Which Resident Evil game should you play after the movie?
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In this guide
- Start with Resident Evil 2. The movie tells a new story, but the director set it around the Raccoon City outbreak from Resident Evil 2.
- On Switch 2, it's out October 16. Capcom is releasing the Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 remakes digitally that day. Physical copies come in January 2027.
- Want the newest story instead? Play Resident Evil Requiem. It sends Leon back to Raccoon City, and it's already out on Switch 2.
- These games are rated M (Mature 17+). They're not for kids.
Zach Cregger's Resident Evil opened on September 18 and had the biggest opening weekend in the franchise's history. For a lot of people, it's their first time in Raccoon City.
The games have been telling this story since 1996, and there are a lot of them. Here's where to start.
Which game is the movie based on?
None of them, exactly. The movie follows Bryan Hodukavich, a medical courier who isn't in any of the games.
Cregger has said he didn't want to retell Leon's story, because the games already do that. What he borrowed is the setting. The movie takes place around the events of Resident Evil 2, when Raccoon City falls to the outbreak.
One difference: the movie is set in the present day. The games take place in 1998.
Why Resident Evil 2 first?
It's the outbreak you just watched, told from inside the city. You play as rookie cop Leon Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield on their way through Raccoon City.
The version to get is the remake, not the 1998 original. The Switch 2 release on October 16 is the Deluxe Edition, which adds extra costumes and a soundtrack swap.
What about Resident Evil 3?
It's the same disaster from another angle. Resident Evil 3 follows Jill Valentine through Raccoon City, starting 24 hours before Resident Evil 2 and running alongside it.
It also comes to Switch 2 on October 16. It wasn't listed on Amazon when I checked, so it isn't in the picks below.
Where does Requiem fit?
Resident Evil Requiem is the newest game, released in February 2026. It takes FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy back to the ruins of Raccoon City.
You can play it without the older games. You'll just get more out of Leon's part if you've played Resident Evil 2 first.
The picks
Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition (Nintendo Switch 2, Digital)
Oct 16Get this if the movie was your first taste of Resident Evil and you want the same outbreak as a game.
Skip it if you already own the Resident Evil 2 remake on another system.
- Release date
- October 16, 2026
- Format
- Digital code
- Rating
- M (Mature 17+)
- Sold by (Sep 30)
- Amazon.com Services
It's a digital pre-order, so it unlocks on release day. If you'd rather have a box, the physical version is due in January 2027.
Check price on AmazonResident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition (Nintendo Switch 2)
Out nowGet this if you want to play something new today and don't want to wait for October 16.
Skip it if you want the movie's outbreak specifically. Requiem is set years later.
- Released
- February 2026
- Format
- Physical, with a double-sided poster
- Rating
- M (Mature 17+)
- Sold by (Sep 30)
- Amazon.com
It was in stock when I checked. The Amazon exclusive adds a two-sided poster.
Check price on AmazonResident Evil 4 Gold Edition (Nintendo Switch 2, Digital)
Oct 16Get this if you finish Resident Evil 2 and want Leon's next big mission.
Skip it if you're here for the zombie outbreak. Resident Evil 4 leaves Raccoon City behind.
- Release date
- October 16, 2026
- Format
- Digital code
- Includes
- Separate Ways DLC with Ada Wong
- Sold by (Sep 30)
- Amazon.com Services
The Gold Edition includes the Separate Ways expansion, so there's nothing extra to buy later.
Check price on AmazonWho can skip this
If horror games aren't for you, you can stop at the movie. None of these are gentle.
If you've already played the Resident Evil 2 remake, go straight to Requiem.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Resident Evil (2026 film))
- GamesRadar: When does the Resident Evil movie take place on the game timeline?
- VGC: Resident Evil 2, 3 and 4 remakes are coming to Switch 2 next month
- Nintendo Life: A trio of Resident Evil remakes hit Switch 2 in October
- Wikipedia: Resident Evil 3 (2020 video game))
- Wikipedia: Resident Evil Requiem
- ESRB: Resident Evil 2 / ESRB: Resident Evil Requiem