Gummybear International frames Gummibär as a 'cross-generational phenomenon' with 'limitless potential to entertain, innovate and connect with fans around the world.' The 2027 feature film positions the character as a legacy brand ready for its biggest mainstream moment yet.
While Toonz Media Group execs tout 'digital-first storytelling' success, some industry observers note the property's biggest hits came in its first five years. The 2012 Christmas special and subsequent series never matched the original viral explosion — but year-on-year streaming gains suggest the bear still has life in it.
The 2006 hit 'I'm a Gummy Bear' was adapted into 45 languages and earned Gold/Platinum certifications across multiple markets. The 'Gummibär & Friends' series produced 78 seven-minute episodes (two seasons) distributed in over 100 countries. The feature film is targeting a 2027 release.
Love it or lump it — Gummibär's 20-year run is objectively impressive in an era where most viral one-hit wonders fade in 15 minutes. The real test comes next: can a character born from ringtones and early YouTube actually carry a 90-minute theatrical feature?
Gummybear International Inc. is throwing the bear a birthday bash — and it's going Hollywood. The company announced Thursday that it's partnering with Toonz Media Group to develop a full-length Gummibär feature film scheduled for 2027, marking exactly two decades since the animated character first bounced onto the internet scene and became one of the earliest viral success stories the web had ever seen.
Created by Christian Schneider, Gummibär launched via a humble ringtone and music video that would go on to accumulate billions of views worldwide. The 2006 single "I'm a Gummy Bear" became the kind of breakout hit that defined early internet culture, spawning adaptations in over 45 languages and earning Gold and Platinum certifications across multiple markets. Not bad for a singing gummy bear with more sass than most pop stars.
The property's evolution from viral novelty to actual franchise began in 2012 with the animated Christmas special "Yummy Gummy Search For Santa," released through Lionsgate Pictures. That special introduced supporting characters who would anchor the "Gummibär & Friends" animated series — a digital-first show produced with Toonz Media Group that ran for two seasons totaling 78 seven-minute episodes, distributed across platforms in more than 100 countries. The show reportedly secured year-on-year gains in both views and engagement, though Gummybear International hasn't released specific numbers.
"Gummibär is not just a character, it is a cross-generational phenomenon," said Debi Rosenfeld, head of licensing and merchandising at Toonz. And they're not wrong — the brand has extended across toys, publishing, digital products and lifestyle categories, proving there's serious money in that sticky pink bear. Jurgen Korduletsch, president of Gummybear International, was even bolder: "Very few characters sustain this kind of momentum across decades, platforms and generations." The 2027 feature film will be the ultimate test of that theory.
