Labubu isn’t just a doll; it became a part of active cinema. The Labubu fever hasn’t calmed down. The Chinese brand’s movie rights have been acquired by Sony Pictures, which intends to create a feature film and maybe a series based on the popular and fashionable dolls that have been a pop culture obsession for the past year. There are no producers or actors involved, and the project is still in its very early stages. Sony Pictures remained silent.
Even though Labubu’s line of collectible clawed miniatures was first introduced to the market in 2015, their popularity has just recently skyrocketed, first among a fanatic fringe and then reaching widespread must-have hysteria.
Before spreading throughout the rest of the world, the toys first gained popularity in Southeast Asian markets. Earlier this year, Pop Mart’s profits reportedly increased by 350%. The line’s main monster doll is called Labubu, and its personalities include boyfriend Tycoco, sidekick Mokoko, and leader Zimomo. The brand was heavily endorsed by K-pop celebrities such as Lisa of Black Pink, who wore it as accessories.
Toys used to be influenced by Hollywood productions, but in the past ten years in particular, this has changed, with toys now driving films. One of the first well-known brands to witness a successful major studio production without a pre-existing plot or even characters was The Lego Movie, which debuted in 2014 to critical and commercial success. Perhaps this would be a success for Labubu if they changed its appearance a bit.
