What Happened to Resident Evil?
Resident Evil is a highly successful survival horror franchise created by Capcom, encompassing video games, films, and other media. Originating in 1996, the series is renowned for its blend of horror, action, and intricate storytelling centered around biological weapons and the nefarious Umbrella Corporation, continuing to expand with new game releases and film adaptations into 2026 and beyond.
Quick Answer
The Resident Evil franchise continues to thrive in 2026, with the highly anticipated ninth mainline game, 'Resident Evil Requiem,' having been released on February 27, 2026, quickly becoming the fastest-selling title in the series. The entire franchise surpassed 200 million units sold worldwide as of March 31, 2026, solidifying its position as Capcom's most successful IP. Additionally, a new live-action film reboot is slated for release on September 18, 2026, and a remake of 'Resident Evil: Code Veronica' was announced for 2027 at Summer Game Fest on June 5, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Discovery of the Progenitor Virus
Ozwell E. Spencer, James Marcus, and Edward Ashford discover the 'Stairway to the Sun' flower in Africa, leading to the extraction of the Progenitor virus, the foundation of Umbrella Corporation's bioweapon research.
Original Resident Evil Game Released
Capcom launches the first 'Resident Evil' game in Japan (as 'Biohazard'), pioneering the survival horror genre and introducing iconic characters like Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine.
Raccoon City Incident
A series of viral outbreaks, starting with the Arklay Mansion incident and escalating to the full-scale destruction of Raccoon City, forms the core narrative of 'Resident Evil 0', '1', '2', and '3'.
First Live-Action Film Released
The first 'Resident Evil' live-action film, starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, is released, establishing a separate cinematic continuity for the franchise.
Resident Evil 4 Shifts Gameplay Perspective
'Resident Evil 4' is released, moving the series towards a more action-oriented, over-the-shoulder third-person perspective that would become highly influential in gaming.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Reboots Mainline Series
Capcom releases 'Resident Evil 7: Biohazard', a critical and commercial success that reboots the mainline series with a first-person perspective and a renewed focus on survival horror.
Resident Evil 2 Remake Released
The highly anticipated remake of 'Resident Evil 2' is released, garnering widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, selling over 5 million copies within a year.
Resident Evil Village Released
The direct sequel to RE7, 'Resident Evil Village', is launched, continuing the story of Ethan Winters and blending survival horror with more action elements.
Netflix Resident Evil Series Canceled
Netflix cancels its live-action 'Resident Evil' series after one season due to low viewership, despite initial high rankings.
Resident Evil 4 Remake Released
Capcom releases a highly successful remake of 'Resident Evil 4', which quickly sells over 10 million units by December 2024, becoming the fastest in the series to reach that milestone.
Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) Officially Announced
Capcom officially announces 'Resident Evil Requiem', the ninth mainline game, at Summer Game Fest, with a release date set for February 27, 2026.
Resident Evil Requiem Released
The ninth main game, 'Resident Evil Requiem', is released for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, featuring dual protagonists Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy.
Resident Evil Requiem Becomes Fastest-Selling Title
'Resident Evil Requiem' surpasses 6 million units sold worldwide, becoming the fastest title in the series to reach this milestone, just weeks after its release.
Franchise Exceeds 200 Million Sales
Capcom announces that the entire 'Resident Evil' franchise has surpassed 200 million units sold worldwide, as confirmed in its financial report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.
Resident Evil: Code Veronica Remake Announced
At Summer Game Fest 2026, Capcom officially announces a remake of 'Resident Evil: Code Veronica', with a planned release window of 2027, fulfilling a long-standing fan request.
New Live-Action Resident Evil Film Reboot Release
A new live-action 'Resident Evil' film reboot, directed by Zach Cregger and featuring an original story set during the Raccoon City outbreak, is scheduled for theatrical release.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The 'Resident Evil' franchise, known as 'Biohazard' in Japan, began its terrifying journey in 1996 with the release of the first video game by Capcom, establishing the survival horror genre with its tense atmosphere, limited resources, and iconic zombie enemies. The series quickly built a complex lore around the Umbrella Corporation and its deadly viral outbreaks, particularly the infamous Raccoon City incident of 1998, which was central to early installments like 'Resident Evil 2' and 'Resident Evil 3'.
Key turning points for the franchise include 'Resident Evil 4' (2005), which revolutionized third-person action-adventure games with its over-the-shoulder camera, influencing countless titles across the industry. After a period of more action-oriented entries, 'Resident Evil 7: Biohazard' (2017) marked a significant return to pure survival horror with a first-person perspective and a new protagonist, Ethan Winters, successfully revitalizing the mainline series. This shift was well-received, paving the way for its direct sequel, 'Resident Evil Village' (2021), which continued the first-person perspective while blending horror with more expansive action.
The strategy of remaking classic titles has also been a massive success for Capcom. The 'Resident Evil 2 Remake' (2019) and 'Resident Evil 4 Remake' (2023) were critically acclaimed and commercially successful, introducing the beloved stories to a new generation of players while satisfying long-time fans. 'Resident Evil Village' became the fastest game in the series to cross 10 million sales by June 2024, a milestone later surpassed by 'Resident Evil Requiem'.
As of 2026, the franchise continues its strong momentum. The ninth main installment, 'Resident Evil Requiem,' released on February 27, 2026, featuring new protagonist FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft alongside veteran Leon S. Kennedy, and quickly sold over 6 million units, making it the fastest-selling title in the series. The entire 'Resident Evil' series has now sold over 201 million units worldwide, cementing its status as Capcom's leading intellectual property. In other media, a new live-action film reboot, simply titled 'Resident Evil,' directed by Zach Cregger, is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026, aiming for a fresh take on the Raccoon City outbreak, distinct from previous adaptations. Furthermore, at Summer Game Fest on June 5, 2026, Capcom officially announced a remake of 'Resident Evil: Code Veronica,' slated for a 2027 release, much to the delight of fans. This ongoing output across games and films demonstrates Capcom's continued commitment to and success with the 'Resident Evil' universe.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Resident Evil made different choices?