Sony and Pop Mart plan Labubu film
Labubu’s toothy grin is heading to the big screen as Pop Mart and Sony Pictures Entertainment plan a feature film based on the “ugly-cute” character. The project marks a key step in Pop Mart’s push to expand beyond collectible toys into broader entertainment and cultural products, aiming to turn Labubu into a global franchise. The company has also signaled its international ambitions by naming London as its future European headquarters.
Project in early development
Paul King, known for Paddington and Wonka, will direct and produce the film, co-writing it with Steven Levenson. The project is in early development and planned as a live-action/CGI hybrid. Pop Mart says it is following a strategy similar to The Walt Disney Company, aiming to expand its characters into films, theme parks, and merchandise.
Diversifying revenue
According to Jeff Zhang, the Sony partnership is a milestone for diversifying revenue, with the film likely to boost licensing income, though not significantly affecting stock valuation. Pop Mart’s rising success, driven by Labubu’s popularity, has pushed its market value above that of Hasbro, Mattel, and Sanrio combined.
Labubu was created by Kasing Lung in his 2015 The Monsters Trilogy. He will serve as executive producer, while Pop Mart continues promoting the characters globally during their 10th anniversary tour, including a recent stop in Paris.