As a child of the ’90s who grew up watching the Fox Kids-era cartoons and later indulging in Disney classics, I have to say that these Happy Meal toys were nothing short of magical! The Batman: The Animated Series action figures brought my favorite characters to life right at our dinner table. And let’s not forget the excitement of collecting Disney’s 100 Years of Magic figurines – even though it was nearly impossible to get them all, it was a fantastic way to explore Disney’s rich history and indulge in nostalgia as an adult.
The Happy Meal at McDonald’s has been around since the 1970s, originating from one of their Guatemalan franchises. Later, it became a common feature across all McDonald’s outlets. Adman Bob Bernstein is often recognized as the creator of the “Happy Meal” name, which was designed to bring children back into the restaurant after a drop in young customers. Additionally, Bernstein advocated for including toys with each meal, which significantly boosted the restaurant’s popularity.
For decades, McDonald’s has incorporated a variety of popular brands into their rotating Happy Meal offerings, such as beloved movies and television series. If you were a frequent customer at this fast-food restaurant during your childhood years, chances are some of these tie-ins will bring back fond memories for you.
Hey there fellow gaming enthusiast! You know, reminiscing about the best Happy Meal toys is always a fun trip down memory lane. From the Beanie Babies and Hot Wheels to Changeables and Boo Buckets, it’s safe to say that McDonald’s has kept us entertained with their plastic treasures for quite some time!
Bionicles (2001)
In various instances throughout the years, McDonald’s has organized several Bionicle promotions. However, the standout among them all was undeniably the inaugural one in 2001. Despite the fact that “Bionicle: Mask of Light,” the first movie, didn’t premiere until 2003, we understand the connection between these exceptional toys and the film, so we can overlook this discrepancy. These toys mirrored real LEGO Bionicles in their ability to assemble and disassemble, and the masks from the Happy Meals could be utilized with the actual Bionicle figures at home. The harmony between McDonald’s and LEGO during that era was palpable, and for those of us who experienced it, we were left craving more.
What made it even more thrilling was the ability to amass all six miniature Bionicles (known as Matoran in the storyline) and merge them into a life-sized figure of your creation. Each toy came with a throwing disc too, perfect for targeting an older sibling. However, the toys from later “Bionicle” Happy Meals, which were more movie-based than true to the brand, were simply plastic action figures that didn’t blend with their LEGO counterparts. They were merely molded plastic, lacking the essence of LEGO. Consequently, the originals remain the finest in the series. Though the Bionicle brand has been discontinued by LEGO, we can reminisce about its simple origins and cherish those original figures that enriched our playtime world.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2016)
Experience the agile, eco-friendly ninja squad, as the ads used to say. Similar to Bionicle, McDonald’s has presented various “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” options throughout its history. The fast food chain has advertised numerous animated series and feature films, but none of the TMNT offerings from McDonald’s surpassed the 2016 collection that aligned with the 2012 Nickelodeon series, creatively named “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Admittedly, there were earlier toy sets released in line with the show’s debut, but the 2016 figures outshone them. These action figures boasted flexibility, dynamic poses, and provided endless entertainment for children, as each turtle had not one, but two distinct versions.
These legendary figures – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael – were remarkably detailed, boasting moveable arms armed with weapons, extendable wings for flapping, and bodies poised for any confrontation with evil adversaries. The drawback? A lack of real enemies to battle! So, you had to use your imagination to create exciting storylines. For those who collected these toys from Happy Meals, each Ninja Turtle also came with a collectible disc as an added bonus. While the 2012 “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” may not have been everyone’s favorite animated series, it’s hard to deny that the action figures based on the 2003 Fox series were simply awesome!
Action Man (2001)
In the annals of fast food history, for a while, McDonald’s catered to older kids with the “Mighty Kid’s Meal,” featuring larger portions and more sophisticated Happy Meal playthings labeled as “Mighty Kids.” Later, these elements were absorbed into the regular Happy Meal. One toy that retained the Mighty Kids brand was the 2001 Action Man toy. Interestingly, McDonald’s had an Action Man toy in 1996 as well, but unlike its predecessor which was inspired by a 1995 series based on a classic British toy line, the 2001 toys were modeled after the 2000 animated series, also known as Action Man. However, neither television show could compete with the captivating allure of the McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, which undeniably outshone both series.
Each “Action Man” action figure showcased our main character engaging in a fresh extreme activity. One figure depicted Action Man in a jet plane or hang glider, while another offered him a snowmobile or motorcycle. What made these toys appealing (apart from the thrilling stunts they allowed) was that McDonald’s included an adversary for our hero to outpace. Dr. X was a cyborg who possessed his own helicopter, able to match the speed of the Action Man motorcycle figure. Although the “Action Man” television shows didn’t fare well, these toys were a hit and remained memorable for many children of that time during their childhood years.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
The movie “How to Train Your Dragon” was a massive success with both audiences and critics, making it inevitable that a sequel would follow shortly after. However, unlike many other items on this list, the toys for “How to Train Your Dragon 2”, released in 2014, differed significantly between the United States and the United Kingdom. In the US, children were only able to purchase frisbee discs with various “Dragons” characters printed on them, which was rather disappointing. On the other hand, UK children had the opportunity to collect one of 14 different characters – 12 different dragons or two humans, Hiccup or Astrid. It’s unclear why McDonald’s made this decision, but it’s clear that those who grew up in the UK received a better deal as far as these toys are concerned.
Indeed, kids in the U.S. received dragon figures upon the first movie’s release in 2010, yet nothing can compare to the toys McDonald’s introduced in the UK four years later. These dragons not only had flapping wings and interactive functions, but also included some human characters, making this collection distinctive. With a “How to Train Your Dragon” live-action reboot on the horizon for 2025, it wouldn’t shock us if McDonald’s revisited this concept again. Fingers crossed that they won’t provide American children with frisbees instead of dragons next time.
Disney’s Tarzan (1999)
Disney’s “Tarzan” film was incredibly popular at McDonald’s. With sound straws, plush toys, and the “Jungle Surprise” raffle, there were plenty of incentives to visit the fast-food chain after watching Disney’s 1999 jungle adventure. However, for kids at that time, the main attraction was the new Happy Meal figures. When Disney’s animated jungle movie premiered, McDonald’s created some of the best action figures they ever offered to their younger patrons. The posable Tarzan figure, riding on a moss-covered log through the jungle, could face off against both the villainous Clayton and the leopard Sabor. If pulled back, Sabor would attack its target just like in the movie.
Each figure showcased unique actions that made them captivating to play with, such as Clayton’s swift sword movements and Tantor’s trembling reactions. While they were delightful individually, the original McDonald’s “Tarzan” collection became even more engaging when played together. Who wouldn’t have cherished the idea of placing Tarzan atop Tantor or setting Kala (who came with a young Tarzan on her back) in motion to race Professor Porter across the dining table? Although McDonald’s later released new “Tarzan” toys when the film became available for home viewing, it was these original figurines that truly stood out. Given the extraordinary nature of “Tarzan” the movie, it is not surprising that his Happy Meal toys were equally impressive.
Monsters Inc. (2001)
The late ’90s/early 2000s was an exceptional time for Pixar, with masterpieces such as the initial Toy Story films, A Bug’s Life, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles standing out as unparalleled animation at that time. However, in 2001, Monsters, Inc. truly astounded audiences, eliciting laughter not just in theaters but also through its McDonald’s promotional campaign. In a first for McDonald’s, their advertising tie-in for Monsters, Inc. showcased Disney characters dining at the fast food restaurant – Mike and Sully even had their own Happy Meals! What adds to the humor is a scene in the commercial where Mike panics as he searches frantically for his toy, only to have Sully hold it above him before it’s too late.
Excluding promotional campaigns, the “Monsters, Inc.” toy collection brought us joy. Each of the ten distinct figures introduced a new monster (or Boo, the human child), complete with their unique scare doors for entry. These doors, along with Celia’s desk, could be linked together to somewhat replicate the scare floor from the movie, and some monsters even glowed in the dark, such as Mike. The primary characters were all included here, plus a few supporting characters, making this one of McDonald’s most comprehensive sets. Playing with these strangely appealing yet plastic monsters was always fun, despite their origin on the screen.
The Incredibles (2004)
2004 saw genuine excitement for Disney/Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” and this anticipation grew further as fans could collect “Incredibles” action figures from McDonald’s. In fact, Pixar collaborated with McDonald’s to create an advertisement featuring Dash and Violet playing with these toys in a McDonald’s restaurant. This promotion drew children to their local branches in droves, hoping to get one of the eight unique figures. What made these “Incredibles” toys special was that they interacted with each character’s superpowers when played with.
The Incredimobile was simply a toy car that could be pulled back, and Syndrome and his Omnidroid were typical toys. However, Mr. Incredible possessed double punching power, while Elastigirl/Mrs. Incredible could twist her arms and torso in various ways. Moreover, the Dash figure could be wound up to dash around a room, and Violet’s toy had a “force field” effect that would light up when you pressed the button on its base continuously. These toys provided hours of entertainment for children who adored “The Incredibles” movie, allowing them to reenact their favorite scenes at home and create their own superhero adventures. Even before the release of “The Incredibles 2,” these McDonald’s Happy Meal toys enabled kids to imagine and play out their own sequels in the comfort of their homes.
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)/Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (2001)
In a way that truly encapsulates the ’90s vibe, nothing compares to the original “Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers” series, which not only left its imprint on television but also on McDonald’s and the fictional town of Angel Grove. Despite the somewhat lackluster Happy Meal toys from the TV show, the 1995 film “Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Movie” made amends by offering six posable Power Ranger action figures, each accompanied by their respective Ninjazords. Even the White Ranger graced commercials for this toy line. If you were a kid back then, these toys were simply the coolest Happy Meal prizes around. Interestingly, due to their popularity, the Red Ranger figure was reintroduced by McDonald’s years later during its 40th anniversary celebrations. These toys not only complemented the new movie but also made it easier for kids without Zords of their own to collect MMPR figures.
Indeed, McDonald’s and Power Rangers share a rich history, with numerous TV series versions being included in Happy Meals throughout the years. However, among them all, the 2000’s “Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue” set stands out as the most remarkable. This collection of 11 figures allowed kids to either receive their own Power Ranger or a Lightspeed Rescue vehicle. What made these toys unique was that they followed the traditional Power Rangers style, where the vehicles could be joined together to form the Lightspeed Rescue train seen on the show. Similarly, each Power Ranger figure served as a piece of a larger Megazord, so if all five Rangers were gathered, you could combine their parts to create a larger hero figure.
Batman Returns (1992)/Batman: The Animated Series (1993)
Just like the 1992 sequel to Tim Burton’s “Batman” movie, “Batman Returns,” was a massive hit at McDonald’s. The fast food chain embraced a Batman theme extensively during that period, from special edition cups and lids to unique packaging for limited-time offers. As Susan Bergen from McDonald’s public relations stated to the Los Angeles Times, “We’ve never before given over our packaging like we have with this promotion.” To enhance the experience even more, four toys based on “Batman Returns” were included in Happy Meals: a Batmobile, Penguin’s “Roto-Roadster,” Catwoman’s “Cat Coupe,” and a Batman vehicle resembling a tank when activated. However, Warner Bros. faced criticism for their partnership with McDonald’s after parents discovered that the film wasn’t entirely suitable for children, as adult viewers of “Batman Returns” later realized.
In the following year, McDonald’s made amends for their previous Batman-related issues by centering their Happy Meal offerings around “Batman: The Animated Series.” While other Batman shows would eventually receive Happy Meal toys, such as “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” “Young Justice,” and “Beware the Batman,” these figures were particularly well-received. By merging the ‘press-and-go’ vehicle concept from their “Returns” campaign (which included characters like Robin, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, and the Joker) with traditional action figures featuring Batman, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Riddler, these toys based on “Batman: The Animated Series” were highly popular among kids who grew up watching Fox Kids cartoons. This time, parents had no reason to complain about the offerings.
Disney’s 100 Years of Magic (2002)
2001 marked the start of Disney’s grand “100 Years of Magic” extravaganza, celebrating what would have been Walt Disney’s 100th birthday. This celebration stretched on till 2003. The following year, in 2002, McDonald’s hopped aboard the magical train and treated kids to a piece of this magic with their collection of 100 unique PVC figurines. For over a month, every Happy Meal came with a new figure to add to our Disney treasure trove. From the timeless Steamboat Willie to the often overlooked “Atlantis: The Lost Empire,” these characters stood proudly on their tiny platforms, each adorned with their name and debut date. It truly felt like we were living in a world of enchantment!
The only downside to Disney’s “100 Years of Magic” collection was that it was nearly impossible to actually collect them all. Even if one went full “Supersize Me” and ate at McDonald’s every day during the time these were available, it still wouldn’t be enough to nab every one of these figurines. Still, these were really cool, and gave some kids the chance to explore Disney pictures that they may not have grown up with. For adults, it encouraged them to get into the collecting business themselves while reliving their own childhood in the process. To this day, folks are still trying to collect them all.
Inspector Gadget (1999)
Redefine: “Get moving, Gadget Happy Meal!
Standing over a foot high when fully constructed, the McDonald’s version of Inspector Gadget is quite impressive, especially considering its time. As Power Ranger Megazords were dominating the scene, McDonald’s was elevating multi-part toys by crafting each piece of the title character as unique and valuable individually, and indispensable when combined. Similar to Action Man, these McDonald’s toys outshone the product they were intended to advertise. Constructing your own Inspector Gadget is a unique experience; regardless of how you look at it, this toy remains really cool.
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2024-11-04 01:01