A live-action film adaptation of Lollipop Chainsaw is officially in development, developer Dragami Games announced during Tokyo Game Show 2026. The movie will serve as a prequel, exploring events that occurred before the original 2012 game developed by Grasshopper Manufacture. It is intended to be an "R-rated action comedy" and will once again feature Juliet Starling as the protagonist.
The film's synopsis details Juliet's fight against a zombie outbreak at her school, aiming to save her friends and boyfriend, Nick, through "highly unconventional arrangements." The project is being developed by an international team, including representatives from Nada Holdings, ZDF Studios, Throne Inc, Ambitious Entertainment, and Non Stop TV. Original creators such as Suda51 and James Gunn are not currently attached to the film.
Dragami Games president Shohei Sato expressed excitement about the film, stating, "We are truly excited to see our vision take another important step with the franchise’s first live-action feature film. We are especially pleased to be working with such an experienced and passionate international team — one that understands what makes Lollipop Chainsaw special while embracing the opportunity to create something new."
Lollipop Chainsaw has seen renewed attention following Dragami Games' 2022 announcement of the RePop remaster, which eventually launched in 2024. The studio is also developing a video game sequel, Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back, and an anime series. The film's development marks another significant step in the franchise's revival.
Robert Franke, formerly of ZDF Studios, commented on the film's creative direction: "We are making a film that feels unmistakably true to the spirit of Lollipop Chainsaw while standing completely on its own. Longtime fans will recognize the attitude, irreverence, and glorious excess they love, while newcomers can simply enjoy an unforgettable action-horror comedy. Our ambition is to create a film that entertains audiences everywhere, whether they’ve played the game or not."
Details regarding the cast and release date for the Lollipop Chainsaw movie have not yet been revealed. IGN's original review of the 2012 game awarded it a 5/10, noting that while the music and sidekick elements were strong, the overall experience suffered from a lack of differentiation and mediocrity in its execution.