4) Resident Evil (2002 – 2012)
- 5 films (so far) with a combined budget: $248 million
- International Box Office: $668 million
Despite generally negative reviews, the Resident Evil movies continue to flow into production – because they generate good returns on investment. Though the lead character – Alice (Milla Jovovich) does not appear in the bestselling video game series that the films are based upon – she is the face of the film series, and was specifically created to head the franchise.
The science fiction horror series first arrived onscreen in 2002, having been in production at the same time as the film adaptation of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. It follows amnesiac Alice and a group of corporate commandos as they battle the evil Umbrella Corporation – a bioengineering pharmaceutical company that caused a zombie apocalypse. In each instalment, lead actress Jovovich is joined by a range of characters that are featured in the games, and almost always most closely by another woman – variously Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory and Ali Larter.
With the release of each new film – and a sixth is planned – critics are generally baffled as to their continued appeal and commercial success. To suggest that their prosperity is largely due to the concept of women ‘doing action’ is to simplify matters far too much. Rather, taking into consideration the fanbase associated with the bestselling game series, combined with fans of horror and zombie films, it is understandable that this particular series mixes those elements in such a way as to guarantee ticket sales. Resident Evil is the most successful film series to be based on a video game, because audiences continue to support the franchise.
