Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids – The new documentary is picked up by Abramorama

Courtesy of Bryn Colton/Getty Images

Abramorama announced today that they have acquired the North American distribution rights for the feature-length documentary Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids from NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group, directed by Andrew Jenks (Andrew Jenks, Room 335, The Zen of Bobby V) chronicling the meteoric rise of the dolls that set in motion the modern day Black Friday craze. Narrated and executive produced by Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris the film features the first interview with Cabbage Patch Kids creator Xavier Roberts in over 20 years as well as interviews with journalist Connie Chung, and former Coleco marketing head Al Kahan. The film made its world premiere at the 2022 Tribeca Festival. Abramorama is planning a Fall 2023 North American theatrical release.

Before the Cabbage Patch Kids, no one could have imagined a world where police would need to break up fights between rampaging adults in toy stores. But after the Cabbage Patch Kids, every manufacturer in the world was desperate for their own “riot-worthy” toy. Everything had changed, and we were never going back. Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids is the evolution of that change, told through the lens of what is arguably the most beloved toy of the 1980s. It’s one filled with doll hospitals with delightfully attentive staff tending to every need of the “babies” birthed from a cabbage patch before their adoptions, dangerous counterfeit dolls and intense U.S. Customs raids, inevitable black-market sales, a glut of spin-off products, severe doll shortages and a rabid media frenzy that gave rise to a BILLION-dollar toy brand unlike anything the world had ever seen. Oh, and did we mention the “custody battle” over the origin of the idea? An unassuming and relatively unknown artist from rural Kentucky filed suit claiming she was the true creator of the dolls, setting off a contentious four-year legal battle over the Kids. This is the story you never knew about the dolls that stole America’s heart and turned us all into total maniacs.

“The Cabbage Patch Kids have proven to be multigenerational touchstones, enjoyed and passed down from parents to children and grandchildren. The definitive film about these iconic collectibles is best enjoyed in a movie theater where fans can share their experiences with other members of the CPK community.” said Karol Martesko-Fenster, COO of Abramorama. “Billion Dollar Babies is the perfect antidote to the franchise sequels, prequels and remakes that populate theater schedules most holiday movie seasons. Abramorama is thrilled to be collaborating with NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group on this North American theatrical release.”

Believe Entertainment Group’s co-founder, Dan Goodman, added “This year will mark the 40^th anniversary of the Cabbage Patch Kids debut in market, so we’re thrilled to mark the occasion with Abramorama by bringing the film to CPK fans across the country, celebrating the lasting legacy of the “babies” and telling people a new side of the story about a toy brand that was so firmly ingrained in so many people’s lives.”

“Partnering with Abramorama gives this film the opportunity to be seen and enjoyed by a wide audience and that’s something we’re very excited about,” said Tracie Wilson, Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios & E! News. “The fall release of this documentary is aligned with our objective of continuing to create a variety of impactful content.”