Labubu Takes Hollywood: Plush Toy Sensation Headed to Big Screen

Your favorite scruffy monsters are leveling up! Sony Pictures just grabbed the rights to turn the viral Labubu toys into a potential movie franchise, marking Hollywood's latest big bet on beloved merchandise.

TL;DR

• Sony Pictures officially acquired the screen rights for the incredibly popular Chinese doll brand, Labubu.
• A feature film, with the potential for a wider franchise, is now in early development, though key creative roles are still open.
• Labubu's meteoric rise is largely fueled by "blind box" sales, celebrity endorsements, and a super-heated secondary market.

Unboxing the Phenomenon: How Labubu Became a Global Craze

Imagine the thrill of not knowing exactly what you're getting until you tear open the package. That's the core magic behind the "blind box" sales strategy that rocketed Labubu, the lovable scruffy monster toys, into global superstardom. It's a clever trick that taps into our innate desire for surprise and scarcity, creating a frenzy every time a new edition drops.

Designed by Hong Kong-born, European-based artist Kasing Lung, Labubu started as part of a line of monster figurines from How2 Work. But things really took off in 2019 when Chinese retailer Pop Mart began manufacturing and selling them. The blind box method transformed collecting into a high-stakes treasure hunt, leading to a superheated secondary market where rare editions have reportedly fetched six-figure prices at auction. Source: The Hollywood Reporter, "Labubu Movie in Development as Sony Pictures Acquires Rights," November 14, 2025.

Beyond the blind boxes, celebrity influence played a massive role. K-pop sensation Blackpink's Lisa notably started using Labubus as handbag accessories in 2024, amplifying their reach far beyond initial collector circles. Other stars like Rihanna, Emma Roberts, and NBA player Dillon Brooks (who even wore one on a chain to a playoff game, stating, "I like the trend. It's cool and... It's cute.") have helped brand these dolls as must-have items. Source: Variety, "Labubu Movie in Development as Sony Pictures Acquires Rights," November 14, 2025.

This celebrity push, combined with social media buzz, turned Labubu into a cultural sensation, first in Southeast Asia and then globally. The impact on Pop Mart has been enormous, with their profits reportedly soaring by 350 percent earlier this year. The brand even reached a point of cultural relevance where it was parodied on "South Park."

Example: The Hunt for the Rare "Glow-in-the-Dark Zimomo"

Consider Maya, a devoted collector in Tokyo. She’s been trying for months to get her hands on the elusive "Glow-in-the-Dark Zimomo" figure, a companion to the main Labubu character. Each new blind box release brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. She queues up, buys a few, and meticulously unboxes them, often filming the process for her social media followers. When she finally pulls a rare Zimomo, the collective gasp and congratulatory messages from her online community make the chase, and the eventual high resale value, all worth it. It's this shared experience that builds the brand's fervent following.

Hollywood's Latest Strategic Investment: From Plush Toys to Cinematic Universes

Sony Pictures' move to acquire the screen rights for Labubu isn't just about a cute toy; it's a strategic play in Hollywood's ongoing quest for the next big franchise. Coming off the massive success of their animated feature "KPop Demon Hunters" on Netflix, Sony is keen to capitalize on popular IP with global appeal. The studio sees the potential for Labubu to follow a similar path, transforming a cultural sensation into a cinematic hit.

The project is currently in its earliest stages, which means we're still quite a ways from seeing Labubu on the big screen. No producer or filmmaker is attached yet, and the studio hasn't even decided if the film will be live-action, animated, or a combination of both. However, the existing lineup of characters — including Labubu, leader Zimomo, companion Mokoko, and boyfriend Tycoco — already offers a rich foundation for storytelling, regardless of the format.

This trend of toys inspiring Movies has become a serious business in the last decade. Films like "The LEGO Movie," released in 2014, proved that branded merchandise could be transformed into critically acclaimed, financially successful blockbusters. More recently, Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" cemented this idea, raking in over $1 billion at the worldwide box office and nabbing eight Oscar nominations. Source: The Guardian, "Labubu toy movie with potential to anchor franchise in the works at Sony," November 14, 2025.

The success of "Barbie" particularly fueled a wave of toy-related IP development across Hollywood. Mattel, for example, was reportedly pitching films for 45 of its products, including Hot Wheels and Polly Pocket. Even Sony itself, alongside Mattel Films, just announced plans for a feature film based on "View Master" this week. This shows a clear industry shift: where films once inspired toys, toys are now a primary source of new cinematic universes.

Navigating the Path to the Big Screen: Challenges and Opportunities

While the excitement around a Labubu movie is palpable, the journey from popular toy to successful film franchise isn't without its challenges. One key question looms: will Labubu prove to be a lasting phenomenon, like Hello Kitty, or a fleeting fad, much like Beanie Babies? The longevity of the brand's popularity is crucial, especially since developing a feature film is a multi-year process. Sony's acquisition is inherently a bet on Labubu maintaining its relevance well into the future. Source: The Hollywood Reporter, "Labubu Movie in Development as Sony Pictures Acquires Rights," November 14, 2025.

Another potential hurdle is translating the charm of collectible figures, which often rely on aesthetics and scarcity, into a compelling narrative. Unlike established franchises with deep lore, Labubu's story is still relatively open-ended. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity: screenwriters have a blank canvas to create original mythology, but they must do so in a way that resonates with both existing fans and new audiences. The right creative vision will be essential to avoiding a film that feels like a mere product advertisement.

Notable Quotes on Labubu's Rise

"Labubu is my baby." — Lisa, Blackpink member (Teen Vogue interview)

"I like the Labubus. I got like four of them. I like the trend. It's cool and… Um… It's cute." — Dillon Brooks, NBA player (October interview)

Key Takeaways for Fans and Moviegoers

• Stay Tuned for Creative Team Announcements: The first big news will be who Sony taps to write, direct, and produce the Labubu movie. These choices will give us the first real hints about the film's tone and direction.
• Anticipate the Animation vs. Live-Action Reveal: Whether we get a fully animated adventure or a blend of live-action with CGI characters (think Detective Pikachu), this decision will significantly shape the movie's look and feel.
• Expect a New Cinematic Universe: With Sony aiming for a "franchise," this isn't likely to be a one-off film. Prepare for potential sequels and spin-offs exploring the wider world of Labubu, Zimomo, and their monster friends.
• It Highlights a Shifting Hollywood Landscape: The Labubu movie underscores Hollywood's increasing reliance on established, popular IP, even if that IP starts as a collectible toy. It's a sign that studios are looking for proven fan bases and global appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Labubu Movie

When is the Labubu movie expected to be released? The project is currently in very early development, so there is no release date set yet. Feature film development is a multi-year process, meaning it will likely be some time before it hits theaters. Will the Labubu movie be live-action or animated? Sony Pictures has not yet determined whether the film will be live-action, fully animated, or a hybrid approach. This decision will likely come later in the development process. Who are the main Labubu characters? The primary character is Labubu, the lead monster doll. Other notable characters in the line include leader Zimomo, companion Mokoko, and boyfriend Tycoco, among others. What is a "blind box" when it comes to Labubu toys? A "blind box" is a packaging strategy where buyers do not know which specific character or design they are acquiring until they open the sealed package. This creates an element of surprise and often drives demand for collecting rare versions.

Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter, "Labubu Movie in Development as Sony Pictures Acquires Rights," Borys Kit, November 14, 2025.
• Variety, "Labubu Movie in Development as Sony Pictures Acquires Rights," J. Kim Murphy, November 14, 2025.
• The Guardian, "Labubu toy movie with potential to anchor franchise in the works at Sony," November 14, 2025.
• TOI Entertainment Desk, "Viral Labubu toys to be adapted into movie franchise - Report," etimes.in, November 16, 2025.
• FandomWire, "Sony’s Labubu Movie Is Exactly What Bryan Cranston Satirized in The Studio," Sonika Kamble, November 15, 2025.
• ComicBook.com, "Sony Pictures Developing Movie Based on Labubu Collectible Toys," November 14, 2025.
• Dark Horizons, "A-FENG - Sony Acquires Labubu Doll Brand Rights," November 16, 2025.
• TradingView, "Key facts: Morningstar forecasts 15.6% profit growth for Sony; Sony Pictures plans Labubu dolls movie," November 14, 2025.