The globally popular Labubu doll, known for its wide eyes and quirky smile, is now headed for the big screen. Sony Pictures has begun work on a film centred on the character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. The doll, already a social-media sensation, has inspired countless trends and fan art across platforms.
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International entertainment outlet Deadline first reported the development. According to the report, the project is still in its earliest stages. No director, writer or cast has been finalised yet, and the studio has not decided whether the film will be live-action or animated. However, Sony has already secured the full rights to develop the movie based on Labubu.
Sources at Sony have said that extensive research is underway to understand the character’s appeal and ensure the film translates smoothly to screen. The studio declined to offer further details at this stage.
The buzz around Labubu has been intense across the world from Hollywood celebrities to Indian social-media users, everyone joined the trend. With AI-generated versions adding to the craze, Labubu became one of the most viral toy characters of recent years, and now it is set to make its jump from the toy shelf to cinemas.
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Labubu originated in China. It was first created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. In 2019, Chinese toy manufacturer Pop Mart released the first commercial Labubu figures. The doll’s popularity has surged dramatically in recent years, with prices ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹3,000 in India. The success of the toy helped Pop Mart founder Wang Ning become one of China’s youngest billionaires, entering the list of the country’s top ten richest individuals at just 38 years old.
