Obscure Zombie Game Franchise Has a Movie You Probably Missed

July 6, 2026 - 01:23

Fans of a popular zombie video game series might be surprised to learn that it actually received a film adaptation years ago. But there is a good reason most players have never heard of it.

The franchise in question is "Dead Rising," the Capcom series known for its over-the-top zombie slaughter in shopping malls and open-world settings. While the games have sold millions of copies and built a loyal fanbase, the 2015 movie adaptation titled "Dead Rising: Watchtower" flew under the radar for most.

The film was not a theatrical release. Instead, it was produced as a digital original for the streaming platform Crackle. It follows a group of survivors during a zombie outbreak, featuring characters from the games like Frank West and Chuck Greene. The plot centers on a journalist investigating the source of the outbreak while fighting hordes of the undead.

Critics gave the movie mixed reviews. Some praised its faithfulness to the game's tone and its use of humor. Others found the low budget and digital-only release limited its impact. A sequel, "Dead Rising: Endgame," came out in 2017, but it also failed to gain mainstream attention.

For hardcore fans, these films are a curious footnote. They exist in a strange space: officially licensed, but never given the wide release that the game franchise deserved. If you missed them, you are not alone. Most players first heard about them years after the fact, if at all.