If your social feeds look anything like mine, you’ve watched Pop Mart go from “that quirky blind box brand” to a full-on cultural phenomenon in less than two years. And just when it felt like the hype might level off, 2026 hit and the brand somehow shifted into a higher gear.
Here’s what’s actually going on right now — the drops worth knowing about, the new characters quietly stealing the spotlight, and what’s coming next.
[IMAGE 1 — Hero shot] Add a wide photo here — your shelf, a recent unboxing haul, or a single statement piece front-and-center. Aim for something colorful and high-contrast.
The numbers are kind of insane
Labubu alone moved more than 100 million units globally in 2025, and Pop Mart’s total IP sales pushed past 400 million pieces. Revenue grew 165% in Q1 alone. The company now operates over 700 stores across 100 countries with a workforce north of 10,000 people.
For context: this is a brand that, just a few years ago, most people outside of Asia had never heard of.
[IMAGE 2 — Store or display photo] A photo of a Pop Mart store front, a robo-shop machine, or a packed display wall works great here.
The 2026 drops everyone’s talking about
🐎 Year of the Horse Zodiac Labubu
Zodiac releases have quietly become some of Pop Mart’s most chased drops. They lean into cultural appeal and tend to hold resale value way better than standard series. If you’re a long-term collector, these are the ones to grab on day one.
⚽ Labubu × FIFA (World Cup Series)
Dropped April 2, 2026. The headline piece is a vinyl plush dressed in tiny soccer boots and a full kit, holding the World Cup trophy — retailing at $149.99. There’s also a plush pendant keychain at $32.99 that doubles as a pouch, plus blind box mystery boxes and bottle-opener fridge magnets. Perfect timing for the summer World Cup hype.
🎀 Labubu × Sanrio (Hello Kitty Collab)
Labubus dressed as Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, and Pompompurin. Blind boxes run $40; the standalone Hello Kitty vinyl plush doll (with sleep mask and pillow accessory!) is $150. This one moved fast.
[IMAGE 3 — Collab close-up] Drop in a close-up shot of one of these collab pieces. Detail shots of stitching, face accessories, or the box art photograph really well.
The non-Labubu IPs you should be watching
Here’s the part most casual fans miss. Labubu obviously dominates, but the smart collectors are diversifying — and Pop Mart’s lineup is deeper than people think.
Crybaby — Currently Pop Mart’s fastest-scaling secondary IP. The plush pendants are portable, the emotional design language hits different, and resale is climbing steadily.
Skullpanda — Already accounts for around 8.8% of Pop Mart revenue. Darker, gothic aesthetic — great counterweight if your shelf is getting too pastel.
Hirono — Rising fast, with strong narrative-driven series releases.
Hacipupu — The dark horse pick. Newer, less saturated market, more upside if it catches.
Molly — The OG. Still pulling around 9.8% of total revenue.
[IMAGE 4 — Shelf or group shot] Lay out your non-Labubu pieces together for a flat-lay. This is a great spot to show range.
A Labubu movie is actually happening
In March, Pop Mart announced a deal with Sony Pictures for a live-action/CGI hybrid Labubu film. Paul King — yes, the Paddington director — is attached. Pop Mart framed it as using storytelling to deepen IP attachment, which is basically code for “we want Labubu to be the next global character franchise.”
Will it work? Paddington proved this exact formula can hit. I’m cautiously hyped.
The mini phone charms are coming
CEO Wang Ning teased miniature Labubu phone charms at a Hong Kong press conference, and the brand’s stock jumped 12.5% on the announcement — a record since they went public. They look like a shrunk-down version of the original Exciting Macaron line. If they follow the blind box format, expect the usual frenzy.
[IMAGE 5 — Your own piece in use] A lifestyle shot — Labubu on your bag, on your desk, clipped to a phone. This makes the post feel personal.
My honest take
We’re past the speculative flip-it-for-profit phase. Resale prices have cooled now that Pop Mart ramped up production, and HSBC analysts are warning growth will normalize through 2026-27. Which is actually good news for collectors who just want to buy what they like without paying scalper tax.
If you’re getting in now: chase what you love, not what’s hot. Diversify beyond Labubu. And honestly — set a budget before you walk into a Pop Mart store, because the new release cadence is brutal.
What are you grabbing next? Let me know in the comments.
Sources: CNBC, USA Today, The Toy Book, Time Out, Athlon Sports, Art Toy Familia.
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