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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
The Labubu effect: Cute sidekicks rule multiplexes, from Lilo & Stitch to Fantastic Four
(Clockwise from left) Stitch in Lilo & Stitch, H.E.R.B.I.E. in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Toothless in How To Train Your Dragon. NEW YORK – This summer has been invaded by a group of adorable furry monsters with sharp teeth. They are known as Labubus, and they are everywhere. The trendy key-ring dolls, from Chinese purveyor Pop Mart, have received endorsements from Barbadian pop star Rihanna and American singer Cher, and are omnipresent on social media. In a way, they have also infused the movies. Not literally, of course, though I wouldn't put it past some executive to be developing a Labubu franchise right now. No, it is more that the spirit of Labubus is everywhere on-screen. The blockbuster business has been overtaken by cuteness – sometimes ugly, chaotic cuteness in the style of the Labubu craze, but cuteness nonetheless. Nearly every major movie released since May features a cute sidekick, there to make audiences coo with delight. The season opened with Disney's live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, featuring the charmingly manic blue alien Stitch. It became a box-office success in part because of fans' enduring love for the extraterrestrial with a penchant for causing a ruckus. You could say Stitch is the original Labubu. They do look an awful lot alike. Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart's Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities. PHOTO: AFP In June, another remake was buoyed by a CGI cutie: Toothless, the title star of How To Train Your Dragon, whose oversized eyes and pointy chompers have a Labubu-esque quality. Also like Stitch, Toothless looks wild but, at times, acts as a pet, be that a cat or a dog depending on the moment in the story. Toothless in How To Train Your Dragon. PHOTO: UIP Speaking of dogs, Superman now has one in James Gunn's adaptation of the Man of Steel. Krypto, based on the American writer-director's own pup Ozu, is arguably the most traditionally cute of the bunch. After all, he looks like a regular scruffy dog, just one in a cape, but he is also a menace who bites feet and thinks any flying gadget is a toy. Krypto the superdog in Superman is inspired and modelled after director James Gunn's dog Ozu. PHOTO: WBEI The summer's other big superhero flick also has a winsome little buddy: H.E.R.B.I.E., the robot for the title crew in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He is made of metal, but has been designed for maximum awws, with a sweetly chirping voice and spinning reels for peepers. H.E.R.B.I.E. in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. PHOTO: THE WALT DISNEY CO There is more. In Pixar's Elio, a human boy befriends a slug-like alien named Glordon, who is sweetly naive despite descending from a race of warlords intent on conquering the galaxy. And Jurassic World Rebirth introduced Dolores, an Aquilops who, unlike the T. rex, enjoys candy and human companionship. What is with this inundation? Of course, 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. The same could be said for Toothless, who even has a Labubu crossover toy. For what it is worth, Pop Mart is also in the Stitch business. Stitch in Lilo & Stitch. PHOTO: THE WALT DISNEY CO Meanwhile, the Labubu fad has started to merge with movie marketing. Celebrities are now being asked to interact with the toys during their press tours. The stars of both the sports racing drama F1: The Movie and horror reboot I Know What You Did Last Summer – two films in which adorable characters would be extremely out of place – have been subjected to this. F1: The Movie cast member Javier Bardem holding up a Labubu and gleefully declaring 'I got Baba' made me smile, even if the interaction felt like a forced viral moment. Sure, all this cuteness is in many ways a crass ploy for moviegoers' dollars, but it works for a reason. There is a comfort in the twee, especially when it is a little bit askew or offbeat. These characters allow people to switch off their brains and simply exist in their charming, oddball worlds . When every piece of news that hits the phone is largely depressing, it is a relief to spend a couple of hours gallivanting with Toothless or playing hypothetical fetch with Krypto. Their brand of chaos is the fun kind, not the nightmarish type. Of course, not every summer movie creature can work this kind of magic. The Jurassic World Rebirth social media team tried to turn Dolores into a phenomenon, with early X posts like one captioned: 'Protect Dolores at all costs!' The comments included questions about who Dolores was, and the mini-dino did not get any more popular after the film's release, possibly because she did not have a very distinctive personality. But when the characters are successful, they allow even adult viewers to regress into a childlike state of wonder, which partly explains why most of these movies have taken in huge amounts of money. The notion that these things have traits that society has deemed unlovable – Glordon's buggy form, for instance – makes them all the more lovable. It also may be why Labubus have become the accessory du jour. Their faces look as if they are about to create havoc, but their bodies are snuggable. They are like your personal Stitch: There by your side to make you giggle with the spicy-sweet personality you project onto them. Isn't that the fantasy all these movies sell? It sure would be fun to have your own little impish companion around at all times. NYTIMES
Newsweek
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
How To Train Your Dragon Gets New Digital Release Date
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Dean DeBlois reimagined his fantastical tale, How to Train Your Dragon, in live-action, with the film hitting theaters last month, making $565 million at the worldwide box office, and impressing critics and audiences alike. Now, you can watch the film from home as it debuts on Video on Demand services, and also eyes a physical release in August. (from left) Night Fury dragon, Toothless, and Hiccup (Mason Thames) in Universal Pictures' live-action How to Train Your Dragon, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. (from left) Night Fury dragon, Toothless, and Hiccup (Mason Thames) in Universal Pictures' live-action How to Train Your Dragon, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Universal Studios To help you find all the places you can watch it, we have formed a guide that includes details on where to watch How to Train Your Dragon, as well as the How to Train Your Dragon digital release date and How to Train Your Dragon streaming information. How To Train Your Dragon – How to Watch How to Train Your Dragon is available on Video on Demand platforms from July 15, 2025. You can rent and buy the title on places like Fandango at Home, YouTube, Prime Video, Google Play, and Apple TV+, and it is currently available to rent for $19.99 and buy for $29.99. Where Can I Watch How To Train Your Dragon? How to Train Your Dragon is now available to rent and buy on Video on Demand platforms. It lands on places like Prime Video, Apple TV+, Fandango at Home, and Google Play on July 15, 2025. How To Train Your Dragon Physical Release Date How to Train Your Dragon is available for pre-order on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD formats. It will release on August 12, 2025. Bonus features include: Deleted Scenes Gag Reel Love and Legacy: Making How to Train Your Dragon Building Berk Dreaming Up The Dragons (Bonus features may vary depending on format and retailer) How To Train Your Dragon Digital Release Date How to Train Your Dragon will be available to watch digitally from July 15, 2025. Is How To Train Your Dragon Available to Stream in the US? How to Train Your Dragon does not yet have an expected streaming release date. However, as most releases do, the film will likely end up on a streaming platform in the coming weeks. What Is How To Train Your Dragon About? The official synopsis for How to Train Your Dragon, as per Universal Pictures, reads:
Tom's Guide
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
6 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and more (July 15-21)
It's set to be a quieter week for new movies across the best streaming services. However, that doesn't mean there's nothing worth adding to your watchlist. Netflix is offering a new Korean thriller, while HBO Max has a 'subverse' rom-com and Hulu premieres a sci-fi movie set in a dystopian future. Meanwhile, in the premium streaming space, the live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon' remake and sequel 'M3GAN 2.0' make the switch from theatres to home streaming. However, only one of them is worth the premium video-on-demand rental fee, in my opinion. Cue: It's not the one with a number in its title. It may not be the most packed week of new streaming releases, but there's still a handful of movies you'll want to consider. So, these are the biggest new movies arriving on streaming this week. Plus, check out our guide to the top new TV shows this week for even more viewing options. The latest live-action remake of an animated flick doesn't come from Disney. Instead, it's rival DreamWorks reimagining its 2010 family-favorite 'How to Train Your Dragon.' Like several similar projects, 'How to Train Your Dragon' loses some of its charm in the transition, but the heart of the story is largely the same. The extra 20 minutes bolted onto the runtime feel unnecessary and create a movie that drags in spots. Still, the relationship between cowardly Viking Hiccup and dragon Toothless is as heartwarming as it's ever been. Set in a whimsical fantasy universe, 'How to Train Your Dragon' opens with the Vikings of Berk at war with fearsome dragons, but when the timid son of the village's chieftain, Hiccup (Mason Thames), stumbles on a wounded Night Fury, he discovers that these winged monsters might not be so scary after all. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Nursing the dragon, whom he names Toothless, back to health, the two team up to fight a new threat that could endanger both dragons and Vikings. And in the process, Hiccup might just prove that dragons can be friends, not foes. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 15 Back in 2022, a creepy life-like doll called 'M3GAN' took social media by storm, so a sequel was inevitable. However, it appears that Blumhouse Productions may have overestimated M3GAN's appeal with the average viewer because this sequel flopped at the box office. Now "M3GAN 2.0" arrives on PVOD in the hopes of clawing back some interest, and perhaps maybe even going viral again (there's an extended dance scene that screams 'post this on TikTok, please'). But, unfortunately, this movie has all the hallmarks of a lackluster follow-up. The movie's biggest sin is switching genres, while the first 'M3GAN' was an intentionally silly horror, 'M3GAN 2.0' opts for a more action-oriented route, which feels like a real downgrade. Plus, the bizarrely convoluted plot and mismatched tone don't exactly help matters either. This movie sees 'M3GAN' resurrected to help defeat a military-grade robot known as AMELIA, who is unleashing cyber havoc. Rebuilt to be more lethal than ever, it all leads to a M3GAN vs. AMELIA showdown. This is very much one for the M3GAN superfans only, but considering the box office returns, it would appear that group is a lot smaller than initially believed. Buy or rent on Amazon from July 15 A spy movie that is perfect for fans of the 'Jason Bourne' franchise, 'The Amateur' is a slightly more grounded take on the world of espionage (though only slightly, it's still pretty unrealistic), and sees Rami Malek prove himself capable of leading an exciting and very engaging globe-trotting thriller. Based on the Robert Littell novel, Malek plays a CIA analyst whose world is shattered when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack while on a trip to London. Using his skills, he identifies those responsible for his wife's murder and blackmails his superiors into giving him a license to hunt them down and get cold-blooded revenge. A novice in the field, Charlie (Malek) is shown the ropes by a gruff mentor, Hendo (Laurence Fishburne). However, even with some training, he's still a fish out of water. Quickly realizing he can't outshoot his enemies, he focuses on outthinking them using his superior intellect. The flick also contains one of my favorite action sequences of the year (so far) involving a glass swimming pool suspended between two skyscrapers. It's just a shame the movie's trailers thoroughly spoil 'The Amateur's' best moment. So perhaps skip them before streaming. Watch on Hulu from July 17 Getting on the property ladder is hard enough for most people, but what if you finally managed to save up enough to buy a place of your own, only for it to turn into a nightmare? That's the compelling pitch for 'Wall to Wall,' Netflix's new South Korean thriller. Woo-sung (played by 'Squid Game' star Kang Ha-neul) moves into his new 84-square-meter apartment and is full of excitement to be a homeowner at long last. But that joy doesn't last very long. The home becomes a waking nightmare of strange noises and oddball neighbors, who are just unnerving enough to be creepy. As tensions within the apartment block bubble over, Woo-sung finds himself caught in the middle of an increasingly heated neighborhood stand-off as he's blamed for being the source of the mysterious disturbances. Netflix has been on a roll lately with loads of fantastic Korean content — not least of which is 'Squid Game' itself — and 'Wall to Wall' looks like it could be another winner from the country. Watch on Netflix from July 18 The romantic-comedy genre is often comforting, but also pretty formulaic, with many entries falling into predictable patterns and leaning on classic tropes. In steps, 'I Love You Forever,' which aims to be a 'subversive' take on a 'girl meets boy' story. The movie premiered in theatres earlier this year and was largely well-received by critics. It currently holds an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it for tonal shifts and the balance of comedic moments and dramatic beats. It looks well worth streaming now that it's arriving on HBO Max. At the heart of this (anti-)love story is Mackenzie (Sofia Black-D'Elia), a 25-year-old law student whose love life is a blur of hookups without any real commitment. But when she meets a handsome journalist named Finn (Ray Nicholson), she is ready to give proper love a shot. However, the honeymoon phase can't last forever, and as their relationship becomes increasingly tumultuous, Mackenzie must confront Finn's darker side and consider whether 'love true' can actually exist, or if it's just the stuff of fairy tales and sappy rom-coms. Watch on HBO Max from July 18 'The Assessment' earned my interest based on its leading stars alone. Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander and Himesh Patel is quite the trio, and factor in its strong reception with a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 'Certifed Fresh' rating from critics, it looks like Hulu might just have a hit on its hand with this sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian future. The feature film debut of director Fleur Fortuné, it focuses on Mia (Olsen) and Aaryan (Patel), a couple hoping to have a child, but in this alternative reality, having kids requires approval from the government. Resources are limited, so reproduction is state-controlled rather than a matter of personal choice. In steps Virginia (Vikander), a government assessor, who moves into Mia and Aaryan's home for seven days, during which she will judge their suitability to be parents. What they hope will be a simple process becomes increasingly nightmarish as they're forced to question the society around them, and even the very fundamentals of what it means to be human. It sounds like an intriguing sci-fi yarn, and I can't wait to stream it when it arrives on Hulu this weekend. Watch on Hulu from July 19
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
See an exclusive (and cute) deleted scene from 'How to Train Your Dragon'
The live-action remake of 'How to Train Your Dragon' brought back many memorable sequences from the 2010 animated classic. One cute moment, however, didn't make the cut. The new 'Dragon' has brought fresh life to the franchise about Viking teenager Hiccup (Mason Thames) befriending a Night Fury named Toothless, even though the youngster's people consider these beasts an existential threat. The movie is available to buy or rent from video-on-demand platforms July 15, and has the exclusive debut of a deleted scene that old fans will recognize. In the first 'Dragon,' there's a sequence set after Hiccup and Toothless fly through the skies together for the first time and take a break on the beach afterward. They're approached by a group of Terrible Terrors, little dragons who want some of Toothless' fish, but he warns them off. Hiccup, however, gives some of his fish to one, and the small beastie snuggles up to the kid like a puppy. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Writer and director Dean DeBlois re-created the scene for the new film, filming it partly at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and building a portion of it on a stage at Belfast's Titanic Studios. But in the end, DeBlois decided it didn't need to be in the movie. 'It actually dragged down the pace a little bit and Hiccup was already learning that everything they know about dragons was wrong,' the filmmaker says. In addition to deleted scenes, bonus features for the new 'Dragon' include a behind-the-scenes look at how they made the thrilling 'Test Drive' sequence, the technology used to bring dragons to life, a gag reel, and DeBlois' commentary.
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'How to Train Your Dragon' lands on digital this week: Where to watch
The live-action remake of the beloved animated tale of a boy and a flying beast will soon be available to watch on your TV screens with the digital release of "How to Train Your Dragon." Set on the rugged isle of Berk, "where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations," the movie is based on the 2010 animated adventure of the same name. The film follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), the inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), who "defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury Dragon." The two forge an unlikely bond which "reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society," the film's synopsis says. "As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup's friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future," it adds. "Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader." 'A lesson for anybody tackling a remake' USA TODAY's Brian Truitt gave the film ★★★½ out of four, writing "the new 'How to Train Your Dragon' manages to be a rousing success" on "all counts." "'How to Train Your Dragon' is a lesson for anybody tackling a remake," Truitt wrote in his review. "It doesn't try to half do something old and something new, like 'Snow White,' and makes the case for being actually necessary, unlike 'Lilo & Stitch'." "As it was back in the day, Toothless is a joy to watch and the movie's best special effect but he's also a symbol of growth: as watchable and lovable as ever, yet with a slightly more mature sheen," the review adds. Here is what to know about the "How to Train Your Dragon" digital release and when it will be available to stream. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox. When will 'How to Train Your Dragon' be released digitally? "How to Train Your Dragon" will be available to buy and rent on digital platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, on Tuesday, July 15, Universal Pictures, the studio behind the live-action film, announced on June 14. Watch 'How to Train Your Dragon' on Amazon Prime | Apple TV "How to Train Your Dragon" was released in theaters on June 13. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. 'How to Train Your Dragon' 4K Blu-ray/DVD release "How to Train Your Dragon" will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on Aug. 12, per Universal Pictures. The studio, in a news release, said the digital and Blu-ray version of the movie will offer exclusive bonus features, such as deleted scenes with introductions by writer-director Dean DeBlois, a gag reel and featurettes, including a "glimpse at the technology, artistry, and imagination involved in bringing life-like dragons to the screen," building the berk and the "elaborate transformations" of the cast. Will 'How to Train Your Dragon' come out on Peacock? Universal Pictures' films typically release on Peacock a few months after their theatrical release, which means "How to Train Your Dragon" could drop on the streaming platform sometime in October. However, neither the studio nor the streaming platform has made an official announcement regarding the film's streaming release. 'How to Train Your Dragon' cast The cast of "How to Train Your Dragon," according to Universal Pictures, includes: Watch 'How to Train Your Dragon' trailer We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage. Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change. Contributing: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
