STX Entertainment has signed a deal with US streamer Hulu to develop and produce a 26-episode animated series based on STXfilm’s upcoming Uglydolls animated feature.

Hulu has also snapped up exclusive US SVOD rights to the Uglydolls film following its theatrical run beginning in May 2019. STX, for its part, will hold international rights to the series and movie, and STXtv will serve as both studio and producer on the animated Uglydolls series.

STX first announced it would move Pretty Ugly’s Uglydoll plush toy brand into on-screen territory in May 2015, when it launched a new family and animation division to create multi-platform family content based on the popular IP.

Created as a plush toy line by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, Uglydoll has gained a worldwide cult following and lured Hasbro to sign on as the brand’s global master toy licensee.

The Hulu order follows a raft of new licensing deals for the IP secured by STX Entertainment and licensing agency White Space Entertainment. Announced earlier this week, new partners include H.E.R. Accessories (jewelry and accessories), Jacob Company (bags and hats), Zinc (theatrical premiums), ACCO Brands (calendars), Trends International (activity kits, stationery and stickers), Stamatis Ioannidis & Son (apparel, bedding, accessories and bags) and Palphot Marketing (stationery).

For Hulu, the agreement further expands its original content push, having recently inked its largest kids and family licensing deal to date with DreamWorks Animation for future DreamWorks theatrical releases and library films, and original series development with DreamWorks Animation Television (DWA) based on the studio’s popular franchises and upcoming features.