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Labubu’s Grin Goes Hollywood: “Ugly-Cute” Monster Headed for the Big Screen
BEIJING – Get ready for some toothy charm on the silver screen! Labubu, the “ugly-cute” monster with a mischievous grin, is set to star in its own feature film. Toy giant Pop Mart and Sony Pictures Entertainment have joined forces to bring the beloved character to life, marking a significant leap for the Chinese toy maker.
The announcement, made by Pop Mart on Thursday, signifies a major push to expand its most iconic characters beyond collectible toys and into the broader entertainment landscape. This move underscores Pop Mart’s ambition to transform Labubu from a viral sensation into a global entertainment franchise. Earlier this year, the company established its European headquarters in London, further highlighting its international aspirations.
Attached to produce and direct the film is Paul King, the BAFTA-nominated filmmaker celebrated for his work on “Paddington,” “Paddington 2,” and “Wonka.” King will also co-write the screenplay alongside Steven Levenson, the award-winning writer known for “Dear Evan Hansen.” The film is currently in early development and is planned as a live-action and CGI hybrid.
Pop Mart has openly expressed its strategy of emulating Disney’s success, aiming to leverage Labubu’s popularity into long-term triumph. Executives have indicated substantial potential for expanding Pop Mart characters, including Labubu, into various content forms, entertainment ventures, theme parks, and additional merchandise, mirroring Disney’s successful development of its intellectual property.
Morningstar analyst Jeff Zhang noted that the partnership with Sony Pictures is a pivotal moment in Pop Mart’s efforts to diversify its revenue streams. “Given Labubu’s global popularity, the movie will likely add to Pop Mart’s future licensing income,” Zhang stated. However, he cautioned, “we do not expect the news to materially impact Pop Mart’s stock valuation.”
Labubu’s widespread appeal has fueled a 64% surge in the Hong Kong-listed company’s shares over the past year, propelling Pop Mart’s market value above the combined worth of industry titans Hasbro, Mattel, and Sanrio.
The enchanting world of Labubu and The Monsters was created by Hong Kong-born artist and writer Kasing Lung, who was raised in the Netherlands. Lung introduced the characters in “The Monsters Trilogy” picture books in 2015 and will serve as an executive producer for the upcoming film.
In celebration of the characters’ 10th anniversary, Pop Mart is currently showcasing The Monsters on a global tour, with its most recent stop in Paris.