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Labubu Movie Sparks Hollywood Hype as Sony Teams with Pop Mart for a Potential Blockbuster

Labubu Movie Sparks Hollywood Hype as Sony Teams with Pop Mart for a Potential Blockbuster
source: gettyimages
March 19, 2026

Sony Pictures is reportedly partnering with Pop Mart to bring Labubu to the big screen, with Paul King attached to direct. The project sits in early development, but the collaboration signals Hollywood’s continued appetite for toy-inspired IP that blends whimsy with wide appeal.

Paul King, known for guiding Paddington and Wonka, is set to helm the project and co-develop the screenplay with Steven Levenson, the writer behind several stage-to-screen hits. Kasing Lung, the creator of Labubu, will serve as executive producer, anchoring the movie in the character’s original roots.

The announcement came during a Paris exhibition marking The Monsters’ 10th anniversary, where the creative team behind the Labubu film was introduced. While specifics about the plot are under wraps, the pairing of King’s family-friendly sensibilities and Levenson’s musical storytelling hints at a playful, character-driven approach.

Labubu’s pop-culture ascent has been swift. The pastel plush character captured attention in 2024 when a keychain version appeared on Blackpink’s Lisa’s bag, fueling a wave of fan-driven fever. The phenomenon has since spawned memes, fan creations, and a measure of market hype, including talk that Labubu could become the next big cross-media property.

Pop Mart has also been expanding Labubu’s footprint beyond toys, with seven new stores planned for the United Kingdom in 2026 and London named as the European headquarters. The move aligns with a broader strategy to blend content and commerce—an approach that marketing experts say resonates strongly with Gen Z and millennial audiences who want immersive brands they can both watch and shop.

Public reaction online has been mixed, with some Redditors joking about the concept’s potential “Kool Aid movie” vibe or comparing it to other fictional projects. Yet others remain cautiously optimistic, praising Levenson’s proven track record in stage and screen and King’s experience with beloved IP.

At this stage, concrete details remain scarce beyond the creative team and the expansion plan. No official release date has been announced, but industry watchers will be watching closely as 2026 draws nearer and the Labubu movie edges closer to production.

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