The wildly popular Labubu dolls could soon take over movie theaters as Sony Pictures has secured development rights to the viral monster toys, the latest example of a movie studio banking on a toy adaptation film for big box office profits.
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The Hollywood Reporter first reported that Sony acquired the rights to make a movie based on the popular Chinese dolls.
No actor, writer or director has yet joined the project, which is in very early stages of development, multiple outlets reported Friday, and a release schedule is unclear.
It is unclear whether the film will be live-action or animated, and if successful, Labubu’s film could be the start of a franchise, several outlets reported.
Forbes has contacted Sony Pictures for comment.
Find out: Toy manufacturers follow the trend of ‘surprise boxes’ for end-of-year gifts after the Labubu furor
Why do studios opt for movies based on toys?
In recent years, movie studios have greenlit a growing number of movies based on toys or video games, which are often big box office hits. “Barbie”, a live-action film based on the iconic doll and the result of collaboration between Warner Bros. Entertainment and Mattel, was a cultural phenomenon in 2023 and grossed more than $1.4 billion. The success of “Barbie” inspired Mattel to plan more films based on its other toys. As reported by Variety, more than a dozen are in development, with writer-actress Lena Dunham helming a Polly Pocket movie, “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu directing a live-action Hot Wheels movie, and John Cena starring in a Matchbox car movie. The New York Times reported in 2017 that “The Lego Movie,” a blockbuster released in 2014, helped fuel the trend of movies based on toys and video games. Film adaptations of games, particularly video games, have also been a reliable box office hit in recent years. “A Minecraft Movie” was positioned as the highest-grossing film of 2025 in national theaters, and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” it ranked behind “Barbie” as the second-highest-grossing film of 2023. Movies based on the board game Catan, the popular video game Call of Duty and the 3D imaging toy View-Master have been greenlit by several studios in recent weeks.
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Labubu toys have been around for years, but they achieved cultural omnipresence this year after becoming the latest consumer craze on TikTok. The toys were designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and first appeared in illustrated books in 2015. Four years later, Lung signed a licensing deal with Chinese company Pop Mart to turn the dolls into a toy line. Known for their mischievous smiles and ugly-to-adorable appearance, the Labubu became a TikTok fixture in part due to Pop Mart’s “box-in” approach to selling the dolls. The toys come in various colors and designs, but are sold in solid boxes that do not reveal which doll is inside, and consumers also have a small chance of finding a rare “secret” Labubu. Jack-in-the-boxes have made Labubu highly collectible for fans, many of whom create “unboxing” videos for TikTok. The Labubu have gained very loyal fans, and when new products are released, some fans report huge lines in stores and products selling out quickly. The trend has also led to strange behavior from consumers, including fights in stores and dolls being resold for thousands of dollars online.
This article was originally published by Forbes US
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