A Labubu movie is coming as Chinese firm expands viral toy franchise

Labubu‘s toothy grin will be coming to the big screen after toy maker Pop Mart and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced plans to develop a feature film based on the ugly-cute monster.

BEIJING — Labubu‘s toothy grin will be coming to the big screen after toy maker Pop Mart and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced plans to develop a feature film based on the ugly-cute monster.

The film, announced in a Pop Mart statement on Thursday, marks a major step in Chinese firm Pop Mart’s long-anticipated expansion of its best known characters beyond collectible toys and into other entertainment and cultural products.

The move highlights Pop Mart’s determination to turn Labubu from a viral sensation into an entertainment franchise with broad international reach. The company underscored that ambition earlier this year when it said London would become its European headquarters.

Paul King, the BAFTA-nominated filmmaker behind “Paddington,” “Paddington 2” and “Wonka,” is attached to produce and direct the film. He will also co-write the screenplay with Steven Levenson, the award-winning writer best known for “Dear Evan Hansen.”

The film is in early development and is planned as a live-action and CGI hybrid, according to the companies.