While many Resident Evil games can be enjoyed on their own, the franchise is built upon a rich continuity that extends far beyond the PlayStation original. For decades, this saga has sprawled across video games, literature, and film, crafting a complex world. Unlike the live-action movies, which present loose adaptations, the animated CG films of Resident Evil are considered firm canon within the game’s storyline, frequently starring fan-favorite agent Leon S. Kennedy. Their quality may be debated, but these animated features offer crucial perspectives and connective tissue, fleshing out events and character arcs in ways the main games alone do not. Updated for 2026, this list presents every official animated Resident Evil movie in their precise chronological order within the series lore, including a special look at notable fan creations.
Biohazard 4D1Executer (2000)
Before the era of feature-length films, the first foray into animated Resident Evil content was the 19-minute short Biohazard 4D-Executer. Set after the destruction of Raccoon City, it follows an Umbrella-funded search and rescue team entering the ruins to retrieve scientist Dr. Cameron. Their mission leads to a warehouse where they confront a unique T-Virus creature with the parasitic ability to attach its parts to other organisms, reminiscent of John Carpenter’s The Thing. Notable for its time, the short features impressive early CGI, a chilling atmosphere that harkens back to the series’ survival horror roots, and even a striking first-person perspective shot from a cockroach. Introducing characters outside the main game canon, it serves as a fascinating, if obscure, piece of franchise history.
Key Details for Biohazard 4D-Executer
Main Characters
Claus, Roger, Ed, Robert, Norman, Dr. Cameron
Voice Actors
Masaki Aizawa, Hiroto Torihata, Hideto Erihara, Tadasuke Ohmizu, Yoshiyuki Kaneko, Yurika Hino
Where To Watch
Free on YouTube
Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)
The first full-length CG film, Resident Evil: Degeneration, is set in 2005, one year after the events of Resident Evil 4. The story reunites Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield for the first time since Raccoon City, as they confront a new T-Virus outbreak at a major airport. The film is significant for introducing the pharmaceutical company Tricell into the narrative ahead of Resident Evil 5, providing early context for the global bioterrorism landscape. While praised for its character reunion and direct ties to game lore, the animation has not aged well, often appearing stiff. The plot leans heavily into action, somewhat diminishing the horror tension, but it remains a foundational piece for understanding the franchise’s expanded timeline.
Key Details for Resident Evil: Degeneration
Main Characters
Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Angela Miller, Curtis Miller
Voice Actors
Paul Mercier (Leon), Alyson Court (Claire), Laura Bailey (Angela), Roger Craig Smith (Curtis)
Where To Watch And Rent
Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Vudu
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021)
Released as a Netflix miniseries, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness is set in 2006, between the events of Resident Evil 4 and 5. It follows Leon, now a federal agent, and Claire as they independently investigate sinister events linked to a cyberattack on the White House and a mysterious incident in Penamstan. The series generated hype for featuring the remake voice actors (Nick Apostolides and Stephanie Panisello) but ultimately disappointed many fans. Its plot feels like a retread of Degeneration, and it notoriously damages the classic Leon-Claire dynamic by having them part on bitter terms. Claire is sidelined for much of the narrative, making this a low point for character-driven storytelling in the animated canon.
Key Details for Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness
Main Characters
Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Jason, Shen May
Voice Actors
Nick Apostolides (Leon), Stephanie Panisello (Claire), Ray Chase (Jason), Jona Xiao (Shen May)
Where To Watch And Rent
Netflix (Free with membership), Google Play, Apple TV+, and Vudu
Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
Set in 2011, between Resident Evil 5 and 6, Damnation follows Leon on a covert mission in the Eastern Slavic Republic. There, he discovers a government using Las Plagas-controlled B.O.W.s as weapons of war. The film serves as a direct prelude to Leon’s campaign in Resident Evil 6. A marked improvement over Degeneration, it benefits from better animation technology, resulting in more fluid action and expressive characters. Trading Claire for Ada Wong, the film features a stronger supporting cast and effectively uses its unique setting and enemy types. It stands as one of the more entertaining and well-executed entries in the animated series.
Key Details for Resident Evil: Damnation
Main Characters
Leon S. Kennedy, Alexander ‘Buddy’ Kozachenko, Ada Wong, Svetlana Belikova
Voice Actors
Matthew Mercer (Leon), Dave Wittenberg (Buddy), Courtenay Taylor (Ada), Wendee Lee (Svetlana)
Where To Watch And Rent
YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Google Play, and Vudu
Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017)
Taking place in 2014, between Resident Evil 6 and 7, Vendetta teams Leon S. Kennedy with Chris Redfield and Rebecca Chambers to stop the sale of a new virus by bioterrorist Glenn Arias. While sometimes called a prequel to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, its connections are minimal. The film’s strength lies in the compelling dynamic between Leon and Chris and the long-awaited return of Rebecca Chambers. It fully embraces high-octane action, featuring some of the best animation and set pieces in the film series, including a famously over-the-top motorcycle and minigun sequence.
Key Details for Resident Evil: Vendetta
Main Characters
Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Rebecca Chambers, Glenn Arias
Voice Actors
Matthew Mercer (Leon), Kevin Dorman (Chris), Erin Cahill (Rebecca), John DeMita (Arias)
Where To Watch And Rent
YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Google Play, and Vudu
Resident Evil: Death Island (2023)
The latest official entry as of 2026, Death Island is set in 2015, one year after Vendetta. It achieves a franchise first by uniting Leon, Chris, Jill Valentine, Claire, and Rebecca to investigate a mysterious outbreak on Alcatraz Island. The film is packed with nostalgic callbacks to previous games, including Jill grappling with her past under Wesker’s control. While the villain’s motivations are convoluted and some dialogue is awkward, the film excels in its action choreography, character interactions, and high-quality animation. The final boss battle against a grotesquely mutated Dylan Blake is a highlight, making Death Island a significant step up from Infinite Darkness and a crowd-pleasing chapter for longtime fans.
Key Details for Resident Evil: Death Island
Main Characters
Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield, Rebecca Chambers
Voice Actors
Nicole Tompkins (Jill), Matthew Mercer (Leon), Kevin Dorman (Chris), Stephanie Panisello (Claire), Erin Cahill (Rebecca)
Where To Watch And Rent
Netflix (Free with membership), Google Play, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Vudu
Special Mention: Fan-Made CGI Film Series
With no new official CG film announced since Death Island in 2023, fan projects have filled the gap. The YouTube channel RE:Animation, by Ratlabs, produces the RE:FRACTIONS film series. These shorts explore undocumented gaps in the series lore using original game models and new voice acting. Notable entries include: Submission, depicting how Albert Wesker brainwashed Jill Valentine prior to Resident Evil 5; Winter Roses, exploring Rose Winters’ challenging school life; and Choices We Make, which imagines the past relationship between Leon S. Kennedy and Jack Krauser. While naturally limited by budget, these projects showcase impressive passion and craftsmanship, offering fresh perspectives for dedicated fans.
The Compilation Film: Biohazard 4: Incubate (2006)
It is worth noting Biohazard 4: Incubate, a 2006 compilation film that edits the cutscenes and key gameplay segments of the original Resident Evil 4 into a coherent 90-minute narrative. While not an original story, it represents an early official “video game movie” and serves as an excellent refresher on the events of Leon’s mission in rural Spain, especially useful before experiencing the 2023 remake.
The animated Resident Evil films form an essential, if uneven, connective thread within the broader series canon. From the experimental Biohazard 4D to the all-star Death Island, they chart the global consequences of bioterrorism between major game events, develop secondary characters, and provide context for the world’s escalating threats. For fans invested in the intricate lore of Umbrella, Tricell, and the BSAA, these films are mandatory viewing, offering insights and backstory that enrich the entire Resident Evil experience. Their chronological journey underscores the franchise’s enduring commitment to a sprawling, interconnected narrative across multiple mediums.
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