The world’s most famous “creepy-cute” monster is heading to Hollywood.
Just months after dominating family box offices worldwide, Sony Pictures has officially tapped Paul King to direct and produce a feature film based on Labubu, the viral collectible character born from Pop Mart’s global toy phenomenon. The move marks Sony’s latest bid to capitalize on the surging “kidult” market, where nostalgia, design culture, and fandom-driven IP converge.
The announcement arrives only weeks after Sony secured the film rights from Chinese toy powerhouse Pop Mart, signaling the studio’s clear intent to build a long-term franchise around the sharp-toothed, furry icon.
Paul King and the Labubu Movie: A Strategic Match
Choosing King is widely viewed by industry insiders as a calculated—and potentially lucrative—decision. The British filmmaker has earned a reputation for transforming unconventional, non-human characters into emotionally resonant box-office juggernauts.
Between Paddington, Paddington 2, and 2023’s Wonka, King has shepherded films that collectively grossed more than $1.1 billion worldwide. His hallmark blend of warmth, visual wit, and sincerity has proven especially effective in translating niche characters into four-quadrant appeal.
While the Labubu movie remains in early development and a screenwriter has yet to be announced, King will also serve as a producer alongside Department M and Wenxin She (producer of Wish Dragon and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood). Sony is reportedly working closely with Pop Mart to ensure the character’s transition from collectible shelf to cinema screen preserves its distinctive tone and visual identity.
Labubu: From Designer Toy to Global Obsession
For audiences unfamiliar with the blind-box craze, Labubu is the breakout star of The Monsters, a character universe created by Hong Kong–born illustrator Kasing Lung. Drawing inspiration from Nordic folklore and fairy tales, the characters first appeared in illustrated books nearly a decade ago before Pop Mart transformed them into limited-edition collectibles in 2019.
The brand’s popularity exploded in late 2024 and early 2025, fueled by viral unboxing videos and high-profile celebrity endorsements—most notably from Blackpink’s Lisa, who has frequently been spotted styling Labubu figures as fashion accessories. The result has been a frenzied resale market, instant sell-outs, and a global fan base that treats each new release as a cultural event.
Live-Action, Animation—or Something In Between?
Specific plot details remain tightly guarded, but King’s involvement has fueled speculation that the project will follow a live-action/CGI hybrid approach similar to the Paddington films. Such a format would place a digitally rendered Labubu into a real-world environment, allowing the director to lean into the character’s signature “mischievous yet oddly tender” personality.
Fans are already debating which other members of The Monsters universe might appear on screen, including the group’s leader Zimomo or Labubu’s frequent companion Mokoko—raising the possibility of a broader cinematic world from the outset.
The Big Picture
Ultimately, Labubu represents a new kind of toy adaptation for Hollywood. Unlike legacy Western brands, the IP arrives with a deeply international, digitally native fan base—and a built-in aesthetic sensibility that aligns closely with contemporary youth culture.
Following the runaway successes of Barbie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, studios are increasingly mining toy brands with proven cultural traction. With Paul King at the helm, Sony appears less interested in a cynical merchandise play and more focused on crafting a heartfelt, visually distinctive family film—one that could anchor its next major franchise.
If successful, Labubu may mark the moment when designer toys fully cross over from collector culture into mainstream cinematic mythology.
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