The dolls are coming to a theater near you, bringing the enchanting world of Labubus to life on the big screen. Over a year after Kasing Lung's fuzzy line of Labubus went viral on social media, Pop Mart, the company behind the popular toy, and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced they're teaming up to create a movie about these tiny creatures.
In a joint March 19 press release, the companies revealed that "the film will be a live-action and CGI hybrid, bringing LABUBU's whimsical world to the big screen." Though the project is still in early development, an impressive team is already bringing the toy's wide, mischievous smile to life. According to the press release, Wonka filmmaker Paul King will direct and co-write the film with screenwriter Steven Levenson, the author of Dear Evan Hansen. Kasing will also serve as the executive producer alongside The Martian's Michael Shaefer and rising producer Wenxin She.
Kasing's involvement in the forthcoming movie is fitting, as he debuted the Labubu character in his 2017 storybook The Monsters. While an already intriguing design, fans couldn't help but fall in love with its pastel features once Pop Mart turned them into a collectible toy in 2019. The craze hit new heights five years later, when celebrities like Blackpink's Lisa, Simone Biles, and Kylie Jenner started adding these trinkets to their purses.
"If I fly to New York, I go to Miami, I try to find Pop Mart there," Lisa told Vanity Fair that year. "Paris, everywhere. Kind of like finding treasure." Indeed, celebrities and consumers started treating the blind box item like a prize, showing off their large collections of standard and limited-edition Labubu's on social media. And with this meteoric rise, Forbes reported that Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning's net worth ballooned to $22.1 billion last year.
Meanwhile, Pop Mart North America's Head of Licensing Emily Brough revealed that the furry monsters generated "more than $419 million in revenue" in 2024. "The passion and demand we have seen for Labubu over the last few months, and most recently with the Into Energy release, has surpassed our expectations!" the executive wrote in an email to the outlet, citing one of its product series. "It's been wonderful to see the impact our mischievous and lovable Labubu is having globally."
With its playful and whimsical design, Labubu has captured the hearts of people around the world. The upcoming movie will bring this beloved character to life on the big screen, allowing fans to experience its charm and mischief in a new and exciting way. Whether you're a fan of the toy or just curious about this adorable creature, be sure to keep an eye out for this exciting new film!
