Sony and Labubu Creators Aim for Global Box Office Hit with New Monster Film

Sony and Labubu Creators Aim for Global Box Office Hit with New Monster Film

 The viral "ugly-cute" Labubu dolls are making the jump from toy shelves to the silver screen. Pop Mart, the Beijing-based company behind the craze, has officially partnered with Sony Pictures to develop a feature film. The movie is currently in its early stages and is planned as a live-action and CGI hybrid, similar to films like Sonic the Hedgehog.

Created in 2015 by artist Kasing Lung, these fanged plushies became a global phenomenon nearly a decade later. Their popularity exploded after being spotted on the handbags of superstars like Rihanna and Dua Lipa, leading to massive crowds at retail stores worldwide. Part of the appeal lies in the "blind box" sales model, where fans pay around $40 for a mystery figure, though the rarest versions can resell for thousands of dollars.

With over 100 million dolls sold last year, Labubu has become more than just a collectible. Chinese officials now view the character as a "furry ambassador" for the country's cultural influence. By reaching fans in Europe and North America, the snaggle-toothed monster is helping to project a "cool" image of China to the rest of the world.

The new film project, unveiled by Lung and director Paul King (“Wonka” and “Paddington”) in Paris on Thursday, will seek to capitalise on the dolls’ viral fame by bringing “Labubu’s whimsical world to the big screen”, Pop Mart said.

King will share scriptwriting duties with Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson.

“The collaboration between Pop Mart and Sony Pictures marks a significant milestone,” Pop Mart said, which promises “a unique cinematic experience with creative storytelling, artistic vision and enduring global appeal”.

With over 600 stores spanning more than 30 countries and regions, the company continues its global expansion, though a release date for the upcoming film has yet to be set.