March 12: Resident Evil

Milestone Years

25th Anniversary: March 12, 2027
30th Anniversary: March 12, 2032
40th Anniversary: March 12, 2042

Inspiration Behind the Movie

Director Paul W.S. Anderson was inspired by Capcom’s Resident Evil video games, particularly the atmospheric horror of the first two entries. Instead of directly adapting the game’s plot, Anderson created an original storyline that introduced Alice, a new character. The film drew influence from The Matrix and Aliens, blending survival horror with intense action.

You Might Not Know

George A. Romero Almost Directed – The Night of the Living Dead creator was initially hired but left due to creative differences.
Milla Jovovich Did Her Own Stunts – She performed many of her fight sequences and insisted on using real weapons.
The Laser Hallway Was Inspired by Cube – The famous death-trap scene was influenced by the 1997 horror film Cube.
Capcom Approved the Movie’s Changes – While fans were divided, the game developers supported the film’s new characters and storyline.
The “Licker” Was Fully CGI – The terrifying monster at the end was entirely digital, a big step for early 2000s effects.

Food Ideas

T-Virus Jello Shots – Blue and red gelatin shots inspired by Umbrella’s virus vials.
Zombie Brain Cupcakes – Frosted cupcakes designed to look like brains.
Raccoon City Rations – Military-style meal kits or survival-themed snacks.
Biohazard Punch – A neon green citrus drink served in beakers.

Watch on Amazon

Release Date: March 12, 2002

Summary:
Resident Evil is a sci-fi horror thriller based on the popular video game series. When a deadly virus escapes from an underground facility, a team of commandos and the amnesiac Alice must battle zombies, mutated creatures, and the sinister AI known as the Red Queen to survive. As the Umbrella Corporation’s secrets unravel, Alice discovers she may be more connected to the outbreak than she realized.

Genre(s) and MPAA Rating: Horror, Action, Science Fiction, R

Key Cast Members:

Milla Jovovich as Alice
Michelle Rodriguez as Rain Ocampo
Eric Mabius as Matt Addison
James Purefoy as Spence Parks
Colin Salmon as James “One” Shade

Ways to Celebrate

Play Resident Evil Games Before the Movie – Experience the survival horror that inspired the film.
Zombie Survival Challenge – See who can complete simple tasks while acting like a zombie.
Escape Room Night – Set up a mini escape room with puzzles inspired by Umbrella’s facility.

Filming Locations

Berlin, Germany – Most of the film was shot in underground tunnels and abandoned buildings in Berlin.
Adlershof Studios, Germany – Used for many of the Hive’s interior sets.
Ontario, Canada (Opening Scenes) – The exterior of the Umbrella mansion was filmed in Canada.