UK-hit Curlimals are coming to the North American market in 2023.

Look out Squishmallows, there is a new hot plush coming to the U.S. After smashing all sales targets since launching in the UK, global marketer Basic Fun! is partnering with UK-based toy manufacturer Golden Bear to bring Curlimals across the pond in 2023.

Launched in Summer 2022, Curlimals are cuddly interactive plush pets adored by children and parents alike. The line currently features three characters: Higgle the Hedgehog, Blue the Badger and Bibi the Bunny. Each character plays more than 50 sounds and reactions from three different touch points that play into the character’s individual personality, uncurling to play and curling back up into a ball to sleep.

“Basic Fun! is excited about this collaboration with the Golden Bear team to bring Curlimals to the North American market – we think the innovation in Curlimals will be a great addition to our expansive Plush portfolio,” said Hugh Kennedy, senior vice president of marketing for Basic Fun! “The characters’ interactivity, bright designs, and adorable appearance, in addition to their classic nurturing play pattern, will surely be a hit with both kids and parents.”

According to a July release from Golden Bear, Curlimals held the top three spots on Amazon’s hot new releases list during the initial two-week launch period. Golden Bear Managing Director Barry Hughes said at the time sales “have exceeded wildest expectations.”

“We always knew that we’d have a hit on our hands with Curlimals after we saw the reaction from kids during our research,” Hughes said in an interview with the UK’s Toy World magazine.

Now, it’s time for the colorful plush friends to make their way to the North American market, where Hughes is confident the Curlimals line will bring in the same success.

“We are excited for the launch on the other side of the Atlantic and look forward to replicating the success we have seen in the UK and working on growing the brand together in subsequent years,” said Hughes.

Basic Fun! and Golden Bear expect to have Curlimals available for North American retailers in Fall 2023.

A journalism graduate from Southern Illinois University, Amanda Erd has worked as writer and copy editor for daily newspapers in the Chicago area. She has won numerous awards from the Illinois Women’s Press Assn. for her headlines, page designs and infographics.

Sign up to get exclusive industry information delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2022 BridgeTower Media. All rights reserved.

Use of this website is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.