Director Paul King, known for his work on Wonka and the Paddington films, has been tapped to helm the upcoming Labubu movie, Variety reported Thursday. The announcement marks the first official confirmation of the project, which is being produced by Sony Pictures.
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Labubus, tiny collectible dolls based on a series of Chinese children’s books, became a viral sensation this year. With their wide eyes, pointed teeth, and fuzzy bodies, the toys are sold in ‘blind boxes’ containing a random figure from the series. Fans have even turned the collectibles into a marketable phenomenon, with a one-of-a-kind 1.2-metre-tall Labubu recently fetching over $150,000 at auction.
Paul King has been brought on to develop Sony Pictures and Pop Mart’s live-action ‘Labubu’ film.
The film is in early development, King is set to direct and is producing with Department M and Wenxin She.
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— Deadline (@DEADLINE) December 18, 2025
Paul King (‘Paddington’) is set to direct the ‘LABUBU’ movie for Sony
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— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 18, 2025
King brings extensive experience in children’s entertainment and comedy to the project. He recently directed Wonka, a prequel to the 2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starring Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka. The film grossed nearly $500 million worldwide. He also wrote and directed the first two Paddington films and served as director and executive producer for Netflix’s military sitcom Space Force.
The Labubu movie reflects a growing trend in Hollywood of adapting popular toys into films that resonate with a built-in fanbase. Previous successes include The Lego Movie (2014) and Barbie (2023), both of which performed exceptionally at the box office. In a similar vein, Warner Bros. announced in July that Jon M. Chu will direct a movie based on the Hot Wheels brand of model cars.
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Sony has not yet revealed details about the plot or casting for the Labubu movie, but the combination of King’s family-friendly style and the dolls’ quirky appeal suggests a project aimed squarely at children and collectors alike. Fans of the toys, which have dominated social media trends and merchandise shelves this year, are eagerly awaiting further news.