It's no surprise that a popular toy or collectible suddenly rises to the big screen with the release of a feature film (such as the hugely successful barbie movie). But it's even less surprising when the collectible in question is part of the hottest fad, e.g. Labubthe latest in a string of toy franchises that are now apparently in development, like a movie from Sony (by using TPP).
If you're like me and aren't completely sold on Labubu, here's what you need to know: Labubu is a cute little monster who has a bunch of little monster friends, all of which are sold as tiny miniature plush toys that have become popular as accessories. First introduced in 2015, Labubu is sold in sealed bags at China's Pop Mart, creating high secondary market demand for certain rare items.
The craze first originated in Southeast Asia and then quickly spread around the world in 2024 when singer Lisa of the K-pop group Blackpink, one of the most famous and popular performers in the world, was spotted wearing them at public performances.
There's a bit of a story behind Labubu, whose team includes other monsters such as Zimomo, Mokoko and Tykoko, although the general relationships between the characters and their interactions with the fun environment is essentially all that exists in the plot. The collectibles have become widely controversial with reports of conflicts between buyers vying for them in stores, and demand for special editions has driven prices as high as US$170,000 for the rarest examples.
The release date for the film “Labubu” has not been announced. While we wait for more information, check out our guide to the most exciting new films will happen in 2025 and beyond.
