The Takeover of Labubus
There has been a very popular toy that has been getting wildly trendy among many people. These toys are called Labubus, usually small, furry, and have a smile full of sharp white teeth. Labubus have not only been spreading through many toy and doll stores, but they have also started to become a reference in many movies portraying a sharp-toothed animal that has a playful pet side to it.
Nearly every movie released since May 2025 features some sort of cute sidekick for the main character. This added cuteness delights the audience. For example, in the movie “Lilo & Stitch”, many people enjoyed the charming, blue, furry alien. In addition, Stitch does look a lot like a labubu. According to the New York Times, “…cuteness is a solid marketing tactic. One reason Stitch, who debuted in the 2002 animated version, has become such a beloved character in the Disney stable is the volume of merchandise featuring him.” This shows that due to the popularity of cute characters featured in movies and films, people can often make quite a business when selling chaotic-looking but adorable items, just like the Labubu.
More than one movie has featured a fun sidekick with a touch of cuteness to it.’ Another example is Toothless from “How to Train Your Dragon”. He seems a bit scary and intimidating at first, with his sharp retractable teeth and aggressive behavior, but as the movie goes on we get to see the playful pet-like side of him when hanging out with his best buddy Hiccup. According to the New York Times, “Toothless, the title star of ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ whose oversized eyes and pointy (retractable) chompers have a Labubu-esque quality.” These details of the very famous dragon can help the sales of Labubus because of how they have the same features-chaotic looking, but cute.
However, not all films trying to portray small and cute creatures with similar detail to a Labubu doll are successful. This includes Jurassic Park, where the movie makers tried to gain popularity through a small dinosaur named Dolores. Although she was a cute little Aquilops, she didn’t catch the fans’ attention like Stitch or Toothless did. According to the New York Times, “The comments included questions about who Dolores was, and the mini-dino didn’t get any more popular after the movie was released, possibly because she didn’t have a very distinctive personality.” These comments prove that even if something matches the current trendy item, it’s not always a hit when the character doesn’t stand out to the audience.
Lababus have risen in popularity, and are now influencing many popular movies that delight fans with adorable, chaotic cuteness. Though not all films were successful, the ones that were allowed fans of all ages to experience a state of wonder. These characters are made to have faces that want to wreak havoc, but they have bodies that are made for cuddles.
