The hugely popular Labubu dolls will soon star in their own feature film, Chinese toy company Pop Mart and Sony Pictures have announced.<\/strong><\/p>\n A Labubu movie that will combine live action and computer-generated animation is in “early development”, the two companies said in a statement.<\/p>\n The film will be directed by Paul King, whose credits include Wonka, Paddington and BBC comedy series The Mighty Boosh. No release date has been set.<\/p>\n Labubus have become a global sensation in recent years and sales have turned Pop Mart into a toy-making behemoth worth nearly $40bn (\u00a329.9bn), surpassing established rivals like Barbie-maker Mattel.<\/p>\n The Labubu craze has helped Pop Mart expand beyond toys to operating a theme park in Beijing. Now, the company is venturing into film.<\/p>\n Labubus are Pop Mart’s most popular toys. Part of their appeal is that they are sold in blind boxes – buyers don’t know which Labubu they are getting until they open the package.<\/p>\n Celebrities like Rihanna and Lisa from Blackpink have also been photgraphed wearing Labubu charms with their designer bags.<\/p>\n Created over a decade ago by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu is a forest elf inspired by Nordic mythology and part of Lung’s book series, The Monsters, which features a large number of fantasy characters.<\/p>\n The Labubu movie was announced in Paris on Wednesday during a global exhibition tour for the Labubu toys’ 10th year anniversary.<\/p>\n Lung will serve as the film’s executive producer. Aside from directing, King will also co-produce and develop the script with Steven Levenson, the writer behind the stage show Dear Evan Hansen and the musical film Tick, Tick… Boom!<\/p>\n Pop Mart’s plan to launch a Labubu media franchise is a logical next step after the toys’ popularity, experts said.<\/p>\n A Labubu movie could help Pop Mart evolve from a toy retailer to an entertainment brand, said Kim Dayoung a marketing lecturer at the National University of Singapore.<\/p>\n “For Gen Z and Millennial consumers, content and commerce are closely intertwined – watching a story, connecting with a character, and then buying into that world is a seamless journey… The potential is very high,” Kim told the BBC.<\/p>\n It could also re-assure Pop Mart investors about the value of the company.<\/p>\n “Labubu has a loyal and fanatic customer base, so a film could potentially be a significant growth opportunity for them, if the content is appealing,” said Kapil Tuli from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business at the Singapore Management University.<\/p>\n A Labubu movie could also capitalise on the momentum of Chinese animation, following the blockbuster success of Ne Zha 2 and the video game Black Myth: Wukong, Tuli said.<\/p>\n “It’s a good moment to make that jump.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.graphic.com.gh\/images\/2026\/Mar\/19\/Lung.jpg\")
\nLabubu creator Kasing Lung and movie director Paul King<\/strong>
<\/p>\nA ‘good moment’ for Pop Mart<\/h3>\n