Chia Pets from the ’80s Are Coming to Life in an Animated Show

Chia Pet.
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NEED TO KNOW

• Chia Pets are officially headed to the screen following their media rights acquisition by Rakia Media and Crystal City Entertainment.
• An animated film or series inspired by the iconic sprouting figures is currently in development.
• This initiative represents a playful advancement for a classic novelty brand that dominated TV commercials and toy aisles.

Chia Pets, the beloved novelty brand recognized for its whimsical “hair growth,” is making its Hollywood debut. The rights to produce an animated film or series have been acquired by writer and producer Adam Jay Epstein, along with producers Ari Daniel Pinchot and Jonathan Rubenstein, under their IP holding company, Rakia Media, and production banner, Crystal City Entertainment.

With ambitious plans for the franchise’s future, the creative team expressed their excitement about the project. “Chia Pets have been featured on our shelves since childhood, and we’re thrilled to help grow the brand to new heights,” Epstein stated. “We can’t wait for audiences to check out the world of Chia in theaters and screens across the world.”

Chia Pet.

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The team is focusing on developing “a vision of building an animated feature film or series,” with early discussions about potential partners and collaborators to maximize the commercial and storytelling potential of the Chia Pet brand.

Emerging as a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s, Chia Pets gained popularity thanks to frequent TV advertisements featuring the catchphrase: “Ch-ch-ch-chia!” Over 30 million units have been sold, and the brand continues to evolve, recently releasing figures inspired by contemporary intellectual properties and celebrities, including Rick and Morty and Ice Spice.

Chia Pet.

chia

Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Ad Populum, the brand’s parent company, underscored the project’s timing. “For over 40 years, Chia Pet has remained one of the most recognizable brand icons in pop culture history,” he remarked. “I’m excited to work with a team that understands both its legacy and its potential for the future.”

Although specific details of the Chia Pet project remain undisclosed, this development reflects a broader trend of retro brands being revitalized for contemporary audiences.