Len Wiseman’s 2003 action horror film Underworld introduced the thousand-year-old war between the lycans (werewolves) and vampires. The first film was such a success among fans that it spawned an entire franchise now comprised of five movies in total, with possible additions to come, and even a video game. With such an impressive filmography, this is how every Underworld movie stacks up against one another.
The franchise centers around one specific vampire named Selene (Kate Beckinsale). The actor has spent well over a decade portraying the character with an unmatched elegance. Selene is an ideal hero character as she displays honesty, integrity, empathy, and is driven to do what is right. As the battle wages on and new enemies are introduced, she remains true to herself and stands as a strong female figure, similar to Ellen Ripley from Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979).
Len Wiseman spoke of a potential sixth installment back in 2017, but considering Beckinsale has retired as Selene, it became a very unlikely possibility. Underworld has the potential to become a television series or the franchise could abandon Selene altogether to make an entirely new reboot. Regardless of future plans, here are all of the Underworld installments ranked from worst to best.
5. Underworld: Awakening (2012)
Underworld: Awakening released in 2012 and focused on the aftermath of the second installment Underworld: Evolution (2006). Now that the government and citizens have discovered the existence of vampires and lycans, they are faced with a brand-new set of problems. As an all-out hunt for both ensues, Selene finds that there is a factor run by lycans named Antigen that seeks to perfect werewolf DNA. The film ends with the hunt for Michael in order to protect the vampire-werewolf hybrid from all threats against him.
The fourth film in the franchise is not necessarily a bad one; it is just as thrilling and enjoyable as the three that preceded it. Where Underworld: Awakening (2012) finds its faults is with multiple plot lines that do not seem to link together towards the end. It causes the film to become convoluted and generally confusing. Furthermore, the film uses an overabundance of blood and gore to capture the brutality behind its action sequences while other installments have been able to do so without it. Ultimately, Underworld: Awakening falls at the bottom of this list for its poor execution and inability to live up to the standards of the rest of the franchise.
4. Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)
As the years progress, the vampire species are coming close to total annihilation by the lycans in Underworld: Blood Wars (2016). The film follows Selene and the remaining vampires as they train to save their kind. As a new war wages for the two immortal species, Michael dies in the crossfire, which causes Selene to reach her full potential. Out of anger and rage, she and her cohort beat the lycans. Selene, David, and Lena become the new elders of the coven.
The fifth and seemingly final installment of the franchise disappointed critics immensely, but fans were pleased. Underworld: Blood Wars relies on the same, stylized of violence as every other film in the series which causes it to become repetitious. Despite this fact, it offered a clean end to Selene’s story arc when she receives recognition in the coven that she always deserved by becoming an elder.
3. Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans (2009)
The third installment, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans (2009), tells the story of the first werewolf born that was able to take human form, Lucian. It serves as a prequel to the franchise and shows the complex story of the lycan and vampire rivalry. Viktor, one of the elder vampires, raises Lucian, but forces him to be a slave to the coven. The film ends where the first Underworld finds Kraven revealing to Selene all of the secrets Viktor kept from her. Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans was a refreshing addition to the franchise and added depth to the species the franchise’s hero is destined to defeat.
At the same time, a prequel to the series was not entirely necessary and would have served better had it been situated in a different order than it does now. As the first film did an adequate job in providing a backstory to Lucian, the third installment becomes repetitive and convoluted. It would have done well as a stand-alone film, as it offers a Shakespearean Romeo and Juliet (1597) love story between vampires and werewolves. Michael Sheen's performance as Lucian is the only memorable facet of the film. Ultimately, the prequel failed to impress critics and fans due to poor execution regardless of the cast's impressive performance.
2. Underworld: Evolution (2006)
Three years following the release of the first film, Underworld: Evolution released as a direct sequel that details the events immediately after the original movie. Selene and Michael travel to a vampire historian named Andreas Tanis in order to figure out what one of the three original elders, Markus, wants with him. Tanis reveals to them that Markus was the first vampire and one of the three sons of Alexander Corvinus. William, his brother, became the first werewolf and the third son remained human. While it was believed Alexander was dead, he is actually alive.
Selene and Michael locate the original Corvinus hidden under the name Macaro. In the midst of an ultimately successful battle, she comes in contact with Alexander’s blood and is given hybrid abilities. The film built an all new understanding to the world the first film introduced while giving purpose behind the first film's immediate entrance into vampire and werewolf gun fights. Underworld: Evolution offers the historical background of how Michael came to be and his ancestry while delivering a unique method in strengthening the franchise’s central hero.
1. Underworld (2003)
It is no surprise that the original Underworld film is number one on the list. The 2003 film introduced new concepts of both vampires and werewolves, which changed an entire sub-genre of horror. Underworld appealed to fans of horror, the gothic, and action. Following Selene as she struggles to have her voice heard in the coven, the film quickly leads the protagonist towards becoming the protector of the lycan-vampire hybrid, Michael.
For Selene, it is a story of self-discovery and realization. As she continues to vouch for her father figure, Viktor, she discovers that it was him that left her orphaned by killing her entire family. Furthermore, he told false stories of how the war between vampires and lycans began. It is an intense entry into a franchise that is dedicated in developing its characters and story line. With glorious fight scenes and emotional moments, the original Underworld seems to have it all.
The future of the franchise is unknown, but it is certain that the movies continue to entertain and offer a different take on classic creatures of the horror genre. As of May 1, 2020, the first three Underworld installments are available for streaming on Netflix.