For fans of video game adaptations, few franchises have left a mark quite like the Resident Evil film series. While Milla Jovovich's Alice was never part of the games, she became the face of the movie universe, battling the Umbrella Corporation across six films. Now, Netflix is giving subscribers a chance to revisit where it all began, as the first two installments land on the streaming service just in time for the holiday season.
Starting November 1, Resident Evil (2002) and Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) are available to stream in the United States. This double dose of zombie action offers both newcomers and longtime fans a convenient way to experience the early chapters of Alice's story, which set the tone for the entire franchise.
From the Hive to Raccoon City
The original film, written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, introduces Alice as a woman with amnesia who wakes up in a sprawling mansion. She soon joins a security team tasked with investigating the Hive, Umbrella's underground laboratory, where a viral outbreak has turned the staff into flesh-craving monsters. Michelle Rodriguez co-stars as Rain Ocampo, delivering one of the movie's standout performances as the mission spirals into chaos.
The sequel, directed by Alexander Witt from Anderson's screenplay, escalates the stakes by moving the action above ground. Resident Evil: Apocalypse drops Alice into Raccoon City, where the T-virus has spread unchecked. She teams up with familiar faces from the games, including Sienna Guillory's Jill Valentine and Oded Fehr's Carlos Oliveira, while Umbrella scrambles to contain the disaster. The introduction of Nemesis, a towering bio-weapon, adds a new layer of terror that requires far more than a few bullets to stop.
Why These Two Films Matter
Together, these movies lay the groundwork for everything that followed. The claustrophobic corridors of the Hive make the first film feel like a high-tech trap, while the open streets of Raccoon City offer a different kind of dread—nowhere is safe, and the infection is everywhere. Guillory's Jill Valentine is a welcome addition, bridging the gap between the films and the games that inspired them.
For those who enjoy a good horror marathon, this pair is a perfect double feature. The rapid escalation from contained outbreak to city-wide catastrophe keeps the momentum going, and Jovovich's transformation from confused survivor to hardened warrior is compelling to watch. It's also a reminder of how the franchise evolved, with each sequel expanding the mythology and raising the body count.
If you're in the mood for more streaming horror, check out our list of binge-worthy Netflix gems or dive into why Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass is a must-watch. And for fans of classic horror icons, our ranking of the greatest sci-fi horror novels might be right up your alley.
So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready to face the undead. Alice's fight against Umbrella is just beginning, and Netflix is the perfect place to start.
