Pop Mart's reliance on 'The Monsters' IP has raised concerns, as it accounted for 40% of revenue in 2025 but dropped to 23% in 2024, indicating potential volatility.
But beyond their sky-high resale price, the viral collectibles may come with a steep humanitarian cost as well. As The Guardian reports, New York-based labor rights group China Labor Watch (CLW) has accused the toys' maker, Chinese toy manufacturer Pop Mart, of employing 16- and 17-year-olds without offering them the necessary labor protections required by Chinese law. The group also alleges that these young workers aren't given adequate health and safety training, among other labor rights violations at the company's factory in Jiangxi province.
Paul King, director of the global hit Paddington films and the Timothee Chalamet-led musical Wonka, is set to direct the Labubu film. In November it was announced that Sony Pictures, fresh off the global success of KPop Demon Hunters, had acquired the screen rights to the Chinese plush toy sensation with a feature film already in early development. King began his screen career as associate director on the British TV comedy Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, then directed all three seasons of The Mighty Boosh.
Standing 16 feet tall, the mischievous Labubu and its pink-haired pal Mokoko will appear as fuzzy inflatable sculptures-the first of their kind ever created for a Macy's float-leading a cast of Pop Mart favorites including Skullpanda, Molly, Dimoo, Peach Riot and Duckoo. Together, they'll join the parade's usual mix of larger-than-life balloons, marching bands and celebrities as millions tune in to watch from home on November 27.
Labubu, a furry doll made by the Chinese toymaker Pop Mart, has gone viral this year, with K-pop stars influencing its popularity in South Korea.
