The Labubu Effect: Animal Sidekicks Rule Theaters

Since the launch of key-ring dolls called Labubus, which are furry monsters with sharp teeth, nearly every movie released since May has included an animal sidekick. Many films now showcase the “ugly, chaotic cuteness’ similar to the Labubu trend, as described by New York Times writer Esther Zuckerman.

In May of 2025, the 2025 summer season kicked off with Disney’s live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch.” The movie features Stitch, which Esther Zuckerman calls a “charmingly manic blue alien.” The film earned a billion dollars and counting, according to Box Office Mojo. Since Stitch and Labu look very similar, some say Stitch is the original Labu.

In June of 2025, Toothless, who has, according to Esther Zuckerman, “oversized eyes and pointy chompers have a Labubu-esque quality,” appeared in the remake of “How to Train Your Dragon.” Just like Stitch, Toothless appears wild but sometimes acts like a pet cat or dog, depending on the part of the story. The movie has collected a total of $591 million so far, according to Box Office Mojo.

In July of 2025, “Superman”, which, according to Box Office Mojo, has received $426 million and is still going on, features a dog called adding animal sidekicks earns a lot of money. This dog is based on the movie’s director, James Gunn’s pup, Ozu. According to Esther Zuckerman, he appears like a regular shabby dog in a cape. However, it is a threat that bites feet and believes flying gadgets are toys.

The Labubu effect is still going on, with “The Fantastic 4: First Steps,” which is set to be released on July 24, 2025, according to IMDb. The movie features H.E.R.B.I.E., the robot for the crew. The robot is made of metal and is designed for “maximum awes, with a sweetly chirping voice and spinning reels for peepers,” as stated by Ester Zuckerman.

Pixar’s “Elio” makes friends with a slug-like alien called Glordon, who is innocent yet descended from a race of warlords who want to conquer the galaxy. Box Office Mojo says that the movie racked up $131 million so far and was released in June of 2025.

However, not every movie can garner the same effects as other movies have with the Labubu effect. The “Jurassic World” social media team attempted to turn Dolores, a mini dinosaur that likes humans and candy in “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” into a craze with multiple X posts, leading up to the July 2nd, 2025, release. One had the caption that said, “Protect Dolores at all costs!” When the movie was released, Dolores did not get any more popular, likely because she fails to have a very distinctive personality. The movie has racked up $656 million according to Box Office Mojo.

When the character is successful, they provide even adult viewers with a childlike state of wonder. This could explain why many of these movies have received so much money.

These sources helped make this article:

The New York Times Article by Ester Zuckerman: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/movies/labubu-movie-sidekicks-stitch-toothless.html

Box Office Mojo (Lilo & Stitch): https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt11655566/

Box Office Mojo (How to Train Your Dragon): https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1921090305/?sortDir=asc

Box Office Mojo (Superman): https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1543340801/rankings/

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10676052

Box Office Mojo (Elio): https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tttt4900148/

Box Office Mojo (Jurassic World: Rebirth): https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt31036941/