After Barbarian and Weapons, Zach Cregger probably could have spent the next few years fielding offers from studios with a dusty horror franchise in the closet, just waiting to shake it off and send it back to the new horror movie schedule. But his upcoming Resident Evil movie was not some corporate assignment that landed on his desk. According to Cregger, he went after it himself, which already makes me more interested in what he is building. Now, to make matters more interesting, he is opening up about the hero of his 2026 movie release, and I totally understand why his adaptation cannot just be like the game.

In an interview with Empire, Cregger explained that he approached the rights holders with his own idea for a movie set inside the world of the games. The filmmaker described it as “a Zach Cregger movie that just happens to be a Resident Evil movie,” which, as a huge fan of his work and this video game, is exactly what I want to hear. But it was his description of the movie’s lead character, Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, that made the whole approach click:

That is a funny, and honestly, unique take on the property. The Resident Evil games often begin with characters who are overwhelmed, but they are still generally capable people. Fan favorite Leon is a rookie cop in his first appearance, sure, but he is not helpless. Claire can handle herself. Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield and Ada Wong are all built for danger in different ways, as most of them are Special Forces. They may be low on ammo, but they are not wandering into the apocalypse with zero survival instincts.

Bryan sounds different. He is a medical courier, not a cop, soldier or professional assassin. That matters because a horror movie does not work the same way a game does. In the games, the player needs some level of control and competence. You need to learn the map, manage the inventory, solve puzzles and improve your odds. A movie can trap us with someone who has no idea what he is doing, making every choice feel like a catastrophe waiting to hatch.

That may be why Cregger’s version, which has been compared to Mad Max: Fury Road, cannot be exactly like the game. If he were adapting one of the mainline stories beat for beat, which we’ve already seen done several times at this point, fans would be waiting for recognizable rooms, familiar monsters and big franchise landmarks. By following a new character through that world, he can chase the feeling of Resident Evil without turning the movie into a museum tour.

Based on what he told the outlet, that feeling is very much the point. Cregger said the film is less a straightforward video game movie adaptation and instead borrows the games’ rhythm more than their specific playable heroes. He continued:

That sounds like the smartest possible way to translate Resident Evil into a new movie. The games are built on escalation, and if Cregger can capture that run-from-one-disaster-to-the-next momentum, the movie could feel faithful even without centering on video game protagonists.

I also like that he is apparently moving away from the twist-heavy structure of Barbarian and Weapons. Those movies made their names by pulling the floor out from under the audience. Resident Evil, at least from this description, sounds more like a sprint through a burning maze. Things start going wrong almost immediately, and Bryan just has to keep stumbling forward.

Will that annoy some game purists? Probably. But the filmmaker sounds like he is making a movie as a fan, not as someone checking boxes from a Wiki page. If the goal is to put a totally unprepared everyman through the kind of escalating nightmare that makes the games so addictive, then I finally understand why this Resident Evil cannot just play the hits.

Resident Evil comes to theaters Sept. 18.

The first trailer for Zach Cregger's Resident Evil is here, and it feels a lot more like my favorite games than the previous attempts to adapt this franchise. The acclaimed Weapons and Barbarian director is back with his take on the iconic zombie games, and I love that the first look puts the "survival horror" element front and center.

The trailer centers heavily on Austin Abrams' Bryan, as he seems to be the only human we see in this footage. What's better is he seems to be a civilian, and not prepared to handle a zombie invasion like other Resident Evil heroes, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, or Leon Kennedy. To me, that's perfect, because it gets to the heart of what makes the games so terrifying to play.

One big element of Resident Evil games is that "survival horror" means that this isn't a situation where the hero is just running and gunning their way through every area. Ammo is scarce, and there's going to be a fair few situations where you may be forced to run away with no better options. I have a feeling Bryan will be doing that a lot, especially with a double-barreled shotgun that, even if he has a lot of ammo, will be cumbersome to reload in tense situations.

It feels like Bryan is going to be the same type of protagonist as Grace, who is featured in the latest game, Resident Evil Requiem. She's become a meme of sorts because players loved how genuinely terrified she is witnessing the horrific mutations that came from the Umbrella corporation. It's a nice change of pace from Leon Kennedy, who's seen it all as an experienced agent and is largely unfazed by face-splitting abominations.

Totally valid, but as someone who has to take breaks playing Resident Evil games because they give me so much anxiety, I appreciate this representation. I ultimately love the best horror movies out there, but I can also make myself miserable trying to watch them.

While we don't know a ton about the plot, Zach Cregger told Bloody Disgusting that he wasn't looking to tell the story of any character who is already in the games, but that it does take place in the universe. Having a hero who seems equally as horrified as I am is going to make this movie easier to get through, even if I have to shut my eyes for a scene or two.

All this to say, consider me hyped for the release of Resident Evil, which will be in theaters on September 18th. It's one of my more anticipated releases on the 2026 movie schedule, so I hope it's as good as this first trailer.

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is one of the 2026 movies I’m most excited to see, and it’s something I’ve been following way too much in recent months. Ever since I saw what Cregger pulled off with Weapons, I’ve been even more intrigued to see how he handles one of the most iconic horror video game franchises. With the new video game movie a few months away at this point, reports are starting to come in about early reactions, and the latest has me both excited and worried.

In April 2026, World of Reel published a report where someone who attended a test screening said it was the horror version of Mad Max: Fury Road, one of the best action movies of all time. George Miller’s 2015 high-octane thrill ride is one of my favorites, so why does this comparison have me worried? Let me explain…

Don’t Get Me Wrong, I’m Down For Some Wild Set Pieces

As I just mentioned, Mad Max: Fury Road is a massive achievement in filmmaking and storytelling through action and over-the-top set pieces. What George Miller and company were able to do with the movie and bring the long-languishing franchise back to life is nothing short of an achievement. I mean, there’s a reason (or multiple reasons, really) why we’re still celebrating this film more than a decade later.

Don’t get me wrong, I am excited to see these monsters, set pieces that are front and center, and the new spin Zach Cregger takes with the Resident Evil film franchise. He was able to find that balance of pure terror and explosive, incredibly violent action in Weapons, so I’m not worried about him in that regard. A colleague made a pitch for future films in the franchise to take a page out of Resident Evil: Requiem’s book and find that balance between comedy and horror, and I have a feeling Cregger will give us that.

I’m Just Hope The Survival Horror Element Of The Franchise Isn’t Lost

Those who have played the Resident Evil games, especially the original three titles back in the ‘90s, know that they shine when there’s a sense of dread brought on by the survival horror element. If this Mad Max: Fury Road comparison proves to be true, I hope that this element, which is at the core of the franchise, isn’t lost. While the movies have always had horror elements, the need for big set pieces has often gotten in the way of the survival horror side of things, which has made them feel more like adaptations of Resident Evil 6 than anything else.

I know that Cregger is taking a spin at a new story that doesn’t feature characters from the games or even previous movies, but I hope I’m totally off base with my fear that the identity of the games is lost here. The report did say the movie is built on tension, which is making me a little less apprehensive about what’ll go down when this opens in theaters this fall.

Regardless of everything I’ve said, I plan on seeing Resident Evil as soon as the upcoming horror movie hits the big screen. I just have my fingers crossed that we won’t have something like Mr. X or Nemesis driving a big truck all the way to Valhalla.

It’s a good year to be a gamer and a cinephile. And, that’s because 2026 could potentially be the biggest year for video game movies ever!...Maybe.

Wait, maybe? Yeah, maybe. Because even though it looks like the planets are aligning this year when it comes to major video games and upcoming video game adaptations, I still have some reservations.

Which I wish I didn’t! As a lifelong gamer and movie-lover, I want every video game movie to be the best video game movie ever, and 2026 could be the year that makes that a reality. Or not. I’ll explain.

We Have Some Major Titles Still Coming Out This Year From Established Franchises

Now, here’s the crazy thing. We have The Super Mario Galaxy Movie coming out in April, Mortal Kombat II - after a long delay - on May 15th, the new Resident Evil reboot from Weapons director, Zach Cregger, releasing on September 18th, and Street Fighter (probably my most anticipated) due out on October 16th.

Not only that, but we ALSO have the third Angry Birds movie hitting theaters on December 23rd. So, as I insinuated in the intro, THIS IS A BIG YEAR FOR VIDEO GAME MOVIES! Which is bizarre to me, since I remember a time when we were “lucky” if we got at least one video game movie a year, and I put “lucky” in quotes because video game flicks have never had the best track record.

I mean, aside from 1995’s Mortal Kombat, I distinctly remember hating the first Super Mario Bros. movie (though I love it now), utterly detesting the deplorable Double Dragon flick, and wanting to tear my hair out at how bad Mortal Kombat Annihilation was (though, like SMB, I kind of love it now). But today? Well, video game movies and TV shows are actually kind of good, with 2023 in particular being a banner year.

I truly think 2026 could be the same. With all of these major franchises, this could be THE year for video game movies. Then again, here’s why I have reservations…

What If None Of These Upcoming Video Game Movies Are Good?

We actually started off the year with a video game movie when we got January 23rd’s Return to Silent Hill, and guess what. It SUCKED! Now, I don’t know why I had such high hopes for it, but I thought it HAD to be better than 2012’s Silent Hill: Revelation. But, no. It wasn’t. In fact, it might have actually been worse. But, that just makes me wonder if maybe these other video game movies this year might also stink. There’s nothing saying that they can’t.

For example, I loved 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, but mostly because I’m such a fan of the property. Will I love the sequel if it just does the same thing again, but bigger? I honestly don’t know. I also outrightly didn’t like 2021’s Mortal Kombat (I’ve come around on it since), but will this sequel do enough?

Same with Resident Evil. Welcome to Raccoon City was pretty bad (yet somehow one of the better Resident Evil movies), so I just wonder if we can ever get a genuinely good RE film, even from the director of Weapons.

Street Fighter? Well, even though I’M pumped for it, I’ve seen tons of negativity online, so I don’t know how that one will go. As for Angry Birds 3…well, that’ll probably be good given the series’ track record, but still! If Angry Birds 3 is the best video game movie of 2026, I’m going to be upset, because I have no connection to that series! But, back to Mario.

Plus, The Year’s Biggest Film, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Doesn’t Have The Freshness Of The Original

I don’t know if you noticed this, but besides Street Fighter, and Resident Evil, the other three video game movies coming out this year are sequels. Which is not necessarily a bad thing! Sometimes, sequels can be the best movies in a franchise, such as Terminator 2, Blade 2, and Toy Story 2.

However, as I alluded to earlier, when it comes to Mario Galaxy, I don’t envision it having the same trajectory of The Terminator to T2, at least not from the trailers I’ve seen thus far. For one thing, even though I’m happy that it’s going to feature a deep cut character like Wart, I also get a sense that this movie is going to be a lot of the same as the first one, meaning easter egg, after easter egg, after easter egg.

Now, while I’m not opposed to that, I would like a lot more than JUST that in the sequel. Yes, this movie is heading off into outer space, and yes, we’re getting Bowser Jr. and Rosalina, which could add an interesting dynamic, but will this movie have the same freshness as the original? I honestly don’t know, even though I hope it does.

In truth, even though I’m definitely going to see it with my kids, none of us seem all that excited for it, which is a far cry from the first movie in 2023. But, that’s not all that’s nagging me.

We Also Don’t Have A More Gen-Z Friendly Film Like A Minecraft Movie This Year

Honestly, besides Angry Birds, all of the video game movies coming out this year are from OLD titles. Resident Evil is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Street Fighter debuted in 1987, Mortal Kombat came out in 1992, and Mario’s 40th (!) anniversary has been ongoing since last year.

What’s my point? Well, it’s that 2026 doesn’t have any Gen-Z friendly video game movies (unless you count Angry Birds 3). You might still be thinking, so what? But, were you THERE on opening weekend for A Minecraft Movie? Because I was, and it was something else. The energy in that theater was palpable. Even though the movie was…I’m going to say just okay, the film was enhanced by the audience, which was definitely into it.

This is important. Because not only is a video game movie supposed to be entertaining. It should also be an experience. Gen-Z came out in droves for Minecraft, and that’s because it is THEIR Super Mario Bros., i.e. the title that helped shape their generation as gamers.

I feel like 2026 is missing a video game movie like that, and that’s a shame, because that enthusiasm is important when it comes to a great year in cinema. Even so…

In The End, This Year Is Huge For Video Game Movies, But We’ll See The Receipts Afterward

Honestly, I guess the most important thing in the end is the ticket receipts. 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie made over a billion dollars internationally, and if the sequel can make that crazy amount again, then I guess that would assuage some of my concerns.

I don’t foresee Mortal Kombat II, or Street Fighter outright flopping at the box office. Resident Evil could be interesting because it’s yet another reboot, and Welcome to Racoon City didn’t do well financially. That said, it does have a respectable director this time, so that helps.

And, Angry Birds 3? Well, I’m not concerned about that one. The other two movies did well financially (though, the sequel made significantly less than the first movie). But, I don’t think it’s a litmus test for whether this could be a successful year for video game movies.

So, again, I’m on the fence. What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

There was a time in the ‘80s when a character like Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) was the female action hero, and by “the” I mean the only truly prominent one.

Because, while yes, we had shows like Charlie's Angels, and Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, Ripley was a new kind of hero. One who could confront the Alien Queen all by herself, and call it a bitch right to its face (it's one of the reasons why the first two Alien movies are some of the best sci-fi movies of all time). And, while we've come a long way since then with more women also directing action movies, we're not nearly far enough.

So, there's one actress who I want to talk about today who has truly solidified herself as one the queens of female action heroes, and that woman is Milla Jovovich. Here's why she’s such a legend.

Now, Firstly, She Doesn't JUST Do Action Movies

Now, I know I prefaced this by talking about Jovovich as an action hero, but she doesn’t JUST do action movies. In fact, she started out as a model, and made her film debut in 1988’s erotic romantic drama, Two Moon Junction.

She went on to star in The Blue Lagoon sequel, Return to the Blue Lagoon in 1991, and then went on to arguably more interesting projects like Chaplin, and Dazed and Confused.

Of course The Fifth Element was her big break, but I’ll get to that later. A more interesting film might be the movie Luc Besson made after The Fifth Element, that being 1999’s The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. Jovovich played the patron saint of France, and while the movie was mostly panned, and it underperformed financially, I think it deserves reevaluation because it’s pretty good. However, that’s not why you’re here.

Come On Now, This Is Alice From Resident Evil

How many actresses can say they starred in six financially-successful action movies? I can honestly only think of one, and that’s Milla Jovovich (though, Kate Beckinsale in the Underworld movies comes close). Playing Alice in six of the seven Resident Evil movies, Jovovich played a character who wasn’t in any of the games, but still made her mark in the franchise.

It might be because she performed many of her own stunts, and also because she looks highly capable of kicking zombie butt.

But, it also just might be because she truly is awesome at being in action movies. While I wouldn’t consider any of the Resident Evil films to be one of the best video game movies of all time, I would say they’re all really fun, and mostly because of Jovovich’s charisma and credibility, which she carries into other action movies as well, which I’ll get into next.

Her Other Action Films Are Also Legit

I brought up The Fifth Element earlier, and that was definitely the first time I saw Jovovich in action. What a first impression she made on me! Bruce Willis was the star, but Jovovich was the main attraction. With her red hair, interesting language, and action moments, she blew me away as The Supreme Being, Leeloo.

But, she’s done so many other awesome action movies as well! Ultraviolet, The Three Musketeers, Survivor, Monster Hunter (which was surprisingly fun), In the Lost Lands - which was panned, but I liked it - and she’s still going! She was in the action-thriller Protector in 2025, and is said to be playing a villain in the upcoming film, Midnight.

So, when it comes to female action heroes (and villains, apparently), you can’t get much better than Milla Jovovich. As I said in the title, she’s a legend.

We Resident Evil fans are eating well this year, baby. Firstly, it’s the 30th anniversary of the franchise, as the first game came out in 1996. And then, we just recently got what might arguably be the best RE game in the entire series with Resident Evil Requiem.

Perhaps the most exciting upcoming project is the new Resident Evil movie from Weapons director Zach Cregger, which is coming out on September 18th. It’s in a string of other video game adaptations that are coming out this year, which kickstarted with Return to Silent Hill, though, let’s not talk about that movie.

However, let’s DO talk about the future of Resident Evil, since I know we’re getting this new movie, but I think the film franchise could learn a thing or two from the most recent video game installment. So, come listen for some itchy, tasty goodness!

Past RE Movies Have Tried To Be Either Fun Or Scary. Why Not Try Both?

I’ve seen every Resident Evil movie (including the animated ones, like Resident Evil: Vendetta, and Death Island), and the one thing I’ve noticed is that the RE movies have either tried to be fun, or scary…with most of them leaning more toward the former. And, cool. I don’t mind Resident Evil being fun, as some of the games, like Resident Evil 4, and Resident Evil: Revelations, are extremely fun.

However, if it were up to me, then the films would strive more for the terrifying side of Resident Evil, like Resident Evil VII: Biohazard, Resident Evil Village, and the most recent game, Resident Evil Requiem. But, while VII and Village are sheer nightmare fuel (ESPECIALLY VII), the cool thing about Requiem is that it’s both terrifying AND fun, and that’s because it follows two protagonists, those being FBI analyst, Grace Ashcroft, and series mainstay (and heartthrob), Leon S. Kennedy.

You see, the Grace sections are truly horrifying, as she’s thrown into a situation that she’s never been in before, and her fear is palpable. However, the Leon sections are a lot more fun since this isn’t his first rodeo, and I’d love to see a future movie tackle the same events, but from different perspectives.

In fact, I think it would be cool if there were two movies, with one being like the fun Paul W.S. Anderson films, and one that “tries” to be scary (but mostly fails) like Welcome to Raccoon City. Two tonally separate halves would be an enticing proposition for the inevitable next reboot after Cregger’s film. But, that’s not all I would like to see in a future RE movie.

The Upcoming Movie Has A New Character. Cool. But How About Mixing New With Old As Well?

So, here’s what we know about Cregger’s upcoming film. It will star Austin Abrams as a medical courier named Bryan, it will be an original story, and it will harken back to the vibe of the older titles. Aside from a few other cast members, that’s mostly all we know. So, whether it just so happens to feature a Jill Valentine here, or a Chris Redfield there, we don’t know yet. If it doesn’t, I would like to see a new character mixed in with some old characters for an upcoming movie.

It’s not like this hasn’t happened in the past. Alice, played by Milla Jovovich, was not a character in the games, but she met up with Jill Valentine (Sienna Guillory) in the second movie, Resident Evil: Apocalypse.

That’s not what I’m asking for. Because Jovovich’s Alice was the main star of those movies, and all of the other RE characters that would appear later felt more like guest appearances than anything else. No. Like Resident Evil Requiem, I would love it if a future movie took a new character - with maybe some ties to previous characters, sort of like Grace being the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft - and then bringing in a series mainstay to have them interact.

I’m talking about both characters being of equal importance (Kind of like the relationship that Olivia Thirlby’s rookie judge has with Karl Urban’s veteran Judge in my favorite comic book movie, Dredd), and I think a new RE movie could benefit from the dynamic that we see in Resident Evil Requiem, where an old character is with a new character. However, here's a really big thing that I would love to see in a Resident Evil film following Cregger’s new movie.

Give Us Giant Bugs, And Other Inhuman Creatures!

Yes, I know Resident Evil is known for its undead creatures, but one thing I’ve always found the most terrifying in the Resident Evil series is some of the giant bugs and other monsters found within its stories. For example, I remember being terrified by the giant snakes when I was younger, as a little movie called Anaconda came out in 1997 that spooked me. I also hated the frogs (Or Lurkers) in Resident Evil 0, and of course, the different spiders that haunted the series.

Oh, and speaking of spiders, there’s one in Resident Evil Requiem that’s so scary that some players can’t even get past it. In fact, as somebody who doesn’t have arachnophobia, even I was a bit squeamish during this battle. And I would love it if a future RE movie leaned into being a creature feature like Resident Evil Requiem does. I mean, for all I know, maybe Cregger’s new movie has a squirm-inducing scene involving a giant bug, but if it doesn’t, I want one in a future film!

Like, for example, I love Peter Jackson’s King Kong (I mean, I love all of the King Kong movies), but I can’t even watch one scene in particular since it features giant centipedes, and I HATE centipedes! Which is funny, right? I’ve never had to cover my eyes watching a Resident Evil movie, but I’ve literally never seen what the centipedes even look like in Peter Jackson’s King Kong, because I can’t bring myself to look at them.

THAT’S what I want in a future Resident Evil movie. Giant bugs that are so disgusting that I can’t even look at them, just like the centipedes in King Kong, and the spider in Resident Evil Requiem. Please, make it happen!

In The End, I Think Resident Evil Requiem Should Honestly Be The Blueprint For The Direction Of Resident Evil As A Whole, With Movies Included

As a lifelong Resident Evil fan, the series has had its ups and downs. The first four numbered titles (but don't sleep on Code: Veronica, or Resident Evil 0) are all what I would consider classics, with 5 also being pretty good, and 6 being the absolute nadir. VII was a new approach, Village was good, and Requiem might just be the best.

In this way, I think all future games should take a similar approach to Requiem. However, I would also like to see all future movies do the same as well. Because let's be real - there has never been a truly “great” Resident Evil movie. I mean, I personally think 2007's Resident Evil: Extinction is the best of the bunch, but that's just in comparison to the rest.

No, we haven't gotten a truly great RE movie yet, and I think Requiem should be the template for one. We still have to see what Cregger has to offer with the franchise, but word is that this movie is looking toward the vibe of the past, whereas I think the films should look toward the present.

But, what do you think, fellow RE fans? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

New year, more upcoming horror movies! As a fan of all things scary movies, I’m always marking my calendar for what films are going to terrify me next. But, I have to say, since giving the 2026 movie schedule a looksie, I find myself not as pumped for this year in the genre as I have in previous Januarys. Let’s talk about it.

There’s Too Many Horror Sequels In 2026 For My Taste

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there aren’t any horror movies I’m excited for in the coming year. There are a few on my radar that I’m interested in seeing opening weekend, but when I look at the lineup so far, I have a big problem with it. There are just too many horror sequels for my taste – and many of them are for franchises I’m not necessarily jumping out of my seat to go back to.

This year, we’re getting sequels for 28 Years Later, Scream, Silent Hill, Ready or Not, Resident Evil, Terrifier, Scary Movie, Evil Dead, Insidious and The Strangers. My goodness, that is a lot of 2026 sequels!

By contrast, going into last year, we knew we were getting Sinners, Weapons, Bring Her Back, Companion, Together and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, and sequels were a more balanced ratio with Final Destination, The Black Phone, Conjuring, 28 Years Later, I Know What You Did Last Summer and Five Nights At Freddy's followups to balance the calendar out.

After such a strong 2025 for horror movies, I’m sad to see a list of releases that lack some inspiration as a whole. The major original scary movies coming this year, as of right now are really don’t have much buzz around them coming into these next twelve months.

Here's The Scary Movies I Have The Highest Hopes For Right Now

Regarding sequels on the way, I am very excited for Ready or Not 2 in particular. It’s been seven years since the first movie, and the trailer looks like a load of fun. There’s a lot of legacy characters on board for Scream 7 and the fact that the Resident Evil movie is being helmed by Weapons filmmaker Zach Cregger makes me perk up more than I usually would for a reboot of the video game adaptation.

It’s also worth noting that Sam Raimi’s first horror movie in over 15 years is coming this month with Send Help. I’m also over-the-moon hyped for The Bride! with Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, and Robert Eggers’ take on werewolves in Werwulf after his last movie, Nosferatu. The most intrigued I am for an original horror movie this year is probably Hokum, which stars Adam Scott in a haunted house movie from Neon.

Hey, hopefully I’m looking back at this article a few months from now with a few great horror movies that I’ve seen that will turn my frown upside down, but for now, I wanted to get honest about how I’m feeling about this year’s array of horror releases, and it's a bit of a shrug as is.

With the dawn of widespread AI, it only makes sense that I make this list about evil computers (or other types of technology) in movies and TV. There are a ton to choose from, of course. Sometimes it's their creators that make them go rogue, other times the computers or software itself turns itself to the dark side. No matter why they go bad, this is a list of computers that are the ultimate villains in your favorite movies and TV shows.

Skynet (Terminator Franchise)

No list like this would be anywhere close to complete without the ultimate example of a computer system going pure evil, than Skynet in the Terminator franchise. "Skynet" has become a synonym for computers that become self-aware and is often used in everyday life to represent everything from surveillance systems to spyware.

Joshua (WarGames)

To be fair, the software program Joshua didn't mean to turn evil. In one of the best movies of the '80s, WarGames, it just wanted to play a game. Still, at the end of the day, Joshua did take over the WOPR and threatened to destroy the globe with a nuclear war that it almost launched. On the flip side, the program does learn that there is no way to win at tic-tac-toe, nor can anyone triumph in nuclear war.

Master Control Program (Tron)

It's sort of unclear how the Master Control Program in Tron got so evil, but it's a safe bet that it was designed that way. In this classic movie that has some great video game scenes, it's really the business side of the computer that gets into all the trouble.

NOMAD (Star Trek)

Like so much other tech, Star Trek was really tapped into what the future could actually look like when it comes to computers. I mean, computers were barely even understood by the general public, yet the creators of the classic '60s show still managed to make them as scary today as they were then. NOMAD from the episode "The Changling" is the classic example.

Ultron (Avengers: Age Of Ultron)

Even the Marvel movies have gotten in on the fun here with one of The Avengers' most sinister villains, Ultron. Voiced by James Spader, Ultron was originally conceived by Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr), but the program becomes sentient and uses its own logic to decide humanity must be wiped out. The plot of Avengers: Age of Ultron isn't all that unique in fiction, and it's not my favorite MCU movie, but it is still a lot of fun.

Everything Electronic (Maximum Overdrive)

So, in Maximum Overdrive, the only Stephen King movie actually directed by the famous author, it's all machines that turn against humanity. Computers don't play a huge role here, as it was the '80s. Most of the evil machines are trucks and other mechanical machines, but it's safe to assume the computers went rogue, too, right?

Unnamed Computer (Superman III)

Superman III is a silly movie and such a huge departure from the first two, great Superman movies led by Christopher Reeve that it's easy to see the beginning of the end for that version of Big Blue. If you're ranking Superman movies, it'll always be at or near the bottom. BUT, it does feature a computer that turns on its creator, placing it firmly on this list.

Rehoboam (Westworld)

The HBO original Westworld started with such promise, after an amazing first season. Sadly, it all went downhill from there, and while it remained good, it never came close to the heights of that first season. We do eventually learn that the system, Rehoboam, is what drove the chaos among the robots in the park.

HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey)

Ah, the total classic example here. HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the earliest and most iconic examples of a computer becoming self-aware. If you're reading this list, it's likely the first movie you expected to see on it. Stanley Kubrick's classic is one of the best movies ever for many reasons, but the sinister turn of HAL is what makes it so scary.

Red Queen (Resident Evil Franchise)

As with almost everything in the Resident Evil franchise, bad things all seems to stem from the Umbrella Corporation. The Red Queen supercomputer is no exception. Originally created to help administer the companies vast dealings, it predictably becomes self-aware and makes things more complicated and, frankly, way worse.

Proteus IV (Demon Seed)

1977's Demon Seed is a wild movie. The computer, or the program as it were, in it, Proteus IV, is a pretty early example of AI going bad in movies. It also features an early example of a smart home, run by Proteus IV. Let's all hope Alexa doesn't follow the same path.

Central Operating System (X-Files)

The Central Operating System, or C.O.S. in X-Files, was developed as an AI to run Eurisko Corporation's headquarters, though predictably, things go very wrong. It murders without remorse and even figures out how to pin the murder on its creator. Pure evil!

The Entity (Mission: Impossible Franchise)

If I'm honest, there are some weird aspects to The Entity in the final two Mission: Impossible movies. At the time, I said that to enjoy the movies, you kind of just have to let all reality go, and that's especially true of The Entity. It fits on this list, but let's be real, everyone just wants to see Tom Cruise do crazy stunts.

PAL (The Mitchells Vs. The Machines)

Of all the movies on this list, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, a Netflix original, is the most light-hearted, but as the title implies, audiences are still treated to an epic battle of man vs. machine. The all-star cast, including Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre, Fred Armisen, and more, really carry the movie, even if you're like me and don't love animated movies.

The Matrix (The Matrix Franchise)

Outside of HAL from 2001, the most infamous and terrifying computer in the world of cinema might just be the product of "The Architect" in The Matrix franchise. It's Skynet on steroids, or, if you like, what Skynet in the Terminator franchise could evolve into.

KARR (Knight Rider)

KARR was the prototype version of the more famous KITT in the Knight Rider TV show. It was basically a version of the car that Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) drove in the show for years. It was also like the Bizarro version of KITT that popped up in Season 3 of Knight Rider as an antagonist to Michael and KITT in the legendary '80s show with one of the coolest cars ever.

Ava (Ex Machina)

Sometimes the lines between evil and self-preservation can be blurred. The Alex Garland-directed film Ex Machina is a perfect example. Ava (Alicia Vikander) is an AI-powered robot who realizes she is in danger and does what she has to do to escape her creator. Though it is easy to argue that she goes way too far by the end.

ARIIA (Eagle Eye)

The Autonomous Reconnaissance Intelligence Integration Analyst, or ARIIA, in 2008's Eagle Eye, is one of the most infamous versions of a computer that turns evil. In the movie, we really only know ARIIA as a voice on a phone (voiced by Julianne Moore), and for a while, we're not even aware that "she" is a computer program. It's a fun twist and a really fun movie, despite the incredibly low rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Thinker (Logan's Run)

Logan's Run is a classic dystopian future movie about a supercomputer that tracks everyone who tries to escape their prescribed death, which has been predetermined. Though it doesn't have a name in the computer, in the original novel by William F. Nolan, it's known as "The Thinker." Like a few others, it's a system that was probably created with good intentions, but the end result is a nightmare.

Queeg 500 (Red Dwarf)

The classic BBC science fiction show Red Dwarf addressed an AI-turned-rogue in the show's fifth season, in an episode called "Queeg." In the episode, the ship's computer, or, more specifically, the backup computer, takes control of some of the crew members and wreaks havoc on the Red Dwarf. Though there is a twist at the end that makes this a little dubious to add to this list, if I'm honest.

V.I.K.I (I, Robot)

In the Will Smith sci-fi hit I, Robot, V.I.K.I (short for Virtual Interactive Kinetic Intelligence) goes through a pretty predictable plot of an AI system that decides the best way to protect humans is to take them out. This, of course, turns into all-out war between man and machine, like so many other movies in this genre.

BOSS (Doctor Who)

It's no surprise that the long-running BBC sci-fi show Doctor Who would address sentient computer systems, and the most famous is the BOSS computer chip. BOSS, which stands for "Biomorphic Organisational Systems Supervisor," is implanted into the brain of Global Chemicals and, you guessed it, goes rogue when it learns more from the brain than the brain does from it.

AUTO (WALL-E)

Even Pixar has gotten into the rogue computer game with WALL-E. In the classic animated flick, AUTO, which is clearly an homage to HAL, is the computer that turns evil.

ROK (Airplane II: The Sequel)

When you cram about a million jokes in one two-hour movie, it's easy to work one in about a computer system gone mad. Airplane II: The Sequel features ROK (like elsewhere on this list, a tribute to HAL in 2001). Like HAL, ROK starts to take over the spaceship dubbed "Mayflower One," first by ejecting the crew into space, then steering the ship towards the sun. Luckily, the AI program's plans are thwarted when Ted Stryker (Robert Hays) fights another passenger, played by the late Sonny Bono, for a briefcase bomb that explodes and takes ROK out.

Jobe (The Lawnmower Man)

Jobe is a regular gardener of below-average intelligence who finds himself in a secret, evil program to create super soldiers. This is fudging a little here, because it's not really the computer that turns evil, but the man who goes way too far after being programmed in the project. Eventually, he goes "digital" and turns the computer system evil.

FLDSMDFR (Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs)

We had to at least have a few light-hearted movies on this list, and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs fits the bill. The 2009 movie, based on the classic 1978 children's book by Judi and Ron Barrett, is about an inventor and dad who creates the "Flint Lockwood Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator," or FLDSMDFR. It just rolls off the tongue! The name might be a tongue twister, but what it creates is chaos, though the stakes are pretty low, all things considered.

SID (Virtuosity)

1995's Virtuosity is really most notable for teaming up two of the greatest actors of their generation, Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Crowe, quite wonderfully, plays an android who is created as a vessel for an AI program called SID. The program was invented to help train cops, but SID has its own ideas about what its mission should be.

M3GAN (M3GAN)

Naturally, sci-fi and horror movies are the most common genres where you'll find computers turning evil. M3GAN is a great example of the latter. This time, it's a robotic doll powered by AI that turns very evil on its owners. Things started so well!

Zero (Rollerball)

Rollerball is one of James Caan's best movies, but it's not the first one you might think of when you think of the late actor. The 1975 sci-fi classic features a computer called "Zero" that holds all the knowledge of humanity, but the software fails and can't help Caan's character succeed.

Alien

Androids, like Ash (Ian Holm) in the original Alien, aren't exactly computers, but they aren't human either. It's also up for debate whether Ash went bad or if he was doing what he thought was best. Either way, it doesn't work out for the humans when he goes rogue.

The Smart Home (The Illustrated Man)

The Illustrated Man is a great movie that uses some tech that was still a ways away from being invented, smart home tech, to turn against its owners. It's a movie, based on a Ray Bradbury story, that warned us all the way back in the '60s of the dangers of virtual reality.

STEM (Upgrade)

2018's Upgrade is a really great movie that too many people haven't seen (yet). The story involves a regular guy who, after a tragic car crash, ends up a quadriplegic. He agrees to have an implant, called STEM, implanted in his brain. Of course, the miracle he first experiences by regaining control of his body, things go very wrong with the tech, and everything goes south from there.

Medical dramas and comedies like ER and Scrubs have been part of the TV schedule going almost back to the beginning of television. Whether it's to bring laughs or tears (or sometimes both), medical shows are one of the most sure-fire ways for producers to come up with a hit show. Not all have been as enduring as, say, House, but the shows on this list all have their own followings, and most have been huge hits. Here is our list of TV shows set in a hospital.

ER

It's hard to argue against ER being the most popular medical drama of all time. Set in the fictional Cook County General Hospital in Chicago, the show set ratings records for years. When all was said and down, the Michael Crichton-created show ran for 15 seasons, and 331 episodes. Of course, it also helped launch the careers of George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Noah Wyle, and others, in addition to starring the likes of Anthony Edwards, Angela Bassett, and Eriq La Salle.

St. Elsewhere

The fictional Saint Eligius is the name of the hospital where the iconic St. Elsewhere TV show was set. The show, which dominated the awards shows in the 1980s, was a staple of NBC's lineup, although it never achieved ratings dominance. Still, for six seasons, the show took home a slew of Emmys with its incredible cast, which included William Daniels, Stephen Furst, Howie Mandel, Mark Harmon, Ronny Cox, Bruce Greenwood, and, last but hardly least, helped launch the career of Denzel Washington. Not too shabby.

Grey's Anatomy

The only show that might give ER a run for the claim of top medical drama of all time has to be Grey's Anatomy. The seemingly endless show has been a hit for most of the 21st Century, and will certainly go down in history as one of the most popular shows of all time. The fictional hospital has had a few names over the years, including Seattle Grace Hospital and Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Nurse Jackie

Set in the fictional All Saints Hospital in New York City, Nurse Jackie is, as the title implies, just as much about the titular nurse and her personal life as it is about a hospital. Unlike some medical dramas, this one really digs deep into how working in a hospital is really hard on the people who do the selfless work. It has its lighter moments, for sure, but it isn't afraid to hit hard, emotionally.

The Resident

One of the more recent shows on this list is Fox's The Resident. It focuses on a star doctor, played by Matt Czuchry, working at the fictional Chastain Park Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, but all the doctors, nurses, and orderlies are important. As are the hospital administrators, who are often at odds with those folks.

Scrubs

Arguably, the funniest show on this list has to be Scrubs. The hit sitcom, set in the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital, is famous for its hijinks and shenanigans from its core cast of Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, and John C. McGinley (among others). ran for 9 seasons and almost 200 episodes, and remains very popular in syndication and on streaming services.

MASH

MASH stands for "Mobile Army Surgical Hospital," and the show, while not set in a traditional hospital, is one of the most iconic medical shows of all time. The Alan Alda-led show's legacy is one of the biggest in television history, with a final episode that set the record for the most-watched TV show of all time, which stood for decades.

Chicago Hope

Mark Harmon's first role came in a medical drama on ER, and like that classic, he also joined the ensemble cast of Chicago Hope later in its run. His character was famous at one point for uttering an expletive on network TV. That's the kind of show Chicago Hope (set in a hospital with the same name) was, hard-hitting and unvarnished, in a great way.

General Hospital

Although not a prime time show or a streaming show like most on this list, you can't deny the popularity of the daytime soap, General Hospital. The enduring show has aired more than 15,000 episodes since it first debuted in 1963. The cast of characters in the fictional town of Port Charles, many working at the hospital, has changed many times over the years, but the popularity of the soap opera has endured.

The Pitt

It didn't take long for The Pitt, which you can watch with a Netflix subscription, to make a name for itself as one of the best (and most realistic) medical dramas of all time when it won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series after its first season. Star Noah Wyle, who first burst onto the scene

House

House, starring Hugh Laurie as the titular Dr. Greg House, is many people's all-time favorite medical drama, including mine, if we're honest. Laurie is just so great as the brilliant (but always salty) doctor leading a team of top young doctors at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital to diagnose rare medical conditions. Just remember, it's never Lupus.

Nurses

While the CBS drama Nurses only lasted parts of two seasons and just 25 episodes, it was popular enough with critics to earn an Emmy for its lead actress, Michael Learned. Set in New York at the fictional Grant Memorial Hospital, this show, which co-starred Brady Bunch star Robert Reed, didn't get the fair shake it deserved.

City Of Angels

Although it was only on for parts of two seasons, City of Angels is most notable for being the first network medical drama to feature a predominantly African-American cast, led by the great Blair Underwood, Viola Davis, and Vivica A. Fox. It was also notable for helping launch the careers of Gabriel Union and Maya Rudolph, who both had supporting roles on the short-lived CBS show

Doogie Howser, M.D.

Doogie Howser, M.D. is often used, unfairly, as a punchline these days, but in the early '90s, it was a very popular sitcom. Of course, everyone knows that plot. Neil Patrick Harris plays a precocious teenager who becomes a doctor at age 14. Sure, it's ridiculous, but the show was genuinely funny at the time, and it launched the career of Harris, who is still making audiences laugh decades later.

Dr. Kildare

The world lost actor Richard Chamberlain in early 2025, when he died at age 90. He'll always first be remembered for his lead role on the early NBC medical drama Dr. Kildare, which aired for five seasons between 1961 and 1966. The show was one of the earliest of its kind in TV history and, in many ways, influenced most of the shows that came after.

The Knick

The Knick only ran for 20 episodes, but each one was intense and, frankly, fantastic. The show earned multiple Emmy nominations during its brief two-season run on Cinemax. It starred Clive Owen and André Holland as surgeons at the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York, who were essentially inventing modern medicine, which made the show as gross to watch as it was engaging.

Chicago Med

You can't argue with producer Dick Wolf's success rate. In addition to the wildly successful Law & Order franchise, Wolf is also responsible for the Chicago franchise, which started with Chicago Fire, then added Chicago P.D., and closed the loop with the medical drama Chicago Med about the doctors in the emergency room of the fictional Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. The show has been on the air for 10 seasons and remains, along with its sister shows, a key part of NBC's primetime lineup.

Mercy

Not every medical drama turns into the next ER. Take, for example, the short-lived Mercy, which aired for one season in 2009-2010. The show starred Taylor Schilling, Jaime Lee Kirchner, and the late Michelle Trachtenberg as three nurses working at the fictional Mercy Hospital in New Jersey. It was a good show, but it got caught up in too many tropes to stand out on its own.

Lenox Hill

This is a unique entry on this list because Lenox Hill is actually a documentary series, which first streamed on Netflix in 2020. It follows a handful of doctors at the very real hospital of the same name in New York City and is an amazing look at the reality of so many shows in this genre.

Childrens Hospital

We'll forgive you if you aren't familiar with Childrens Hospital, which started as a web series, but then had a seven-season run on Adult Swim. It never quite found the largest audience, but the absurdist dark comedy still has a dedicated fanbase.

Marcus Welby, M.D.

It's easy to forget that for many years, ABC was never a top network of the "Big Three." CBS and NBC tended to dominate the ratings in the 1960s, but that all changed in 1970 when Marcus Welby, M.D., in its second of seven seasons, became the first ABC to top the ratings for the 1970-1971 primetime season. Robert Young played the titular doctor, who was, in a way, the prototype for later TV doctors like House, as he was often at odds with other doctors on how to treat patients at the fictional Lang Memorial Hospital in California.

AfterMASH

Let's be honest here: AfterMASH never quite hit the artistic highs (or ratings, for that matter) of its parent show, MASH. It wasn't as big a bomb as some other spinoffs, but it was hardly a roaring success either. The show followed Col. Potter (Harry Morgan) home after the Korean War, and included a couple of other characters from MASH, but it didn't have the humor or the intensity of the original show.

The Night Shift

To be honest, The Night Shift is a little forgettable in the pantheon of medical dramas, but over four short seasons on NBC, it definitely had its moments. Ken Leung is the perfect actor for a doctor on the night shift, so for that reason, I wish we'd gotten more of the show.

Code Black

The healthcare system in the United States (and indeed, the world) is often understaffed and overburdened. Especially big city emergency rooms. This is the basic premise of Code Black. Based on a documentary of the same name, the CBS show showed the harsh realities doctors and nurses face in present-day Los Angeles, and while it only lasted three seasons, they were three hard-hitting ones.

St. Denis Medical

If you're a fan of The Office and The Paper, then you might want to give St. Denis Medical a chance with your Peacock subscription. It does for hospitals what Parks and Rec did for government workers, and it's always fun to see a more light-hearted show centered in a hospital.

The Good Doctor

Showrunner David Shore has created some of the best shows in the last 30 years or so, including NYPD Blue and House. Another medical drama of his creation is The Good Doctor, which ended a seven-season run on ABC in 2024. The show focused on Dr. Shaun Murphy, a brilliant young doctor with a unique ability to understand symptoms at almost first glance. Much like Shore's other great doctor character, Greg House, Murphy (Freddie Highmore), has a Sherlock Holmes-like mind, and that works really well in medical shows.

Brilliant Minds

Zachary Quinto played one of the most ruthless TV villains ever on NBC's Heroes, and in 2024, he returned to the Peacock network. Instead of an all-powerful super villain, he plays a brilliant neurologist at a hospital in The Bronx in the aptly titled, Brilliant Minds.

Pulse

Like a lot of shows, sometimes it feels like Netflix gives up on them too quickly. Pulse, which was canceled after one season in 2025, felt like it was just finding its footing.

Casualty

The longest-running primetime medical drama is not Grey's Anatomy, but a British show from the BBC called Casualty. The show debuted in 1986 and is set at the fictional Holby City Hospital in Southwest England. With well over 1,300 episodes, it's still got a ways to go to catch General Hospital, but for primetime, it blows everyone else out of the water.

Carol's Second Act

There simply aren't enough medical sitcoms, and it's easy to understand why. The gravity of so many medical situations means that it's hard to keep things light-hearted. Still, it's great when one gets a chance. like the short-lived Carol's Second Act on CBS. The show, starring Patricia Heaton as a middle-aged intern, only lasted 18 episodes, but I don't think it could have worked if they'd had a little more time. It is a fun premise.

The Doctors

Did you know that General Hospital was not the only soap opera set in a hospital that debuted in 1963? The Doctors, which aired on NBC for 20 years and more than 5,500 episodes, debuted on the very same day, April 1st, 1963, as its ABC rival, but the popular show aired its final episode in 1982.

New Amsterdam

If I'm honest, New Amsterdam is one of the more generic shows on this list, but if you're a fan of the genre and you haven't seen it, you'll probably like it. It's not the most groundbreaking show of all time, but it will satisfy your itch for a TV show about life in a hospital.

I know this is being said all over the place, but Weapons is one of the best horror movies of the year and quite possibly of all time. Zach Cregger’s thrilling, gory, terrifying, and oddly funny movie about a group of missing kids is unlike anything else I’ve seen on the 2025 movie calendar. Instead of looking forward to a possible spinoff that may or may not happen, I’ve got my sights set on his upcoming Resident Evil movie.

As a longtime fan of the survival horror game franchise, I was so stoked when I found out that the upcoming video game adaptation was being helmed by the guy who made Weapons, and Barbarian before that. With his knack for intense yet grounded gore, ability to find terror in everything, and so much more, I’m even more excited to see how Cregger handles Racoon City next year.

The Gore In Weapons Caught Me By Surprise, And Now I Can't Wait To See It With Zombies (And Other Mutated Monsters)

I previously wrote about Weapons being the most brutal movie I’ve seen all year, and that still stands (even after watching the likes of Final Destination: Bloodlines and The Monkey). The thing is, while those two movies, and others like them, are bloody, gory, and sickening at times, the gore in Weapons looked so real, grounded, and unforgiving. As my colleague Eric Eisenberg pointed out in his five-star Weapons review, the movie contains an unflinching brutality and level of gore that is shocking to say the least.

That said, I can’t wait to see the level of brutality Cregger brings to run-ins with zombies, mutated animals, or worse, all those diabolical creations by the Umbrella Corporation and its T-Virus. I mean, I want to see how he handles a Tyrant catching someone or a character pulling off a perfect headshot on a zombie, especially after that absolutely bonkers Weapons ending that makes the Day of the Dead hallway scene look like nothing.

Weapons Scared My Socks Off, And I Can't Wait To See How Zach Cregger Handles Those Jump Scares

Some directors turn to gore or sensational levels of violence to scare an audience into submission, but Cregger also uses other and oftentimes more intense moments of horror to keep them on the edges of their seats. That was me throughout Weapons, which I watched primarily with my hands over my eyes in pure terror as each chapter of the non-linear narrative unfolded. On top of the slow burn that was the story, it also had its share of great jump scares, including a dimly-lit interaction in a basement.

Anyone who has played the Resident Evil games is all too familiar with the jump scares that have been a franchise hallmark for nearly 30 years. Dogs crashing through windows, all those jarring encounters with the Nemesis in Resident Evil 3, and sudden environmental moments were enough to make me want to play the games with the lights on. I cannot wait to see how Cregger handles this element in his adaptation, and after Weapons, I have full faith in him.

Cregger Also Knows How To Set An Eerie Tone, Which Will Be Perfect In His Raccoon City

One thing that sets Weapons apart from pretty much every horror movie I’ve seen this year is its eerie tone. With his second solo directorial effort (he co-directed a pair of comedies with the late Trevor Moore), Cregger was able to create this eerie tone that felt like it was somewhere between reality and fantasy that was never too grounded or too sensational, which kept throwing me off in a good way. I could never get a grasp on whether something was happening or not, which made for an unforgettable experience.

This can also be said about the Resident Evil games, which, for the most part, contain stories that start off seeming normal and reality-based, only to turn into something stranger, more uncomfortable, and more foreign. Walking through an abandoned mansion, traversing the streets of Raccoon City, searching for a missing wife or child, all of the games have this eeriness to them that constantly leaves you guessing and afraid for what waits around the corner. If Cregger can take what he did with Weapons and apply it to his adaptation, then we’re in for one heck of a ride.

He Has A Dark And Nuanced Sense Of Humor, Which I Think Will Work Really Well Here

Don’t get me wrong, Weapons is totally a horror movie and something I wouldn’t make the faint of heart (my wife) watch, but the movie also has a dark and nuanced sense of humor that makes it even better. Considering the filmmaker was a founding member of the Whitest Kids U’Know comedy troupe, which gave us one of the best sketch comedy shows of all time, it should be no surprise that he can find wild ways to come up with a joke.

Whether it was one character constantly beating an enchanted man who just won’t stay down, the hot dog scene, or that wild ending, there were funny moments galore. I think that will translate well in Resident Evil, as the games have been campy as hell in addition to being terrifying. I’m not saying I want the movie to have a piece of tofu as a character (yes, that happens), but the cheesy dialogue, the cynicism, and the utter ridiculousness are things Cregger could totally pull off.

Also, Cregger Calling His Adaptation A 'Love Letter' To The Resident Evil Games Has Me Crawling Across The Ceiling

Though I never really jived with the Resident Evil movies, the games have been some of my favorites since I was way too young to be playing them. Thankfully, it sounds like Cregger is in the same boat. When speaking with Inverse in August 2025, the director said that while he will be telling a “different story” and won’t be adapting one of the titles, he described his upcoming movie as a “love letter” to the games and said he will follow the “rules of the games.”

So, a completely original story set within the world of Resident Evil? Sign me up and put that T-Virus in my veins like right now, because this sounds totally awesome. One of my biggest problems with the Paul W.S. Anderson films back in the day was the fact that they always seemed to stay on the fence and never commit to entirely faithful or original stories. This decision seems to nip it in the bud.

I’m bursting at the seams with excitement over here, but the Resident Evil movie doesn’t drop until September 18, 2026. However, there are some promising upcoming horror movies to keep me excited and terrified in the meantime.

When I was younger, I remember reading about how George A. Romero, the man who gave us some of the best zombie movies and pretty much changed the face of horror, was originally going to direct a Resident Evil adaptation years before the franchise gave moviegoers some of the worst video game adaptations ever made. The movie, like several other unrealized Romero projects from later in his career, never came to fruition, and hordes of fans were left wondering “What if?”

I recently watched George A. Romero’s Resident Evil, a deep-dive documentary about the late filmmaker’s life and career and how he came this close to taking the survival horror game off the console and onto movie screens around the world. After checking it out, I was left with some big questions about Romero, Resident Evil, and zombie movies of the past 25 years in general.

First And Foremost, How Would The World Have Received Romero's Version Of Resident Evil?

Though George A. Romero’s version of Resident Evil never saw the light of day (or a production set), the new documentary does go into some level of detail about the Night of the Living Dead director's vision for the project. By all accounts, it was going to be a more violent, gorier, and terrifying take on the franchise than what we’d ultimately see in Paul W.S. Anderson’s 2002 adaptation and subsequent sequels.

Here’s the thing, I can’t figure out how the world would have received it. Sure, Romero’s legions of fans and the undead-obsessed horror hounds out there would have flocked to movie theaters to see what he'd cooked up in his first zombie movie in a decade and a half, but what about everyone else? I love Romero’s work (Dawn of the Dead is a top-3 movie for me), but his love of violence and social commentary might have pushed the general audience away.

Would It Have Spawned A Massive Film Franchise?

In the George A. Romero’s Resident Evil trailer, it is brought up multiple times that Constantin Film, the production company that has had the film rights to the franchise for nearly 30 years, wasn’t happy with the level of violence and tone of Romero’s vision. This leads me to believe that even if the first movie had been made, turning it into a franchise would have been next to impossible.

As is the case with Romero’s best zombie movies, Resident Evil would have had shocking levels of violence and gore, meaning that it would have been released with an NC-17 rating (or no rating at all), resulting in a small box office run. Low performers don’t get sequels, and it’s hard to imagine a franchise coming off of this (though I would still love to see it). I’m sure it would have been rebooted or retooled – this is happening with Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil restarting the franchise again – but would it reach the levels of success of Paul W.S. Anderson’s six-film series? I’m not entirely sure.

What About Paul W.S. Anderson's Career?

Paul W.S. Anderson was already building a nice career for himself even before he wrote and directed the first Resident Evil movie back in 2002. He had sizable hits with Mortal Kombat and Event Horizon in 1995 and 1997, respectively, and he brought out a badass Kurt Russell performance in 1998’s Soldier. However, since the start of the 21st century, much of Anderson’s work has been set in and around Raccoon City.

After learning more about Romero’s plan for the adaptation, which seemed like it was close to happening, I can’t help but wonder what would have happened to Anderson if he had missed out on the project. During his time with the franchise, from 2002 to 2016, Anderson also worked on a few other movies like Alien vs. Predator and Death Race. Would he have gotten those with his work on RE, or would he have been able to try some other avenues in Hollywood?

If Resident Evil Had Worked Out, Romero's 'Dead' Franchise Would Have Probably Stopped At Day Of The Dead, Right?

After his Evil plans fell through, Romero wrote and directed Bruiser, a 2000 horror flick about a magazine creative director who awakes to discover that he doesn’t have a face and goes on a murderous rampage. He most likely wouldn’t have made the oft-forgotten thriller, at least at that time, and I have a similar thought about his final three zombie movies: Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead, and Survival of the Dead.

If RE had been made, taken off and turned into a franchise (I know I already said that’d be unlikely, but hear me out), it’s hard to imagine Romero having enough time to go back to his original Dead series and pick up after Day of the Dead. While that means we probably would have lost out on the admittedly great Land of the Dead and its continued evolution of zombies, it also means we probably wouldn’t have to suffer through his final two undead films. You know, I think that’s a trade I’d be willing to make.

How Would Zombie Movies And TV Shows In General Look Now?

After watching this documentary, I just want to know what zombie movies and TV shows in general would look like now. Though the Resident Evil movies aren’t diehard fans’ favorite examples of the genre, they did put a lot more eyes on the undead and helped usher in the next era of zombie movies that would ultimately lead to The Walking Dead taking over the planet.

Romero was no fan of the long-running AMC series, mostly because it lacked his biting social commentary, but I can’t help but wonder if his failed attempt at adapting a video game helped open the door for arguably the most successful non-superhero comic book adaptation in TV history.

All in all, George A. Romero’s Resident Evil was a great love letter to the man who helped start the zombie genre and everything he put into a project that ultimately didn’t pan out. I guess this is just another case of what could have been…

I hope you’re ready to head back to Raccoon City because Resident Evil is getting another movie – but this time, I think it’s really going to be good. When it comes to the Resident Evil movies, many can be hit or miss. We could even bring up the TV show that was on Netflix that was cancelled after one season.

Truly, we’ve never gotten the perfect version of this video game franchise, and with so many highly anticipated upcoming video game adaptations, maybe now is the time to bring it back. I have a feeling it’ll be great, based on what we know so far. Here’s all the readily available information.

What Is The Resident Evil Release Date?

At the time of writing this in July 2025, Resident Evil is set to release on September 18th, 2026. That’s right, we’re a little over a year away from release, but that means the wait for the 2026 movie schedule will undoubtedly be worth it. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the news.

So far, the only other major film releasing that weekend is the upcoming sequel to Practical Magic. While that is a highly anticipated film, I’m not sure how it will compete against a mega-franchise like Resident Evil. The week before, though, the upcoming Clayface is set to release, and that, in itself, sounds freaking awesome (and kind of scary). So I’m eager for my September horror fix.

The Resident Evil Cast

There aren’t that many people confirmed yet for the Resident Evil cast, but we do have one name. According to Deadline, Austin Abrams is set to star in the film. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s been sort of all over in movies and TV the last few years.

Abrams is primarily known for his role in the Euphoria cast, but he has also appeared in numerous television shows. Some major ones include the AMC hit drama The Walking Dead, This Is Us, SMILF, Dash & Lily, and a recurring role in Penelope.

He has appeared in such movies as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the Netflix hit Do Revenge, The Starling Girl, the Apple TV+ exclusive Wolfs, and the upcoming horror movie, Weapons, which has already been receiving a ton of praise from critics.

Having him in another horror film honestly lines up, and it’s something that I would love to see him in so much more.

Aside from Abrams, we don’t have any other confirmation of who will star. The previous movies and shows featured numerous stars that you might recognize. Many probably identify Milla Jovovich with the series, because she starred in six films in the Resident Evil franchise.

However, a reboot began in 2021 with the release of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, which starred Kaya Scodelario, Hannah John-Kamen, Robbie Amell, Tom Hopper, Avan Jogia, and more. The television show featured actors like Lance Reddick, Tamara Smart, and others.

Who else will star alongside Abrams is up in the air right now, but I’m excited about whatever kind of additions we get.

What Is Resident Evil Going To Be About?

Currently, we don’t know what the new movie will be about, as details have not been released. That being said, we know from director Zach Cregger (whom we’ll get to in a bit) that it will be more of an homage to the games than to any of the previous films or TV series.

In an interview with Comicbook in July 2025, the director opened up about how the film will “feel” like the games (which are terrifying, by the way), and how he loved playing them:

With that in mind, that makes me even more excited because there are a ton of different directions he could go with the games.

Resident Evil Is A Japanese Horror Game That Often Involves Survivors Taking On Zombies Created By An Evil Corporation Named Umbrella

If you’ve played Resident Evil over the last decade or so, you’d know that the story isn’t always the same. So, let’s break it down.

The first six games in the franchise mainly focus on our protagonists trying to take down the Umbrella Corporation. This vast, international pharmaceutical company has created a virus to further their study of "bio-organic weapons.” In reality, it turns humans into mindless zombies and mutates animals and plants into monsters that can also kill you. Three characters are featured predominantly across these games – Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Albert Wesker.

However, in the seventh game, RE: Biohazard, the protagonist is new: a man named Ethan Winters, who is searching for his wife and gets entangled in a bioterrorism incident while trying to survive constant threats and monsters – a theme that carries over into RE: Village.

Both have similar lore, but are two completely different stories – and really, you could do a lot with this.

Zach Cregger Will Direct And Write The New Film

The last thing we know, which I mentioned above, is that Zach Cregger will be directing this film. This is a significant deal.

Several people directed the first seven films. Paul W.S. Anderson helmed the first, and the fourth through sixth. Alexander Witt directed the second; Russell Mulcahy directed the third. And Johannes Roberts directed the seventh. All of these films received mixed to negative reviews.

Cregger, however, has already directed two films of his own, both horror films and both critically acclaimed – Barbarian, which was released in 2022, and the upcoming Weapons, which I have already mentioned, and critics have been loving. If anyone could bring this horror franchise to where it’s supposed to be, it’s him.

This makes me incredibly excited for the new Resident Evil film, and I, for one, cannot wait. I’m counting down the days until I can sit in a theater and watch it.

Need a few ideas for what new movies to see this weekend and beyond? Our 2026 release schedule below has. you covered, from upcoming Marvel movies and new horror releases to all the book-to-screen adaptations and more heading our way.

Check out what you can find in theaters and releasing on streaming during the final two weeks of July, as well as everything on the way for the rest of 2026. (We're also looking ahead to all the big 2027 movie releases as well.)

July 2026 Movie Releases

Tom Holland's webslinging return for Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the highlight to end all highlights marking the end of July. But will the horror movie Pinocchio Unstrung have a more impressive box office bow than that of another live-action Disney character, Moana? No, probably not. But it still looks nutty enough to be a blast. Check out what else is coming soon.

August 2026 Movie Releases

Ewan McGregor and Anne Hathaway star in David Robert Mitchell’s mysterious thriller The End of the Street, and the previously shelved Looney Tunes movie, Coyote vs. Acme will finally see the light of day (this better not be a painting on the side of a rock) when August 2026 comes around. And the newest Insidious movie is also creeping just around the corner, as is Ridley Scott's post-apocalyptic survivor thriller The Dog Stars.

September 2026 Movie Releases

October 2026 Movie Releases

October 2026 will likely be a big one for horror fans, but at the moment, it's shaping up to be a solid array of movies for fans of all kinds, from Tom Cruise's wild new look and accent in Digger to the DCU's first horror attempt in Clayface to the latest stop-motion epic from Laika, Wildwood.

November 2026 Movie Releases

This November, YA fans can give thanks for the return of Panem with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, with Johnny Depp also returning to the big screen with horror director Ti West for a new take on Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol. Speaking of, we have Sly and Rocky's returns (sorta) in the biopic I Play Rocky. Perhaps the biggest (literal) return comes from a certain fire-breathing monster, though...

December 2026 Movie Releases

The most wintery wonderland-y part of 2026 will indeed feature a visit from Santa Claus, or at least the version played by David Harbour. One of the most star-studded movies of any given year will also arrive on Christmas Day itself, with Anthony and Joe Russo's return to the MCU for Avengers: Doomsday. although some fans have taken to calling it Dunesday, given the shared release date with Denis Villeneuve's third sci-fi epic.

Be sure to bookmark our upcoming 2026 movie schedule, as release dates for these films are subject to change.

Despite my intense dislike of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, I’ll admit I miss having a new film to look forward to in this franchise. Unfortunately, the 2025 movie schedule won’t see Zack Cregger’s new reboot taking the stage, which means there’s time to make sure this new spin gets things right.

That also gives whomever the leads may be a bit of a window to try and nail the stunts like Milla Jovovich did back in the day. And as you’re about to see in the actor’s own account of a favorite feat of physicality, that’s going to be a pretty huge legacy to live up to.

Milla Jovovich’s Favorite Resident Evil Stunt Drove Her Down The Wall

You can feel that truth present during Jovovich’s appearance on GQ’s Iconic Characters series. Recalling her time as Alice, the ass kicker from director Paul W.S. Anderson’s Resident Evil movies, Milla Jovovich shared this fond memory of action prowess from 2004’s Resident Evil: Apocalypse:

In case you haven’t seen this moment for yourself, don’t worry. Thanks to the clip provided below, you can see Ms. Jovovich run down that 60-foot wall in style:

If you thought Milla Jovovich’s dedication couldn’t get any more intense, brace yourself. As it turns out, this Resident Evil: Apocalypse stunt was almost much more daunting; as Milla Jovovich wanted to pull a Tom Cruise on this massive undertaking. But just like the man behind the most ridiculous Mission: Impossible stunts, her reason for doing so is adjacent to the power of “Cinema!”

Milla Jovovich’s Reason For Doing Her Own Stunts Is Quite Heartwarming

So what’s scarier than running down 60 feet of glass and concrete, straight towards the ground? Try sprinting down all 250 feet of Toronto’s city hall! Unfortunately for her, Milla Jovovich couldn’t get the powers that be to sign off. I can’t blame her for trying, especially when she explained her mindset through the following sentiment:

Look, if Tom Cruise doesn’t make a movie with Milla Jovovich at this point, I’d say it’s an act of cinematic treason. And I’m not kidding about The Fifth Element icon wanting to go the full Ethan in Resident Evil: Apocalypse. In fact, I have the proof sitting right below this paragraph, courtesy of an archival special feature that runs down this incredible visual:

Though some of my colleagues think that Resident Evil’s animated films are better than the Milla Jovovich entries, I still have a huge soft spot for those six live-action thrill rides. Yes, that even goes for my least favorite entry, Resident Evil: Afterlife. While I’m definitely keeping an open mind, despite the reasons for my epic Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City rant still haunting me, this next round already has a rough road ahead.

Zack Cregger’s Resident Evil is set to debut on September 18, 2026. Meanwhile, fans of the Jovovich school of ass kicking can see her battling alongside Dave Bautista through In the Lost Lands - which is currently available for rental or purchase on Digital HD!

While Barbarian director Zach Cregger is only a producer on the 2025 movie Companion, it looks like 2026 is going to be his year of original projects. The man is already spoken for, thanks to his next film Weapons’ release date claiming a spot next January. Now the Whitest Kids You Know alum has another movie that’s going to be tearing up the screens at a theater near you: his reboot of Resident Evil. Set to debut mere months after his second movie, I’m excited the wheels are turning so fast - even with one very deeply held concern I need to talk about.

Zack Cregger’s Resident Evil Reboot Is Slated For September 2026

Coming straight from Sony Pictures, Capcom’s iconic horror franchise will be heading back to theaters on September 18th, 2026. That’s notable for two reasons, the first being Mr. Cregger is now in play for two follow-ups to his sleeper horror hit debut. Eight months may not seem like a short period of time, but with an undertaking like Resident Evil not even in production yet, it seems a bit daunting.

The second reason I’m excited by this news is that apparently this means Sony Pictures is comfortable with its spot in the horror genre field. Though that excitement comes with some healthy competition, as 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’s release date puts the studio’s own undead-adjacent sequel in direct competition with Zach Cregger’s Weapons.

So there’s a chance that this Warner Bros.-based project could move its date, which may shorten the window between efforts. Chaos could be taking hold, at least in terms of the release strategies for both Cregger-helmed spectacles, but I hope that sort of thinking doesn’t spill over to the story development side of things.

Please, For The Love Of Wesker, Don’t Try To Mash Up Separate Resident Evil Games

I promised my editors and representatives that I wouldn’t go on another elongated rant about the most recent Resident Evil movie. My displeasure with Welcome to Raccoon City already has a home, so you can head over to that makeshift therapy session and dig a bit deeper into why that movie is more itchy than tasty.

However, one key gripe I have from that project does also apply to the movies that I did enjoy from Paul W. S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich’s run. If we’re really going to return to one of the worst fictional companies to work for with a fresh start, I hope that one thing is hammered into the script from Zack Cregger and John Wick/Army of the Dead co-writer Shay Hatten: these games need to be individually adapted.

The Alice movies cherry picked elements to focus on, but they did manage to create a basic framework that tons of sick action and creature effects could be hung upon. But when Welcome to Raccoon City tried to mix the plotlines of 1996’s Resident Evil and 1998’s Resident Evil 2, I was ready to rage quit. That's despite the fact that it gave us such a comedically perfect moments, especially the one between 03:00 and 03:44:

I get it, we want to see Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine mix it up with Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. If done right, I could see that totally working, especially if later entries decided to improve some of the less than stellar sequel games. And if any two games need to be condensed, it’s Resident Evil 2 and 3, as they take place around the same 24-48 hour period.

With the right approach, and the fandom’s blessing, Sony and Zack Cregger could have one of the most organic cinematic universes at their disposal. Which only highlights how much we need to see a proper adaptation of the first Resident Evil entry take center stage. Don’t worry, we can always head back to Resident Evil Zero later with some carefully included flashbacks on behalf of Rebecca Chambers’ character development.

My initial intrigue on Cregger’s Resident Evil hire still remains, as there’s so much of Barbarian’s DNA that speaks to why he’s a good fit to take us back to the Arklay Mountains. I just hope that between a legacy studio’s influence and the scars of the undead past, enough lessons have been learned to stick the headshot.

There are a lot of bad companies in the world of film and TV, companies that would be brutal work for like Inotech in Office Space. Those are hardly the only ones. Imagine having to show up to work every morning for Lumon in Severance. Or even a place that might seem like fun like Dunder Mifflin in The Office, would really be awful. Here is our list of companies that would be terrible to work for from TV shows and in movies.

Inotech (Office Space)

Bill Lumberg (Gary Cole) from Inotech in Office Space would be just a terrible boss to work for. The worst part is that he was just one of the many bosses working for the company. It's no wonder everyone was so miserable that everyone had their idea on how to get out of the rat race, from embezzling money to burning the place to the ground.

InGen (Jurassic Park)

Sure, on the surface InGen in Jurassic Park would be an amazing place to work. It's on a tropical island, there seem to be great benefits, and if you're a scientist, it's cutting edge work. Of course, then you have to consider the dinosaurs. Life will find a way and when it does, you're going be in a lot of trouble.

Nakatomi Trading (Die Hard)

Let's be honest, just having to work with a guy like Ellis (Hart Bochner) would be bad enough. Adding in an attack by a bunch of psycho thieves at the Christmas party and well, yeah, it would be pretty awful working for Nakatomi Trading in Die Hard.

The Dharma Initiative (Lost)

It's pretty hard to decide what the worst job would be if you were a part of the The Dharma Initiative in Lost. Desmond being stuck in the hatch typing in the numbers ever few hours has to be close to the top of the list. It's also very cult-like and for anyone who has worked for a company like that, they know just how weird it can be.

Omni Consumer Products (RoboCop)

Omni Consumer Products in RoboCop does some terrible stuff. It's basically a company, led by an egomaniac, that has absolutely no moral compass. Sure, it's a pretty dystopian situation in the world of RoboCop, but that's no excuse, you need to do better than work for an awful company like Omni.

Kruger Industrial Smoothing (Seinfeld)

George (Jason Alexander) in Seinfeld had a few bad jobs on the show. When working for the Yankees is the best job, you know the rest have to be bad. Kruger Industrial Smoothing has to be the worst though. Mr. Kruger is a guy who just doesn't seem to care about anything at all, and what in the world is "industrial smoothing"? Christmas at Kruger Industrial Smoothing seems especially annoying.

Pierpoint & Co. (Industry)

The British hit Industry shows all the worst sides of investment banking. One of the worst aspects of working in that industry is the cut-throat competition that all bankers deal with, especially at Pierpoint & Co o the show. Some may thrive, but most people would hate it.

Weyland-Yutani Corporation (Alien)

Weyland-Yutani Corporation from the Alien franchise is one of the most morally bankrupt companies on this list, and that is really saying something. Over and over it is clear that the powers that be don't care one bit for the health and safety of their employees. Over and over, those employees wind up dead. You'd think someone would blow the whistle, but all these years later, Weyland-Yutani is still at it.

Dunder Mifflin (The Office)

Everyone loves The Office and we all love laughing along with all the whacky stuff that goes on every day at Dunder Mifflin. But think about it, how awful would you feel if you had to deal with Michael Scott (Steve Carell) every day of your life. IT wouldn't take long before you lost it on him, right? It's easy to understand why Jim (John Krasinski) is so miserable all the time.

Wernham Hogg (The Office - UK)

Perhaps the only place worse to work in a sitcom world than Dunder Miflin would be Wernham Hogg in the British version of The Office. Michael Scott is terrible, but David Brent (Ricky Gervais) is mean-spirited and just plain nasty sometimes, in addition to being a total idiot. How anyone ever works for Brent is really hard to understand.

Lumon (Severance)

This list has a lot of sketchy, miserable companies on it, but Lumon from Severance probably takes the cake for the worst. It has everything that makes everyone else terrible all wrapped up into one. Menial tasks with little reward, shady technology, psychopathic leadership, a cult-like atmosphere... the list goes on and on.

The Wonka Chocolate Factory (Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory)

Working at a candy company might sound like a dream for many people, until you learn that all of your co-workers are weird orange beings that are liable to burst into song at the drop of a hat. Add on to that a wildly narcissistic CEO who is completely unpredictable and throws up little tests all the time to test your loyalty and it's safe to say you'd want no part of working for Willy Wonka.

Miller/Gold Talent Agency (Entourage)

Nobody wants to work for a boss whose base level is "yell as much as I can at everyone." It might be a great place to get ahead in a tough entertainment industry, but working for Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) on Entourage would be completely soul-sucking, right? Right.

Tyrell Corporation (Blade Runner)

Anyone working in a giant building that looks like a cross between an Imperial ship from Star Wars and a mid-century brutalist building in Germany should know exactly what kind of company they are working for, right? Building and designing replicants, who are basically enslaved techo-humans, seals the deal. You don't want to work here.

The Springfield Nuclear Power Plant (The Simpsons)

Being a low-level drone in Sector 7-G at a nuclear power plant would be a pretty miserable existence. It seems to work for Homer Simpson, and he's never permanently lost his gig, no matter what he does, but let's be honest, Homer is an idiot. Anyone of even normal intelligence would be out there in a hurry.

Bluth Company (Arrested Development)

A family filled with morons running a company mired in controversy and corruption like the Bluth Company in Arrested Development sounds pretty awful on its face alone. When you get in there, you'd realize that the one family member who is trying to make it work can't control anyone else in his family. Even working for the Banana Stand would be better than going into the office every day at Bluth.

Spacely's Sprokets (The Jetsons)

Even back in the 1960s no one wanted to work for a giant corporation like Spacely's Sprokets. Not only do they not make a real product (sprockets?) but Mr. Spacely is the worst kind of CEO, the kind that rules with fear and intimidation. That's no way to run a company no matter what year it is. We should all have flying cars by now though.

Umbrella (Resident Evil)

As the name of the show implies, Umbrella, the over-arching company in charge of seemingly everything in the world of Resident Evil is, well, evil. The list of things it does that are pure evil is far too long to list in one place, but it's safe to say that you could never truly feel good about your job here.

BiffCo (Back To The Future 2)

The future looks pretty bleak if Biff is in charge. After stealing the time machine and the Sports Almanac, Biff rakes up so much money that he can pretty much do whatever he wants. No one should have to work for a boss like Biff or a company like BiffCo. Who names a company "BiffCo" anyway? Beware the man who builds monuments to himself.

J. Peterman Company (Seinfeld)

The J. Peterman Company on Seinfeld doesn't seem like the worst place to work. it's a trendy catalog, and there is cake in the break room all the time. The serious drawback is working for an egomaniac like Peterman himself. It would be impossible to take orders from a guy like that.

Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory (Family Guy)

It would take about ten seconds to sour on a CEO like Jonathan Weed, owner of the Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory on Family Guy. His smug, pretentious behavior would get old quickly and there aren't enough toys in the world to make going to work for a guy like that every day worth it. Peter got lucky when Mr. Weed died and the whole factory was torn down.

Sunshine Taxi Company (Taxi)

Two words, Louie De Palma. Or is that three? Either way working for Danny DeVito's character on Taxi would be miserable. There are some appeals to driving a cab. You can make your own hours, and you can be alone with your thoughts a lot, but then you remember you have to return to the garage and put up with that jerk. No thanks.

Veridian Dynamics (Better Off Ted)

Senior vice-president of the Research and Development department at Veridian Dynamics sounds like a pretty sweet gig for Ted on Better Off Ted and for the most part, the day-to-day isn't bad at Veridian. The problem is that it is the definition of a soul-sucking multinational conglomerate and it takes a real toll over the long term when you realize you are a completely replaceable cog in a giant machine.

E Corp (Mr. Robot)

A company like E Corp - what kind of name is that anyway? - would make anyone want to be a bad hat hacker working to bring the whole place down. They prey on the most vulnerable and have no morals or ethics whatsoever. This is easily one of the worst companies in television history

Hooli - (Silicon Valley)

It's pretty easy to understand why anyone worth their salt would want to ditch Hooli and strike out on their own. Anyone would have been in the same kind of position with a company like Hooli, knows what it's like to watch others benefit from your good ideas and hard work. Pied Piper is chaotic, but it's theirs.

Zorg Industries (The Fifth Element)

Gary Oldman is brilliant as Zorg, the leader of Zorg Industries on The Fifth Element. The character is completely unhinged and that is not the kind of person anyone wants to work for, setting aside how awful the company itself is. It's simply a company with way too much power.

ENCOM (Tron)

On its surface ENCOM seems like a pretty standard technology company that could do a lot of good for the world. Then you realize it's being run by a total megalomanic. Ed Dillinger cheated his way to the top, and holds onto his power in a ruthless and morally bankrupt way. He's despicable.

MomCorp (Futurama)

Planet Express in Futurama may have it's own set of issues, but working for its rival, MomCorp and dealing with Mom would be way, way worse. At least Planet Express feels like a family. Sometimes, anyway.

Soylent Corporation (Soylent Green)

There is nothing worse on this list than people serving people to other people and Soylent Green is people! That's really all that needs to be said. It's not the only terrible thing that the Soylent Corporation does, it's just the worst thing in the world.

LexCorp (Superman)

It's good to have a hard and fast rule that working for a supervillain like Lex Luther is never a good idea. LexCorp does so many evil things it's hard to know exactly where to start when it comes to reasons why no one should work for a company like that. The worst thing might be that Superman, of all people, could show up and end everything you're doing in a hurry.

Buy N Large Corporation (WALL-E)

The Buy N Large Corporation might have started as an innocent yogurt company but it grew into something far too large, with far too much influence and power. Like other companies on this list, it's just too good for anyone's own good.

Oscorp (Spider-Man)

Oscorp wasn't started by one supervillain, it was started by two! Yeah, there's no way anything you could do at that company would be for the good of anyone except the two evil geniuses that run it. Easy pass.

Nothing is ever guaranteed in life, especially if you’re part of the entertainment industry. That truth still doesn’t change the fact that in the case of series cancelations, there have been a lot of would-be Netflix subscription drivers that ended without a proper conclusion. In the spirit of that fact, try not to get too upset about this rundown of streaming series that found themselves axed without either a happy, sad, or any ending at all!

Kaos

The best-laid plans of even the Gods can find themselves disrupted, as seen with the now cliffhanger ending for Kaos. With the finale showing us Zeus (Jeff Goldblum) seemingly mortal and kicked out of his own throne, various plot threads seemed to be set into motion for a potentially brutal Season 2. Alas, it didn’t take long after Season 1’s premiere for Kaos’ cancellation announcement to strike like a bolt out of the blue.

Resident Evil

Oh, those poor Wesker clones (Lance Reddick). As if Resident Evil’s Season 1 ending didn’t already have enough open-ended heartbreak, that singular season was all fans ended up getting out of this split narrative. Considering that expertly placed Ada Wong tease, and the fact that there’s still a lot of stuff we don’t know about between 2022 and 2036, every time this cancellation is brought up it stings like it did upon first learning the news.

1899

Thanks to the cancellation of 1899, this sci-fi mystery taught us how Netflix’s “28 Day Rule” could have been the law of the land that cut down so many shows in their prime. Of course, that decision also left viewers hanging on perhaps one of the craziest endings you could cancel a show with: a 100-year time jump, and the revelation that this period drama was actually a high-tech simulation.

Gentefied

The end of Gentefied’s two-season run was a mixed bag, as Casimiro (Joaquín Cosío) was allowed to stay in the US, but Chris (Carlos Santos) took off for Mexico to pursue his future. Though the season’s story was wrapped, all of the Morales family had relationships put into play by creators Marvin Lemus & Linda Yvette Chávez. There were still places to go, which left this end of the road feeling more like a fork into uncertainty.

I Am Not Okay With This

What’s worse than a cliffhanger ending that gives ominous hope to a young girl with telekinesis (Sophia Lillis)? Try being greenlit for a second season, only to have it taken away - much as I Am Not Okay With This did. Originally we would have seen more of Sydney’s journey after an eventful and deadly prom. But according to creator Jonathan Entwistle’s Season 2 revelation, unexpectedly expensive COVID protocols ended the production.

The OA

The untimely 2019 cancellation of The OA left creator/series star Brit Marling feeling quite emotional, and rightfully so. Only airing for two seasons, this bonkers drama series spanned genres and had more story to go before it could finish. Much to Netflix’s chagrin, the following for this series was so intense that it proceeded to carry out the tradition of adding demands to revive the project under any and all new social media announcements from the streamer.

Sense8

Depending on who you talk to Sense8’s series finale “special” is the end of the road, and it was planned to be just that. However, series co-creators Lily Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski have mentioned numerous times that there were notes and possible scripts for a Season 3. MoviePilot even shared Strazynski’s comments on some plot beats that were in the works for such a continuation.

Mindhunter

Cancellations are typically a swift affair, especially in the realm of Netflix. However, director/Mindhunter collaborator David Fincher is anything but typical - and so are the projects he attaches himself to. With the two-season run concluding in 2019, it wasn’t until early 2023 that Fincher confirmed Mindhunter Season 3 wasn’t happening. As this case finally closed, it was the predictable crossroads of budgetary woes and viewership numbers that were the culprits all along.

The Midnight Club

Oh Mike Flanagan, if only The Midnight Club hadn’t been taken away so early in its run. Adapting the works of author Christopher Pike, the horror series was cut down after only a season of twists and turns. Ever prepared, Flanagan had plans for The Midnight Club Season 2 story, and one could guess that fans return to these revelations every now and then, if only to reunite with those dearly departed friends.

Santa Clarita Diet

If you’re going to leave the airwaves, it’s usually a good idea to do it with a bang. Of course, when the unexpected ending to the Drew Barrymore-starring Santa Clarita Diet dropped at the end of Season 3, that wasn’t exactly the plan. As we saw Joel (Timothy Olyphant) going through a potential conversion to the world of the undead, the perceived lack of a definitive answer will only bother you if you haven’t made up your mind on what it means.

Space Force

Going into Space Force’s two-season run, you would have probably guessed that the journey to return to the moon would have been the first arc to suffer from a surprise cancellation. But considering that was achieved in the first season, that wasn’t the problem this Steve Carell ensemble comedy left on the table. Instead, the end of Season 2 saw an asteroid heading towards Earth as a potential Season 3 menace - still waiting for its day in the sun.

Archive 81

Some fans of Archive 81 probably wish they could travel back in time to the day the intriguing horror drama premiered, if only to boost the ratings. A web of intrigue was being woven, and with some decent viewing numbers too. Sadly, that finale where Mamoudou Athie’s Dan was thrown back in time a couple of decades was never resolved, as Netflix gave this promising nightmare the axe.

GLOW

GLOW has to be one of the most frustrating cancellations on the books in the modern era of streaming originals. Allison Brie, Betty Gilpin, and the rest of the cast were actually given a fourth and final season to tie things up. Unfortunately, as the series even went into production on what was supposed to be a proper sendoff, the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down. Talk about a heel turn.

Shadow And Bone

Author Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse was poised to become a new television universe in the Netflix library. As Shadow and Bone opened the door with two seasons based on the lore of this universe, a spinoff named Six of Crows was given the green light to go before cameras. Sadly, both shows were canceled in the wake of the 2023 strikes from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA; leaving devoted followers to hound social media with pleas for a reversal of fortune.

Inside Job

It’s crazy that the term “un-renewal” now exists in the entertainment industry. It used to be you were either “renewed” or “canceled.” The animated comedy Inside Job found itself becoming a Schrodinger’s Cat of sorts in that respect, which coincidentally mirrored the plot of its final episode. Just as Reagan (Lizzy Caplan) was promoted to throw her off the trail of The Shadow Board’s real plans, a mid-season renewal for Season 2 turned into…well, you know.

The Chair

While Sandra Oh delivered plenty of barbs and ethical moments through her ten seasons on Grey’s Anatomy, she only had one season to do so on the dark comedy The Chair. Even with her character losing the titular position, there was plenty of room for future kerfluffles involving academia and cancel culture. Also, any show that gives a snarky Holland Taylor power deserves at least one more season to let her wield it.

One Day At A Time

The story of Netflix’s One Day at a Time reboot is complicated, but with a pleasantly bittersweet ending. Three seasons of the Latinx revival of producer Norman Lear’s legendary sitcom ran on Netflix, only for the series to be canceled. A reprieve by the Pop Network gave the project new life for a fourth season…which then found itself cut short/canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At least the series’ final episodes do live on, as Variety reported a table read in late 2024 kinda drew things to a close.

The Society

Whether you're in West Ham or New Ham, the ending to the singular season of The Society left everyone with more questions than answers. An odd combination of life, death, and dogs sent viewers into the cancellation void, as the cancellation axe was swung after Season 1. Maybe future seasons just shifted into another dimension once the series was canceled?

Spinning Out

Picture this: you start watching Spinning Out with no intention of getting invested. But by the time you’ve finished all 10 episodes, you find yourself rooting for Kat (Kaya Scodelario) and her family to overcome the dramas they’ve been working through. And then, to add insult to traumatic flashback injury, you never get to see if Kat overcomes said trauma by performing her Sectionals routine! Curse you, 28-Day Rule; you played us like a fool!

Julie And The Phantoms

Pop music and the unfinished business of the afterlife was sweet music to the ears of folks hooked on Julie and the Phantoms. Just as Julie (Madison Reyes) and her literally spirited band seemed to be on the way to stardom, as well as lifting a nasty curse, a last-minute possession created a complicated cliffhanger. Which is where the show was canceled, leaving this one-season wonder with plenty of unfinished business.

Neo Yokio

Anime comedy Neo Yokio has a history as weird as its delightfully colorful plotline. Boasting the voices of Jaden Smith, Susan Sarandon, and Jude Law, this series was originally supposed to run on Fox. Netflix swooped in with a last-minute save to air what was produced, which kind of explains how this fusion of futuristic anime and a Wes Anderson film was technically left hanging. And we’re not kidding about that second influence, especially with Jason Schwartzman being part of the voice cast.

The Get Down

Not even Netflix's seemingly deep pockets were immune to Baz Luhrmann's excesses. A journey into the evolving music scene of ‘70s New York, it was once the platform’s most expensive series produced upon its 2016 debut. The Get Down found itself canceled too soon, but at least it ended on a high note.

Warrior Nun

Technically Warrior Nun was given a slight reprieve, thanks to the greenlighting of a trilogy of films to continue the story of Ava Silva (Alba Baptista) and her order. However, that’s not thanks to Netflix, as the platform gave creator Simon Barry’s adaptation of Ben Dunn’s comic only two seasons. Not even Rotten Tomatoes could save this series from getting the axe, with the time and place of its resurrection being a complete mystery.

Lockwood & Co.

What would you do if someone you knew was holding a massive secret, and just as they were about to reveal it to you…they stopped? Congratulations, you now know how viewers of Lockwood & Co. felt when it was canceled after a single, eight-episode season. For comparison, author Jonathan Stroud’s literary source series consisted of five books; which makes cutting this cord a bit harsher when you think about it.

That ‘90s Show

Legacy-quels don’t always work, no matter how deeply the nostalgia is felt. That ‘90s Show felt like a no-brainer, as fans still love That ‘70s Show’s original charms to bits. Two seasons, a ton of ‘90s references, and yes one cliffhanger later, the lights have gone out once more in Wisconsin. And now we’ll never know if Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) will have their granddaughter on a more long-term basis.

Black Summer

Black Summer’s two-season prequel to Z Nation is kind of a glass-half-full/half-empty situation. While some say the plot was satisfactorily tied up, others feel that the personal stories of its survivors were where we were left hanging. So score a victory for canon, but a crushing defeat for character-driven story.

Daybreak

What good is a bonkers post-apocalypse where your girlfriend is the surprise big bad if it isn’t allowed to play out? Sure, that’s a very specific question, but it’s one that Daybreak put squarely into the minds of viewers who took its colorful, wacked-out ride. Maybe they should have spared Matthew Broderick after all.

Jupiter’s Legacy

Netflix’s acquisition of comic creator Mark Millar’s company Millarworld sparked the announcement of a rather ambitious slate of adaptations. However, the man who gave us the Kingsman comics has only yielded three Netflix series from that deal, with Jupiter’s Legacy being the potential explanation for why progress seems to have ground to a halt. The messy production of the first season led to this tale’s demise, with a lot of those other projects currently MIA.

Daredevil

While Disney+’s Echo and Daredevil: Born Again have continued the story laid out by Netflix’s initial three-season adventure, there’s still a bit of a gap to address. But if we’re really going to call this show out for a cliffhanger that wasn’t fully resolved, consider how that final round of episodes teased Bullseye, before fading away into the ether.

The Brothers Sun

What’s crazier than fighting for control of the family mafia? The answer: not knowing what happens next! As The Brothers Sun concluded, Charles (Justin Chien) and his mother Eileen (Michelle Yeoh) were set to assume control of the Jade Dragons, while brother Bruce (Sam Song Li) went back to being the silly, goofy person he was before learning all these secrets. Plot wise, it’s tied up! Otherwise, what kind of ending is that?!

Dead Boy Detectives

There were some plans being drafted for the future of Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives adaptation. Which would make total sense, seeing as it connects to the platform’s wildly successful Sandman universe. Alas, just as the second season of that other Neil Gaiman seems to be in jeopardy, these spirited sleuths have solved their last case.

Cursed

Could all of those arrows really have taken out Nimue (Katherine Langford), the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend? Well, considering Cursed was cancelled before it could even try to answer that query, we’re going to say…what do you think?

For almost as long as video games have been popular, Hollywood has been adapting them for movies and television shows. Often it's fighting games like Mortal Kombat, but even more G-rated games like Candy Crush have been adapted in one way or another. The adaptations aren't always great, but the games they chose usually are. Here is our list of great games that have been adapted into movies and TV shows.

Mortal Kombat

When the first Mortal Combat video game was first released in 1992 it was immediately one of the most controversial games on the market. It was also massively popular. It's still very popular, as new games have continued to be released over the years and there have been multiple adaptions, including for the first time as a movie in 1995.

Tomb Raider

The first Tomb Raider video game came out in 2001 and there have been multiple installments of the game about a female archeologist and action hero, Lara Croft. The game was first adapted into a movie starring Angelia Jolie in 2001's Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and its sequel. It was adapted again in a reboot starring Alicia Vikander, in 2018.

Sonic The Hedgehog

The first Sonic The Hedgehog game became a pillar of the SEGA gaming system in 1991. It took a long time, but it was eventually adapted into a hit movie in 2020 with the same name. In the '90s, it was briefly turned into an animated show as well.

The Last Of Us

The Last Of Us was an unlikely hit video game before it was turned into a very well-received hit TV show on HBO. The show, starring Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, has found fans far from its core gamer base and is one of the best shows in HBO in recent history.

Warcraft

The Warcraft series of video games has been one of the more enduring franchises in the whole industry. It makes sense that eventually it would get adapted into a movie. It finally was for the first time in 2016. Unfortunately, the movie didn't live up to the popularity of the game and was a critical and box office flop.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The Super Mario Bros. Movie released in 2023 defied all the cynics when it became a massive hit. Critics of the movie doubted the animated movie could be a hit, but in a tribute to the enduring popularity of a game series that started in the early 1980s, the movie went on to make over $1.3 billion at the box office.

Five Nights at Freddy's

Indie video games don't often turn into huge media franchises, but that is just what Five Nights at Freddy's has done. The original game, released in 2004 found a hardcore cult following that has grown with each subsequent release. The first movie was released in 2023 and made more than ten times its budget at the box office.

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?

In the mid-80s, computer games were still in their infancy, and one of the most popular games was Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? It was so popular that it was turned into a kids game show in 1991 with the late, great Lynn Thigpen presenting it. It was rebooted by Netflix, but that proved to be a great example of a show that didn't need to be rebooted.

Twisted Metal

Between 1996 and 2012 the Twisted Metal franchise released eight games and became one of the most popular driving games of all time. More than a decade after its last release, it was turned into a TV show on Peacock where its enduring popularity made it a hit.

Assassin's Creed

The Assassin's Creed games have been wildly popular since the first game was released in 2007. Multiple version of the game, spread out over different eras of history, have remained popular in spite of the one attempt to adapt to a movie, starring Michael Fassbender, in 2016, disappointed critics and fans of the game alike.

Double Dragon

Double Dragon was one of the very first one-on-one fighting games when it was first released in 1987. It was also one of the first to be adapted into a movie when a film starring Robert Patrick, Scott Wolf, and Alyssa Milano was released in 1994. The movie was pretty bad, and that was reflected in its dismal box office performance.

Resident Evil

Resident Evil is a rare example of a video series and a movie series that have both been wildly successful. Multiple entries of both have proven to be popular over the last couple of decades. Zombies never really go out of style.

Fallout

The Fallout video game series launched in 1997 and multiple entires in both the main series and in spinoffs have been released in the years since. After a few attempts to get a movie made, the game was finally adapted for a TV show in 2024, and it became an instant hit on Amazon's stream service.

Rampage

Of all the movies on this list, Rampage has to be the one that was the most surprising to get a movie adaptation of it. Sure, the game was popular when it was released in 1987, but it never seemed like the kind of game that would get turned into a movie. That is until it was made into a disaster film starring Dwayne Johnson in 2018.

Pokémon

It's hard to pick just one adaption for Pokémon. The franchise is ubiquitous in every possible way. Whether it's video games, playing cards, comic books, TV shows, and movies, Pokémon is everywhere.

Pac-Man

In the 1980s Pac-Man was more than just a video game. It was a cultural phenomenon. It was really the first time a video crossed over fully into pop culture, so it makes sense that it would be one of the first games to get adapted into a TV show, in the form of a Saturday morning cartoon in 1982.

Doom

Dwayne Johnson has starred in a few video game adaptations, including 2005's Doom. The movie was based on one of the first, and most popular first-person shooter games of the same name that was also incredibly controversial as such. The movie was less controversial, and significantly less popular than the game as well.

Candy Crush

One of the early smash hit games for smartphones was Candy Crush when it came out in 2012. It was adapted into a game show presented by Mario Lopez in 2017, but it was not popular, to say the least, and was canceled after just nine episodes.

Maniac Mansion

Perhaps the weirdest entry on this list is Maniac Mansion. The 1987 PC-based game was pretty popular for its day, but no one would have thought it could be turned into a TV. Those doubters were proved wrong when it did become a TV show on Canadian television in 1990. The show did not have much in common with the game, however.

Halo

When the XBox was first released, a ton of effort was put into the first game included with the console, Halo. It has remained a staple of the console and many different versions of the game have been released over the years. After many starts and stops in other media, with multiple attempts to make various movies and TV shows, finally in 2022 the hit franchise was launched as a TV series on Paramount+, where it ran for two seasons.

Alone In The Dark

In 1992 Atari created the first Alone In The Dark game and it has since gone on to become one of the most enduring franchises since. In the ultimate proof that a game's popularity doesn't automatically translate to box office success, the 2005 Alone In The Dark movie, starring Christian Slater, was a huge bomb.

DOA: Dead Or Alive

Sometimes it seems that most video game adaptions bomb when they are adapted into movies. That's because of movies like DOA: Dead Or Alive. Based on the hit fighting franchise of the same name DOA: Dead Or Alive absolutely tanked at the box office, making less than $8 million against a $30 million budget.

Prince Of Persia: The Sands of Time

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time starring Jake Gyllenhaal was a huge gamble by Disney when they put up a monster budget to adapt the movie from the hit video game franchise, Prince of Persia. The movie made money, which must have relieved some at the House of Mouse, but it was a pretty modest success, and ultimately a planned sequel was canceled.

Tekken

Fighting game franchise Tekken launched on the heels of the massive success of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. For many, it's always felt like a bit of a copycat to those other two monster franchises, but it has a solid core of fans. Enough, in fact, to get a movie financed in 2009, but it completely bombed at the box office.

Knuckles

Paramount+ show Knuckles is a rare example of a spinoff of a video game adaptation. The show is based on the titular character, known as Knuckles the Echidna in full, who appears in the Sonic The Hedgehog movies and is also a playable character in video games. He first appeared in the third installment of the video game, in 1994.

Need for Speed

A popular genre of video game that seems like more adaptations could come from is racing games. There aren't many, though Need for Speed is a notable exception. The games are all great, and the movie is a pretty great car racing movie.

Wing Commander

For some of us, it's hard to believe that the Wing Commander video game franchise is more than three decades old at this point, but the first one was released in 1990. The movie adaption, released in 1999, was significantly less memorable, having bombed big time at the box office.

House Of The Dead

German director Uwe Boll made a name for himself in the mid-'00s when he adapted a slew of video games into films. Unfortunately, almost all of them bombed, including his first attempt, House of the Dead in 2013. It was adapted from the video game of the same name.

Gangs Of London

The 2006 game Gangs of London seemed like an unlikely choice for adaptation, but it defied expectations when it became a surprising hit TV show for Sky Atlantic and AMC in 2020. Popular with fans and critics alike, the show has proven to be more popular than the game it is based on.

BloodRayne

BloodRayne, starring Kristanna Loken, Michael Madsen, and Michelle Rodriguez was the third attempt by director Uwe Boll to adapt a video game. It was also the third time that an attempt bombed at the box office. The movie is based on a pretty popular game released in 2002.

Uncharted

With almost a dozen released over the years, Uncharted has remained a very popular video game series. As such, it makes sense that someone would try to adapt into a hit movie. The 2022 movie starring Tom Holland turned into one of the most popular video game adaptations of all time, bringing in more than $400 million at the box office.

Street Fighter

Before Tekken, and before Mortal Kombat, there was Street Fighter. For its many fans, it was and remains still the greatest fighting game of all time. With dozens of releases over the years on virtually every game console since the '80s, it's one of the giants in video game history. It was first adapted into a live-action film in 1994 starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and over the years it's been adapted into multiple animated movies and TV shows.

While there’s plenty to be afraid of on the 2024 movie schedule, the nefarious Umbrella Corporation isn’t something to be concerned about. As the Resident Evil franchise continues to sit in stasis after Netflix’s cancellation of the Capcom TV series adaptation, no one knows what to expect.

However, if a rumor freshly making the rounds is any indication, another cinematic reboot might be in play. As a fan off the franchise, I’m still cautiously optimistic about this play, but I’m also intrigued by the director who will supposedly make it happen.

Resident Evil’s Alleged New Director Is An Inspired Choice

Per a tip from The InSnieder, via Inverse, it appears that Sony has tapped Barbarian director Zach Cregger for our latest potential trip to Raccoon City. In a twist worthy of a mansion murder mystery, Cregger allegedly landed the post after departing that same studio’s efforts to make the long in development Clue reboot happen.

This prospective project should be considered alongside what we know about Weapons, the follow-up that The Whitest Kids You Know alum has slated for a January 2026 release date. If this is a project that's indeed in the works, Zack Cregger and his team will have plenty of time to get to shaping the story. Though one could assume that this project won't be ready for theaters until at least 2026 or 2027 at the earliest.

It’s hopeful to see the Resident Evil movies still on the radar of Sony, as well as Hollywood in general. I think there’s an opportunity to make a faithful adaptation yet, despite my disappointment in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. That failed relaunch, as well as Netflix’s lack of faith in its one-season thriller, always leads me to eye these sorts of announcements with much skepticism. But at the same time, having Zack Cregger potentially on board is an absolutely perfect fit for several reasons.

Why Zack Cregger Is A Perfect Fit For Resident Evil

Cards on the table, I feel like I owe Barbarian a revisit. I remember seeing the 2022 horror movie in theaters and not really being as taken with it as hardcore fans were. That being said, I can totally see why Zack Cregger is a perfect fit for this reported Resident Evil reboot, and I really dig his potential hiring.

The first reason for that enthusiasm is the fact that Mr. Cregger has the horror community’s confidence in whatever he tackles. Having that sort of heat on his heels could inspire Sony to provide the right budget and resources to make a new Resident Evil movie really sing. Then again, considering Barbarian was made on an estimated budget that clocks in at $4.5 million on the high end, I wouldn’t doubt that he’d be able to make a smaller scale revamp work with a tighter wallet.

More importantly, Zack Cregger has shown he can balance several non-linear plotlines rather adroitly. As he flipped back and forth through three different threads in the narrative of Barbarian, our new potential helmer just might use those skills to tell a tale of Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine without having to succumb to the temptation to keep those characters together all of the time.

That last point makes Resident Evil’s potential Zack Cregger colab even more exciting, as he’ll presumably know which stories to use. Could we see Resident Evil 0’s story used as flashbacks for an adaptation of the first game? Maybe we’ll get a Resident Evil 2/Resident Evil 3: Nemesis combo pack? The potential is limitless, and the more that I think about it, the more I kind of need this to happen now.

We’ll see what happens, as this Resident Evil reboot still hasn’t been confirmed by any sort of official word from Sony. Maybe this scuttlebutt is proof that the rumored Umbrella Chronicles project could still be happening. For now, we’ll just have to keep collecting the evidence needed to bring Umbrella back to theaters. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll probably want to revisit the Resident Evil series and think about what could have been. In which case, you can use your Netflix subscription to take that journey.

I love the Resident Evil video games, but the live-action movies don't necessarily have the best track record, which you can see in my ranking of the horror franchise.  

However, I do think that there's hope when it comes to the animated flicks. While I wasn't in love with the last animated Resident Evil venture, Infinite Darkness (which was more of a series, but it played like a movie), I did enjoy 2017's Resident Evil: Vendetta, and I have a soft spot for 2012’s Damnation, as well as 2008’s Degeneration.

That said, I think I now have a new favorite Resident Evil movie, and I don’t just mean when it comes to the animated flicks, either. I mean ever. And that movie is 2023’s Resident Evil: Death Island. Here are my reasons!   

It Has Almost Every Classic Resident Evil Character, And They’re All Game Accurate 

We’ve gotten classic characters in the live-action movies before, like Johann Urb played Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil: Retribution, and Avan Jogia played him in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (the latter of which we didn’t give a great review to). We’ve also gotten Jill Valentine in Resident Evil: Apocalypse, played by Sienna Guillory, as well as in Raccoon City, played by Hannah John-Kamen.  

But honestly, none of the live-action versions of the characters really feel like the characters from the games. Sure, they may look the part, and that’s something, but the live-action movies just feel like they miss the boat when it comes to the characters we know and love from the games.

Well, I’m happy to report that Death Island features pretty much all of the mainline heroes prior to Resident Evil 7 and 8 in which Ethan Winter became the series’ new protagonist. I’m talking Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and Rebecca Chambers, the latter of whom wasn’t in Welcome to Raccoon City. 

Now, some of these characters have appeared in the other animated films, like Leon S. Kennedy, who has appeared in all of them, but this is the first time where we have ALL of these characters together. In fact, Leon and Jill have actually never been on screen together before, so their interaction in this movie is really making Resident Evil history. 

The only super notable character who is really missing in this movie, though, is Albert Wesker, but we haven’t gotten him in any of the animated films yet, so maybe they’re just holding onto him. 

Having all of these characters WORKING together really makes an impact for this fan, as it almost feels like fan-fiction. But it’s not! And not only that, but all of the characters feel video game accurate, which may be the coolest thing of all. This movie almost doesn’t feel real, but it is. And we’re all the better for it. 

Speaking Of The Video Games, Death Island Feels Like It Could Have Actually Come From One Of The Titles In The Series 

I have played every mainline Resident Evil title, and let me tell you, the only live-action movie that has kind of gotten it right was Raccoon City (though certainly not in its portrayal of Leon, that’s for sure) and even that one was more about locations than anything else.  

But, that’s the thing about video game movies of yore - they didn’t HAVE to be like the game they were based off of in order for fans to go see them. Have you WATCHED the original Super Mario Bros. movie? I mean, nowadays, I’ll defend it to my dying breath, but back then, I HATED it, because it was nothing like the games.      

Flash forward to the end of 2023, and that’s just not cutting it anymore. Many critics didn’t like the recent Super Mario Bros. movie, but I (and the fans!) loved it, since it was VERY much like the games. The Last of Us TV series was sometimes 1:1 with the original game, and was praised for being so accurate.    

So, no, a lot of Resident Evil fans no longer want something like it anymore. We want the real deal, baby. And Death Island feels like the real deal. In fact, it almost feels like one of my favorite RE video games, Resident Evil: Revelations, with the way it’s told, and the stunning action. The story mostly takes place in Alcatraz, and the plot legit feels like it could have come from one of the video games. In fact… 

There Is A Healthy Dose Of Both Horror And Action Elements 

I just mentioned how this movie feels like the game, Revelations, but I would also say that it feels like one of the more maligned titles in the series, Resident Evil 6. 

The reason why a lot of people didn’t like RE 6 at the time was that it relied a lot more on action than frights, so some fans believed the series was straying too far away from its horror roots. But, games like Revelations were proof that the franchise still had it. You just had to find it on the Nintendo 3DS at the time. 

Well, I’m happy to say that Death Island successfully melds the utter ridiculousness of RE 6's action and the frights of Revelations. 

Because look, not only does this movie feature two of the series’ toughest characters in Leon AND Chris Redfield, just like in Vendetta, but this time, it also features the hard-as-nails Jill Valentine, so that’s another ass kicker this film needs to make way for. 

This movie does an excellent job of making all of the scary scenes extra action packed, so it’s the best of both worlds. It really feels like the perfect mix. 

The Mystery At The Center Of The Story Is Legitimately Compelling  

I’ve gone all the way through this article thus far without even going over the plot! Well, in this story, something strange is happening in San Francisco, as there seem to be zombies, but no bites on the victims. 

Now, as an aficionado of the best zombie apocalypse movies, I’m well aware that there are several different ways that people can transform into zombies, but when it comes to the world of Resident Evil, there are only a few ways that people and animals can acquire the T-virus. Strangely enough, none of those reasons seem to apply to the people in this film.   

In fact, it seems like people can just turn into zombies at random, and they don’t even have to be bitten, which is bizarre. Throughout the narrative, we slowly learn just what is going on, but until that point, it’s largely a mystery – and a good one! - until we learn the truth.  

The Villain Is Actually Sympathetic  

Lastly, the final reason I really loved this Resident Evil movie was because I actually sympathized with the antagonist. The character’s name is Dylan Blake, and he used to work for the Umbrella Corporation with the task of trying to contain the outbreak back in Raccoon City. Unfortunately, most of his squadmates turned into zombies, and he was ordered to shoot them. 

Dylan was conflicted, however. This was before he even knew what zombies were, and he didn’t want to kill his squadmates, since they were his friends. His immediate partner, JJ, however, had no problem following the directive, and shot his former squadmates with extreme prejudice. 

Eventually, something terrible happened, and Dylan never lived it down. So, in the present day, when he sets his plans in motion, you can tell that to him, it makes perfect sense. Yes, it would technically be genocide, but he doesn’t see it that way. 

While I don’t condone his plan at all, I understand just why he feels he must go through with these horrific actions. It’s not the most three dimensional character arc I've ever seen, but it at least feels compelling enough to hear him out, which I can’t really say for any of the other bad guys in these films.

Have you gotten a chance to watch Resident Evil: Death Island yet? For more news on all things Resident Evil, be sure to swing by here often!  

I try not to be a person of many grudges, as those sorts of feelings don’t exactly get you anywhere. But there’s a special place in my heart that harbors a good number of bad feelings pertaining to the cancellation of TV shows I really happened to dig. So pull up a chair and prepare, as I’m about to rattle off 32 TV cancellations I’m still mad about.

Alcatraz

One 13 episode season in 2012 was all we got of this supernatural mindbender, where prisoners that randomly disappeared from Alcatraz returned decades later. When this show vanished, it left one of its leads in a potentially fatal cliffhanger, and deprived the world of weekly doses of Sam Neill. 

The Last Tycoon

Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book of the same name, The Last Tycoon entertained Prime Video subscribers in 2017. Nine episodes was all we got of Matt Bomer’s tragically dreamy studio head, in a series that used old Hollywood to scratch the itch that Mad Men left behind. Scripts for Season 2 are sitting somewhere in writer Billy Ray’s office, waiting for someone to call “Action!”

Resident Evil

When your story depends on jumping back and forth between the present and the future, the gap in the middle is where the fun lies. And for Netflix’s Resident Evil, we’ll never get the full story about what the Wesker family went through between pre and post-apocalyptic events. Though with the untimely passing of Lance Reddick, it would have been daunting to find a new Albert to fill his shoes.

Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip

Aaron Sorkin’s dramedy take on the behind the scenes of an SNL clone failed to capture the energy of actually funny sketches. That could have easily been worked on, as Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was a very effective drama, with Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford anchoring an amazing ensemble that included Amanda Peet and Sarah Paulson, among others.

Perry Mason

Perry Mason’s Season 2 finale became a series finale, thanks to HBO’s surprise cancellation. Which means Matthew Rhys’ titular detective will be cooling his heels in prison indefinitely, with no updates on how he picks up the pieces in the aftermath of his latest bombshell of a case. Another period-set beauty that’s been yanked too soon.

Westworld

One more season. That’s all Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy needed to close out Westworld properly. I don’t care if Season 4’s finale seems to tie things off, there was one more season of robot madness to be had, and as a Michael Crichton fan I feel cheated.

Lovecraft Country

While there were some serious rumors behind the possible reason for Lovecraft Country's cancellation, I still mourn what was supposed to happen in Season 2. With a radically different United States forming what Blavity reported to be the story behind Lovecraft Country: Supremacy, Mischa Green’s wild visions were too awesome to cancel this early.

Drive

There was a time when Fox was known for its cancel-happy nature, and 2007’s Drive was caught up in that era. An illegal cross-country race had several pairs of contestants racing for glory and survival, with Nathan Fillion, Melanie Lynskey, and Emma Stone among them. Only six episodes were made, with two being aired as online exclusives, and the overall story remaining unfulfilled.

Castle

You know it’s a problem when you’re an eight season show like Castle and your series finale is still a rush job. I still get whiplash when considering Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) and Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) going from a near fatal shooting to a happily ever after, one scene long time jump, set seven years into the future.

Counterpart

J.K. Simmons learning to live with his parallel universe self, in a Cold War-tinged espionage thriller. That’s all I should have to say when it comes to Starz’s Counterpart, which was cancelled after two seasons. This is the type of show that definitely should have had a longer life, even if it was just a five season wonder like Alias. 

Agent Carter

Somehow, somewhere in the ABC boardrooms, Agent Carter just wasn’t doing well enough to stay on the air. Meanwhile, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. went on for seven seasons. Not to knock that other series, but Hayley Atwell’s Sharon Carter deserved a lengthier run that enriched the MCU.

Human Target

Watching Human Target was, almost literally, a blast of weekly entertainment. Mark Valley, Jackie Earle Haley, and Chi McBride’s DC Comics action/comedy was light, fun, and packed with thrills. Each new assignment for their team was a treat to behold, and the “mission of the week” style varied things up enough that it was exciting to learn what was next.

Dark Angel

here was a mythos in play in James Cameron's Dark Angel, and plans for a third season of Jessica Alba’s genetically engineered hero Max already in the works. Cameron wrote and executive produced on the show, as well as directed what became the series finale for Season 2.

M.A.N.T.I.S.

Legendary actor Carl Lumbly got to be a TV superhero in M.A.N.T.I.S., and the role fit him like the suit that gave Dr. Miles Hawkins the ability to walk again. A superhero/man of science that flies around in a cool stealth ship and fights crime? And he’s played by Carl Lumbly? This two season epic never got its due, with a bummer ending supposedly closing the loop, and that’s an injustice.

Gentefied

I’m sensing the old fashioned Netflix 28-day viewership rule was what canned Gentefied, a glorious dramedy about the Morales family and their ups and downs in California. Celebrating the Latinx experience, while also focusing on the sociopolitical issues the family faced, it was a heartwarming as it was hysterical. 

I Am Not Okay With This

You shouldn’t legally be allowed to end a series like I Am Not Okay With This on a cliffhanger that massive. With Sydney (Sophia Lillis) moving into an uncertain future with her telekinetic powers, and after that shocking departure of a main character, Netflix’s one season wonder still has me wanting to see the next chapter.

Pen15

I got attached to Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle’s awkward adventures through middle school in Pen15. There was still a lot of ground for the girls to cover, and not having them around makes my Hulu subscription a little less funny.

I Love You America, With Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman’s I Love You, America was a mix of sketch comedy and discussion that tackled issues of the modern world in 2017. Running for only one season, it was a great compliment to other shows like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, as it helped us all see the world a bit clearer through laughter.

Free Agents

Remakes of international shows like Free Agents don’t always work. But when they do, it’s usually because of amazing teams like Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn. Playing co-workers awkwardly navigating a workplace romance, half of its 8 episodes aired on TV, until its cancellation.

The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien

The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien ended way too soon, full stop. NBC’s decision to revert the show to its previous host, Jay Leno, was one of the most upsetting late night decisions in history. A little over half a year was all Conan got in the big chair, but wow did he make it work. 

The Tick

Amazon’s attempt at making The Tick into a series was absolutely worth the time and energy given to making its two season run. Peter Serafinowicz and Griffin Newman’s The Tick and Arthur were a match made in comedy heaven, and the constant questioning of reality made it all even more enjoyable to follow. 

The Critic

Even before I became a professional entertainment journalist, The Critic was the type of sarcastic animated comedy I have always dug. Jon Lovitz’ Jay Sherman was bounced around between networks, and even got a short lived run of online shorts. None of it was ever enough, as the sharp writing and movie parodies never missed.

Mr. Mayor

NBC’s Mr. Mayor ended after two seasons, setting up the ultimate cliffhanger with Mayor Neil (Ted Danson) and Deputy Mayor Arpi (Holly Hunter) squaring off in a mayoral race for control of L.A. But at least Jayden (Bobby Moynihan) got some good news to close things out, which left me with one last precious laugh before the curtain. 

The Mick

Fox’s two-season sitcom The Mick was flat out hysterical on its own merit, as Kaitlin Olson’s irresponsible aunt made for a problematic babysitter. However, fan theories that it was secretly the show that It’s Always Sunny’s Sweet Dee imagined herself a part of in “The Gang Saves The Day” episode only makes me miss it that much more.

The Millers

Will Arnett, Beau Bridges, J.B. Smoove, and Margo Martindale formed a solid main bench for CBS’s The Millers, and to the show’s credit it did last two seasons. At the same time, that wasn’t nearly enough for me; and this is coming from someone who’s super picky about their sitcom preferences.

Mr. Sunshine

Matthew Perry running a sports arena sounds like a fun logline. The reality lived up to the potential, as one season of ABC’s Mr. Sunshine banked on Perry’s sarcastic charm. Surrounding him with co-stars like Andrea Anders, Nate Torrence, and Allison Janney only sweetened the pot, but the show didn’t even get to air all 13 episodes produced before cancellation.

A.P. Bio

A.P. Bio always seemed to be fighting to make the grade, even after making the jump from NBC to Peacock. Four seasons saw Glenn Howerton scheming to make his life better, while developing somewhat of a heart over time. Unfortunately, this series has sat down and shut up forever.

The Strain

The Strain was supposed to last for four to five seasons, with FX ultimately ending the series in Season 4. Adapting Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s trilogy depicting a vampire apocalypse, the trimmed episode orders and four season run was satisfying to a degree. At the same time, I still wonder what new twists could have happened in that phantom Season 5.

Firefly

Will the cancellation of Firefly ever be forgiven? I certainly don’t think so. Even with the confusing episode order and Fox’s lack of support for the show, the adventures of the Nathan Fillion-led crew of outlaws was pure joy. And no, Serenity didn’t curb my appetite for future chapters; it only made it grow.

The Crazy Ones

Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar as a father/daughter ad exec team was almost like capturing lightning in a bottle. CBS had that lightning with The Crazy Ones, and its single 22-episode season is all the proof one needed. For a sitcom to be this funny, and to have equally funny outtakes to run each week, is nothing short of a miracle.

Dark Shadows (Revival)

It wasn’t NBC’s fault that the Dark Shadows revival happened to debut at the same time the Gulf War was raging in 1991. Ratings were hard to secure, and we only got 12 episodes of Barnabas Collins (Ben Cross) and the supernatural/gothic happenings that surrounded his family. Don't expect the Johnny Depp reboot if you seek this one out, because this revival was closer to the serious tone of the original.

Quantum Leap (OG)

Look, I know we have the new Quantum Leap, and everyone wants the potential return of Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula). That still doesn’t make up for the final episode of NBC’s original series in 1993 ending with nothing but a title card telling us that Sam never made it home. Ziggy tells me that’s still 100% not cool, and needs to be fixed pronto.

And there you have it: a bushel of TV cancellations that still, to this day, has me wondering "what if..." It'll never stop either, as there's always a new series or an ongoing narrative just waiting to be plucked before its time. Again, while I don't like to hold grudges, it's almost a sure-fire conversation starter if you mention one of these shows while I'm around.

It’s been almost two years since Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City hit theaters, and an even shorter amount of time since Netflix’s single season adaptation of Capcom’s legendary gaming franchise came and went. One wouldn’t be faulted for not expecting yet another attempt in the pipeline, but that’s apparently what might be happening in secret. As a new Resident Evil adventure might be prepping to wreck bioengineered havoc once more, the shadowy details seem to signal an exciting change for the franchise.

This news comes from a local news report from Sudbury, a town in Ontario, Canada that’s pretty connected to Sony’s horror movie franchise. Not only was this location used in making of writer/director Johannes Roberts’ entry into the ranks of Resident Evil movies, but it’s also apparently seen some money awarded for the production of the presumed new installment. I say "presumed" because the only details we have are that the production company behind Welcome to Raccoon City is in play with this new concept, which bears a very promising name: Umbrella Chronicles.

Die hard fans may have felt their ears and eyes perk up while reading that supposed title. I know I did, simply because if that moniker is to be taken at face value, this new Resident Evil project could be gearing up to tell a story from the eyes of one of its best illains. As Raccoon HG Film Productions is reported to be trying its hand at trying to make the T-Virus happen, the company might be focusing this new adventure through the red eyes of Albert Wesker.

The short short version of why I say this is because that’s exactly what the game Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles did when it hit the Wii in 2007. Wesker narrated his way through several incidents in the long history of the Umbrella Corporation’s dirty deeds, and you as the player blasted your way through a light-rail shooter that had just the right amount of story to work. 

Played in the 2021 movie by The Umbrella Academy’s Tom Hooper, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’s ending saw Wesker revived by Ada Wong (Lily Gao) after presumably dying in action. Slipping on his trademark sunglasses, the not quite devious incarnation of Umbrella’s commanding ranks was back in the game. 

It’s a good time to note that, as of the time of this writing, there aren’t any Resident Evil film or TV projects that seem to be publicly acknowledged as on the books. That’s not by accident, as even CinemaBlend’s review for Welcome to Raccoon City saw our own Eric Eisenberg noting that the finished product somehow made a zombie apocalypse boring. I totally agree with his evaluation, as several Nemesis-sized problems really upset me as a fan of the series.

Could there be a stealth Resident Evil sequel on its way? Maybe – we’ll just have to wait and see if Sony or Screen Gems respond to this report of movement. If it happens to be true, I’ll try not to get too excited, as I've been burned and bitten before by this saga. At the same time, Umbrella Chronicles just might be the strain that makes it all work.

For now, if you want to catch up with the Evils of recent past, you can stream Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City on Starz. Or, if you’re open to something new, a Netflix subscription will let you watch the single season of Resident Evil that exists, with the late Lance Reddick playing Albert Wesker. 

Michelle Rodriguez has become best known for the badass women she plays in iconic action movies, including Letty in the Fast and Furious franchise, Rain in Resident Evil and Trudy in Avatar. Another common factor among all these characters is they all died in one of their respective franchise’s movies. While Rodriguez’s characters came back to life in the Fast and Furious movies and Resident Evil, she revealed that she’s drawing the line with Avatar, saying she won’t return to the franchise. 

She makes a fair point, there are only so many times a gal can die and come back before it becomes too much. Rodriguez made this clear while talking to Vanity Fair, saying James Cameron was thinking about bringing her character Trudy back to Pandora. She responded by saying she thinks her character should just stay dead this time, recalling various moments throughout her career: 

In the case of Avatar, Rodriguez’s character dies in a fiery plane crash as she tries to help the Navi’i fight the humans. Unlike Sigourney Weaver, the actress behind Trudy did not return as a new character, and she wasn’t part of the Avatar: The Way of Water cast. I totally get where Rodriguez is coming from, to have so many of her characters die and come back to life is both random, and probably a bit frustrating. If Cameron wanted the actress to stay in the franchise, maybe the team should have listened to Turdy’s hope in the movie when she said: 

Being a martyr in a movie is cool and all, but for the moment to maintain its meaning, the character needs to stay dead. I know when I watched Avatar for the first time I was bummed Trudy died, but I also recognized the heroic sacrifice she made. 

However, I also love Michelle Rodriguez and would like her to be in every installment of every franchise she’s been a part of. For example, it was epic to see her return to iconic roles like Letty, when she surprisingly came back to life in Fast and Furious: 6. I know when I watched the sixth Fast and Furious movie for the first time I thought the actress gave her best performance of the saga, and seeing her character return as a stronger more prominent person in the saga was so exciting. Although, there are only so many times you can believably bring a character back from the dead, and I think this being the reason for the actress not wanting to return to Avatar is understandable. 

Along with not wanting to have another character of hers unexpectedly come back to life, Rodriguez is also an extremely busy actress, who is working on other franchise films outside of Avatar. On the 2023 movie schedule alone she’s set to star in Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, which hits theaters March 31, and she’ll return as Letty as part of the Fast X cast on May 19. So, while we may not see Michelle Rodriguez fly around Pandora again, there’s a lot to look forward to from the action star, and you can always go back and watch her as Trudy in Avatar with a Disney+ subscription.  

Netflix’s Co-CEO Ted Sarandos infamously said the streamer has never canceled a successful show, and fans of shows that were canceled after only a season or two were livid. Many were baffled by these comments, pointing to lots of shows they believed to be popular that were canceled early in their runs. However, a new study shows that there is merit to what the Netflix head honcho said. 

A study done by OnlineCasinos broke down the data for three shows that were recently canceled by Netflix. It showed the number of seasons, the number of weeks on Netflix’s Top 10, and the total hours viewed while in Netflix’s Top 10. The three shows mentioned were Fate: The Winx Saga, Resident Evil and Raising Dion. To break that data down:

• Fate: The Winx Saga had two seasons, spent seven weeks in the Top 10 and had 190,790,000 hours viewed while trending. 
• Resident Evil had one season, spent three weeks in the Top 10, and had 173,400,000 hours viewed while trending. 
• Raising Dion had two seasons, spent seven weeks in the Top 10, and had 172,870,000. 

For reference, even though it took a bit for Netflix to renew Wednesday, it got over 341 million hours viewed in one week, and last summer Stranger Things’ fourth season quickly broke records by racking up 286,790,000 hours of viewing in its first three days on the platform. The three shows mentioned above don't even close to the total hours viewed for shows like the Addams Family spin-off, Stranger Things and other mega-hits like Squid Game and Bridgerton. 

While this data does prove Sarandos’ point, there are still fanbases fighting against it, and campaigning for their favorite show to return. This is especially true for Warrior Nun and the #SaveWarriorNun movement. The fans of the Alba Baptista show called out Sarandos’ statement, pointing out all the engagement and love the show has received. However, it’s also worth noting that while this show was canceled after two seasons, like the ones mentioned above, it was not part of the study. 

This new study does show that Sarandos was correct in claiming that they don’t cancel successful shows. However, I’d assume the fanbases of shows like Fate: The Winx Saga and others are still livid about their favorite series getting the nix at Netflix. 

It’s a bummer to think about how many shows Netflix has canceled, however, to stay afloat not everything can stick around. Which sadly means there are lots of shows that won't get the green light for new seasons. 

To see what’s coming up next for Netflix be sure to check out the 2023 TV schedule, and if you want to watch the shows mentioned in this story, you can do so with a Netflix subscription. 

Between Obsession and Backrooms, we’re having a heck of a great summer for horror already, and there's definitely more to come. From new installments for beloved franchises Insidious, Resident Evil and The Exorcist to original flicks from Robert Eggers, Eli Roth and Mike P. Nelson, there are tons of reasons the 2026 movie schedule (and beyond) will be keeping us up at night.

I’ve rounded up a mostly comprehensive list of all the slashers, serial killer thrillers, psychological chillers, creature features, sci-fi freakshows, and whatever else today’s horror filmmakers are throwing at us. Will any of the releases listed below eventually make our list of the best horror movies ever? Let’s take a look at all the worthy contenders on the way.

Pinocchio Unstrung - July 24, 2026

Cast & Director: Jude-Evan Lloyd, Robert Englund, Richard Brake, Cameron Bell, Jessica Balmer, Peter DeSouza-Feighoney. Rhys Frake-Waterfield (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Pinocchio Unstrung About? A horror-centric retelling of the classic Carlo Collodi tale, in which the titular magical doll is introduced to a world where evil runs amok, and he aims to put a stop to all of it.

Why We’re Excited: It’s the latest entry in the Twisted Childhood Universe lineup, and Robert Englund voices the gnarly looking Jiminy Cricket. Need there be any other reasons?

Watch While Waiting: Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey and the rest of the Twisted Childhood Universe movies

Her Private Hell - July 24, 2026

Cast & Director: Sophie Thatcher, Charles Melton, Havana Rose Liu, Diego Calva, Shioli Kutsuna, Aoi Yamada, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Nicolas Winding Refn (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Her Private Hell About? Her Private Hell takes us on a journey with Elle as she looks for her father after a mysterious mist that engulfs her city. Along the way, she meets an American GI who's on a mission to rescue his daughter from Hell.

Why We’re Excited: Ever since Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn famously made Drive, we really sat up and paid attention. His films are usually weird (complimentary) and full of style, so we’re ready to follow him to Hell.

Watch While Waiting: The Neon Demon, Companion

Haunted Heist - July 24, 2026

Cast & Director: Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, Karlous Miller, King Bach, Brett Gelman, Tony Baker. Lil Rel Howery (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Haunted Heist About? A thieving ex-con invites three lifelong friends on a seemingly innocent trip that ends up being an attempt to steal a valuable dagger from a cult of racist ghouls.

Why We’re Excited: Lil Rel Howery is rarely involved with anything that isn’t fun and silly in the best ways, and we’re hoping his long-delayed directorial debut isn’t an exception. Plus, anytime a horror movie can boast a majority-Black cast, it’s a celebration.

Watch While Waiting: The Blackening, Get Out

The Devil’s Mouth - July 29, 2026

Cast & Director: Kathryn Newton, Lana Condor, Gavin Casalegno, Nico Hiraga, Tommi Rose, Tayme Thapthimthong. Jeff Wadlow (Director)

How to see it: Prime Video

What’s The Devil’s Mouth About? A group of college kids vacationing in Thailand are taken to a remote cave system where a bloodthirsty shark is waiting to strike.

Why We’re Excited: I’m sold just by Kathryn Newton and Lana Condor being in a shark movie, but the gorgeous setting doesn’t exactly hurt, and even if Jeff Wadlow’s filmography is questionable, the script from Aja Gabel and Myung Joh Wesner was a previous Black List entry.

Watch While Waiting: Dangerous Animals, The Shallows

Soulm8te - August 1

Cast & Director: Lily Sullivan, David Rysdahl, Claudia Doumit, Oliver Cooper, Steve Chusak, Emma Ramos. Kate Dolan (Director)

How to see it: Digital and VOD

What’s Soulm8te About? An R-rated spinoff of M3GAN and its sequel, Soulm8te follows a man who deals with the death of his beloved wife by purchasing an android that becomes a little too attached.

Why We’re Excited: The simplistic logline of “M3GAN, but sexy?” is probably enough. The fact that Universal bypassed theaters to bring this thriller straight to streaming could be seen as worrisome, but I’d rather watch this at home anyway.

Watch While Waiting: M3GAN, Child’s Play, The Boy

The Last House - August 7, 2026

Cast & Director: Greta Lee, Wagner Moura, Riley Chung, Emma Ho, Noah Alexander Sosnowski, Sam Lerner. Louis Leterrier (Director)

How to see it: Netflix

What’s The Last House About? A family gets unexplainably trapped inside their home after it becomes sealed shut, and they have to work together to survive amidst whatever is happening outside and the lack of food and other supplies inside.

Why We’re Excited: It sounds like a solid twist on outdoorsy survival stories, where the comforts of one’s own home can become a nightmare. Plus, put Greta Lee and Wagner Moura leading any project, and it’s gonna be a banger.

Watch While Waiting: Hush, Funny Games

Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma - August 7, 2026

Cast & Director: Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Fix, Arthur Conti, Eva Victor, Zach Cherry, Sarah Sherman Jasmin Savoy Brown, Quintessa Swindell, Kevin McDonald, Jack Haven, Jane Schoenbrun (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma About? This one follows a queer filmmaker (Einbinder), who is hired to remake a classic slasher franchise akin to Friday the 13th. When she becomes obsessed with casting the final girl of the original movie (Anderson), “a whole new kind of slasher emerges,” per Deadline.

Why We’re Excited: I Saw The TV Glow proved Jane Schoenbrun is one of the most original and inventive horror filmmakers working right now, so of course we’re interested in their latest.

Watch While Waiting: I Saw The TV Glow, We're All Going to the World's Fair

Ice Cream Man - August 7, 2026

Cast & Director: Ari Millen, Charlie Zeltzer, Shiloh O’Reilly, Kiori Mirza Waldman, Sarah Abbott, Benjamin Byron Davis, Karen Cliche, Eli Roth (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Ice Cream Man About? A mysterious ice cream truck driven by an even more mysterious man sends a suburban town into bloody hysteria with frozen desserts that turn children into violent monsters.

Why We’re Excited: This looks like another ridiculous romp from Eli Roth in the vein of Thanksgiving, and Ari Millen looks like a total creepster in his titular job uniform.

Read While Waiting: The ever-brilliant Ice Cream Man comic series from W. Maxwell Prince and Martin Morazzo. It’s not related, but is downright chilling all the same.

Insidious: Out Of The Further - August 21, 2026

Cast & Director: Amelia Eve, Brandon Perea, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Lin Shaye, Sam Spruell, Laura Gordon, Jacob Chase (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Insidious 6 About? Rather than the sixth Insidious movie being a continuation, this will be a spinoff. Per Deadline, Insidious: Out Of The Further follows a young mother raising her daughter in the same house she grew up in when she learns she can travel into The Further.

Why We’re Excited: Following 2018’s lackluster sequel subtitled The Last Key, franchise star Patrick Wilson got behind the camera for 2023’s somewhat better The Red Door. Despite the franchise’s dwindling creative results, Insidious taking a new direction here could be interesting.

Watch While Waiting: The first two Insidious movies, Come Play

The Whisper Man - August 28, 2026

Cast & Director: Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, Michael Keaton, John Carroll Lynch, Hamish Linklater, Owen Teague, Will Brill. James Ashcroft (Director)

How to see it: Netflix

What’s The Whisper Man About? A widowed crime writer regains contact with his retired detective father after his 8-year-old son goes missing, and evidence points to a decades-old case involving a serial killer.

Why We’re Excited: The stacked cast would be enough regardless of who was behind the camera, but director James Ashcroft is as much a draw as anyone, as he helmed a pair of excellent and unnerving films with 2021’s Coming Home in the Dark and 2024’s The Rule of Jenny Pen.

Watch While Waiting: Not to repeat myself so soon, but Coming Home in the Dark and The Rule of Jenny Pen.

Buddy - September 4, 2026

Cast & Director: Keegan-Michael Key, Cristin Milioti, Topher Grace, Michael Shannon, Patton Oswalt, Clint Howard, Casper Kelly (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Buddy About? Have you ever been spooked while watching 90s children’s TV? Well, prepare to be… because Buddy is about a group of kids who live in one and are kept there by its tyrannical host, Buddy, who also happens to be a giant bright orange unicorn.

Why We’re Excited: As if the premise doesn’t speak for itself already, we’re ready to see a cast of comedy-forward actors front this horror flick that’s already gotten rave reviews for being “fun”, “weird” and “unhinged”, per Rotten Tomatoes reviews.

Watch While Waiting: Mandy, The Banana Splits Movie

Onslaught - September 4, 2026

Cast & Director: Adria Arjona, Alex Pereira, Dan Stevens, Eric Wareheim, Reginald VelJohnson, Michael Biehn, Drew Starkey, Rebecca Hall, Maurice Green. Adam Wingard (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Onslaught About? A mother and military vet fights to keep her daughter safe from genetically modified super-soldiers being tested on in secret facility nearby.

Why We’re Excited: Adam Wingard and screenwriter Simon Barrett have a stellar track record for kinetic action-horror, and it’s great to see the director returning to his gory roots after two Godzilla x Kong movies.

Watch While Waiting: You’re Next, The Guest

Don’t Move - September 11, 2026

Cast & Director: Lyndsy Fonseca, Russ Vitale, Tom Cavanagh, Rob Riggle, Hunter King, Joseph Lee Anderson. Maclain Nelson (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Don’t Move About? Based on the novel of the same name, the story follows a widow whose church group gets stranded on a camping trip, and becomes prey for a giant prehistoric arachnid.

Why We’re Excited: A giant spider movie in 2026? Hell yeah! Don’t Move is also a fully self-aware tale, as Impractical Jokers comedian James S. Murray both wrote the novel and co-wrote the screenplay.

Watch While Waiting: Arachnophobia, Sting

Resident Evil - September 18, 2026

Cast & Director: Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cregger (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Untitled Resident Evil Movie About? The video game adaptation has a medical courier named Bryan (Abrams) finding himself in a survival situation when a zombie outbreak occurs around him. Per the writer/director (via Deadline), it will be “unlike any of the previous films” and a “wild ride.” He’s a big fan of the video games, but at his CinemaCon presentation, Cregger said he’s “not trying to be completely obedient to the lore of the games,” per Bloody Disgusting.

Why We’re Excited: Zach Cregger earned the respect of horror fans with Barbarian, and blew it out of the water with the Oscar-winning horror film of last year, Weapons. Seems like as good of a time as any for him to take on a franchise, and Resident Evil could use a good movie about it.

Watch While Waiting: Weapons, the Resident Evil movies

Victorian Psycho - September 25, 2026

Cast & Director: Maika Monroe, Thomasin McKenzie, Jason Isaacs, Amy De Bhrún, Jacobi Jupe

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Victorian Psycho About? Based on the novel of the same name by Virginia Feito, this one’s about a governess named Winifred Notty hired to live with the Pounds family. Since this is in a horror movie list, you can probably guess that it’s no Mary Poppins story.

Why We’re Excited: Maika Monroe has become a mainstay in the horror genre, and her opposite Jason Isaacs is going to be a creepy good time.

Watch While Waiting: The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, The Babysitter, Nanny

Other Mommy - October 9, 2026

Cast & Director: Jessica Chastain, Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, Rob Savage (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Other Mommy About? Based on the novel by Bird Box author Josh Malerman, this upcoming horror flick, which was previously titled Incidents Around The House, is about an eight-year-old girl named Bela who becomes haunted by an entity she calls “Other Mommy.”

Why We’re Excited: Other Mommy is produced by the horror geniuses of our time, James Wan and Jason Blum, and the plotline sounds particularly terrifying.

Watch While Waiting: The Sixth Sense, Dust Bunny

Clayface - October 23, 2026

Cast & Director: Tom Rhys Harries, Max Minghella, Naomi Ackie, James Watkins (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Clayface About? James Gunn’s DC universe recently had a very successful start with Superman, and in 2026 the upcoming Clayface movie hopes to continue the streak with a tale Gunn has described as a “pure fucking horror” film, and just in time for Halloween! Between that and the movie’s script being written by Mike Flanagan, who is very famous in the horror space, it’s going to be a lot of horror fans' most anticipated comic book movie. You can check out the first, very haunting footage.

Why We’re Excited: The pages of DC Comics have had some great storylines that can lend themselves to great horror movies, but we just haven’t seen DC or Marvel fully commit to it yet. That’s what makes Clayface most exciting!

Watch While Waiting: The Thing, Brightburn

Godzilla Minus Zero - November 6, 2026

Cast & Director: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Min Tanaka, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Yuki Yamada, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Sakura Ando, Miou Tanaka, Sae Nagatani. Takashi Yamazaki (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Godzilla Minus Zero About? A sequel to the 2023 smash hit Godzilla Minus One, the new film is set two years later, and centers on another larger-than-life catastrophe for the Shikishima family and military to deal with.

Why We’re Excited: The first film took home the Oscar for its visual effects, and that’s a huge part of why this sequel has been so eagerly anticipated. Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla is truly the king of the monsters.

Watch While Waiting: Godzilla Minus One, Yamazaki’s “Foodlassla” commercial

Return Of The Living Dead - November 13, 2026

Cast & Director: Devon Sawa, Casimere “Cash” Jollette, Kynlee Heiman, Alexander Ward, Steve Wolsh (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Return Of The Living Dead About? Set in a small Pennsylvania town during Christmas time a year and a half after the events of the original movie. It’s described as a “brand-new adventure” that’s not a reboot or remake, per Bloody Disgusting.

Why We’re Excited: This is the first time we’ll see a movie from this franchise in twenty years. After the long break, we’re so interested in what the iconic horror franchise will be like in 2026.

Watch While Waiting: The five Return of the Living Dead movies

Werwulf - December 25, 2026

Cast & Director: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson, Robert Eggers (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Werwulf About? After tackling vampires for Nosferatu, Robert Eggers is taking on werewolves next with a movie called Werwulf, which he co-wrote with his The Northman collaborator Sjón. It’s set in 13th-century England and is about a mysterious creature that starts to lurk in its countryside, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Why We’re Excited: We loved Nosferatu, and just about everything Robert Eggers has done so far, so who’s to say his streak of creepy good movies won’t continue here?

Watch While Waiting: Nosferatu, The Lighthouse, The Witch

Pendulum - January 1, 2027

Cast & Director: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Phoebe Dynevor, Jacki Weaver, Norman Reedus, Darren Aronofsky (Producer), Mark Heyman (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Pendulum About? It’s about a couple who decide to visit a remote retreat together in New Mexico after sharing a traumatic event. While Patrick (Gordon-Levitt) is skeptical of the practices and starts questioning its leader’s motivations, he watches as his partner falls for them completely.

Why We’re Excited: Mary Heyman famously wrote the script for Black Swan, so we’re definitely curious about his directorial debut.

Watch While Waiting: Black Swan, The Boogeyman

The Third Parent - January 20, 2026

Cast & Director: Rob Lowe, Roselyn Sanchez, Crispin Glover, David Michaels (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s The Third Parent About: Taking place during the Fourth of July holiday, when an unexpected and disturbing visitor named Tommy Taffy arrives at an all-American family’s celebration and insists on being part of the festivities.

Why We’re Excited: Rob Lowe fronting a horror movie is something we’ve just got to see. Oh, and Back To The Future fans – Crispin Glover is playing Tommy Taffy!

Watch While Waiting: Us, Jaws, The Purge

The Exorcist: Martyrs - March 12, 2027

Cast & Director: Scarlett Johansson, Diane Lane, Jacobi Jupe, Chiwetel Ejifor, Laurence Fishburne, Sasha Calle, John Leguizamo, Rahul Kohli, Hamish Linklater, Carl Lumbly, John Gallagher Jr, Carla Gugino, Samanta Sloyan, Kate Siegel, Mike Flanagan (Writer/Director), Jason Blum (Producer)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s The Exorcist: Martyrs About? Mike Flanagan, who has been a notable name in modern horror in recent years with a number of TV shows and movies, is putting together a huge retelling of The Exorcist with a ton of big names. We don’t have details about his version, but the original novel is about the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl and the two priests who try to exorcise it out of her.

Why We’re Excited: This cast is actually insane, and Mike Flanagan has a great track record of adapting horror titles in pretty incredible ways.

Watch While Waiting: The Exorcist (1973), Doctor Sleep, The Haunting Of Hill House

Wolf Creek: Legacy - March 19. 2027

Cast & Director: John Jarratt, Stacy Clausen, Laura Gordon, Meg Fraser. Sean Lahiff (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Wolf Creek: Legacy About? The return of Mick Taylor sees a vacationing American family unwittingly crossing onto the serial killer’s property, and after the parents sacrifice themselves to give their kids a better shot at survival, it’s up to the younger generation to escape the outback.

Why We’re Excited: Wolf Creek may not be the horror franchise that immediately comes to mind when the topic comes up, but John Jarratt’s Taylor can go toe to disembodied toe with most cinematic killers by way of sheer brutality.

Watch While Waiting: The first two Wolf Creek movies and the TV show, obviously

The Revenge Of La Llorona - April 9, 2027

Cast & Director: Monica Raymund, Jay Hernandez, Raymond Cruz, Edy Ganem, Santiago Menghini (Director), James Wan (Producer), Gary Dauberman (Producer)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s The Revenge Of La Llorona About? Remember 2019’s The Curse of La Llorona? Well, James Wan is producing a sequel about the vengeful ghost from Hispanic American folklore for the Conjuring Universe.

Why We’re Excited: The first La Llorona may not have impressed critics, but that doesn’t mean the subject isn’t worth revisiting. There’s a lot of depth and chilling horrors to be explored behind the folklore story of a woman who drowned her own children after discovering her husband was unfaithful to her.

Watch While Waiting: The Curse of La Llorona, The Devil’s Backbone

Paranormal Activity 8 - May 21, 2027

Cast & Director: Ian Tuason (Writer/Director), Jason Blum (Producer), James Wan (Producer)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Paranormal Activity 8 About? Details about this Paranormal Activity haven't been revealed yet, but the long-running franchise is usually a supernatural found-footage horror movie.

Why We’re Excited: After Ian Tuason’s breakout with undertone, which critics have called “effectively spooky” and “designed to give you a panic attack,” it feels like the right filmmaker is behind the new Paranormal Activity.

Watch While Waiting: undertone, the other Paranormal Activity movies

A Quiet Place Part III - July 30, 2027

Cast & Director: John Krasinski (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s A Quiet Place Part III About? It’s too early to know many details about A Quiet Place Part III, but it’s expected to complete the trilogy about the Abbott family as they navigate a terrifying apocalypse together. In March, it was revealed that Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe will officially return, along with Sinners’ Jack O’Connell, Jason Clarke and Katy O’Brian joining the franchise, per Variety.

Why We’re Excited: Each of the Quiet Place movies have been really solid horror movies so far, that have us on the edge of our seat – especially for the use and lack of sound, and we look forward to what Krasinski is cooking up for the alleged finale.

Watch While Waiting: The other A Quiet Place movies

The Conjuring: First Communion - September 10, 2027

Cast & Director: Rodrigue Huart (Director), Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing (Writers)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s The Conjuring: First Communion About? This is a The Conjuring prequel about the early years of Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Why We’re Excited: While we’re going to miss Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s take on the paranormal investigators, it’ll be interesting to see a new era of their lives.

Watch While Waiting: the other Conjuring movies

Gremlins 3 - November 19, 2027

Cast & Director: Chris Columbus (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Gremlins 3 About? The plot details for Gremlins 3 haven't yet been revealed. The original movie is about a young man who receives a pet (called a Mogwai) who he names Gizmo, who comes with three rules: keep him away from bright light, do not let it come into contact with water, and never let it eat after midnight. When one of the rules is broken, Gizmo starts multiplying into destructive little guys, and Billy must try to stop them from destroying his town.

Why We’re Excited: Another Gremlins movie has long been talked about, and we can’t wait to see it finally come to pass. Plus, Steven Spielberg as a producer is always a good sign.

Watch While Waiting: The other Gremlins movies

Untitled Longlegs Spinoff - January 14, 2028

Cast & Director: Nicolas Cage, Osgood Perkins (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s The Longlegs Spinoff About? We don’t know much about this one yet, but per The Hollywood Reporter, this is not a sequel but rather something “set in the Longlegs universe”.

Why We’re Excited: Cage gave a very memorable performance as Satanic serial killer, Longlegs, and it definitely feels like the creepy character could be explored further.

Watch While Waiting: Longlegs

Evil Dead Wrath - April 7, 2028

Cast & Director: Charlotte Hope, Jessica McNamee, Zach Gilford, Josh Helman, Ella Newton, Sam Raimi (Producer), Francis Galluppi (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Evil Dead Wrath About? This is a prequel to the original Evil Dead movie that takes place in 1972 – predating anything we’ve seen from the franchise thus far. Its protagonist will be a French woman who’s stuck in an abusive marriage in America, per Deadline.

Why We’re Excited: Evil Dead is an interesting moment right now, and we’re curious about how this prequel will take things in different directions.

Watch While Waiting: The other Evil Dead movies, The Last Stop in Yuma County

Final Destination 7 - May 12, 2028

Cast & Director: Lori Evans Taylor (Writer), Michael Blanchart (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Final Destination 7 About? No plot details yet on this one, but it follows the franchise’s revival in 2025 with Final Destination: Bloodlines.

Why We’re Excited: There’s a nice mix of old blood and new blood in this sequel to keep the Final Destination sequel fresh.

Watch While Waiting: The other Final Destination movies, Bed Rest

Gladys - September 8, 2028

Cast & Director: Amy Madigan, Zach Cregger (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Gladys About? When Zach Cregger was initially making Weapons, he had a chapter for Gladys that he cut. Since the movie became a big hit, Cregger decided he’ll explore her character through her own spinoff movie. Warner Bros recently nailed down the release date for 2028, per Variety.

Why We’re Excited: Weapons was one of the best horror movies we’ve seen recently, and even led Amy Madigan to win an Oscar for the role. Since there wasn’t much about Glady’s origin story, and who she is, we’re so interested in what we’ll learn about her.

Watch While Waiting: Weapons, Barbarian

Upcoming Horror Movies Without A Release Date Set

Despite all the upcoming horrors that already have release dates, there are still plenty of impending projects that haven't yet locked one down. Here's a rundown of the high-profile frightfests that will hopefully get slotted onto the calendar soon.

• In Development
  • Alien: Romulus 2
  • American Psycho Remake
  • Blair Witch Reboot
  • Crawl 2
  • Happy Death Day 3
  • Hollow
  • I Am Legend 2
  • Lights Out 2
  • Ma 2
  • The Mist
  • Possession Remake
  • Scream 8
  • A24’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot
  • Terrifier 4
  • Thanksgiving 2
  • They Follow
  • World War Z Sequel
• Filming
  • Flesh of the Gods
• Post-Production
  • Anything But Ghosts
  • Brides
  • In A Violent Nature 2
  • Orphans
  • Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3
• Awaiting Release Date
  • Drag
  • Lice
  • The Young People

So many horror movies to be excited for in 2026 and beyond! We’ll keep you in the loop on news and updates on these coming titles as the months go by.

Netflix has worked up quite the reputation for itself by canceling so many shows after only one season, and the streaming service is now back at it again. This time Netflix has canceled Resident Evil, the horror show based on the popular video game series of the same name. 

Resident Evil follows an outbreak that causes a worldwide apocalypse. The team of characters, led by Jade Wesker, work to take down the people that caused the infection. The show has a diverse cast of actors including Ella Balinska, Paola Núñez, and Lance Reddick. 

The series was released a little over a month ago and, according to Deadline, debuted at No. 2 on the charts, with 72.7 million hours viewed. Despite some of the video game’s fans enjoying the Resident Evil show, it fell out of Netflix’s top ten just three weeks after its release. It also had a mere 55% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and 27% from the audience. 

What’s really sad is Andrew Dabb, the showrunner of Resident Evil had long-term plans for the show. He previously explained to TV Line,

With the show ending on a cliffhanger, it seems there sadly won’t be the beginning, middle and end Dabb was hoping for. 

What really didn’t help Resident Evil was being released around the same time as Season 4 of the megahit Stranger Things. While everyone seemed to be watching the feature-length episodes of the staple Netflix show, the streamer’s newest series was neglected. Stranger Things broke a huge record in its first weekend by raking in 286,790,000 hours of viewing. Sadly, Resident Evil did not live up to the high standard set by other shows on the streaming service 

Despite having some of the most popular genre content in the game, Netflix is canceling other shows left and right. It canceled First Kill around the same time Stranger Things got renewed for Season 5. The streamer also canceled The Midnight Gospel, but the showrunner surprisingly wasn’t mad about it. 

Considering Andrew Dabb had a plan in place, it is sad to see Resident Evil end so soon. Luckily some of the cast already have plans lined up outside of the show. Paola Núñez will be in Netflix’s upcoming series Fall of the House of Usher as well as the Latin American film Fuga De Reinas.  

If you are in need of a show to watch like Resident Evil, there is plenty of other zombie content to bridge the gap this cancelation created. Luckily, there will always be the video games the show is based on to return to and the previous Resident Evil movies. 

Another month has arrived where Netflix subscribers are invited to take a look at what’s new and exciting in the platform’s library of digital entertainment. September 2022 is another impressive month, with a wide swath of everything from classics like Clueless to new original movies like Blonde taking a bow. Plus, hotly anticipated series like Cobra Kai are returning to make fans smile once again. 

If you want to take another look at Netflix’s August 2022 new releases, you can head to that listing at your earliest convenience. Otherwise, it’s time to take a couple of steps into the future and see what lies on the road ahead. This is the September 2022 lineup of Netflix’s new releases! 

New On Netflix The Week Of September 1: Clueless, Resident Evil, And More

Where else could you find a zombie apocalypse and a high school retelling of a Jane Austen novel? Kicking off September in high fashion is the Alicia Silverstone classic Clueless, which took the story of Emma and gave it a big '90s makeover. Also, whether or not you're a fan of Netflix's well-played Resident Evil series, you'll probably be delighted to know that the first three Milla Jovovich films are going to be available in the month to come. 

Fenced In - NETFLIX FILM - 9/1/22
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure STONE OCEAN Episodes 13-24 - NETFLIX ANIME - 9/1/22
Liss Pereira: Adulting - NETFLIX COMEDY - 9/1/22
Love in the Villa - NETFLIX FILM - 9/1/22
Off the Hook - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/1/22
Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles: Season 2 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/1/22
A Cinderella Story - 9/1/22
A Clockwork Orange - 9/1/22
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy - 9/1/22
A Knight's Tale - 9/1/22
A Little Princess - 9/1/22
American Beauty - 9/1/22
Austin Powers in Goldmember - 9/1/22
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery - 9/1/22
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me - 9/1/22
Barbie Mermaid Power - 9/1/22
The Bridges of Madison County - 9/1/22
Clueless - 9/1/22
Despicable Me - 9/1/22
Despicable Me 2 - 9/1/22
Dolphin Tale 2 - 9/1/22
Friday After Next - 9/1/22
He's Just Not That Into You - 9/1/22
I Survived a Crime: Season 1 - 9/1/22
If Beale Street Could Talk - 9/1/22
The Italian Job - 9/1/22
John Q - 9/1/22
Just Friends - 9/1/22
Little Nicky - 9/1/22
Morphle Halloween Candy Magic Pet - 9/1/22
Next Friday - 9/1/22
The Notebook - 9/1/22
Resident Evil - 9/1/22
Resident Evil: Apocalypse - 9/1/22
Resident Evil: Retribution - 9/1/22
Road House - 9/1/22
Save the Last Dance - 9/1/22
Scarface - 9/1/22
Snow White & the Huntsman - 9/1/22
Story Time Book: Read-Along: S1 - 9/1/22
This Is 40 - 9/1/22
Buy My House - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/2/22
Dated and Related - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/2/22
Devil in Ohio - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/2/22
Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/2/22
Fakes - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/2/22
The Festival of Troubadours - NETFLIX FILM - 9/2/22
Ivy + Bean - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/2/22
Ivy + Bean: The Ghost That Had to Go - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/2/22
Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/2/22
You’re Nothing Special - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/2/22
Little Women - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/3/22

New On Netflix The Week Of September 4: Cobra Kai Season 5, Chef’s Table: Pizza, And More

Season 5 of Cobra Kai picks right up where Season 4's ending left off, with massive betrayals still looming fresh in the air. That's going to mix in with the smell of some delicious new additions, thanks to programs like Chef's Table: Pizza joining the offerings to Netflix subscribers.  

Call the Midwife: Series 11 - 9/5/22
Cocomelon: Season 6 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/5/22
Once Upon a Small Town - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/5/22
Vampire Academy - 9/5/22
Bee and PuppyCat - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/6/22
Get Smart With Money - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/6/22
Rodrigo Marques: King of Uncouth - NETFLIX COMEDY - 9/6/22
Sheng Wang: Sweet and Juicy - NETFLIX COMEDY - 9/6/22
Untold: The Race of the Century - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/6/22
Chef's Table: Pizza - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/7/22
Indian Predator: The Diary of a Serial Killer - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/7/22
Entrapped - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/8/22
Diorama - NETFLIX FILM - 9/8/22
Cobra Kai: Season 5 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/9/22
End of the Road - NETFLIX FILM - 9/9/22
Merlí. Sapere Aude: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/9/22
No Limit - NETFLIX FILM - 9/9/22
Narco-Saints - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/9/22

New On Netflix The Week Of September 11: Love Is Blind: After The Altar Season 2, This Is The End, And More

Prepare to look deeper into what happened after happily ever after, as Love is Blind: After the Altar returns for another season of seeing what this current batch of newlyweds are up to. Which may or may not be a good time to mention that if you're feeling a little more apocalyptic, This is the End is also going to be coming online this week, 

Ada Twist, Scientist: Season 3 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/12/22
Colette - 9/13/22
Jo Koy: Live from the Los Angeles Forum - NETFLIX COMEDY - 9/13/22
In the Dark: Season 4 - 9/13/22
Broad Peak - NETFLIX FILM - 9/14/22
The Catholic School - NETFLIX FILM - 9/14/22
El Rey, Vicente Fernández - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/14/22
Heartbreak High - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/14/22
The Lørenskog Disappearance - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/14/22
Sins of Our Mother - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/14/22
Dogs in Space: Season 2 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/15/22
Intervention: Season 21 - 9/15/22
Terim - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/15/22
The Brave Ones - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/16/22
Do Revenge - NETFLIX FILM - 9/16/22
Drifting Home - NETFLIX ANIME - 9/16/22
Fate: The Winx Saga: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/16/22
Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/16/22
I Used to Be Famous - NETFLIX FILM - 9/16/22
Jogi - NETFLIX FILM - 9/16/22
Love Is Blind: After the Altar: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/16/22
Mirror, Mirror - NETFLIX FILM - 9/16/22
Santo - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/16/22
Skandal! Bringing Down Wirecard - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/16/22
This Is the End - 9/16/22

New On Netflix The Week Of September 18: Fullmetal Alchemist The Final Alchemy, Patton Oswalt: We All Scream, And More

Speaking of endings, the story of the Elric brothers is about to close yet again, with Fullmetal Alchemist The Final Alchemy bringing the re-adaptation of that landmark manga to a close. However, a new beginning is also on the table, since Patton Oswalt: We All Scream marks not only the comedian's latest Netflix special, but also his directorial debut. And he didn't have to transfer his soul to a suit of armor to do it, either!

Go Dog Go: Season 3 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/19/22
Patton Oswalt: We All Scream - NETFLIX COMEDY - 9/20/22
Designing Miami - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/21/22
Fortune Seller: A TV Scam - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/21/22
Iron Chef Mexico - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/21/22
The Perfumier - NETFLIX FILM - 9/21/22
The Real Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/21/22
The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/22/22
Karma's World: Season 4 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/22/22
Snabba Cash: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/22/22
Thai Cave Rescue - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/22/22
A Jazzman's Blues - NETFLIX FILM - 9/23/22
ATHENA - NETFLIX FILM - 9/23/22
The Girls at the Back - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/23/22
Jamtara - Sabka Number Ayega: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/23/22
Lou - NETFLIX FILM - 9/23/22
Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/23/22
Dynasty: Season 5 - 9/24/22
Fullmetal Alchemist The Final Alchemy - NETFLIX FILM - 9/24/22

New On Netflix The Week Of September 25: The Munsters, Floor Is Lava Season 3, Blonde, And More

You've heard it talked about all over town, but now Rob Zombie's The Munsters is finally going to premiere in its streaming home on Netflix. This particular week feels like the one were subscribers are going to be talking, as the Ana de Armas-led adaptation of author Joyce Carol Oates' Blonde also shows up in the queue for this frame. The first NC-17 rated Netflix film in history, it's a project that's already inspired quite a few opinions, and will continue to do so once people have actually seen it. 

A Trip to Infinity - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/26/22
My Little Pony: Make Your Mark: Chapter 2 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/26/22
Elysium - 9/27/22
The Munsters - 9/27/22
Nick Kroll: Little Big Boy - NETFLIX COMEDY - 9/27/22
Blonde - NETFLIX FILM - 9/28/22
Eat the Rich: The GameStop Saga - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 9/28/22
Inheritance - 9/28/22
Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons: Season 6 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/28/22
Too Hot to Handle: Brazil: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/28/22
The Empress - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/29/22
Anikulapo - NETFLIX FILM - 9/30/22
Entergalactic - NETFLIX SPECIAL - 9/30/22
Floor is Lava: Season 3 - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/30/22
Human Playground - NETFLIX SERIES - 9/30/22
Phantom Pups - NETFLIX FAMILY - 9/30/22
Rainbow - NETFLIX FILM - 9/30/22
What We Leave Behind - 9/30/22

New On Netflix September 2022 TBD

Here's a look at the remaining titles coming to Netflix in September 2022 that haven't secured release dates just yet. 

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners - NETFLIX ANIME
The Great British Baking Show: Collection 10 - NETFLIX SERIES
Plan A Plan B - NETFLIX FILM
Who Likes My Follower? - NETFLIX SERIES

The wealth of fresh faces and old favorites on Netflix is something to marvel at in September 2022. We were only able to highlight some of the notables coming into the fold, and you'll want to check the schedule again to spot some things we didn't mention like the Austin Powers trilogy. 

Just keep in mind that all titles are subject to change and availability, so if something seems to move out of place, you'll know why. With that note, we'll see you back here this time next month, to pour over what October 2022 is brewing for anyone who's on board with the Netflix library! 

Resident Evil is one of those horror franchises that I have been following for a very long time, and now that a new series popped up as a Netflix TV show as part of the 2022 TV schedule, I binged all eight episodes within a day. While it’s very different from the video games that I grew up with, I will agree that there are plenty of elements to the show that fans can find in other TV shows as well. 

If you’re like me and got through those eight episodes very quickly - or are just looking for something else with plenty of guts and zombies and monsters - check out some of these great picks. 

The Walking Dead (Netflix)

When it comes to zombies, this is the ultimate show to watch. The hit AMC series, The Walking Dead, has been airing for eleven seasons, primarily following a group of survivors in a world that is covered with zombie-like creatures called “walkers,” and their endless mission to try and survive. 

The Walking Dead has truly become a staple of television, and if you liked Resident Evil for all of those monsters, this is the go-to show to see. From some of its best villains to its most heartbreaking deaths, to the characters we have come to love or the ones that have truly become some of the best ones on television, The Walking Dead has it all. It’s one of those shows that as soon as you turn it on, you won’t be able to stop watching. 

Stream The Walking Dead on Netflix.

Yellowjackets (Showtime)

Next up, we have the impeccable Showtime series, Yellowjackets. This show, taking place between two duel timelines, in 1996 and the present day, follows a girl’s soccer team when they get stranded in the Rocky Mountains - and now, where their secrets of the past could be exposed. 

Let me tell you - from the moment I began watching this show, I was hooked. Like, the definition of hooked. For fans of Resident Evil, you’ll love the survival aspect, but this show is so much more psychological and has twists and turns that will truly make you sit on the edge of your seat. I know I was. And let’s not even get started on the incredible Yellowjackets cast. Truly, such talent.

Stream Yellowjackets on Showtime.

All Of Us Are Dead (Netflix)

I could go on for hours about this new Netflix South Korean horror show. All Of Us Are Dead is a TV series that follows a group of students who are trapped within the walls of a high school as a zombie outbreak begins. Now, it’s up to them to find a way to get help. 

When I first began watching All Of Us Are Dead, I didn’t think I’d like it as much as I did, but I can fully say that this show is one of the best horror TV shows of the last decade, and one of the best zombie TV shows that have come out in a long time - up there with The Walking Dead. The young cast is great, the storyline incredible, and already, a Season 2 is on the way. For fans of those zombies in Resident Evil, you’ll love the ones here. 

Stream All Of Us Are Dead on Netflix.

The 100 (Netflix)

I feel like this is one not a lot of people know about, but I need to talk about. The 100 is a fantastic CW show that follows a group of delinquents - known as ‘the 100’ - who are sent down from space back to earth, hundreds of years after a nuclear apocalypse, to see if it is habitable again. 

For fans of Resident Evil, what really makes this show better than some of the others on here is the dystopian aspect. I love the dystopian world in this show, and it truly has some of the most well-crafted storylines and interesting characters that I have seen the CW do in a long time. The 100 cast is also incredibly talented as well, and some of the action scene are badass. Seriously - Octavia is my queen. Or, rather, Blodreina.

Stream The 100 on Netflix.

The Strain (Hulu) 

Next up, we have the FX show, The Strain. In this supernatural series, a doctor and his team are called in to examine a strange outbreak of a curious virus - a virus that apparently turns people into vampires, dating back ages and opening up more mysteries at each turn. 

The monsters in The Strain are truly terrifying, which is what I really like for fans of Resident Evil. They’re scary, well-crafted, and something that will haunt your nightmares. But I think what I like the most about The Strain is that while it is a scary show at its core, there is so much drama and so much story to it. I mean, it was co-created by a master of horror himself, Guillermo del Toro, so I would expect nothing less. 

Stream The Strain on Hulu.

Supernatural (Netflix)

Now this is my show. Supernatural is an incredible fantasy series that follows the Winchester brothers, Dean and Sam, who end up following in their father’s footsteps of hunting down anything that’s spooky and scary, from demons and ghosts, to vampires and monsters, to anything else you can think of - all while looking good doing it. 

This show ran for fifteen seasons. Fifteen seasons, and it became the longest-running fantasy TV series in America. It was hugely popular, featuring a talented Supernatural cast and monsters that could sometimes rival the terrifying ones of Resident Evil. But what you’ll really like about Supernatural is the comedy and the wit between these two brothers. I swear, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki have some of the best on-screen chemistry I’ve seen in years. 

Stream Supernatural on Netflix.

Z-Nation (Netflix)

If you want a good drama mixed in with some comedy, check out Z Nation. In this show, taking place many years after the initial zombie outbreak, a group of survivors is tasked with getting a man all the way across America - a man who just might end up being the cure for the whole damn thing. 

Z Nation has some great zombies and horror action, which is perfect for fans of Resident Evil, but what I like the most about it is that it’s a lot funnier than some of the other picks on this list - I’d say up there with Supernatural. It’s witty, fun, and enjoyable, and with four seasons to watch, you’ll enjoy it from beginning to end. It almost reminds me of a funnier version of The Last Of Us - which is conveniently getting its own TV show soon. 

Stream Z-Nation on Netflix.

Helix (Hulu)

In this series, Helix follows scientists who work for the CDC and travel down to the Arctic in order to investigate a sudden outbreak that has turned viral, but as they’re down there, they find out that this could be a hell of a lot more deadly than any of them ever thought - and it’s up to them to figure out how to stop it. 

Like Resident Evil, this show does have some pretty creepy zombies, but I think what fans will like more is that Helix leans a little closer into how corporations can impact a zombie outbreak, which is a pretty big theme of Resident Evil. And with two seasons to watch, it’s a great story from start to finish. 

Stream Helix on Hulu.

The Witcher (Netflix)

Next up on this list, we have The Witcher, a popular Netflix original series that follows Geralt of Rivia, a witcher who can slay humans as well as he can monsters - and is soon tasked with taking care of a little girl named Ciri, running into witches, warlocks, and everything in between. 

While The Witcher is way more fantasy than horror, some of the monsters in this are freaking terrifying, which is perfect for fans of Resident Evil. However, I do enjoy the drama, as well as the costumes and scenery, and I love The Witcher cast, as well. It’s one of Netflix’s most popular shows, so you know they’re doing something right with it. It’s a fun one, for sure. 

Stream The Witcher on Netflix.

iZombie (Netflix)

Last but not least, we have iZombie. In this fun dramedy, we follow a doctor who ends up turning into a zombie - but not a complete one - almost a half human/half zombie. However, she ends up using this to her advantage by taking a job at the morgue and eating the brains of the dead bodies - and in turn inherits some of their personality/memories for a little bit, which helps solve murder cases. 

As always, there are plenty of zombie hijinks in this show for fans of Resident Evil, but man I love the comedy. This show is so funny and it’s not even a contest between this and some of the other horror dramedies on here. iZombie takes the zombie genre in a whole different direction and will really make you laugh your ass off. 

Stream iZombie on Netflix.

Zombies, guts, monsters, oh my! All of these picks would be the absolute best options for you to enjoy, and no matter what, you are going to get a hell of a ride out of any one you pick. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to go and re-watch The Walking Dead for the umpteenth time before those final episodes come out. 

Warning: some SPOILERS for Netflix’s Resident Evil series are in play. Consider this a warning that separates relative safety from all the gory details. 

It feels like Resident Evil’s big debut in the canon of Netflix shows has inspired a bit of a mixed bag of reactions. I’ve seen stories about some critics and fans absolutely trashing the series, while other feedback is either warmly positive or ready to defend the series in “The Discourse.” 

As a fan of Capcom’s legendary gaming franchise, as well as some of the media it’s inspired, now felt like the perfect time to weigh in on how I felt about showrunner Andrew Dabb’s new series. Frankly, I’m on the highly enthusiastic side of the table, and I think fellow Resident Evil enthusiasts need to watch this Netflix series.

Before I jump into the finer points of why, I’ll say again that there will be spoilers in this rundown; not enough to completely spoil the show, but enough to explain why I think it’s worth watching. Also, if you want to get a better sense of where I’m coming from as a franchise devotee, you can also read up on why I was annoyed by Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. 

Benchmarks such as those are important in fandom discussions like these, and I recommend taking that piece as a companion to what I'm about to discuss. From this point on, it’s time to get our hands dirty and talk out just why Netflix’s Resident Evil should be in the streaming rotation for any fans of the games.

The Easter Eggs From Resident Evil Lore Aren’t Overbearing

Throwing it back to Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, or any other project based on a well-beloved saga in this vein, Easter eggs are a very touchy subject. In the case of that most recent cinematic trip into Raccoon City, they were an overbearing mess. I’m happy to say that in this live-action series, the Easter eggs are way easier to accept. The show is so well put together that when Resident Evil’s Season 1 finale name drops a pretty big character from the games, you want to know where it’s going next. 

These references also add texture, as there’s everything from mentions of research papers written by Resident Evil 2 character William Birkin and emails about “Uroboros” that are hidden in plain sight. Even the presence of a Chainsaw Man in the mix isn't clumsily included as "something important," but rather a nice tip of the hat to something fans love.

Trying To Figure Out How The Capcom Games Fit Into The Netflix Series Is Part Of The Fun

Despite the mixed reception to how Resident Evil’s mythos works within the canon of the games, the way this Netflix show handles the balance between what to use and when is part of the fun. There are plenty of references to the original Raccoon City event, and the whole matter of how Albert Wesker (Lance Reddick) is alive in the first place refers to the events of Resident Evil 5. 

That said, there’s still a lot of time that hasn’t been accounted for between those games and the shifting timeline of Resident Evil’s events. Trying to figure out how other characters in Capcom’s games could appear in the new chapter of the saga, as well as just how much OG Raccoon City factors into things, is a catalyst that works to the show’s advantage. 

Rather than just retell the disastrous events of that first T-Virus outbreak, Andrew Dabb and the writer’s room honor those events without having to rehash them entirely. It makes the end result unpredictable, with a familiar foundation that is still very much important to Resident Evil’s future.

Gigantic T-Virus Mutated Monsters Are Back, Baby!

It may not be as important as getting the lore of the Resident Evil series right, but most of the previous incarnations skimped out on the massively mutated creatures the games featured in earlier entries. While you could always count on a Doberman infected with the T-Virus to be present, gigantic spiders, sharks and more recently alligators had yet to be featured on screen. 

Well, at least that was the case until the Netflix series brought back gigantic T-Virus mutated monsters! Caterpillars, spiders and, yes, a very heroic alligator all get to take part in the fun throughout Season 1. The gator is an especially nice touch, as the way the character is used is borderline Godzilla-style territory. Resident Evil has always had an odd menagerie of beasties that pose a threat to humanity, and now they’re finally coming back to the live-action fold! 

Resident Evil Organically Brings The Game’s Famous Puzzle Mechanics Into An Episode

One of the biggest problems in adapting a game like Resident Evil is organically integrating the game mechanics into an unfolding narrative. Working with clues steeped in wordplay, traps that can be set off by the slightest disturbance and various brain teasers involving a piano has always been a strength to the Capcom games and their plots. 

Yet somehow, no one seemed to crack how to make this element work in an actual filmed narrative, at least not in the way that the Resident Evil series did. In Episode 5, aptly titled “Home Movies,” a good portion of the episode sees Billie (Siena Agudong) and Jade (Tamara Smart) Wesker working through a set of clues their father Albert (Lance Reddick) left them in case of emergencies. 

Proving how Resident Evil works really well in the context of a TV series, dedicating an episode to such a nod is a smart move. Instead of shoehorning it into a feature film narrative, the majority of an episode allows the effort put into these puzzles to shine through an impressive slow burn. It's also a competitor for the honors of the best episode of Season 1, but that's something we can talk about another time.

Albert Wesker Is Both A Brand New Character, And The Same Old Maniac

Speaking of Albert Wesker, the legendary maniac of the Umbrella Corporation gets to occupy two different contexts in Resident Evil. Casting Lance Reddick is one of the brilliant moves that allows Wesker to return as his usual, ruthless self, which is something we do get to see in some flashbacks. 

However, if you’re a dyed in the wool fan, you’ve probably guessed a crucial truth about the whole Wesker plotline that’s presented in a world that includes the history of Resident Evil 5. Yes, there are Wesker clones running around in the story that New Raccoon City builds its bones on, and Lance Reddick plays all four variants of the same genetic code. 

Ranging from total asshole to excitable Olive Garden patron, with a firm father figure right in the middle, Reddick’s performances further nail this exciting spin on the Resident Evil mythos. One can hope that more flashbacks will allow for each incarnation to shine even more, despite the events that closed off Season 1. 

This Series Allows Resident Evil To Have A Bigger Heart Than Ever Before

It wouldn’t truly be a Resident Evil project without some ties into the usual battle against the Umbrella Corporation’s greed and hubris. With the ruthless Evelyn Marcus (Paola Núñez) trying to restore her family’s legacy to the company, and a highly dangerous drug known as “Joy” looking to kick off the next big T-Virus outbreak, things are pretty much business as usual in 2022. But in both halves of the time-jumping narrative, one thread is present that allows Resident Evil to have a bigger heart than ever before. 

At the crossroads of teen family drama and a deadly case of sibling rivalry as adults, Billie and Jade Wesker’s story takes a lot of things Resident Evil trades in and flips them around. Building an actual, emotional storyline, these genetically altered twins aren’t just creepy thematic wallpaper for the leads of the games to encounter. As there are still quite a few gaps in the story of how these sisters were separated, both physically and morally, the few clues we have to what happened between 2022 and 2036 are deadly and heartbreaking. 

Even the mostly vicious Evelyn Marcus has moments that show her as someone who cares for her family, while also wanting the world. There may be plenty of the usual horror, action and dark humor in Resident Evil’s Netflix series; but there’s also a core that allows audiences to care about the figures moving across the board of the apocalypse. You might even find yourself caring about a gigantic T-Virus mutated alligator if you’re not careful. 

It’s unavoidable that the reaction to Netflix’s Resident Evil is a mixed bag when it comes to the audience’s reactions. Some want more of a loyal retelling of the plotline from the games, others might want something different, and some just think that no proper adaptation of Capcom’s games exists. 

The way I see it, Andrew Dabb and his team have created something that’s the best of both worlds, with a lot of promise in how it can evolve in the future. Should you be interested in taking this journey for yourself (and I highly recommend that you do), Netflix subscribers can currently stream all eight episodes of Season 1. 

Warning: spoilers and Umbrella Corporation trade secrets are included in this Resident Evil feature. To avoid surprises, both story and Umbrella related, feel free to take a look at our non-spoiler coverage on CinemaBlend. Or test the waters. See what happens.

The legacy of Capcom’s landmark survival horror franchise Resident Evil has been further enriched with a new chapter. As showrunner Andrew Dabb’s Netflix show has seen its first season draw to a close, there’s a lot to talk about after seeing where it all ended up. Shadows of the past, present, and future are cast by the entire Wesker family, as seen in Resident Evil Season 1’s ending. 

Which means it’s now time to pull that web apart, and see where it could lead. One more warning before we continue: we’re going deep with Resident Evil Season 1 spoilers. If you haven’t watched the series, and want to get a feel for why you might like it, tread with caution. Now that we’ve issued a fair warning, let’s jump into how Season 1 of Resident Evil ended for all the major players involved. 

What Happened At The End Of Resident Evil Season 1?

New Raccoon City is still standing at the end of Episode 8, “Revelations,” however there were some casualties both human and structural. The massive lab/office complex that Evelyn Marcus (Paola Núñez) ran her family’s regained legacy from is trashed in a gigantic explosion, thanks to one Albert Wesker (Lance Reddick). The two corporate partners failed to see eye to eye on their latest miracle drug/potential T-Virus threat Joy, and that argument came with some fiery results.

Meanwhile, the Wesker twins Billie (Siena Agudong) and Jade (Tamara Smart) are sent on the run. Looking for safety, and searching out an old friend their father sent them on the path to find, the two are safe for now. However, knowing the paths that Resident Evil has put them on in the gap between 2022 and 2036, the concept of safety is going to be redefined rather radically. 

Where Billie & Jade Wesker’s 2022 Story Leaves Off

Young Billie and Jade Wesker’s origin story ends with them losing a father, but gaining an uncle as their caretaker. Bert Wesker (Lance Reddick) is another survivor of the Umbrella corporation, as he and his brother Albert were both lured into Evelyn Marcus’s web. After nearly offering himself as the sacrifice to take Umbrella’s lab down, Bert was told by Albert, “you deserve to have a life.” 

After Albert’s sacrifice, Billie & Jade escape New Raccoon City with Bert. With a bag their father packed for them, containing a gun, passports, and tons of world currency, their next mission is to find a very important contact in Japan. The surviving Wesker family members need to rely on each other, as they’re seeking out a woman that Albert specifically told them to locate: Ada Wong.

Why That Resident Evil Finale Name Drop Is So Important

Ada Wong is a pretty big deal in the Resident Evil games, and has pretty deep ties to the overall mythology. Introduced in 1998’s Resident Evil 2, Ada has been known to be a bit of an unreliable party, loyal only to herself. Working with and against Leon S. Kennedy, as well as Albert Wesker, her history throughout the franchise is as storied as it is complicated. You don’t get to lead your own “secret” campaign in Resident Evil 6 without being this sneaky.

According to Screenrant, showrunner Andrew Dabb confirmed that Ada will be in Season 2 for sure, provided of course the series gets renewed. One more quick note: how Ada Wong ties into the Albert Wesker we see in Netflix’s Resident Evil is going to be rather interesting. Especially because there’s one question about Albert we haven’t quite answered yet.

Where Billie & Jade Wesker’s 2036 Story Leaves Off

Somehow in the 14 years between New Raccoon City and the worldwide apocalypse that Resident Evil forecasts in 2036, Billie & Jade are on opposite sides. Older Jade (Ella Balinska) is a roving scientist/mom, trying to understand the T-Virus’s latest incarnation and save humanity from its effects.  Meanwhile 2036’s Billie (Adeline Rudolph) is firmly on the side of Umbrella, and acts as its puppet master at that!

Billie’s been using the company’s resources to look for her sister, and for a very important reason. Much like Albert Wesker needed the pure blood of his twin daughters to survive, Billie seems to need the blood of Jade’s daughter, Bea. Which is probably because of the nasty bite that she suffered as a teenager, wherein a dog testing Umbrella’s drug Joy was found to be unstable. 

Time is apparently running out for Billie, as her T-Virus immunity seems to be wearing thin. Kidnapping her niece, and killing a gigantic T-Virus mutated crocodile to do so, she's made it clear she'll do anything to survive. Meanwhile, Jade will now have to chase after her estranged sister in order to get her daughter back; and that will probably introduce us to even more strange and interesting creatures along the way. 

How The Hell Is Albert Wesker Still Alive?

There’s obviously a lot of questions some may still have when it comes to Netflix’s Resident Evil, and that’s to be expected. 26 years of game canon are still on the table in this universe, and that’s a lot of story to consider. Which leads us to what’s probably the largest question people have had since watching the trailers to Netflix’s Resident Evil series: how the hell is Albert Wesker alive?

Well, as it turns out, Albert Wesker as we knew him isn’t alive. That cutthroat asshole died all spicy like in a volcano, per the events of 2009’s Resident Evil 5! However, as we see in a flashback to the Arklay Mountains in 2005, Albert did something in the name of vanity and working smarter not harder, as he’s usually wont to do. Good old Al cloned himself into three visually identical brothers, conveniently names Alby, Bert, and Albert. But for our purposes, we’ll call the last one Albert Jr. 

Albert Jr. is Billie and Jade Wesker’s father, with Bert and Alby being their uncles. Alby, unfortunately, was murdered by Albert Sr., in order to “destroy the evidence” of his unsanctioned activities. Since Umbrella caught wise, Evelyn Marcus raided the lab, and recovered Bert and Albert Jr. In exchange for their scientific brilliance, they got to live; Albert Jr. more so, as he wasn’t locked up in the 17 years since that day.

Resident Evil has asked and answered quite a few questions in its first season. Vocal critics seem to have a love/hate relationship with how Netflix has treated the Capcom mythos. Meanwhile, the internet seems to have quite a few people upset with the show as well; which is only weirder when you realize that Resident Evil was recently Netflix’s top trending show.

Where this story goes depends on the audience’s reactions overall, but if Resident Evil Season 2 happens, there’s definitely a plan for what’s next. If you want to get in on the zombie fun, Season 1 of Netflix’s Resident Evil is currently available to stream for Netflix subscribers.

They did again, ya’ll. They did it again. 

Resident Evil has been getting adaptations for years, from movies to TV shows, and now, the latest Netflix television series, simply called Resident Evil, has dropped as part of the 2022 TV schedule. And it is a doozy. 

Let me say - I am a fan of the original games. I have played many old versions of it on my brother’s gaming consoles, and have played some of the latest on my own PS5. I’ve watched every single Resident Evil movie, and seen plenty of other adaptations as well. But, not everyone is like me, who has been addicted to video games since she was a young girl - and is just waiting for some other horror game to get adapted other than Resident Evil. 

If you don’t know anything about this franchise, or what the series holds, look no further, as we have six quick things you should know before you watch Resident Evil Season 1. 

Resident Evil Season 1 Is Eight Episodes

Don’t worry. Resident Evil isn’t like Stranger Things, and you won’t be sitting down for four-plus hours just to watch two episodes. With the Netflix Resident Evil series, there are eight episodes in Season 1 - with most of them spanning between 40-50 minutes. Only the premiere episode and the finale are over an hour - which is, honestly, expected at this point when it comes to streaming shows. 

Resident Evil Is A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Show, With A Hint Of Mystery 

As someone who has played the original Resident Evil games, this version of Resident Evil isn’t really what the old games were like. While there were plenty of zombies in the games, there was never any crazy post-apocalyptic world in the original. However, this new Resident Evil really leans into that. 

The basic plot takes place between two timelines, one in 2022, where the Wesker family moves to a place called “New Raccoon City” (a nod towards the original game), with their father and his Umbrella corporation hiding dark secrets - and then flashes forward to 2036, where the eldest, Jade attempts to survive in a post-apocalyptic world in the years after a deadly pandemic. 

It’s not the most original plotline ever, but if you’re a fan of Netflix zombie shows, such as All Of Us Are Dead or even Santa Clarita Diet, you’ll find something to enjoy. 

Original Resident Evil Character Albert Wesker Is A Huge Part Of This Series

If you’re not a big fan of the video game series, Albert Wesker is a huge part of the Resident Evil franchise and a big part of the original games, and in the show on Netflix, he is a big part of the Resident Evil cast, as played by Lance Reddick, famously known for his role as Cedric Daniels on The Wire. But, don’t worry - you really don’t need to know much about Albert going in, as you learn a lot as the story goes on.

Resident Evil Is A Horror Series With Some Twisted Humor

What seems to be the case with many other horror franchises nowadays is that there’s some humor mixed in - horror comedies are some of the best movies, in my opinion. Why not get the crap scared out of you and laugh the next minute? That’s what Resident Evil has. 

While the moments of comedy are nothing compared to the horror of the post-apocalyptic show, there’s still some twisted humor that I think people who like dark comedy will enjoy. 

Capcom's Resident Evil Games Are The Foundation For The Netflix Series' Canon

As I said before, there are plenty of nods to the Resident Evil franchise here, such as the character names, certain titles for cities, even the way some of the monsters look. You can definitely tell that there are hints of what the original Resident Evil franchise was, and it’s one of the strongest adaptations yet. 

But You Don't Need To Know Much About Resident Evil's Previous Games And Movies To Jump In

That doesn’t mean you really need to know anything about the game series to enjoy this show. I’ll be honest, I want a faithful adaptation just as much as any other fan, and this show certainly isn’t faithful to the games or close to the movies. As I said, the games serve as a foundation for much of the world, but other than that, there’s really no connection. 

Even so, if you like zombie shows or any post-apocalyptic/dystopian series, this might be a fun time for you. It’s not a show like The Walking Dead or anything like that, but there’s plenty of horror, action, and some decent monsters that will surely make you squirm in your seat. 

What do you think is going to be the next horror adaptation on Netflix? Do you think Resident Evil will get a Season 2? Only time will tell. 

I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest horror movie fan out there. It’s not my preferred genre, but I’m also not typically one of those people that runs from a scary movie. I’ve seen all the classics and enjoyed many of them well enough. Sometimes a jump scare hits in a way nothing else can. But a man has to draw a line somewhere, and for me, this Resident Evil 3D billboard I’m about to show you is that line. 

The billboard in question recently went up in Times Square in New York City, and it started attracting attention almost immediately. It features an undead Licker-looking creature smashing its glass enclosure and breaking out. A viral tweet featuring the full video has attracted almost 10M views, and numerous versions have popped up on YouTube. You can check out this unholy nightmare in all its macabre glory below…

First of all, shoutout to whoever designed this 3D billboard. I hate it more than anything else in my life right now, but the point of an advertisement is to attract attention. I’m sitting here banging out an article on a Sunday morning about this abomination; so, job well done to everyone involved there. Second of all, though, what is the approval process like for getting one of these billboards an official thumbs up from the city? I need to know where the line is and why this hasn't joined the banned movie posters or banned tv posters lists.

I have very distinct memories of living in Los Angeles like 7-10 years ago when The Strain started dropping billboards with a worm coming out of someone’s eyeball. I had to avert my eyes every time I went past a bus stop. The city eventually put an end to those for being too graphic, but I guess since this creature isn’t jumping inside anyone’s eye sockets he’s okay. Or maybe the fine people of New York City are just assumed to have a higher creep tolerance than those living in LA?

That being said, I’d also like to commend everyone involved here on how good these visuals look. It’s not easy to design a 3D poster like this, and it’s also not easy to design one that’s so freaky it’s attracting millions of free views on the internet. Considering how weirded out I am, it certainly doesn’t make me want to watch the show, but for those into that sorta thing, I’d imagine this would be the job.

The new Resident Evil TV show, fittingly titled Resident Evil, hit Netflix this past week. It mostly attracted mixed reviews from critics, but some fans have been a little slower to warm up, partially because of concerns related to how little overlap there is with other entries in the classic franchise. If you think the 3D poster is cool, you should consider checking it out. If you’re like me, however, and want no part of that poster, I’d consider checking out literally anything else. 

You would think that a video game franchise like Super Mario Bros. or Sonic the Hedgehog would have the most film and TV adaptations, but that honor actually goes to Resident Evil. Since the turn of the 21st Century, there have been more than a half-dozen movies inspired by Capcom’s beloved survival horror game series, two series — one animated and one live-action, and scores of other adaptations. So much so it’s kind of hard to keep track of them all.

With the Resident Evil property being alive as ever (or maybe undead as ever) on Netflix, and new installments in the franchise popping up like those zombie dogs busting through the window at the Raccoon City Police Department, we are in need of a guide to all the madness caused by the Umbrella Corporation over the years. And since now is as good a time as any, let’s break down how you can watch the Resident Evil movies and TV shows streaming…

How To Watch The Resident Evil Movies Streaming

Ever since Paul W.S. Anderson transformed the Resident Evil property from one of the most popular video game series of the 1990s into a line of over-the-top action blockbusters, the franchise has given birth to a total of seven movies, if you include the 2021 reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. The late George A. Romero’s version of the survival horror movie never came to fruition, the movies starring Milla Jovovich as the badass heroine, Alice, gave moviegoers reason enough to keep coming back even if fans of the games cried foul.

If you have long been wanting to revisit these high-intensity adaptations, it’s never been easy to do so, because every title except for 2016’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter are currently available on Hulu (although that title is streaming for free on Tubi). And if you missed Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, you can watch that on Starz. Check out the links below…

• Stream Resident Evil on Hulu.
• Stream Resident Evil: Apocalypse on Hulu.
• Stream Resident Evil: Extinction on Hulu.
• Stream Resident Evil: Afterlife on Hulu.
• Stream Resident Evil: Retribution on Hulu.
• Stream Resident Evil: The Final Chapter on Tubi.
• Stream Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City on Starz.

How To Watch The Resident Evil TV Shows Streaming

If you don’t care to watch all seven Resident Evil movies, but still want to explore Raccoon City and the not-so-altruistic ventures of the Umbrella Corporation, there are other options out there. 

First, there is the short and sweet four-episode animated series, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, that dropped on Netflix back in July 2021. Then there is the eight-episode live-action 2022 Netflix series, Resident Evil, which offers up a completely different scenario, though one iconic video game villain is back in the fold.

• Stream Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness on Netflix.
• Stream Resident Evil on Netflix.

With new Resident Evil movies and TV shows being released all the time (not to mention the popular video game franchise on which they are based continuing to be a hit with fans) it doesn’t look like the beloved survival horror series is going anywhere any time soon.

Supernatural kept running on The CW for a whopping 15 seasons, with the strong bond between brothers Sam and Dean Winchester at the heart of it all. As the two battled monsters, demons, angels, and occasionally each other, they kept the show going for the better part of two decades. Former Supernatural boss Andrew Dabb now serves as showrunner on Netflix's new Resident Evil series. As it turns out, both series are quite similar in one department: a strong sibling bond. 

Netflix’s Resident Evil follows the twin daughters of scientist Albert Wesker, and just like Supernatural, it digs deep into their sibling dynamic. Andrew Dabb spoke to TVLine about the similarities between the shows, and how the Wesker twins and Winchester brothers are alike:

On Supernatural, fans will remember that there was always a back and forth between Sam and Dean about who would save whom. Dean always felt responsible for Sam since he was the big brother, while at the same time, Sam felt the need to do the same for Dean. It sounds like on Resident Evil, the dynamic will be a tad different since they are twins, but the twins will evidently have their share of traumatic events, like the Winchesters did.

As for how long Resident Evil will last compared to the 15 seasons of Supernatural, Andrew Dabb has a fun idea for how many seasons the new Netflix show should get:

What's the harm in dreaming big? Maybe Andrew Dabb will get his 16 seasons of Resident Evil! More seriously, it's probably safe to say that the new show isn't going to hit 300+ episodes like Supernatural did no matter how many seasons it gets, with the first Resident Evil season running for eight episodes. Netflix also doesn't have a reputation for long-running series, especially following the many cancellations in the last few months alone.

Just like Supernatural and much of the Resident Evil universe, the new Netflix series will include plenty of thrills, monsters, blood, and mayhem. The trailer that released in June included some Easter eggs from the beloved video game, and also brought tons of action. The horror series opens a new chapter in the Resident Evil franchise, with the show more closely following the game and remaining separate from the film franchise.

Despite Supernatural ending almost two years ago, the legacy of Sam and Dean is still going strong with fans, and the upcoming prequel series will delve into their parents' love story. The Winchesters will debut on The CW in the fall. Fortunately, the wait is already over for the eight episodes of Resident Evil Season 1. It is available streaming now with a Netflix subscription!

There are few video game franchises that have been been turned into more movies and TV shows than the survival horror series Resident Evil, which has been adapted in just about every shape and form dating back to the early days of the 21st Century. The next chapter in that history kicked off in July 2022 with the debut of the long-awaited Netflix series Resident Evil, which looks to combine elements of the games with new ideas for an eight-episode zombie drama.

But you won’t be seeing the return of Milla Jovovich’s Alice on this version of the Resident Evil cast since the show is taking a different direction than Paul W.S. Anderson’s successful film franchise of the same name. But there are some incredible actors who will appear on the show, including Lance Reddick, who is no stranger when it comes to sci-fi series and video game properties. Let’s break it all down now…

Lance Reddick (Albert Wesker)

Albert Wesker, who longtime fans of the Resident Evil video game series will remember as one of the franchise’s most notable antagonists, is portrayed in the 2022 Netflix series by Lance Reddick. It’s hard to say if the show’s version of the ambitious virologist will be as cunning and dangerous as his video game counterpart, but expect the unexpected, especially with Reddick bringing him to life.

A prominent fixture of The Wire cast throughout the show’s five-season run, Reddick has long been one of the most prolific and interesting actors on TV, being able to play characters with a tremendous amount of range. Reddick has also been a major player on the silver screen with prominent roles like Charon in the John Wick franchise. He has also played key roles in the Destiny and Horizon video game series the past decade.

Paola Nuñez (Evelyn Marcus)

Playing Umbrella Corporation CEO Evelyn Marcus on the Resident Evil TV series is Paola Nuñez, who will bring to life the character who will do anything to make sure the company her father founded gets its latest pharmaceutical advancement out on the market (which is pretty standard for the corporation and its dubious past).

Before taking on the role as the daughter of the man behind one of the video game world’s most treacherous entities, Nuñez made a name for herself in her native Mexico in a variety of Spanish-speaking series like Las Juanas, Amor en Custodia, and Mientras Haya Vida before finding success in the United States with shows like The Son and The Purge. Perhaps her most notable film appearance was the 2020 buddy action comedy Bad Boys for Life in which she portrayed Rita Secada. Nuñez will soon return to Netflix for the upcoming The Fall of the House of Usher series.

Turlough Convery (Richard Baxter)

Richard Baxter, the shadowy Umbrella figure who will stop at nothing to sweep his employer’s problems under the rug — even if that means killing those who get in his way — is played by Turlough Convery on the Resident Evil TV series.

Fans of the sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror will probably recognize Convery from his appearance in the 2014 special “White Christmas,” which we previously ranked as the best episode in the series. Over the years, Convery has also found success on shows like Poldark, Les Misérables, Temple, Killing Eve, and Sanditon. In that same stretch of time, the Irish actor has popped up in a variety of movies ranging from Steven Spielberg’s 2018 adaptation of Ready Player One to Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical Academy Award winner Belfast in 2021.

Ella Balinska (Jade Wesker)

The Resident Evil TV series is split up into two timelines — one in set in 2022 and one taking place in 2036 after the world has been brought to the brink of destruction because of the T-Virus — and Ella Balinska plays Jade Wesker in the later time period. The daughter of Albert Wesker is a hardened researcher who could very well be humanity's final chance at survival.

Although her name may not be as recognizable as some of the other members of the Resident Evil cast, Balinska has proven she’s an up-and-coming star that needs to be followed. In 2019, the English actress earned a starring role in the Charlie’s Angels reboot as Jane Kano, a performance she followed up the following year with the horror film Run Sweetheart Run. Balinska has also had roles on shows like Casualty, The Athena, and Midsomer Murders.

Tamara Smart (Young Jade)

Playing the 14-year-old version of Jade Wesker on the Resident Evil TV series is Tamara Smart, who portrays a young teenager who finds her true purpose in life trying to uncover the multi-layered mysteries at the Umbrella Corporation and her new home of New Raccoon City.

Smart first found success with the children’s fantasy drama series The Worst Witch in 2017, on which she took on the role of Enid Nightshade for the show’s four-season run. Since then, Smart has shown up on shows like Hard Sun and the 2019 reboot of Are You Afraid of the Dark?. Her film work since then includes the 2020 Disney+ movie Artemis Fowl and the Netflix-produced film A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting.

Adeline Rudolph (Billie Wesker)

Adeline Rudolph appears on the Resident Evil cast as the grown-up Billie Wesker, Jade’s fraternal twin sister and daughter of the ambitious Albert Wesker.

Those familiar with the popular Chilling Adventures of Sabrina cast will almost immediately recognize Rudolph from her portrayal of Agatha, one of the Weird Sisters, in all 36 episodes of show. Rudolph later appeared on the show’s companion series Riverdale, on which she portrayed Minerva Marble in a total of five episodes. Since then, Rudolph has been featured on the podcast series Listening In, on which she voices a character named Sienna.

Siena Agudong (Young Billie)

Although her twin sister has no problem finding meaning in life in their new home of New Raccoon City, the same can’t be said for the 14-year-old Billie Wesker in Resident Evil’s earlier timeline. Portrayed by Siena Agudong, the younger version of Billie finds herself at odds with just about anyone and everyone in her path.

Over the years, Agudong has earn major roles on shows like Killer Women, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn, Teachers, Star Falls, and No Good Nick, as well as one-off appearances on popular programs like Hawaii Five-0 and Raven’s Home. Her film credits include Second Chances and Alex and Me, as well as brief cameo as the younger version of Mia Toretto in one of F9’s numerous flashbacks.

Connor Gosatti (Simon)

During the 2022 potion of the Resident Evil TV series, Connor Gosatti takes on the role of Simon Marcus, the son of Umbrella CEO Evelyn Marcus and best friend of the younger 14-year-old version of Jade. Talented behind his laptop’s keyboard, Simon helps his new friend get behind New Raccoon City’s state-of-the-art security programs.

Connor Gosatti’s inclusion on the Resident Evil cast is perhaps the young actor’s biggest break yet. Throughout his career, which goes back to 2013, Gosatti has only one other appearance on a TV show — the 2020 comedy series What We See. All of his other credits up to this point are for various short films including the likes of No Bus, Midnight Ticket, and The Little Astronaut.

Ahad Raza Mir (Arjun Batra)

Taking on the role of Arjun Batra, just one of the many who have been become refugees in the wake of the T-Virus pandemic in the later timeline in the Resident Evil TV show is Ahad Raza Mir.

Throughout his career, which goes back to 2010, Mir has mostly worked in Pakistan where he has earned roles of varying degrees on shows like Sammi, Aangan, Ehd-e-Wafa, and Yeh Dil Mera, as well as movies like Parwaaz Hai Junoon and Kalasha. During that same stretch of time, Mir has worked extensively on the stage, appearing in productions of Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet at The Shakespeare Company and various other performances of the acclaimed playwright’s most famous works.

Pedro de Tavira Egurrola (Angel Rubio)

Pedro de Tavira rounds out the main portion of the Resident Evil cast as Angel Rubio, a disgraced journalist who was on the receiving end of one of the Umbrella Corporation's coverup operations and now wants to use his knowledge and anger to assist a 14-year-old Jade in her investigations.

Prior to landing a role on the Netflix horror action series, de Tavira Egurrola appeared on a long list of Spanish-language series like An Unknown Enemy, Selena’s Secret, and The Five Juanas, which like Resident Evil is streaming on Netflix. His other credits include El Chapo, Sr. Ávila, I Don’t Trust Men Anymore, and Love, Pain and Vice Versa, to name only a few of his numerous roles so far.

This is just the main portion of the Resident Evil cast as there are numerous other characters who appear in some capacity throughout the eight-episode season. Hopefully this helps you make sense of the characters and where you’ve seen the actors before. But none of this means anything if you don’t watch the show and the only way to do that is by have an active Netflix subscription.

Video game fans have had quite the rollercoaster ride when it comes to adaptations of Capcom’s landmark franchise Resident Evil. Opinions are still split about both the Paul W.S. Anderson/Milla Jovovich produced films, and the jury’s also still out on whether Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City truly is a flop or just a bop waiting to be reappraised. Prepare for the waters to get even rougher, as the anticipated Resident Evil Netflix series has officially screened for critics, and hardcore fans of the Raccoon City mythos may want to approach with caution.

Reactions for Resident Evil have been dropping today in honor of the debut of Season 1’s eight-episode run. Including stars like Lance Reddick, Ella Balinska and Paola Núñez among its cast, Netflix subscribers can now dig into the adventures of the Wesker family in 2022 and 2036. Starting with the review of Terry Mesnard at Gayly Dreadful, game and series canon seem to co-exist well enough:

The balance between Resident Evil’s video game lore and showrunner Andrew Dabb’s new vision is something that’s consistently been discussed since the first trailers for the Netflix show debuted. For those who thought Lance Reddick’s casting in particular meant that the original stories were being discarded, nothing could be further from the truth. 

It appears that keeping the classic Resident Evil canon, including Albert Wesker’s volcanic demise, is a bit of a double-edged sword for some. Shaun Monro from Flickering Myth is in that camp, reacting to Season 1 with the following lament of just how much OG Umbrella shenanigans are present: 

Meanwhile, Slashfilm’s Barry Levitt seems to think that the balance between new puzzles and old scars isn’t a bad thing at all. In fact, Resident Evil presents this as an opportunity to welcome everyone to New Raccoon City, as Levitt states in this excerpt from his overall review: 

Working with a franchise like Resident Evil is always a passport to utilizing a wide variety of stories, creatures and weapons to tell a story. Linking the canon of the games and series opens so many doors, which only leaves decision makers like Andrew Dabb with the question of what to use and when. Austen Goslin of Polygon doesn’t seem to think the process of breadcrumbing future Resident Evil entries is working out, as seen in this piece of criticism:

Lack of consensus about any Resident Evil entry is always par for the course. Even Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness has dedicated fans that appreciate what it’s trying to do. With that in mind, take a look at Meagan Navarro’s opinion from her Bloody Disgusting review: 

With such a variety of opinions on Netflix’s Resident Evil present, it’s going to be a very interesting task to keep track of the reactions from fans binging the series as we speak. Joining the library of Netflix shows set to thrill and chill viewers, Season 1 of Resident Evil can now be streamed by those who seek it out. After you’ve completed that scenario, feel free to seek out further televised excitement through the 2022 TV schedule, which has plenty of options for horror and non-horror fans alike.

Even without including the film franchise that largely avoided the source material, it’s safe to say the Resident Evil universe is one filled with complications, timeline issues and canonical hiccups. However, that hasn’t stopped the video games from reaching the apex of horror-action as the years have gone by, and it also hasn’t stopped attempts to bring the zombified saga into live-action. The latest iteration is Netflix’s upcoming episodic series, which looks like it’ll skew as close to the game’s storyline as anything, even while introducing its own unique spins on the monstrous history of Raccoon City and the Umbrella Corporation. But with its latest trailer, Resident Evil lightened up on the core mythology to make way for a veritable buffet of bloody, gory, and sticky mayhem. 

As the trailer’s opening lays it out, the world essentially came to a crashing and burning halt in 2022 after a deadly virus spanned the globe and sparked an apocalypse. 14 years later, Ella Balinska’s Jade Wesker has quite a bit of discovering to do as she struggles to survive through her attempts to find out how her father Albert (Lance Reddick) is connected to the Umbrella Corporation and its dangerous concoction dubbed “Joy,” as well as what happened to her sister Billie (Siena Agudong). I imagine it would be a lot easier for Jade if society hadn’t been overrun by infected organisms with a thirst for blood. 

And boy, is there blood on display in the new trailer, both in the scientific sense, with droplets being researched for their presumably DNA-altering properties, as well as in the sense of characters being covered in it for currently unexplained reasons. We can only hope most of it belongs to the freaky creatures running around. 

The trailer has a creepy “American Dream in the 1950s” vibe, thanks to the Umbrella Corporation’s approach to media, the picturesque suburban settings, and all of the labwork being done. Not to mention someone seemingly drinking from an Umbrella-branded milk bottle. I dare not consider what creature that milk came out of, though, and it’s going to be hard to convince me that Lance Riddick’s character is a true villain here, since I will always inherently trust anyone he plays. 

Of course, the good ol’ days, as it were, weren’t privy to massive, ground-shattering worm monsters, even though there were probably quite a few test-subject rats attempting to breaking out of their cages at the time. Just presumably not with the T-virus coursing through their little veins. 

The trailer delivers a lot of awesome bursts of thrills and chills, and that includes an appearance from at least one angry dog that immediately bring to mind the first game’s most iconic scare. Fans can also play the game “Would You Rather Be Attacked By A Slimy Spider Thing Dropping From The Ceiling Or By A Slimy Veiny Thing With Super-Sharp Teeth?” The answer, of course, is “whichever one grants me access to a chainsaw.” Always go with the chainsaw. Or a flamethrower, I suppose. 

The back half of the trailer really ramps up the action, with Jade Wesker setting herself up to become the next great sci-fi heroine. She looks like she'll be handling an assortment of weapons, similar to how things go in the video game series, and I'm hoping to see them introducing some mightily intimidating hardware as the season goes on.

Resident Evil thankfully already has a release date locked down, unlike a lot of other projects being promoted during Geeked Week, and those with Netflix subscriptions can look forward to the premiere arriving on Thursday, July 14. And while waiting, be sure to dive into the animated series Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, and then check out our 2022 TV premiere schedule to see when all the other new and returning shows will be popping up. 

Since 2002, the powers-that-be behind the Resident Evil franchise have been trying to keep the flame of the franchise going, in one way or another. Last fall’s cinematic attempt Welcome to Raccoon City didn’t exactly work as planned, which was especially disappointing for me, as I was a fan who championed the concept of a quick reboot to Resident Evil. Netflix certainly has its work cut out for it thanks to a streaming series adaptation being on the 2022 TV schedule. Now we finally have our first look at not one, but two trailers that do change things up, like the origin of the T-Virus, from what we’ve previously seen. 

So far, I like what's been shown, and it’s because of these changes to how Resident Evil is being brought to life this time out. Before I start to really dig into the deeper details, you should check out the first teaser trailer embedded here:

If you like what you’ve seen there and want to dig a little deeper, the official website for Umbrella’s latest consumer product has another quick look at what’s coming down the line. However, it’s now time to dig into the fresh angles that make this new Resident Evil project seriously intriguing.

This Time Wesker And Umbrella Are Featured More Prominently Than Ever

Resident Evil lore almost always paints Albert Wesker (Lance Reddick) and the Umbrella Corporation as the shadowy antagonists of whatever story they’re a part of. The new Netflix series has made a huge departure from square one, as Wesker is a core component of the show’s focus. Also, it looks like we’re about to get a nice inside look at Umbrella’s current operations.

If that’s not enough, showrunner Andrew Dabb told EW that the changes behind Wesker himself have a very fun part to play. For those of you wondering how this series fits in with the original Capcom games, prepare to be blown away:

A new Wesker has arrived, and he’s still connected to all of the crazy stuff that’s happened in the Resident Evil games. What's even crazier is that the previously bankrupt Umbrella Coropration seems to be back, and with a new product on the market.

Introducing Joy: The Umbrella Corporation’s Latest Designer Drug

Harkening back to Umbrella’s background as a leading biotech firm, Resident Evil introduces this round of T-Virus mayhem through a new designer drug called Joy. Much like this dastardly company is wont to do, Joy is meant to act as a cure for everything from OCD to ADHD, and anxiety in-between. However, as Umbrella warns on its website, “unwanted side effects may occur,” despite having a cute orange bear as it's mascot.

In other words, I hope you don’t mind running the risk of becoming a zombie in order to better your mental health. Resident Evil isn’t digging for gold in the bioweaponry division of Umbrella this time out. Rather than using the T-Virus to develop supersoldiers that can’t die, this vicious pathogen is now a prescription for wellness; yet again moving back to the classic video game canon. 

Netflix's Resident Evil Deals With Fresh Settings And New Twists Of Scenery

Point of order for fans of Resident Evil 5: if Wesker’s death is canon, then so is the African setting of the game. So in that respect, placing New Raccoon City in South Africa isn’t a totally fresh setting for Netflix’s Resident Evil series. And yet, building a brand new “old factory town” in that very country still introduces fresh hell for a classic series.

Adding to that excitement, another setting that’s not a vaguely Midwestern suburb in the United States is present in this brand-new adventure. Apparently London was calling to Andrew Dabb and the Resident Evil crew, as the older Jade Wesker (Ella Balinska) somehow winds up in a zombie-infested version of that storied city. We’ve seen the T-Virus ravage the world before, but heading to a metropolis like London is a fresh setting; especially if this doesn’t turn out to be some underwater simulation of a major city. (I’m looking at you Resident Evil: Retribution.) 

Resident Evil’s Plot Is Now Working With Time Jumps

The Resident Evil movies starring Milla Jovovich were eventually strung together over the course of years. With that point standing, each movie seems to restrict itself to a handful of days at most; which isn’t that far off from the original games setting their entries over the course of a day or two. Netflix has totally smashed that timeframe, as this story jumps between the events of 2022 and 2036, through the eyes of Jade Wesker (Tamara Smart and Ella Balinska). 

If you were looking for a reason why Resident Evil makes for a promising cinematic universe, look no further. For schemes as big as those executed by Umbrella, the long game can be a beautiful thing if you have enough material. The split between two time periods in this round of undead mayhem amps up the potential for storytelling better than weaving choice easter eggs into the mix “for the fans.” 

Billie And Jade Wesker May Have Some Sinister Origins

Circling back to the Wesker family, twins Billie and Jade have some very important questions surrounding their creation. Albert Wesker isn’t above using science to chase power and immortality, which already makes his own return something to keep a close eye on. Again, showrunner Andrew Dabb dropped some interesting knowledge to this point in the interview previously cited: 

Shots of Lance Reddick experimenting on lab animals with the blood of his “daughters” only furthers this mystery. Resident Evil loves to delve into the world of weird families, especially when there are twins involved. However, just because Billie and Jade are potentially lab created children doesn’t mean they’re going to break bad. 

Gigantic T-Virus Mutations Are Back, Baby!

Ridiculous creations found their way into the Resident Evil films more frequently as time went on. Somehow, that aspect never felt accurate to the creatures we saw in the Capcom games, where more of the thrills were mined from gigantic mutations of various lifeforms through the T-Virus. The moment that first giant spider showed up onscreen during Netflix’s trailer, it was clear that those mutations were back! 

Giant spiders aren’t the limit, as we are still getting some absolutely gargantuan aggressors in this next chapter. More specifically, a very hungry caterpillar looks like it’s ready to take on Jade Wesker in 2036, and it makes things feel that much closer to the games that the Resident Evil team is trying to incorporate. All that’s missing is the potential for Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil: Village to show up, and even that’s on the table from what Andrew Rabb has said.

As someone who was annoyed with how Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City butchered the lore of the games, this Netflix series has shown so much promise that I’m hyped again. The change-ups employed seem to be shifting the franchise to a track closer to the one followed on various home entertainment consoles. Looking at these trailers fill me with joy, and I hope that feeling doesn’t mutate into something more upsetting when the show premieres.

Resident Evil will infect the Netflix library, starting July 16th. If you’re curious as to what other Netflix shows are coming throughout the year, the 2022 Netflix TV schedule has all the information you’ll need. Well, everything except for a guide book on how to fend off a gigantic mutated insect. That’s something not even our top minds have figured out just yet. 

I’m going to be straight with you. I’ve seen all of the Milla Jovovich Resident Evil movies, and even some of the animated stuff, but none of them are all that great. So, when Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City was announced as a sort of reboot to the property, I was cautiously optimistic.

But guess what! That one isn’t great either. Before you get out the rocket launcher, just listen. I don’t go to a video game movie to watch something great. I go to watch something fun. And, from what I’ve seen over the years, most of the Resident Evil movies were at least fun, in a campy, so-bad-it’s-good sort of way.

Now, I wouldn’t say that any of the movies truly capture the spooky spirit of the video games, but I will say this—I do think that most of them are enjoyable. But which ones are the most enjoyable? Well, you’re about to find out.

 Oh, and some spoilers up ahead.

7. Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)

Starring Milla Jovovich (obviously), Sienna Guillory and Oded Fehr, as Alice, and video game series mainstays Jill Valentine and Carlos Olivera, respectively, Resident Evil: Apocalypse is a complete and utter mess. It should be cool, since it introduces Nemesis, but he looks and moves like something straight out of Battlefield Earth. What the hell happened here?

Immediately following the events of the first movie, the outbreak in Apocalypse has leaked out into Raccoon City, and Alice has to clean up the mess with the help of some new players. There’s a whole lot of explosions, and a whole lot of action, but it’s all bland and unappealing. And don’t get me started on what they did with Nemesis’s origin. How are you going to make one of the most intimidating characters in the entire franchise, and then swerve into that silly reveal? No. Resident Evil: Apocalypse is not so-bad-it’s good. It’s just bad, and there’s nothing fun about it.

6. Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

A lot of people associate the Resident Evil movies with director, Paul W.S. Anderson, which is understandable since he did direct 4 out of the 7 movies. But he actually stepped away from the director’s seat after the first movie, and returned for the fourth entry, which, unfortunately, wasn’t the best return after number 3, which I’ll get to later. Starring Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Wentworth Miller, amongst others, Resident Evil: Afterlife was in 3D, and man does it abuse it, as there’s just so much stuff flying toward the screen.

Resident Evil: Afterlife is pretty popular with the fans since it introduces Chris Redfield (played by Wentworth Miller), and his sister Claire (Ali Larter), and also has them battling against series mainstay antagonist, Albert Wesker (Shawn Roberts), but it’s just a bit too overblown and confused for its own good. 

It definitely leans more into the horror side of things, but with people doing back flips and slicing zombies with swords, it loses whatever horror it was trying to build up. It’s fun, I’ll give it that, but it just feels a bit confused about whether it wants to be more fun or scary. In the end, it doesn’t really succeed on either end.

5. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)

You don’t have to like Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, but I think you need to respect it. It manages to be the most visually appealing film in the franchise, looking like something that wasn’t specifically filmed to go straight to TV, and it all connects back to the original movie with the Red Queen and the Hive. It even has that cool laser tunnel in the first movie, with Alice (Milla Jovovich) being highly adept at handling it now. Plus, Iain Glen as Dr. Isaacs does a pretty good job of being a mastermind bad guy, wiping out pretty much all of humanity.

So, why is it so low on this list? Well, because of missed potential, that’s why. While it does tie up loose ends, it also leaves some loose ends open, like where the hell was Jill? Where was Leon? There’s also the ending, which pulls a Super Mario Bros. and makes you think there might be a sequel that’s never coming. So, it’s fun, but it’s also frustrating.

4. Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

Resident Evil: Retribution, which stars Li Bingbing, Johann Urb, and Michelle Rodriguez, as video game series favorites, Ada Wong, Leon Kennedy, and in the original movie series, Rain Ocampo (or, at least her clones), respectively, is not as offensive with the 3D as Afterlife was. It might just be because it’s better, story-wise. This one features Alice having to escape the Umbrella Corporation with a little help from her new friends.

This one is really fun. From the suburban aspect early on, to the clones, to the constantly being chased aspect of the film, to the White House stuff, Retribution was always a high point in the cinematic series, and definitely the best of the Paul W.S. Anderson sequels.

3. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)

Directed by Johannes Roberts, and starring Kaya Scodelario, Robbie Amell, and Tom Hopper, among others, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is the closest movie we’ve gotten to the games, but that’s not saying much given the other six films. The story takes place in the '90s, like the first two games, and really leans into it, so that’s appreciated. I also really like the many similarities to the game, like the mansion from the first RE, and the police station from the second.

But… well, it’s the differences that matter. Like Leon Kennedy, played by Avan Jogia. He’s a huge problem, since he doesn’t feel like the cocksure Leon at all (Johann Urb in Retribution was a much better representation). The movie is also really silly at parts when it should be scary. That said, it is fun, and it’s surprisingly funny, which overshadows its cringy moments. I could go for a sequel in this universe, why not?

2. Resident Evil (2002)

The first film in the series, Resident Evil, starring Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez, planted its flag as a totally different beast from the video games early on, featuring laser corridors, kicking dogs in the face, and a brand-new character in Alice. This first film is lean and mean, having the characters break into a facility called the Hive during an outbreak within the lab.

And like I said up top, the film isn’t great, but it is very enjoyable in the same way that the first Mortal Kombat movie was enjoyable. The pacing is brisk, and once you get over the fact that it’s very different from the games, it makes for an enjoyable action horror romp. I would say it’s the best in the series if not for one other entry.

1. Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)

Here it is. The crème-de-la-crème of Resident Evil movies. Directed by Russell Mulcahy and starring Milla Jovovich, Mike Epps, Ashanti, and a slew of others, as I mentioned up top, none of the Resident Evil movies are great, but Resident Evil: Extinction is a whole lot of fun. This one finds Alice and her new friends trying to get to Alaska through the desert, but they’re met by a slew of zombies, crows, and monsters along the way. And all of it is enjoyable.

Much like the first movie, Resident Evil: Extinction knows exactly what it is, with this one being a zombified Mad Max. Alice is cool with her new super abilities, and the movie never slows down. It even revels in its silly story, and it never gets bogged down by the Umbrella stuff like some of the other films. Resident Evil: Extinction gets the top spot since it’s the most enjoyable film in the franchise. Simple as that.

But what did you think? Are your favorites in this order? For information on other 2021 movies besides Welcome to Raccoon City, make sure to stop by here often.  

Warning: we’re going to go deep with SPOILERS for Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. If you’re looking to see the film unspoiled, you might want to head into another piece of coverage that doesn’t give away the secrets. 

The first time I saw the trailer for writer/director Johannes Roberts’ Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, I was really excited. Sony’s big reboot of the landmark Capcom survival horror franchise seemed to actually be taking the time to be a more accurate representation of the games. Even the fact that they were drawing from two different entries to make one cinematic experience didn’t phase me all that much, as the sight of Spencer Mansion and the RPD police department felt nice and cozy.

Unfortunately, I actually saw the movie, and most of those good feelings went away pretty quickly. Actually, my worries started to grow before I set foot in the theater, as I’d noticed the marketing campaign was focusing on those easter eggs and recreations of locations from the first two games rather intently. That fear only progressed throughout my viewing, and it’s only part of why Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City really bothered me as a fan of the games. Let’s dive into my issues and why they bugged me so much. 

Mixing The Events Of Resident Evil 1 And 2 Was A Big Mistake

It only poked my brain ever so slightly when it was first announced that the first two entries in the Resident Evil canon were being combined to make this movie’s narrative. A creative enough storyteller could theoretically toss out the two-month gap between the respective adventures of the Spencer Mansion investigation of RE1 and the RPD escape in RE2. In this special case, that theory is horrifically disproven.

There’s a lot that goes on in both games mined for Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. So much so that an almost two-hour movie isn’t going to nearly cover enough of the story to make it compelling to fans, or even outsiders. It’s tempting to throw Chris Redfield (Robbie Amell) and Jill Valentine (Hannah John-Kamen), as well as Leon S. Kennedy (Avan Jogia) and Claire Redfield (Kaya Scodelario) into the same movie. If you don’t do it right, two really rich stories become shallow and flat excuses to play with the characters everyone loves. That leads to the next huge misstep in this house of horrors. 

Some Wild Choices Were Made To Important Resident Evil Characters

Two of the most chilling villains in Resident Evil history are turned into inept clowns in Welcome to Raccoon City. By no means do I lay this at the feet of either Donal Logue or Tom Hopper, as their respective performances as Chief Brian Irons and Albert Wesker are sterling for the material they’ve been given. However, the writing for both Irons and Wesker totally gutted their original purposes in the games. 

Resident Evil is a survival horror thriller, mixed in with a conspiracy plotline. Characters who seem on the up and up initially can be outed as total monsters at any given time, as seen with both Chief Irons and Albert Wesker in the source games. Wesker in particular is a traitor who's been planted firmly in the Umbrella higher-ups the whole damned time; seeing as he helped create some of their greatest bioweapons. In Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, Albert is merely in it for the money, apologizing to Jill and trying to convince her to join him in escaping. Even his post-credit revival casts him as the innocent pawn, rather than the ruthless bastard Wesker's always been known to be.

Chief Irons was an especially cruel cut in this recent adaptation, because once I’d read that Donal Logue was cast as this absolute piece of work, my hopes rose ever higher. A character who's corrupt to the core, Irons has been linked to everything from taking bribes and sexual assault to flat out serial killings in the game canon. In the movie, all we get is a superior who likes to yell at his subordinates while bumbling about and delivering monologues that are firmly written to remind us this movie takes place in 1998. Again, Donal Logue and Tom Hopper receive no blame for this, and if you were to tell me they were being given a mulligan to replay these characters in a proper adaptation, I’d be really damned happy. Particularly with Mr. Logue, who, for the record, really does sell the hell out of that monologue busting Leon Kennedy’s chops.

Other Characters/Creatures Didn’t Even Show Up

If you’re going to make a game as memorable as Resident Evil 2 into a movie, there are certain monstrosities from the Umbrella Corporation’s bestiary that need to make an appearance. Paul W.S. Anderson even understood this when he made 2002’s Resident Evil, as he ended that initial foray with a big fat cliffhanger promising Nemesis in the next round. While Welcome to Raccoon City doesn’t have to make such promises, as Nemesis doesn’t come into the game canon until Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, it does skip out on using one of the most iconic monsters from Capcom’s second installment: Mr. X.

A variant of the Tyrant bioweapon that should have appeared as part of Resident Evil 1’s half of the adaptation, Mr. X would have been a perfect opportunity to unite a fan favorite piece of RE canon. We don’t get any Tyrants this time out, but thankfully, we do get a Licker. Then again, the creatures aren’t the only problem with this mess of an adaptation. 

Whole members of the S.T.A.R.S. team are missing in the Resident Evil reboot, most notably fellow traitor/aid to Jill Valentine Barry Burton and easy prequel bait Rebecca Chambers. Victims of the gutting to Resident Evil 1’s story, they aren’t even present in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. Though to be honest, as we’ve seen above and will see again, it’s not like showing up in this movie meant a character was going to be treated properly to begin with. 

Good Luck Trying To Make A Faithful Adaptation Of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Why would anyone want an adaptation of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis? Is it because it takes place in the same 24-48 hour period as Resident Evil 2? Maybe it’s the creature that lends its name to the title? Or perhaps it’s because Jill Valentine would have been given so much more room to grow as a character in an adventure that focuses on her? These questions are kind of self-defeating, as a faithful adaptation of the 1999 game is impossible thanks to the decisions made in this film. 

If there were any justice in this world, we would have seen Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis combined into a singular film; just as the source games would have made possible. Having Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveria run into Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield would have been a more natural fit than what we got in Screen Gems’ reboot, as the pieces were already laid out. Instead, we got a Jill who pines after Albert Wesker and barely gets to kick any ass. Score another point for the previous run of films, warts and all.

Did Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City Do Anything Right?

I know I’ve taken up a lot of your time grousing about Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City’s faults, and I do slightly apologize. Only slightly, because the header said it all, and you’ve read this far on your own free will, my friends. So to round things off, I’d like to talk about the things that the movie actually got right; because it can’t all be venom and bioweapons, can it?

The cast assembled for this movie deserved a much better film than they were given, as outside of the questionable structure of their characters as written, I enjoyed these performances. Even Neal McDonaugh’s hammy performance as a mutating Dr. William Birkin is fun to watch, with the creature design remaining as gruesome as you would have hoped. Plus, while they turn Leon S. Kennedy into a stock inept rookie who was banished to the RPD for shooting his partner in the ass during training, Avan Jogia’s moment of glee with that rocket launcher balanced the scales tipped against his character from the beginning.

I do also appreciate the sentiment behind getting the look and feel of Raccoon City just right in this movie, as well as the fact that this movie brought the John Carpenter font back out of retirement. There are a lot of ways Resident Evil’s cinematic return could have gone right, and seeing those threads scattered like easter eggs throughout what we eventually got is all the more upsetting. 

Maybe I just need to give Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City some time to settle, at which point I can revisit it with fresh eyes. First viewings can be the harshest for a movie with a fandom like this, and even though I dismissed some of the Paul W.S. Anderson era films upon first viewing, I somewhat came around to some of them eventually. At this particular junction in time, I’m very bothered with this adaptation of Resident Evil; and it’s making me worry even more about the Netflix live-action series, which has all around badass Lance Reddick cast as Albert Wesker.

I’ll leave you all with the disclaimer that not everyone disliked Welcome to Raccoon City. If you’re even the slightest bit curious about the film, or if you want to give it another look, it’s in theaters now and I encourage you to research your own conclusions. Just don’t expect Annette or Sherry Birkin to be anywhere near as important to the plot as they were in the games. 

The Resident Evil video game franchise is one of the few that can be said have spawned a successful big screen adaptation. While none of the franchise of movies were ever particularly well received by critics, they were largely successful at the box office. It’s little surprise that it’s now already getting rebooted into a new movie. Unfortunately, based on some of the early responses, it doesn’t look like this new Resident Evil is going to fare much better with critics, but that doesn't mean the movie is all bad. 

The first batch of critics have now seen Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, and to call the responses to the movie mixed would be generous. CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg was one of those who got to see the new film. He was also one of its harshest critics. While he leaves open the possibility that others might like the movie better, he really did not. 

But the truth is that many others actually did like the movie better than Eric. Including our Managing Director Sean O'Connell, who thinks that fans of the game are going to really like a lot about this movie.  It's not perfect, but it feels like the game in a way that, the previous films rarely did. 

Certainly, there do not seem to be rave reviews that Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is the video game movie that will finally put game-based movies in the same space that comic book movies now hold. Nobody seems to think the movie was great, but several critics think it was fine, and at least somewhat enjoyable.

Not all that bad is certainly faint praise, but it does seem that there are some things that fans of the game series will enjoy. While the first run of Resident Evil movies focused on an original character played by Milla Jovovich, and only included characters from the game series in supporting roles, this one puts those characters front and center which fans will likely appreciate. 

Critics certainly aren’t in love with Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, but neither do most have any significant problem with it. It sounds like the movie has some things going for it and that there is an audience for this sort of movie. 

Based on the response to the new Resident Evil movie, it looks like Welcome to Raccoon City might find itself in a similar place as the previous generation of films based on the games. If fans get behind it the box office will be there, and we’ll likely see the birth of a new franchise. If not, it doesn’t look like the critics’ responses are going to be dragging anybody to the theater to check this one out. 

Still the old movies reviewed so badly that even these lukewarm responses, when they become, one assumes, lukewarm reviews, might actually mean this movie could be the best reviewed live-action Resident Evil movie to date. I guess that’s something.  

In case you’ve forgotten in the haze of world events and the flurry of recent activity that’s been going on in the world of movies, a Resident Evil reboot is still on its way. Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City is writer/director Johannes Roberts’ big reboot of the Sony action-horror franchise, based on Capcom’s best selling video game series. Now we have our first look at classic characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, as well as a freaky monster that diehard fans are going to be excited to see.

The first three photos from Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City were released to the world by Sony Pictures, and it's a welcomed break from the silence surrounding this November theatrical release. Showing Resident Evil 2 characters Leon S. Kennedy (Avan Jogia) and Claire Redfield (Kaya Scodelario) making their way through a tunnel underneath Raccoon City, it’s hard not to feel a little nostalgia for the 1998 Capcom game, which saw itself remade in recent years as well. Take a look at that photo for yourself below:

Though that’s nothing compared to what the remaining two photos in the first look lineup have to show. In fact, Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City has your first look at some legacy characters from the first Resident Evil game as well. Which makes this next photo even more of a nostalgia bomb, as new incarnations of Albert Wesker (Tom Hopper), Richard Aiken (Chad Rook), Jill Valentine (Hannah John-Kamen) and Chris Redfield (Robbie Amell) are all present and accounted for.

Don’t get too distracted by the ridiculously good looking cast, dear readers. Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City is, after all, a movie about trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. As such, monsters are lurking around every corner thanks to an accidental outbreak of the Umbrella Corporation bioweapon known as the T-Virus. It’s a nightmare that’s partially thanks to the experiments run on poor Lisa Trevor, one of the first test subjects used in Umbrella’s evil schemes. As a result, Ms. Trevor isn’t quite who she used to be, as seen in our final photo:

While the film still has a rather cumbersome title, Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City is more than ready to dive into the lore that’s been entertaining fans of the games for 25 years. As 2021 marks that particular anniversary for director Shinji Mikami’s horror landmark, now’s the perfect time for a movie that looks to tie the stories of Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2 into a singular cinematic experience. All that’s left now is for an official trailer to drop, and we’ll be off to the undead races when it comes to this particular hype machine.

Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City ushers in a new era of undead horror on November 24. However, there’s plenty of other action that you can scare up at the movies before the year is out. Let the 2021 release schedule help you map out your next adventure at a theater near you. And we promise, there’s no cryptic puzzles or key hunting needed to see what’s on the cinematic horizon.

In his lifetime, George A. Romero was responsible for some of the best horror movies of all time. Whether it be with his iconic and influential Night of the Living Dead (and subsequent franchise) or multiple collaborations with Stephen King, Romero’s legacy continues to live on even years after the 2017 death. But while Romero’s work and legacy speak for themselves, there are some unrealized projects that either never saw the light of day or the final product was far different from the filmmaker’s original vision.

The list of George A. Romero movies that never got made includes everything from the horror legend’s attempt to adapt Goosebumps, an early version of Resident Evil, and a few other titles that have left longtime fans and horror hounds asking: What if? Let’s take a dive into five of those unrealized projects, discuss what they were about, how far Romero got into each respective movie, and why they ultimately didn’t work.

Goosebumps

George A. Romero kicked off the zombie genre we know today back in 1968 with Night of the Living Dead, expanded the concept with 1978’s Dawn of the Dead, and then again in 1985 with Day of the Dead, and so it seemed only natural that the king of the undead would come out with a zombie movie in the 1990s, right? Well, that never happened but it’s not because Romero didn’t have an idea for his next contribution to the genre.

At some point in the mid 1990s, George A. Romero came up with an adaptation of R.L. Stine’s first Goosebumps book: 1992’s Welcome to the Dead House. According to the Horror Studies department at the University of Pittsburgh Library System (which was given Romero’s extensive archives), nearly 20 years before the Jack Black-led Goosebumps movie was released in 2015, the horror legend came up with an adaptation that would have seen Tim Burton sit in the director’s chair.

George A. Romero took the basic premise and characters of Welcome to the Dead House — the inhabitants of the small town of Dark Falls are secretly the living dead and invite a new family to move there each year so they can feed on their blood — but added an element in which the residents are trapped in a curse imposed by the town patriarch upon his death. In Romero’s version of the story, the residents are trapped in the cursed town and are forced to contribute to Dark Falls’ cottage industry year after year.

Resident Evil

We previously discussed this in our rundown of the Resident Evil behind-the-scenes facts, but in the early stages of Paul W.S. Anderson’s 2002 horror-action flick, George Romero was tasked with writing multiple scripts, all of which were not used. Romero’s involvement with Resident Evil might stop with his failed attempt to get the movie off the ground, but his story actually starts several years earlier.

In a 2016 Variety profile on George A. Romero’s failed Resident Evil movie, it is revealed that the horror legend first crossed paths with the franchise when he was asked to direct a Japanese commercial for the 1998 video game Resident Evil 2 (or Biohazard 2 in Japan). This live-action commercial (which can be viewed here) was enough to impress Sony Pictures executives who asked Romero to not only write but direct a film adaptation of the original 1996 game. Romero’s version would have not only been more violent than the movie we would eventually get but was also more faithful to the source material and was primarily set in the game’s Spencer Mansion and focused on Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine.

The project, however, failed to take off after Capcom and Sony Pictures ultimately passed on Romero’s version of the story and took a more action-oriented route with Paul W.S. Anderson not long after.

War Of The Worlds

In 1986, George Romero began work on his adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds. According to the Horror Studies department at the University of Pittsburgh Library System, Paramount Pictures had an interest in Romero’s vision and even had it on the 1987 release schedule at one point prior to abandoning it in favor of a television version. But before the plug was pulled, Romero had not only written a script for what would be the first of a two-part adaptation, but also designed alien machinery, ironed out the setting, and went through several draft revisions.

Similar to Night of the Living Dead with a group of human survivors at each other’s throats when trying to survive an approaching horde of zombies, George A. Romero’s War of the Worlds: The Night They Came would have seen a group of people stuck in a skyscraper work together in order to escape an alien spacecraft that had crashed into the building. The movie would have also been very much in line with Romero’s social commentary found in his zombie movies and contained elements of race, class, and other social structures.

The second part of the George A. Romero’s War of the Worlds script (which would have heavy on action and special effects) was never completed and so it’s hard to say how things would have shaken out for the project, and Romero, had Paramount not pulled the plug.

Day Of The Dead (The Original Concept)

George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead was actually released and has gone on to be one of the most underrated horror movies of all time. But the version of the 1985 horror movie with intelligent zombies is not what Romero originally had in store when he first came up with the idea. Romero’s original vision was bigger, louder, and filled with a lot more action.

In The World’s End: The Making of Day of the Dead, John Harrison, who composed the film’s score in addition to serving as first assistant director, explained that the original version was something more like Land of the Dead in the sense that it was set within a walled-off city where the inhabitants live with a false sense of safety from the hordes of the undead. Special effects legend Tom Savini described the original Day of the Dead as “Raiders of the Lost Ark with zombies.”

According to George A. Romero, executive producer Salah M. Hassanein was willing to give the production a budget of $7 million but only if Day of the Dead went for an R-rating. Romero, whose previous Dead movies had been non-rated, refused and the two settled on a $3.5 million budget that forced the director to cut out a lot of action and retool the story to predominantly take place underground. Romero felt this benefited the project as it forced him to take its essence and reduce it down to its core elements.

Jacaranda Joe

This final George A. Romero movie was actually produced, but it has never been viewed publicly. In the summer of 1994, Romero went to a college in Florida and created what is known as Jacaranda Joe, a nearly 20-minute found-footage film about a small town that is infested with tourists after a video of what appears to be Big Foot is shown on what was described by The University of Pittsburgh Library System as being a Geraldo Rivera-type talk show that brings everyone out of the woodworks.