The company behind those cute, big-headed vinyl figures that fill collectors’ shelves everywhere is making a big move into Hollywood. Funko, the brand known for turning almost every character from movies, TV, and comics into those signature Pop! figures, has officially signed a deal to start producing its own TV shows and movies. They are teaming up with some heavy hitters from the film industry to get it done .
If you have ever looked at a Funko Pop! on your desk and wondered what a whole world built around those characters might look like, you will not have to wait much longer. The company announced a new partnership with Rideback, the production studio behind massive hits like The LEGO Movie franchise and Netflix’s recent live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. They are also bringing in Spuree, a tech company that specializes in AI-powered animation tools, to help bring these stories to life .
What Kind of Shows and Movies Are We Talking About?
According to the announcement, this is not going to be just one single movie. The plan is much bigger than that. The deal covers a wide range of content, including fully animated projects, live-action films, hybrid projects that mix animation with real people, and even unscripted content like game shows or documentaries .
The partners are keeping the actual story ideas a secret for now. Specific project titles or plots have not been revealed yet, and the companies stated that they will announce individual projects “at a later date” . However, the goal is clear: they want to build entire franchises that can live on movie screens, TV screens, and everywhere else fans consume content .
Why Rideback? Because They Know How to Do This
If you are wondering why Funko picked Rideback for this job, the answer is pretty simple: they have done it before, and they did it extremely well. Rideback was a key producer on The LEGO Movie, which took a simple toy line and turned it into a critically acclaimed and commercially massive film series. They also worked on the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie for Disney .
“Rideback’s unmatched ability to transform beloved toys and characters — like Lego & ‘Lilo & Stitch’ — into expansive, emotionally resonant stories makes them an ideal partner,” said Funko CEO Josh Simon in a statement. “Together with Spuree, we’re excited to open a new chapter of storytelling for Funko fans everywhere” .
This experience is crucial because taking a collectible figure and building a world around it is a tricky task. It requires a strong creative vision to make sure the show or movie is more than just a 90-minute commercial.
It Is Not Just Funko, But Loungefly and Mondo Too
Funko is a bigger company than many people realize. Beyond the classic Pop! figures, their portfolio includes other fan-favorite brands like Loungefly, which makes those popular pop culture backpacks and accessories, and Mondo, known for its high-end movie posters and collectibles .
This deal gives Rideback and Spuree access to all of those brands. Funko already works with every major entertainment company in the world, including Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, Marvel, DC, and Netflix. They have more than a thousand licenses to make figures from existing movies and shows . But now, instead of just making products based on other people’s stories, they want to create their own stories that exist in the Funko universe.
How AI Fits Into the Picture
The inclusion of Spuree in this deal is a major detail. Spuree is an AI-enabled creation tool company that helps storytellers build content more efficiently. Jonathan Eirich and Michael LoFaso, who are co-CEOs of Rideback, also co-founded Spuree .
“Spuree was founded to help storytellers and rights holders build premium content more efficiently and creatively. This agreement allows us to apply that vision at scale, combining innovative production workflows with globally resonant IP,” said Michael LoFaso .
This suggests that the production of these Funko shows and movies might use advanced AI tools to speed up the animation process or help with visual development. It is a sign that Funko is looking to use the latest technology to get these projects made.
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A Long Time Coming
This is actually not the first time Hollywood has tried to make a Funko movie. Years ago, a project was in development at Warner Bros. that would have been similar in style to The LEGO Movie, but it never moved forward and eventually stalled out .
This new deal with Rideback and Spuree represents a fresh start and a renewed push to finally get Funko’s oversized world onto the screen. With over one billion Funko products already sitting in the hands of collectors around the globe, the audience is definitely there . Now, the question is what kind of stories they will tell with those big, black, empty eyes staring back at us.
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