What are Labubus and Why are they so popular?

Table of Contents

In this post, we will share everything you need to know about Labubu and why they are so popular.

What exactly are Labubus?

Labubu is a collectible toy/figurine line created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung. They are described as elvish creatures who is “kind-hearted and always wants to help,” but “often accidentally achieves the opposite”. The creatures have wide eyes almost as big as their mischievous smile, a furry exterior body, and nine very visible teeth in their grin.

Chinese toymaker Pop Mart — known for selling toys via “blind boxes” — turned Labubu into a collectible product line Fortune, and the results have been extraordinary. In the first half of 2025, Labubu-related products generated $418 million in global sales for Pop Mart, with nearly 40% of revenue coming from outside mainland China.

Pop Mart’s market cap remains worth as much as Hasbro, Mattel, and Sanrio combined, and the trend is being seen as evidence of Chinese intellectual property and brands gaining genuine global cultural traction for the first time.

How did Labubus get so popular?

The craze around Labubus began last year when Lisa, a member of the K-pop group Blackpink, was spotted with one. Since then, the demand has skyrocketed. Labubus have gained immense popularity due to several factors:

Unique design

Labubu has a genuinely distinctive design that sets it apart from most collectible figures.They feature a mischievous character with nine visible teeth and expressive eyes, making them visually appealing.

The blind box mechanic

Labubu figures are often sold in blind boxes, so the hunt becomes harder if you have a particular color or variant in mind. The mystery of the blind boxes makes the reveal a surprise, which is why many fans record their first unboxing to capture the moment. Some collectors chase elusive “secret” editions with odds as low as 1 in 72.

Celebrity and social media amplification

Lisa, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and David Beckham are among the celebrities helping drive the trend by displaying the dolls on their bags. TikTok’s algorithm pushed Labubu unboxings into the mainstream, with videos of collectors reacting to rare pulls racking up millions of views.

Limited production and exclusivity

Pop Mart, the company responsible for bringing Labubu to a mass audience, often releases figures in limited quantities. Certain special-edition Labubu dolls, for example, are part of a small production run, sometimes numbering in the thousands worldwide.

Fashion accessory crossover

People use them as fashion accessories, collectibles, and trade them with friends — they’ve become status symbols for the “kidult” generation.

Where can you find Labubus?

The official retailer of the dolls is Pop Mart, and they are the most reliable place to purchase an official Labubu doll.

Amazon has an official Pop Mart storefront where dozens of products from the ‘Monsters’ series are available to buy. At the time of writing, all of the Amazon Pop Mart listings are sold out. However, you can check for restocks.