Labubu’s Hollywood Debut: Sony Pictures Set to Begin Production

Sony Pictures is developing a movie inspired by Labubu, the wildly popular collectible dolls that have sparked a global craze.

The studio closed a deal this week to move forward with the project, which is still in early development. A decision has not yet been made on whether the film will be live-action or animated. Sony declined to comment on the report.

Labubu dolls, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, have surged in worldwide popularity this year. Originally introduced in Lung’s picture books in 2015, the characters became a commercial sensation after he partnered with Chinese company Pop Mart in 2019 to launch the toy line. Known for their mischievous grins and “ugly-cute” aesthetic, the dolls are sold in “blind boxes,” which conceal the specific model inside and offer a small chance of uncovering a rare edition.

The toys have been embraced by global celebrities including Rihanna and Blackpink’s Lisa, helping fuel their cultural rise. The Labubu phenomenon has dominated TikTok, where fans share unboxing videos and showcase their collections. The frenzy has led to long queues at stores, rapid sell-outs, and even reports of scuffles among eager shoppers. Some rare dolls have been resold online for thousands of dollars.

Sony, whose credits include the “Jumanji” franchise and the animated Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters, is now looking to bring the Labubu universe to the big screen, tapping into one of the year’s most talked-about pop culture trends.