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Sony Pictures Acquires 'Labubu' Screen Rights, Begins Early Development on Feature

The move bets on the viral Pop Mart collectible’s blind‑box buzz, celebrity lift and surging profits to support a potential franchise.

Overview

  • The deal closed this week and the project is in its earliest phase with no writer, director or producers attached, and no decision yet on live action versus animation as Sony declined to comment.
  • Labubu was created by Hong Kong‑born artist Kasing Lung in 2015, first produced by How2 Work, and expanded globally after Pop Mart began selling the line in 2019.
  • The brand’s blind‑box model and high‑profile fans — notably BLACKPINK’s Lisa, with sightings also including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and others — helped propel a worldwide craze from Southeast Asia to the U.S.
  • Coverage cites major commercial momentum, with Pop Mart reporting profit jumps of roughly 350%–396% this year and rare editions drawing six‑figure resale prices in a heated secondary market.
  • Sony’s rights grab aligns with Hollywood’s broader push to adapt toy IP following hits like The Lego Movie and Barbie, though outlets note development timelines could test whether the fad endures.