Resident Evil continues to be one of Capcom's biggest franchises, with the company constantly releasing new content based on the survival-horror series. For decades now, horror enthusiasts have been able to enjoy a steady stream of new Resident Evil content, with new video games, movies, books, and more released on a regular basis.
While Capcom has always been aggressive about releasing new Resident Evil content, though, 2021 will be even bigger than usual. There are numerous Resident Evil projects actively being worked on at the time of this writing, and many of them are planned for a 2021 launch.
Here are all the big Resident Evil projects in the works for 2021.
Resident Evil 8
While an official release date has yet to be announced for Resident Evil 8, reputable leakers have suggested that RE8 will launch at some point in the first half of 2021. The impact of COVID-19 on game development and other factors could throw a wrench in those plans, but it would be consistent with how Capcom has been releasing Resident Evil games these past few years, typically launching them within the first few months.
Resident Evil 8 is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the Resident Evil franchise's 2021 plans, marking the acclaimed survival-horror franchise's debut on next-generation platforms. Story-wise, Resident Evil 8 will serve as a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7, once again featuring RE7 protagonist Ethan Winters in the starring role as he explores a mysterious and isolated European village.
As it turns out, the Resident Evil 8 village is full of bizarre characters and creatures, like werewolves and potentially even witches. Some familiar faces from past Resident Evil games will be making appearances as well though, with Chris Redfield confirmed to be playing a major role in Resident Evil 8's storyline.
With Resident Evil 8 serving as the series' next-gen debut, expectations are even higher than usual. Whether or not the game lives up to the hype remains to be seen, but Capcom's track record when it comes to main series Resident Evil games speaks for itself.
Resident Evil Movie Reboot
Moviegoers will be able to look forward to some new Resident Evil content in 2021 as well, as the Resident Evil movie reboot is currently in production. The Resident Evil movie reboot has cast its key characters, bringing the likes of Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Jill Valentine, Albert Wesker, William Birkin, and Chief Brian Irons to the big screen, among others. And while Resident Evil fans may not have been impressed with Hollywood's previous attempts at making a Resident Evil live-action movie, there is reason to believe that this latest effort will be more worthwhile.
It seems as though the Resident Evil movie reboot is going to be more faithful to the source material than the other Resident Evil movies were, not only including recognizable characters but locations as well. Resident Evil movie reboot set photos show that the Raccoon City Police Department is going to be featured in the film, and we also know that it is set in 1998, lining up with the timeline of the first three Resident Evil games and Resident Evil Zero.
How closely the new movie will follow the plot of the Resident Evil games is hard to say at this point, but enough is known that fans should be cautiously optimistic. Similarly to Resident Evil 8, though, an exact release date for the Resident Evil movie reboot has yet to be nailed down, but it is expected to premiere in theaters at the end of 2021. And also like Resident Evil 8, the COVID-19 pandemic could certainly mess up those plans, so fans should keep that in mind.
Resident Evil on Netflix
Resident Evil's presence will be felt in video games and movies in 2021, and it will also be featured prominently on the small screen. There are two Resident Evil projects currently in the works at Netflix, and while one of them currently has an unknown release date, the other is a part of the streaming giant's 2021 schedule.
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness is set to premiere in 2021. A CG TV series in the vein of other Resident Evil CG movies, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness focuses on Claire Redfield and Leon S. Kennedy. Additional information is unavailable at the time of this writing, but it has been confirmed that Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness will be canon to the Resident Evil video game series. Considering this, diehard Resident Evil fans will definitely want to tune in and see what it's about.
The other Resident Evil Netflix series may or may not come in 2021 as well. The project is a live-action take on Resident Evil, following the story of Albert Wesker's children. The Resident Evil live-action Netflix show's supposed premise is a bit odd, but it could lead to some interesting story developments.
Possible Resident Evil Switch Ports
This isn't set in stone, but 2021 could very well see more Resident Evil games make their way to the Nintendo Switch console. Nintendo's handheld/home console hybrid is rumored to be getting a port of the Resident Evil 3 remake, and one would presume that would leave the door open for possible Resident Evil 2 remake and Resident Evil 7 Switch ports as well. This way, Resident Evil fans would be able to play the bulk of the Resident Evil series on their Switch console.
What's kept these newer Resident Evil games from the Nintendo Switch is the console's lack of power. Compared to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the Switch is simply far weaker. However, Nintendo has recently started branching out the Switch cloud streaming feature to regions other than Japan, testing the waters with Remedy Entertainment's Control as well as the upcoming Hitman 3.
If Switch cloud game streaming proves to be popular enough, one would think that Capcom could be tempted to bring these newer Resident Evil games to the platform that way. After all, a Resident Evil 7 Switch port already exists thanks to the cloud, it just hasn't made its way out outside of Japan yet.
Possible Resident Evil 4 Remake Announcement
These past few years, Capcom has established a pattern of doing a big reveal for its next Resident Evil game, and then launching at some point the following year. It did this with Resident Evil 7 as well as both the Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes, so there's no reason to assume it will stray from that pattern in 2021. Capcom's next Resident Evil game after Resident Evil 8 has not been announced at the time of this writing, but many assume that it will be a remake of the beloved Resident Evil 4.
The Resident Evil 4 remake isn't official, but if it is, then fans could very well get their first look at it at some point in 2021. Maybe the Resident Evil 4 remake announcement will happen next summer, or maybe fans will learn about it in December, as was the case with the Resident Evil 3 remake. Of course, this is assuming that the Resident Evil 4 remake rumors are even true, and so fans shouldn't hold their breath that this will actually happen.