Doom follows a group of marines who are sent to Mars on a rescue mission after receiving a report of an experiment gone wrong.
This movie is more similar to Paul W.S. Anderson’s first RE movie than the RE games or even Doom itself, but given how that RE movie wasn’t that good to begin with, you’ll be better off watching this one. It has a likable cast of characters to root for, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s character Sarge, as well as a slew of badass zombie-killing scenes.
20. The Crazies (2010)
The Crazies is a remake of the 1973 film of the same name about a group of survivors trying to stay alive after a virus spreads through the small town, turning everyone into a murdering maniac.
While it may be a remake that disregarded every great thing about its original, it is surprisingly good as a stand-alone movie. If you prefer the conscious yet crazed infected of Resident Evil 4 and 5 to the shambling zombies of the previous games, well, the Crazies might just be for you.
19. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
A group of friends ventures out to visit their grandfather’s grave, after hearing that vandals had been desecrating a graveyard in a rural part of Texas, only to be terrorized by a cannibalistic family.
It may be more of a slasher than a zombie film but it made the list solely because it served as the main inspiration for Resident Evil 7. A house in the middle of nowhere? Check. Insane family? Check. And a disturbing dinner scene? Check. If you love the insanity of Resident Evil 7, then this movie should be on top of your watch list.
18. I am a Hero (2015)
A struggling manga artist finds himself in a very unlucky situation after his work is rejected and the world falls apart shortly after, once a virus spreads throughout Japan, turning everyone into a flesh-eating monster with superhuman strength.
If you’re looking for some over-the-top zombie mayhem, well this movie has it. Though I’ve never read the manga on which it's based, it is surprisingly well done as a standalone film. I loved all of the characters and I wanted their journey to get a happy finish, and the powerful zombies felt like a great addition to the already great film.
17. World War Z (2013)
Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt), a former united nations investigator, travels across the world in a search of a cure for a deadly virus that’s turning everyone into a zombie.
While I don’t usually like action films, World War Z surprisingly managed to keep me entertained throughout its runtime. Its balls to the walls action were thrilling and never gets old as the movie fairly switches its locations before it could even drag, making the movie feel like a grand survival adventure.
16. Dead Snow (2009)
A group of medical students on a ski trip to Norway find themselves being attacked and eaten alive by zombie nazi soldiers who died on the very same land where they are staying.
If you love ludicrous films with some ludicrous gore, well, this Norwegian comedy zombie film should be on your watch list right now. It’s a movie full of wits, guts, and lots and lots of nazi zombies.
15. Zombie (1979)
Also known as Zombi 2, this zombie flick from the mind of Lucio Fulci, follows Anne Bowles (Tisa Farrow) and her friends on an island in search of her missing father, only to discover that the dead had taken over the place.
Here is a classic film that every zombie genre fan should see, with tons and tons of gory kills, likable characters, and an iconic scene in which a zombie fights a shark underwater. How could you not watch that!?
14. Black Sheep (2006)
The Resident Evil franchise has featured lots of mutated critters over the years, but never sheep. Well, Black Sheep is essentially what would happen if Umbrella ever experimented on one. It’s a movie about genetically altered sheeps praying on human flesh, that’s all you need to know.
There are simply no words that can describe the sheer absurdity of this hilarious movie. You simply must see it to believe it.
13. Train to Busan (2016)
In this critically acclaimed Korean zombie film, a man and his daughter, along with other train passengers must try to survive massive hordes of zombies while making their way to Busan.
Make sure you’ve got a tissue by your side when watching this one because it will be the most gut-wrenching experience you’ll ever have watching a zombie film. Although it may be a foreign film that will require subtitles to understand, it is essential for the genre fans.
12. Slither (2006)
A small town in South Carolina finds itself being terrorized after a meteorite crashes, unleashing a parasitic creature loose that takes control of everything and everyone.
This movie was one of the first ones to ever introduce me to the horror genre back in the 2000s and it still holds up quite well. It has a great blend of science fiction horror and comedy. If you love the parasitic virus of Resident Evil 4 and Zero’s leech monster, then this is a movie that I highly recommend for you.
11. Overlord (2018)
In Overlord, a group of American soldiers must fight not only Nazi troopers but also genetically experimented humans on the eve of D-Day.
Here’s a movie that completely surprised me in every single aspect. Though it takes a bit of time for the action to start, once it does, it never stops. A movie full of spectacular action set pieces and buckets of gore. It’s a must-watch for everyone.
10. 28 Weeks Later (2007)
Six months after the events of its predecessor, 28 Weeks Later sees the once contaminated city finally “rage-free”, however, shortly after the refugees have returned so does the infection. Turning everything and everyone into a rabid monster.
Here’s a sequel that manages to be as fantastic as the first while being tonally different. Its heart-pumping opening will keep you on the edge of your seat and will never let you go until the end of the film. Here’s hoping that we’ll get a third film in the near future.
9. 28 Days Later (2002)
When a man awakens from a coma, he discovers that a virus known as “Rage” has turned everyone in London, into a rampaging zombie-like creature.
If the shambling zombies scare you, well then let me introduce you to the infected of 28 Days Later. This is the movie that reinvented the zombie genre and introduced us to these agile infected. However, not only is this movie scary but it also elicits a lot of emotion thanks to its fantastic score and very likable characters.
8. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Dawn of the Dead is a remake of the 1978 classic about a group of survivors who’ve taken refuge inside a shopping mall from an aggressive horde of the undead.
Not only is this movie one of the best horror remakes of all time but it is also one of the best survival zombie films. It is such an insane ride watching this film; seeing the large cast of rootable characters dwindle as they’re eaten by \fast-moving zombies feels retching, and to top it all, everything culminates in a thrilling 3rd act, an event which you do not wanna miss.
7. Planet Terror (2007)
A part of the Grindhouse Double Feature, Planet Terror sees a rural town in texas being attacked by mutated creatures after an experimental bio-gas was released. Now it’s up to the remaining survivors to try to survive and save the world from impending doom.
You can’t get any more over the top than this awesome film. It has everything that you never expect a movie will have, I mean, come on, a grenade launcher for a leg! How awesome is that!?
6. Rec 2 (2009)
A sequel to the scariest zombie film ever made, Rec 2 continues the story from another perspective, this time following a group of swat team and a doctor as they attempt to contain the virus inside the quarantined building.
This and its predecessor is one of the most terrifying zombie movies I have ever watched, thanks to its very dark and claustrophobic setting, that’s very reminiscent of Resident Evil Remake. It also features a highly trained group facing unstoppable zombies, which is essentially the first game’s setup. If you love the games and love to be terrified then this movie is for you.
5. Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City (2021)
Once the highly divisive live-action adaptation of Resident Evil by Paul W.S. Anderson had ended, it was now time to reboot the franchise. This time adapting and combining the two best games in the series (Resident Evil 1 & 2 Remake) to provide a more faithful adaptation to the big screen.
While this reboot may have taken a lot of questionable creative liberties, it is still miles superior to the other RE films. Featuring a loveable ensemble as well as creepy-looking zombies that will keep you up at night. Welcome to Raccoon City is without a doubt the best and only competent live-action RE film worth your time.
4. Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
Some of you might not have known that the Resident Evil franchise actually received a couple of canon animated movies, one of which being Damnation. The second animated movie takes place right between RE 5 and 6 and follows Leon Kennedy in Europe as he investigates a rumor that a B.O.W. is being used as a weapon in the country’s war.
It’s not often that we get a canon movie adaptation to our favorite franchises, and for it to be good as well, we can just consider ourselves lucky. While it does have a few slow portions that bog down the experience a bit, Damnation still manages to be one heck of a flick.
3. Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)
Racoon City survivors, Claire Redfield and Leon S. Kennedy reunite once again, after a zombie attack in the Harvardville Airport. Now the two must work together to figure out who unleashed the deadly virus into the public
This is the movie that introduced me to the Resident Evil franchise. A movie full of badass action set pieces and impressive animations for its time. Though it may feature two of the series’ best protagonists, they both felt very underused and Leon almost felt like a background character, despite that it still doesn’t stop it from being a highly enjoyable film.
2. Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017)
Chris Redfield teams up with Leon S. Kennedy and Rebecca Chambers in this third installment of Resident Evil’s animated movie tie-ins to stop a threat that could possibly bring the world to an end.
This action-packed entry begins with a tension-filled opening that pays homage to the game that started it all, and the action never stops after that. While it does have some pretty over-the-top set pieces that rival the absurdity of the live-action films, it is still a pretty solid film overall and is a must-see for Resident Evil fans.
1. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Of course, why wouldn’t we include the movie that inspired the RE franchise itself and an entire genre? Romero’s Night of the Living Dead is the survival story of a group of strangers trapped inside a small farmhouse, barricading themselves against flesh-eating ghouls.
This single movie is one of the reasons why franchises like Resident Evil exist today. It laid the groundwork and ideas that would later be perfected by the games. . This is a classic film that every single zombie fan must watch, and while you’re at it, also watch its fantastic 1990 remake.
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