Labubu Dolls Explained: Cute, Creepy, and Collectible

Why are Labubu Dolls going viral?

If you’ve spent time on any social media platforms in the past few days, chances are that you have come across Labubu dolls. Those quirky-looking, big-eyed creatures are both adorable and unsettling, depending upon who you ask. What started as a niche collectible toy has now taken the internet by storm, with viral Labubu unboxing videos, aesthetic shelf tours, and “rare finds” hauls featuring everything from the classic Pop Mart Labubu to the coveted Labubu keychain.

In this article, we will be discussing just how these dolls managed to captivate Gen-Z audiences and toy collectors alike, making them one of the most talked-about designer toys of 2025. 

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Firstly, what is a Labubu Doll?

A Labubu doll can come in a range of sizes as figurines and plushies, but the most popular ones come in pop mart blind boxes, that are causing a Labubu craze amongst young adults. Some consider these Labubu dolls as popular fashion trend, wherein one can clip Labubu keychains to their outfit or purses as a fashion statement.

But most recently, people have started to dress up as the plushie doll at Pride parades and protest against immigration raids in Los Angeles, turning the Pop Mart Labubu into more than just a toy.

Earlier in June, a 4-foot-tall mint-green Labubu doll sold for over $170,000 at a Labubu auction held by Yongle Auction in China. This event, driven by the demand for unique collectible toys and creepy figurines with fairytale aesthetics, had drawn the attention of nearly 1,000 bidders. 

What is the story behind the Labubu doll?

Before they gained global popularity over their collectible toys status, Labubus were storybook characters created by the artist Kasing Lung. Labubu is both a fictional character and a brand, whose name doesn’t have any meaning to. 

Labubu was the name of a character in Lung’s toy series “The Monsters”, inspired by his deep love for Nordic fairytales—especially those with elves.

These characters were first inspired by the whimsical folklore that was later made into an illustrated book series titled The Monsters in 2015, which featured a playful tribe of female elves known as Labubus.

The vinyl faces of these creepy figurines are attached to plush toy-like bodies, and come with a signature look of monster teeth, big eyes and a mischievous grin similar to gremlins.

The jury is still out on whether these collectible toys are cute or not, but discourse is currently siding with the latter.

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Why are Labubu Dolls so popular? 

In this section, we will be discussing the various factors contributing to the cult following behind the Labubu craze, and how its unique design has been turned into a commodity for luxury fashion.

Pop Mart Blind Box:

One of the reasons why these labubu dolls went viral in the first place was because of the rising popularity of Pop Mart blind box sales, in which buyers don’t know which characters they will get. This exciting gamble added to their overall appeal, making the purchase much more exciting and addictive for collectible toys enthusiasts.

Celebrity endorsement:

Labubu keychain toys first entered mainstream culture in 2024 when Blackpink star Lisa was seen with a Labubu toy hanging from her handbag. In interviews with the star, Lisa also called the toys her “secret obsession”. Other A-list celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Singapore star Jamie Chua have also been spotted with the figurines.

Fashion Icon Status:

The Labubu doll has also been used as a bag charm, mainly seen on luxury handbags like Hermes and Dior. The quirky creepy figurines helps to add a kind of punk culture that can add to one’s entire outfit, further driving the Labubu craze in the fashion world.

Nostalgia:

Another reason for the rise in popularity of these dolls is because of their ability to tap into the desires of our inner child. Using collectible toys for emotional support is not a new idea that’s come up in 2025. Sometimes, engaging with dolls can provide a sense of relief anda  comfortable escape into happier times for adults.

Why are Labubu Dolls so expensive?

According to a Forbes article, in 2019, Lung licensed his designs to Pop Mart, and the company turned them into collectible toys. Labubus have since risen in popularity due to endorsements from A-list celebrities and also through TikTok “Labubu unboxing” videos that shot to fame.

Labubus usually sell for $20 to $30 in Pop Mart blind box format, so that the buyer does not know what colour or design the doll has until the box is opened, and it’s much more valuable for fans of figurines and collectible toys.

Wang Ning, a 38-year-old founder of toy maker Pop Mart International Group, has estimated a net worth of $21 billion, and thus joined the ranks of China’s top 10 billionaires for the first time in June. Pop Mart went public in Hong Kong in 2020.

Where to Buy?

These creepy figurines are primarily sold at their main retailer, Pop Mart, but several of the releases have seen re-sales on Kicks Crew and StockX, where they go for as high as over $1,000 a figure. They are also available on Amazon, and to a limited extent, on eBay and Etsy.

Some editions, like the Labubu keychain, are sold as fashion accessories and tend to sell out quickly due to the growing Labubu craze.

Conclusion

From niche fairytales to viral Labubu unboxing videos, Labubu dolls have quickly evolved into a cultural and collectible toy phenomenon. With their unsettling charm, quirky personalities, and unique backstories, these creepy figurines have successfully blurred the lines between fashion, nostalgia, and fandom.

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