Labubu Plush Toy Gets Hollywood Treatment with Upcoming Sony Movie

Labubu, the quirky plush toy line featuring scruffy, cute-ugly monsters, may soon make the jump from shelves to the big screen.

Sony Pictures has reportedly secured the rights to bring the Chinese toy brand to film, with the hope of turning it into a franchise. It’s still early days, and no director or producer has been announced. It’s also unclear whether the movie will be live-action or animated. Sony has not commented on the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The toys were created by Hong Kong-born, European-based artist Kasing Lung and originally produced by How2 Work as part of a line of collectible monster figurines. Labubu really gained traction when Chinese retailer Pop Mart started selling them in 2019. Over time, the brand exploded in popularity.

Part of the appeal comes from Pop Mart’s “blind box” system, where buyers don’t know which toy they are getting until they open it. This created high demand and a booming secondary market, with some limited editions selling for six-figure prices at auctions and pop-up sales.

Celebrity influence also played a role. K-pop star Lisa from Blackpink was spotted using Labubu toys as accessories in 2024, boosting the brand’s visibility. Originally a hit in Southeast Asia, Labubu has since attracted fans worldwide, and Pop Mart’s profits reportedly jumped 350 percent earlier this year.

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