Sony Develops New Labubu Movie

Labubu, a popular plush toy line featuring cute-ugly monsters, may soon make its way to the big screen. Sony Pictures, renowned for hits like the Jumanji series, has acquired the film rights to this Chinese doll brand. The company aims to create a movie based on Labubu, potentially launching a franchise if successful. No producers or filmmakers are currently attached, as the deal was finalized just this week.

Sony’s New Movie Project: Labubu

It remains uncertain whether the upcoming film will be live-action or animated, as Sony has not provided further details at this stage. Labubu was conceptualized by Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-born artist, and initially produced by How2 Work. The brand gained significant traction when Pop Mart took over its production and sales in 2019.

Factors Behind Labubu’s Popularity

Labubu’s surge in popularity can be attributed to two main reasons:

• Blind Box Sales: Pop Mart’s strategy of selling the toys in “blind boxes” creates anticipation among buyers. Consumers never know which doll they will receive until they open the packaging, driving demand.
• Celebrities Endorsement: The toys gained further visibility when celebrities, notably Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink, incorporated them as accessories in 2024.

This phenomenon has resulted in a thriving secondary market, where collectors are willing to pay significant amounts for specific dolls. Limited edition items and auction pieces have reportedly fetched six-figure sums.

Labubu Characters and Market Impact

Labubu, the lead character, is part of a diverse cast that includes fellow monsters like Zimomo, Mokoko, and Tycoco. The appeal of these toys grew initially in Southeast Asia before expanding globally. In fact, Pop Mart’s profits skyrocketed by 350 percent earlier this year due to the Labubu craze.

Toys Inspiring Movies: A Trend in Hollywood

The Labubu film project is part of a notable trend in Hollywood, where toys increasingly inspire films rather than the other way around. The success of The Lego Movie in 2014 paved the way for such projects, showcasing that toys could drive major studio productions without pre-existing storylines. More recently, the Barbie movie has exemplified this trend, achieving over $1 billion at the global box office.

As Sony moves forward with the Labubu movie, it will be interesting to see if this project can sustain its momentum and avoid the fate of short-lived fads like Beanie Babies.