If you were at San Diego Comic‑Con this weekend, chances are you saw hundreds of people carrying quirky plush creatures with wide eyes and creepy-cute grins. Meet Labubu, the latest collectible obsession taking the U.S. by storm.

Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu dolls were originally part of Asia’s Pop Mart blind box craze. But now, thanks to celebrity fans like Rihanna and Dua Lipa, the “ugly-cute” dolls have gone viral on TikTok and Instagram.

At Comic-Con, people lined up for hours at the Pop Mart booth to get their hands on limited-edition designs. Some wore Labubu-themed jackets, hats, even tattoos. The dolls, once sold for $10–$15 in Asia, are now going for $100+ on resale platforms in the U.S.

So what makes Labubu so special? Fans say it’s the blend of weird and adorable — a kind of emotional paradox that resonates in today’s unpredictable world. “It’s like a creepy comfort,” one fan said while holding a vampire Labubu.

Sales data backs the hype: Pop Mart’s U.S. revenue doubled in the first half of 2025, largely due to Labubu’s rise. Pop-ups and concept stores are already being planned in Los Angeles and New York.

Experts say Labubu is more than a fad — it’s a lifestyle. Fans share emotional stories of how the dolls helped them cope with anxiety, loss, or even loneliness.

One thing’s clear: Labubu is here to stay, and it’s changing how America defines “cute.”