PC( Instagram, Movie web)
Paris/New Delhi, March 20, 2026 The wildly popular Labubu monster dolls, which have turned Chinese toy giant Pop Mart into a near-$40 billion powerhouse, are leaping from blind boxes to the big screen. Pop Mart and Sony Pictures jointly announced on Wednesday that a live-action/CGI feature film starring the mischievous forest elf characters is now in early development.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Paul King-the creative force behind the beloved family hits Paddington (2014 & 2017) and Wonka (2023)-the project aims to transform Labubu and the wider The Monsters universe into a major global entertainment franchise. King will also co-produce and co-write the screenplay alongside Steven Levenson (Dear Evan Hansen, Tick, Tick… Boom!). Original creator Kasing Lung will serve as executive producer, ensuring the film stays true to the Nordic mythology-inspired fantasy world he first introduced in his 2010 book series. The announcement came during a high-profile global exhibition tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of Labubu’s creation, held in Paris. No release date or plot details have been revealed yet.
From Blind-Box Phenomenon to Cultural Juggernaut Labubu, a cheeky, pointy-eared forest elf with sharp teeth and an endearing yet slightly devilish charm, is the flagship character of Kassing Lung’s The Monsters collection. What began as an artistic passion project exploded into a global craze after Pop Mart adopted the designs for its signature blind-box format-where buyers purchase sealed packages and discover which rare or secret variant, they’ve received only after opening. The unpredictability, combined with Labubu’s quirky design, sparked massive collector frenzy. High-profile fueling the hype. The dolls have become a must-have accessory and status symbol among Gen Z and Millennial audiences worldwide.
Fueled by Labubu mania, Pop Mart’s valuation has soared past long-established rivals like Mattel (Barbie) and Hasbro, reaching nearly $40 billion (£29.9bn). The company has already expanded into experiential retail and opened its first theme park in Beijing. A feature film marks the logical-and ambitious-next step in building a full-fledged media and entertainment IP.
A “Seamless Journey” for Fans Experts see the movie as a strategic masterstroke. Marketing lecturer Kim Dayoung from the National University of Singapore told the BBC: “For Gen Z and Millennial consumers, content and commerce are closely intertwined-watching a story, connecting with a character, and then buying into that world is a seamless journey. The potential is very high.”
Singapore Management University’s Kapil Tuli added that a successful film could significantly boost Pop that a successful film could significantly boost Pop Mart’s growth and reassure investors, given Labubu’s “loyal and fanatic customer base.” With Paul King’s proven track record of delivering heartwarming, visually inventive family films, and Sony Pictures’ global distribution muscle behind it, the Labubu movie has the ingredients to become the next big character-driven franchise-much like Paddington, Sonic the Hedgehog, or The Super Mario Bros. Movie. For now, fans can only speculate about what kind of adventures await the toothy little elf on the big screen. One thing is clear: Labubu is no longer just a toy-it’s on its way to becoming a household name.