Have you noticed those quirky little monster dolls everywhere lately? I’m talking about the ones with pointy ears, sharp teeth, and that weird-but-cute vibe hanging from purses and backpacks. That’s Labubu the collectible sensation that’s absolutely taken over the world in 2024-2025. When I first saw one, I honestly thought, “What is that strange little creature?” But within weeks, I couldn’t escape them. They were on Instagram, TikTok, at the mall, and even my coworker had five lined up on her desk!
Let me be straight with you Labubu isn’t your typical cute toy. These “ugly-cute” monsters have sparked a collecting frenzy that generated over $423 million for PopMart in 2024 alone. That’s seriously impressive for a $30 blind box toy! Whether you’re curious about what makes them special, wondering if they’re worth the investment, or just trying to understand why celebrities like Rihanna and Lisa from BLACKPINK are obsessed, this guide covers everything you need to know about the Labubu phenomenon.
What Is Labubu
Let’s start with basics. The labubu doll is a collectible plush toy created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung back in 2015 as part of his “The Monsters” storybook series. Born in Hong Kong and raised in the Netherlands, Lung drew inspiration from Nordic folklore and fairy tales especially stories about elves. That’s why Labubus have those distinctive pointy ears and mischievous expressions that feel both magical and slightly creepy.
Each labubu doll features zoomorphic elves with exaggerated facial expressions, sharp teeth that somehow look friendly, large pointed ears, and a deliberately scruffy appearance. But here’s what makes them special: every Labubu has its own personality. According to labubu popmart’s official description, Labubu is “kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite.” That endearing clumsiness resonates with people who see themselves in that description!
In 2019, Lung partnered with PopMart—the China-based collectible toy retail giant—to bring his monsters to mass audiences. This collaboration transformed Labubu from niche art pieces into must-have collectibles. Pop Mart operates over 2,000 vending machines called “roboshops” worldwide, plus standalone stores across more than 30 countries, making these adorable monsters accessible globally.
How Labubu Became Everyone’s Favorite Accessory
So how did a slightly creepy monster doll become the “it” accessory of 2024? It all started with one Instagram post. In April 2024, BLACKPINK’s Lisa with over 100 million followers casually posted photos showing a small Labubu keychain on her designer bag. That single post sparked absolute pandemonium.
Suddenly, celebrities everywhere jumped on board. Rihanna appeared with her labubu doll at public events. Kim Kardashian shared her collection on Instagram Stories. Dua Lipa, Lizzo, and even David Beckham showed off their Labubus. When Grammy-winning artist Lizzo actually name-dropped the toy in her song “YITTY ON YO TITTYS,” rapping “How you talkin’ sh** about me? Can’t even outdress my Labubu,” it became official Labubu had transcended toy status.
On TikTok, the hashtag #Labubu exploded to over 2.1 million posts, mostly featuring enthusiastic unboxing videos. There’s something genuinely addictive about watching people open those mystery blind boxes, hoping for rare “secret” figures. This social media frenzy helped Pop Mart’s TikTok Shop U.S. sales skyrocket from $429,259 in May 2024 to $4.8 million in May 2025 a mind-blowing 1,828% increase!
Understanding Labubu Price: What You’ll Actually Pay
Let’s talk money because pricing is where things get interesting. The standard labubu price for a blind box typically ranges from $27.99 to $30 in the United States. Smaller eight-centimeter vinyl figures start around $15, while larger premium versions can reach $960.
But here’s where it gets crazy resale prices are completely different. Due to overwhelming demand, rare Labubus fetch hundreds or thousands on platforms like eBay and StockX. A rare “secret” Chestnut Cocoa Labubu sells for over $149 on eBay. In June 2025, a life-size Labubu figure sold for more than $170,000 at an auction in China. Yes, $170,000 for a toy!
Part of what drives these prices is the “blind box” concept. You don’t know which design you’re getting until you open the package. Will you get a common figure or strike gold with a rare “secret” variant that only appears in 1-in-144 boxes? That mystery combined with artificial scarcity creates genuine excitement and keeps collectors buying multiple boxes trying to complete sets.
The Must-Know Labubu Collections
Over 300 different Labubu figurines have been released since 2019. Here are the collections you absolutely need to know:
Labubu Big Into Energy: The 2025 Sensation
Released in April 2025, the big into energy labubu series became an instant phenomenon. Despite a $6 price increase to $27.99, dozens of people lined up for eight hours outside Chicago’s Pop Mart store just to get these energetic designs. The labubu big into energy collection features our favorite monsters in vibrant, dynamic poses that perfectly capture their mischievous spirit. This series includes regular designs plus highly coveted “secret” editions that collectors hunt obsessively.
Coca-Cola Labubu: The Iconic Brand Mashup
In late 2024, labubu popmart announced a collaboration that excited collectors everywhere: the coca cola labubu winter blind box series featuring eleven different designs. This partnership merged two iconic brands, creating collectibles that resonated with both soda enthusiasts and toy collectors. The coca cola labubu figures feature holiday winter themes with Coca-Cola’s signature red-and-white colors and vintage branding. These sold out almost instantly and now command 2-3x their original prices on resale markets.
Labubu Have a Seat: Perfect for Display
The labubu have a seat collection showcases these adorable monsters in various sitting positions, each with distinct personalities. This series became particularly popular for desk decorations because the seated poses make them perfect for shelves and workspaces. Office workers especially love displaying these at their desks, creating personality in otherwise sterile corporate environments.
Labubu Macaron: Sweet Pastel Perfection
The labubu macaron series features soft pastel colors inspired by French macarons—gentle pinks, mint greens, and lavender purples. This collection appeals to collectors preferring sweeter, more whimsical aesthetics. Despite Labubu’s typically edgy design with sharp teeth and pointy ears, the Macaron series proves thoughtful color choices can dramatically shift perceived personality. These pastel versions feel more approachable and less “creepy,” making them popular entry points for hesitant new collectors.
The Fashion Statement: Labubu Clothes and Customization
What really sets the Labubu community apart is customization culture. Fans don’t just collect these dolls—they dress them up! Specialty stores have become destinations where fans purchase handmade labubu clothes including tiny hats, “designer” outfits, sunglasses, and miniature purses. These custom outfits can cost $10-$30, sometimes exceeding the doll’s price!
Some dedicated collectors even give their Labubus real temporary tattoos, paint unique designs, or completely repaint figures in custom color schemes. This personalization transforms each mass-produced toy into individual expression of style and creativity. As one collector explained, “That’s what makes them unique to each person and makes it fun. My collection doesn’t look like anyone else’s.”
The Business Behind the Craze
The numbers behind Labubu’s success are staggering. In 2024, PopMart generated approximately $1.8 billion in total revenue, with Labubu alone contributing around $423 million—roughly 23% of the company’s entire income. That represents a jaw-dropping 729% increase from 2023.
Pop Mart’s market capitalization now exceeds $40 billion, completely dwarfing toy giants like Mattel ($6.44 billion) and Hasbro ($10.63 billion). In North America specifically, revenue surged over 550% between 2023 and 2024, with first-quarter 2025 sales climbing 900% compared to the previous year.
Plush toy sales which include many Labubu products skyrocketed more than 1,200% between 2023 and 2024, accounting for over 20% of total revenue in 2024, up from less than 4% the year before. These aren’t just good numbers they’re historic.
Why People Actually Love Labubu
Beyond celebrity endorsements and viral TikTok videos, what makes Labubu genuinely appealing? Retail analysts point to several compelling factors:
The “Ugly-Cute” Aesthetic: Labubus occupy that perfect spot between adorable and slightly unsettling. They’re not traditionally cute like Hello Kitty, but their quirkiness makes them memorable and distinctive. For collectors tired of conventional kawaii aesthetics, Labubu offers refreshing alternatives.
Accessible Luxury: At around $30, Labubus offer status symbol appeal without Hermès prices. They’re affordable enough for teenagers and young adults but feel exclusive enough through scarcity and cultural cachet to seem special.
The Thrill of Collecting: Blind boxes tap into fundamental human psychology—we love mystery, chance, and the satisfaction of completing collections. Each unboxing provides a dopamine hit regardless of what’s inside.
Individual Expression: In our increasingly homogenized world, customizing your Labubu with unique clothes and accessories allows genuine personal expression. No two collections look exactly alike because owners infuse their personalities into displays.
The Counterfeit Problem
Success always attracts imitators. The Labubu craze has spawned a massive market for counterfeits colloquially called “Lafufus.” These knockoffs sell for $15-$20 on platforms like Amazon and AliExpress, featuring subtle differences like incorrect tooth counts or wrong eye colors.
Some collectors actually seek out these fakes for their unconventional designs, creating an unexpected secondary market. However, the counterfeit problem highlights ongoing challenges PopMart faces in protecting its intellectual property globally.
More seriously, in July 2025, authorities in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region banned Labubu sales, claiming the dolls caused behavioral problems in children and contained “demonic spirits.” Officials seized at least 4,000 dolls. While these claims lack scientific support, they demonstrate how quickly cultural products can become controversial across international borders.
The Future of Labubu
Is Labubu just a passing fad, or is it here to stay? PopMart is clearly betting on longevity. The company continues expanding internationally, opening mega-stores like the world’s largest Pop Mart location in Bangkok (August 2025) where fans camped overnight for limited editions.
Emily Brough, PopMart’s head of IP licensing for the Americas, told reporters, “Pop Mart has been around for 15 years and we are really building a brand for longevity.” The company plans to launch around 100 more international outlets in 2025 alone, with overseas sales expected to exceed domestic Chinese sales for the first time.
Beyond Labubu, PopMart is diversifying with other characters like Skullpanda, Molly, and Crybaby. In January 2025, they even launched POPOP, a concept jewelry brand featuring sterling silver pieces with signature characters, positioning themselves alongside accessible luxury brands like Pandora.
FAQs
What is a Labubu doll?
Labubu is a collectible plush toy created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, featuring elf-like monsters with sharp teeth, large ears, and mischievous grins. Sold exclusively by PopMart since 2019, these “ugly-cute” characters come in blind boxes and have become global fashion accessories generating over $423 million annually.
How much does Labubu cost?
Standard Labubu blind boxes retail for $27.99-$30 at PopMart stores and their 2,000+ vending machines worldwide. Smaller figures start around $15, while premium editions reach $960. Rare “secret” editions can sell for hundreds or thousands on resale markets like eBay and StockX.
Why is Labubu so popular?
Labubu exploded after BLACKPINK’s Lisa posted Instagram photos with one in April 2024. Celebrity endorsements from Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and others, plus viral TikTok unboxing videos, the blind box mystery element, and “ugly-cute” aesthetic created a perfect viral storm.
What are the most popular Labubu collections?
Top collections include “Big Into Energy” (2025’s hottest release), Coca-Cola collaboration (winter 2024), “Have a Seat” series (desk displays), and “Macaron” (pastel colors). Over 300 different designs exist across dozens of themed series.
Where can I buy authentic Labubu?
Authentic Labubus are sold exclusively at PopMart stores, their roboshop vending machines worldwide, and the official PopMart website. Beware of counterfeits called “Lafufus” on Amazon and AliExpress with incorrect details and poor quality.
Conclusion
Whether you think Labubus are adorable, ugly, or somewhere wonderfully in between, there’s no denying their cultural impact. These mischievous monsters represent more than collectible toys they’ve become symbols of self-expression, community connection, and accessible fashion in an increasingly expensive world.
From their humble beginnings in Kasing Lung’s 2015 storybook to becoming a $423 million revenue driver for PopMart, Labubus have captured something special in our collective imagination. They remind us that sometimes the most unexpected things slightly creepy monster elves with sharp teeth can bring genuine joy and connection to our lives.
