Top 15 Best and Worst Toys From Movie or TV

Kenner’s Star Wars action figures were the beginning of movie tie-in toys and merchandise. Since 1978, fans have collected the action figures, ships, and related toys. They aren’t just popular among children; these toys have become a phenomenon. Collectors have paid thousands of dollars to score original Star Wars action figures and memorabilia. 

LEGO Harry Potter sets feature scenes from each movie and offer hours of fun. Kids can build these sets and recreate their favorite Harry Potter movies. These sets feature various aspects of the movies, including Hogwarts, Hagrid’s hut, and Diagon Alley. Kids can choose these sets according to their favorite characters, too. 

The first generation of Transformers toys and action figures was based on the cartoon series. While they aren’t as complex as today’s Transformers toys, they were must-haves for ‘80s kids. The collection features the most popular Autobots and Decepticons, including Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron. Kids could also get accessories for epic battles between their favorite characters. 

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures were a huge hit with Gen X kids. They featured all four characters and were sold alongside many accessories and play sets. Kids loved recreating scenes from the popular cartoon. Each TMNT came with their own personalized weaponry and fun accessories. The release of these action figures expanded the popularity of the cartoon. 

The Megazord toy included five Dinozords you could combine into one large robot. The Dinozords were Mastodon, Triceratops, Sabertooth tiger, Tyrannosaurus, and Pterodactyl. Megazord was featured on the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” series. The set included the Megazord Power Sword. The toy emphasized the importance of teamwork and friendship as seen on the popular TV show. 

The original Woody and Buzz Lightyear toys from “Toy Story” were similar to the movie’s character designs. Wood was a ragdoll-style cowboy toy with a drawstring to activate several recorded messages. Buzz Lightyear had retractable wings that kids could pop out by pushing a button. They were more authentic toys and reminiscent of playing in Andy’s room. 

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Action Figures were larger-scale toys than traditional action figures of their time. The manufacturers had a keen eye for detail and did a fantastic job recreating each character from the popular cartoon series. Kids could also get Castle Greyskull, which featured a drawbridge and a variety of accessories. 

The Ghostbusters proton pack lets kids pretend to be a part of the gang and bust ghosts. It was full-sized yet lightweight and easy to use during play. The proton packs became incredibly popular among kids and adult collectors. It boosted the popularity of the movies and the Saturday morning cartoon franchise. 

Pokemon trading cards were just the start of this phenomenon. Kids and adults flocked to toy stores to buy as many booster packs as they could find. The first release of these cards wasn’t the end of the craze. Pokemon trading cards and plush toys have become must-haves for anyone playing the game or collecting anime memorabilia. 

Star Wars fans will tell you Jar Jar Binks is a character who really missed the mark. The overexposure of the male Gungan contributed to the fans’ disappointment with the character. The Jar Jar Binks action figure was a merchandising misstep due to his unpopularity. The overstock of the toys in major toy stores led to significant markdowns. 

New McDonald’s Happy Meal toy releases excite children nationwide. However, the Inspector Gadget Happy Meal toy fell short of expectations. First, the toy wasn’t well-constructed, and made play a little tricky. The kids were disappointed since the gadgets just were not functional. Basically, the toy failed to resonate with kids who loved the popular Inspector Gadget character. 

The “Batman & Robin” movie toys also fell short. The toy designs featured odd neon colors that were more reminiscent of the 1980s than the 1990s film. The action figure designs didn’t resemble the movie characters, but instead made them appear more tankish. The Batman action figures specifically appeared shrunken and didn’t properly represent George Clooney’s physique. 

The Ewok plush toys from “Return of the Jedi” weren’t loved as much as the characters. Toy manufacturers meticulously designed other plush toys from the franchise. However, the Ewok plush toys had a simpler design that didn’t have the same appeal. The materials weren’t as durable as other toy releases, and toy companies failed to capitalize on the characters’ popularity. 

The Emoji Movie plush toys didn’t have the same appeal as other Emoji toy releases. The toy manufacturers didn’t put in the same detail in capturing the essence of the movie’s characters. The movie didn’t perform at the box office as expected, so there wasn’t a lot of demand for these toys. 

The “Catwoman” movie action figure lacked the same meticulous detail as its Selina Kyle counterpart. The action figure’s proportions were slightly off and didn’t accurately represent Halle Berry’s physique or unique costume design. Sales of the action figure were abysmally low since the movie itself wasn’t appealing to a broader audience.