Labubu dolls are going viral - everything you need to know about the latest craze

Daily Mirror

01-05-2025

Gremlin-like dolls on keychains have taken the internet by storm. Labubus are the hottest must-have accessory, with celebs like Rihanna rocking them. Here's what you need to know about the craze
Owning a Labubu is something to brag about, now that they're pretty much impossible to buy. The Tiktok hashtag for Labubus has amassed 1.2 million videos so far, and there's no sign of the hype slowing down yet. Celebrities like Central Cee, BLACKPINK's Lisa and Rosé, Dua Lipa and Rihanna have been spotted with a Labubu (or two) hanging on bags.
These scary-cute dolls are often sold out online and in stores, so owning a Labubu has become a prize-possession, more like a collectible. For quite some time, my ForYou page on TikTok only had videos of people unboxing Labubus - and I have to admit, I am getting swept up in the hype. I've been down the rabbit hole of what these dolls are. Here's everything you need to know.
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What are they?
Labubu is a quirky character from 'The Monsters' series created by illustrator Kasing Lung in 2015. The character have pointy ears, really sharp teeth and are small in height. The design resembles a gremlin, which many find to be cute.
In March 2025, the creator collaborated with Harrods for a pop-up event, where fans, like Olivia Attwood, were able to meet him and have their Labubu-items signed.
Labubus are made and sold by Pop Mart, which is a Chinese retailer known for its 'blind box' collectibles. So-called "blind boxes" are when the toys come individually wrapped in foil packages, so the item itself is unknown to the buyer at time of purchase. By not knowing what's inside, buyers don't know which colour or design they're getting from the range of different collectibles until they open the box.
Adding to the craze of blind box collecting, its popularity has led to an internet obsession, with many posting videos of them 'unboxing' their Labubus. This has led to a surge in demand for them.
On April 25, Pop Mart released its third edition of the Labubu series, named The Monsters Big into Energy Series - Vinyl Plush Pendant Blind Box. These dolls come in a variety of different colours, but which one a buyer will get remains a mystery until they open it.
Where can you get them?
Due to its popularity, they have become difficult to purchase with many places selling out of the series. While they are in stock, Labubus are available to purchase on Pop Mart's website and Amazon. If you live in London, Selfridges recently opened a Pop Mart pop-up that you can visit for the next six months.
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The prices can cost anywhere from £13.50 to £79.50, depending on its design and how rare they are. Quick to sell-out online, there are often long queues at physical stores in the UK. But with the influence of celebrities owning them, it's not a surprise.
Why are people so obsessed with them?
Despite having distinctive facial features and angry expression, they've become so popular. Social media is obsessed with them. The hype began on streaming platforms like TikTok, the Chinese-social media platform Xiaohongshu, and Instagram, where users would be revealing what they had received in their blind boxes.
Endorsements from A-listers like BLAKPINK's Lisa have also boosted Labubu's popularity. The singer previously mentioned her obsession with Labubus during an interview with Vanity Fair, referring to it as "my baby".