Labubu Doll Guide 2026: Prices, Real vs Fake, and Where to Buy
You have seen it everywhere. A furry little monster with a toothy grin, hanging from a handbag at the mall or on the train. Maybe your niece asked for one. Maybe you typed “la bubu” or “la boo boo” into Google because you were not sure how to spell it. Either way, you are in the right place.
The Labubu doll went from a niche art toy to a global craze in about two years. Then, in 2026, the hype cooled down. That shift changed prices, stock levels, and the fake market too.
In this guide, you will learn what a Labubu is, where it came from, and what it really costs today. You will also learn how to spot a fake in under a minute. By the end, you will have a simple checklist so your money goes to the real thing.
What Is a Labubu?
Labubu is a collectible toy character created by Hong Kong born artist Kasing Lung. The toys are made and sold only by Pop Mart, the Chinese designer toy company.
She has a round furry body, tall pointy ears, wide eyes, and a grin with exactly nine sharp teeth. Yes, Labubu is a “she” in the official story. She means well, but her good intentions often cause chaos.
Most people buy her as a small plush pendant to clip onto a bag. Others collect vinyl figures or big display pieces for their shelves.
La Bubu, La Boo Boo, Labubus: Same Toy, Different Spellings
Most people first hear the name in a video, so the spelling is all over the place. Common searches include la bubu, la boo boo, lububu, and labubus. They all point to the same character. The official name is Labubu, written 拉布布 in Chinese.
How Do You Pronounce Labubu?
Say it lah-BOO-boo, with the stress on the middle syllable. The name has no literal meaning in English or Chinese. The artist made it up to match the playful character.
Where Did Labubu Come From?
Kasing Lung was born in Hong Kong in 1972 and grew up in Utrecht, in the Netherlands. He later settled in Antwerp, Belgium. As a child, he loved Nordic folklore and myths. Those stories shaped his picture book series, The Monsters, where Labubu first appeared.
Here is how a storybook elf became a worldwide trend.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Labubu appears in The Monsters, with early figures made by How2Work |
| 2019 | Pop Mart partners with Kasing Lung and launches the first The Monsters blind box series |
| Oct 2023 | Exciting Macaron, the first Labubu keychain plush line, is released |
| Apr 2024 | BLACKPINK’s Lisa is spotted with a Labubu on her bag, and demand explodes |
| Jun 2025 | A one-of-a-kind mint green Labubu sells for about $170,000 at an auction in Beijing |
| Nov 2025 | Sony Pictures buys the film rights |
| Aug 2026 | Pop Mart reports that The Monsters sales fell 7.5% in the first half of the year |
Meet The Monsters Family
Labubu belongs to a tribe of elves called The Monsters. You will often find her friends in the same series.
- Zimomo: the leader of the group, known for his spiked tail
- Tycoco: a shy skeleton and Labubu’s boyfriend, whom she loves to tease
- Mokoko: a pink and white character with a heart-shaped nose and long lashes
- Spooky and Pato: supporting members of the tribe
If you are new to the hobby, our internal link: Pop Mart blind box guide for beginners explains the other big characters too.
Why Is Labubu So Popular?
No single thing made Labubu famous. Several forces hit at the same time.
Celebrity fans. The craze took off in April 2024 when Lisa from BLACKPINK showed off her Labubu. Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Cher were later seen with them too.
The ugly cute look. Labubu is a little scary and a little sweet. That mix stands out in a world of perfectly cute toys.
Toy meets fashion. Like Jellycat plushies, Labubus blur the line between toys and accessories. A pendant on your bag is a small style statement.
Surprise and scarcity. Most Labubus come in sealed blind boxes. You never know which design you will get. Sold out signs only made people want them more. In May 2025, Pop Mart even paused sales in all 16 of its UK stores after reports of customers fighting.
The numbers show how big it got. In 2025, The Monsters line earned Pop Mart RMB 14.2 billion. That was 38.1% of the company’s total revenue.
Is Labubu Still Popular in 2026?
Yes, but the frenzy is over. The collecting is not.
Pop Mart’s half year results, released in August 2026, tell the story. The Monsters sales dropped 7.5% to about RMB 4.45 billion. Its share of company revenue fell from 34.7% to 26%. Online sales outside China dropped between 40% and 60% as the trend calmed down.
Resale prices fell even harder. Take one hidden figure from the third generation series. It sold for close to RMB 5,000 at its peak. By September 2025, it fetched about RMB 700 to 800. By early 2026, some series shipped within 48 hours on Chinese marketplaces, and a few resold below list price.
Meanwhile, a new Pop Mart star is rising. A character called Twinkle Twinkle grew 580% in the same period.
What this means for you: buying a real Labubu is easier than at any time since 2024. Stock is available, and common figures sell close to retail. The flip side is simple. Common figures are no longer a quick money maker.
Pop Mart has not stopped releasing new Labubus either. The Cat Mode On series landed in October 2026.
Popular Labubu Series You Can Buy in 2026
Here are current series on the official Pop Mart US store and their list prices.
| Series | Format | Official US Price* | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big into Energy | Vinyl plush pendant, blind box | $26.99 | First-time buyers |
| Have a Seat | Vinyl plush, blind box | $26.99 | Desk or shelf display |
| Cat Mode On | Vinyl plush pendant, blind box | $29.99 | Fans who want the newest drop |
| Fall in Wild | Vinyl plush doll pendant | $36.99 | Buyers who want a known design |
| Hair Salon | Vinyl plush pendant, blind box | $39.99 | Fashion-focused collectors |
| The Monsters x Hello Kitty and Friends | Vinyl plush pendant, blind box | $36.99 | Crossover fans |
| The Monsters x Hello Kitty | Large vinyl plush doll | $129.99 | Special gifts |
*Prices checked on the Pop Mart US store in October 2026. They change often and differ by country.
Big into Energy: The Classic Starter
This is the series most people picture when they think of a Labubu bag charm. It is easy to find and sits at the lower end of the price range.
- Who it’s for: anyone buying their first Labubu
- Pros: affordable, widely stocked, classic look
- Cons: blind box, so you cannot choose your color
Check today’s price on Amazon
Have a Seat: The Shelf Sitter
This line of seven designs shows Labubu in a sitting pose. It looks great on a desk or bookshelf.
- Who it’s for: collectors who display rather than carry
- Pros: cute pose, same price as Big into Energy
- Cons: less practical as a bag charm
Check today’s price on Amazon
Cat Mode On: The Newest Drop
Released in October 2026, this series dresses Labubu up as different cats. New series usually get the most buzz online.
- Who it’s for: fans who like owning the latest release
- Pros: fresh designs, strong social media appeal
- Cons: new series attract the most fakes, so buy official
Check today’s price on Amazon
How Much Does a Labubu Cost?
Labubu prices range from pocket money to the price of a car. It all depends on the format.
| Price Tier | What You Get | Typical Retail Price |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Small vinyl figure in a blind box | From about $15 |
| Mid-range | Plush pendant blind box | $26.99 to $39.99 |
| Premium | Large plush dolls and crossovers | $129.99 and up |
| Collector | Mega sizes and limited editions | Up to $960 for a 79 cm Mega (2025 price) |
Resale is a different story. Rare secret figures and limited collaborations still sell above retail. Common figures now trade near their original price. In mainland China, a The Monsters blind box costs about RMB 99.
How Labubu Blind Boxes Work
A blind box is a sealed package with one random figure inside. Each series has a set of regular designs. Most series also hide a rare secret figure that appears far less often.
That is the thrill and the trap. You might get the design you wanted on the first try. Or you might open three duplicates in a row.
Many series are also sold as a full set box. A full set is the easiest way to get every regular design without trading. The secret, however, is always down to luck.
Labubu vs Lafufu: How to Spot a Fake
Collectors call fake Labubus “Lafufus.” Some people buy them knowingly as a joke. The real problem is paying full price for one by accident.
Fakes can also be unsafe. On August 18, 2025, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that some fake Labubus break apart easily. The loose pieces can be a choking hazard for young children.
Use this quick check before you buy.
| Check | Real Labubu | Lafufu (Fake) |
|---|---|---|
| Teeth | Exactly 9, neatly painted | More or fewer than 9, or messy paint |
| Foot | Pop Mart logo printed clearly on the left foot | Logo missing or blends into the foot |
| UV stamp | Newer series show a hidden stamp under UV light | No stamp appears |
| Sticker and QR | Holographic sticker and a QR code that opens the official Pop Mart site | No QR code, a blurry code, or a strange website |
| Tag | Says THE MONSTERS on the front and back | Back of the tag is often blank |
| Box | Matte finish with soft colors | Shiny, rough, or overly bright |
| Face | Smooth matte vinyl with clean paint | Sloppy paint or harsh blush |
| Fur and stitching | Soft, dense fur with neat stitches | Thin fur and loose threads |
| Price | Close to the official price | Far too cheap to be true |
One smart trick: scan the QR code when the box arrives. If the scan history shows the code was used months ago, be careful. Some scammers put fakes inside real boxes.
For a deeper look at counterfeit toys in general, see our internal link: how to spot fake collectibles online.
How to Buy a Real Labubu: Step-by-Step Checklist
Follow these steps and you will almost never end up with a Lafufu.
- Start with official channels. That means Pop Mart stores, its website and app, and its vending machines called roboshops. Pop Mart’s official store on Amazon also counts.
- Know the official price. Look up the series on the Pop Mart site before you pay anyone else.
- Ask resellers for close-up photos. Request clear shots of the teeth, the left foot, the tag, and the sticker.
- Pay with buyer protection. Use a payment method that lets you dispute a fake.
- Check it the day it arrives. Count the teeth, scan the QR code, and test the foot under a UV light if you have one.
- Keep the box and card. Complete packaging protects the value if you ever sell.
Insider Tips Most Buyers Miss
- Buy what you love, not what might rise. In 2026, common figures are unlikely to gain value.
- Do not panic buy on launch day. Stock is much easier to find now, and prices often settle after the first rush.
- Hunt retired series carefully. Older lines like Exciting Macaron will not be restocked. Buy them from trusted resellers with clear photos.
- Shop early for holidays. Pop Mart often releases themed drops around seasonal events, and popular ones still sell out.
- Protect the vinyl face. Keep your Labubu out of direct sunlight and heat to help the colors last.
- Brush, do not wash. A soft, dry brush keeps the fur fluffy. Soaking it can damage the vinyl parts.
- Watch regional prices. Prices, taxes, and import fees differ by country, so compare before ordering from abroad.
Labubu outfits are now a whole side hobby too. If you like accessorizing, check our internal link: best bag charms and accessories.
Is a Labubu Doll Safe for Kids?
Real Labubus are designed as collectibles for teens and adults. In China, 2023 guidelines ban selling blind boxes to children under 8. If a young child will handle it, choose a larger plush and keep small pendants away from toddlers.
The bigger risk is fakes. As the safety warning above shows, cheap Lafufus can fall apart into small parts.
You may also see viral videos linking Labubu to a demon called Pazuzu. Designers and cultural experts have rejected this. The character is based on European folklore, not anything occult.
Real-Life Buying Scenarios
The birthday gift. Your niece wants a Labubu for her birthday. A blind box is fun to open, but she may not get her favorite color. A non-blind doll pendant like Fall in Wild lets you choose the exact design.
The first-time collector. You just want one for your work bag. Start with a single Big into Energy box from an official store. If you love it, pick one series to complete before buying more.
The reseller. You hoped to flip Labubus for profit. In 2026, that is much harder. Margins on common figures have mostly disappeared. Only rare secrets and limited editions still carry strong premiums.
The Labubu Movie: What We Know
Sony Pictures bought the film rights in November 2025. Paul King, the director of Paddington and Wonka, will direct. In March 2026, he and Kasing Lung confirmed the project at a 10th anniversary event in Paris. Tony Award winner Steven Levenson will co-write the script with King.
The film will mix live action with CGI. No release date has been announced yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Labubu doll?
A Labubu doll is a collectible toy based on a mischievous elf character created by artist Kasing Lung. Pop Mart makes and sells it, mostly as plush pendants and vinyl figures in blind boxes. It became a global fashion trend in 2024 after celebrities started carrying them.
How much is a Labubu?
On the official Pop Mart US store, most Labubu plush pendant blind boxes cost between $26.99 and $39.99 in October 2026. Small vinyl figures start around $15. Large dolls cost $129.99 and up. Rare secret figures and limited editions can sell for much more on the resale market.
How can I tell if my Labubu is fake?
Count the teeth first. A real Labubu has exactly nine. Then look for the Pop Mart logo on the left foot and a holographic sticker. The QR code should open the official Pop Mart website. A price far below retail is another strong warning sign.
Is Labubu a boy or a girl?
Labubu is female in the official story. Her boyfriend is Tycoco, a shy skeleton she likes to tease. Other members of The Monsters, such as Zimomo, have their own personalities and genders.
Is Labubu still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, if you buy it because you like it. Demand has cooled, so stock is easier to find and prices are closer to retail. If you hope to resell for profit, only rare secret figures and limited editions still hold strong value.
Final Thoughts
Labubu started as a picture book elf and became one of the biggest toy trends in years. Whether you spell it Labubu, la bubu, or la boo boo, the smart buying rules stay the same.
Buy from official channels. Count the nine teeth. Scan the QR code. And in 2026, buy the series you love instead of chasing resale profits.
