Move over, chocolate factories and polite bears, there’s a new toy in town! Paul King, the genius director behind the heartwarming ‘Paddington’ films and the magical ‘Wonka’, is ready to tackle a live-action movie based on the quirky, collectible toys known as ‘Labubu’.
Variety reports that King will not only direct but also produce the project alongside Department M and Wenxin She.
The film is still in its early stages, but fans of King’s whimsical style can already start imagining a big-screen adventure full of lovable monsters.
Also Read: Even Amitabh Bachchan can’t resist labubu! Bollywood legend shares adorable moment
From box office gold to toy magic
King has shown he knows how to turn fantastical worlds into box office gold. ‘Wonka’ starring Timothée Chalamet dazzled audiences worldwide. It raked in $635 million. And let’s not forget ‘Paddington’ movies. Critics and audiences alike fell for the polite little bear, and the franchise earned nearly $500 million globally.
In addition to directing, King also co-wrote and executive-produced ‘Paddington 3’.
What’s Labubu anyway?
If you haven’t yet been swept up in the blind-box craze, here’s the lowdown. ‘Labubu’ is a line of collectible plush toys created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung.
These aren’t your average stuffed animals. They’re scruffy, sharp-toothed, big-eared monsters with larger-than-life expressions. The central figure Labubu has become a fan favourite.
The toys are sold exclusively by China-based retailer Pop Mart, mostly in “blind boxes,” meaning collectors never know exactly which character they’ll get.
The thrill of the surprise has helped turn Labubu into a must-have item, especially across East and Southeast Asia, where the toys became a cultural phenomenon in 2024.
From picture books to plush power
Labubu didn’t start as a toy. It began as a picture book series a decade ago. Kasing Lung, who spent part of his childhood in the Netherlands, drew inspiration from European folklore to create “The Monsters” series, which eventually led to Labubu.
Over time, the character’s popularity skyrocketed, spawning collaborations with fashion brands, limited-edition art figures, and, now, a potential Hollywood blockbuster.
Hollywood’s love affair with toys
The move to turn Labubu into a movie fits growing trend. Studios are mining toys for fresh intellectual property. Warner Bros and Mattel struck gold with ‘Barbie’, while Warner Bros.’ ‘Minecraft Movie’ became one of 2025’s biggest hits. Other successes include ‘Super Mario Bros’ and ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’.
And the toy-to-movie pipeline shows no signs of slowing down. Studios are exploring everything from ‘Masters of the Universe’ to ‘Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots’, with Vin Diesel even signing on to pen the latter. Labubu is joining a long list of beloved toys that are about to leap off the shelves and onto the silver screen.