Labubu dolls are the latest collector’s craze—but for many, they’re a nightmare wrapped in cuteness. With their wide, sinister grins and eerily large eyes, these dolls have gone viral across social media not for being adorable companions, but for creeping people out. Some call them cute. Others say they’d burn one on sight. But one thing’s certain: Labubu isn’t your average toy.
In a world where Barbie dreams of Malibu and plushies scream soft comfort, Labubu dolls look like they crawled out of a Tim Burton fever dream.
So… what exactly are Labubu dolls? Why are people obsessed with them—and why do so many others find them downright horrifying?
Let’s explore the strange world of Labubu: where horror meets hype, and where nightmares wear a grin.
What Is Labubu and Why Does It Look So… Unsettling?
Labubu is a fictional character designed by artist Kasing Lung under the collectible toy brand The Monsters, produced by Pop Mart—a Chinese company known for its “blind box” designer toys. Labubu isn’t just a single doll. It’s a whole species of creepy-cute misfits, each with its own personality, outfit, and eerie expression.
But it’s the original Labubu design that has haunted the internet:
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A wiry figure with exaggerated features
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Big, black button-like eyes
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A permanent, razor-toothed smile
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Long ears sticking out like antennas from a twisted universe
Labubu doesn’t follow the rules of traditional cuteness. It’s like someone asked, “What if a teddy bear had rabies?” and then mass-produced it.
People either collect them religiously or run the other way.
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The Cult Following vs. the Creeped Out
Labubu fans adore the dolls for their unique aesthetic. They’re seen as rare, alternative art pieces—like the punk rock of the designer toy world. Collectors chase limited editions, display shelves full of them, and even dress them up. For some, Labubu is lovable because it’s weird—a middle finger to glossy perfection.
But for others, it’s the stuff of horror movie dreams.
Social media is filled with posts like:
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“Why does this doll look like it will eat me in my sleep?”
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“Labubu? Nah, I’m not letting that thing near my house.”
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“This is not cute. This is cursed.”
There’s even a running joke on TikTok: if your friend buys a Labubu, sleep with one eye open. Because those dolls? Yeah, they move when you’re not looking. (At least, according to the internet.)
Why Do Labubu Dolls Feel So… Evil?
Here’s where it gets psychologically interesting.
The horror of Labubu isn’t just in the design. It taps into a phenomenon called the “uncanny valley”—a concept in robotics and AI that applies eerily well to toys.
The uncanny valley is the idea that things that almost look human—but not quite—create a sense of discomfort. Think ventriloquist dummies, porcelain dolls, or animatronics with dead eyes. Labubu doesn’t try to look human, but its grin mimics emotions we recognize, just in a way that feels… wrong.
That never-blinking stare. That maniacal smile. The joy in its expression that doesn’t match the rest of its vibe. It makes you question its intentions, even though it’s just a toy.
Psychologists also argue that Labubu represents repressed chaos. It’s a combination of childhood innocence and chaotic mischief—something that doesn’t follow the “rules” of normal toys. And our brains? They don’t like that ambiguity.
Children might find it funny or harmless, but adults pick up on the darker undertones. After all, it looks like it wants to whisper your secrets at midnight.
Urban Legends, Hauntings, and “Cursed” Labubu Dolls
As with anything remotely creepy that goes viral, the horror stories followed.
People have started claiming their Labubu dolls moved during the night. Some say they heard scratching from the shelves, or that their doll fell—but in a way that couldn’t be explained by gravity. Others swear the doll’s face changed, ever so slightly.
A few TikTokers even claim they got sleep paralysis after placing a Labubu on their nightstand. One user said, “I woke up and saw it smiling right in my face. I swear I didn’t put it there.”
It’s all anecdotal, of course. Probably just internet exaggeration. But Labubu’s unnerving design makes it the perfect vessel for such stories.
There’s even a niche horror subculture that’s begun modifying Labubu dolls to make them more grotesque—dripping with fake blood, stitched mouths, or painted demonic eyes. It’s becoming a full-blown aesthetic.
Should You Buy One? Or Should You Run?
Let’s be honest—Labubu isn’t for everyone.
If you love horror, dark art, or toys that make people stop and stare (or scream), then Labubu is your jam. It’s rebellious. It’s different. And it’ll definitely spark conversation.
But if you’re even slightly superstitious, sleep light, or once had a traumatic experience with a Furby… maybe steer clear.
At its core, Labubu is a commentary on what we call cute. It dares to be ugly, odd, and joyful in its own disturbing way. And that’s why it’s both loved and feared.
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Labubu dolls aren’t haunted (probably). But they are haunting.
They challenge our comfort zones, blur the line between toy and terror, and ask: Why do you only love what’s pretty? In a world where everything is filtered and friendly, Labubu shows up with crooked teeth and wild energy.
And for some… that’s the scariest part of all.
Would you let a Labubu doll into your house? Or would you toss it out the window the first time it smiled at you the wrong way?
You decide.
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