16 Retro Lunch Boxes That Were the Ultimate Status Symbol
School kids highly valued these 16 retro lunch boxes and often reflected personal interests, making them a key part of childhood identity during their time.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
Retro lunch boxes were more than just containers for food. They often represented a child’s favorite TV shows, movies, or characters, which made them socially important at school. These lunch boxes became memorable items that many still recognize today as part of pop culture history.
1. The Brady Bunch Lunch Box
Melissa on Wikimedia Commons
This lunch box featured the cast of The Brady Bunch, a popular TV show that aired in the early 1970s. It was made of metal and included colorful artwork from the series. The show promoted family values, and carrying this lunch box often reflected that image. It was commonly seen in schools during the show’s peak popularity.
2. Star Wars Lunch Box
Melissa on Wikimedia Commons
The Star Wars lunch box became popular after the original movie was released in 1977. It usually featured characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader, along with space battle scenes. It was one of the best-selling lunch boxes during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Many children who liked science fiction or action movies chose this design.
3. The A-Team Lunch Box
Stephen J. Cannell Productions on Wikimedia Commons
This lunch box was based on The A-Team, a television action series that aired during the 1980s. It featured main characters such as B.A. Baracus and Hannibal Smith, along with the team’s iconic van. Children who watched the show often carried this lunchbox to express their interest in action and teamwork. The bold images made it easy to recognize in school cafeterias.
4. Barbie Lunch Box
Mattel / Warner Bros. on Wikimedia Commons
The Barbie lunch box was a top choice among children who liked the popular doll brand. Designs often changed to match Barbie’s evolving outfits, careers, and themes. It was made in both metal and plastic versions during the 1980s and 1990s. The lunch box reflected an interest in fashion, creativity, and the Barbie brand itself.
5. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Lunch Box
Filmation on Wikimedia Commons
This lunch box came out during the height of the He-Man cartoon’s popularity in the mid-1980s. It showed characters like He-Man and Skeletor in battle scenes. The box was made of metal and included a matching Thermos. Children who watched the show often used it to show their interest in fantasy and heroic characters.
6. Care Bears Lunch Box
Melissa on Wikimedia Commons
The Care Bears lunch box became popular during the 1980s after the cartoon and toy line became widely known. Each bear represented a different emotional theme, such as love or friendship. The box featured soft colors and friendly artwork. It was a common lunch box among children who liked gentle stories and character-based shows.
7. Knight Rider Lunch Box
Hasselhofflover on Wikimedia Commons
This lunch box featured Knight Rider, a television series from the 1980s about a high-tech car named KITT and its driver, Michael Knight. The box showed action scenes, cars, and the main characters. It was made for children interested in technology, adventure, and action. The design was mostly dark-colored and appealed to fans of the show.
8. Pac-Man Lunch Box
FreeMediaKid! on Wikimedia Commons
The Pac-Man lunch box was based on the video game released in 1980. It featured characters from the arcade game, including Pac-Man and the ghosts. The lunch box was bright and colorful, designed to reflect the game’s visual style. It was often carried by children who were fans of early video games.
9. The Smurfs Lunch Box
Peyo Productions/I.M.P.S. on Wikimedia Commons
This lunch box displayed characters from The Smurfs, a cartoon about small blue creatures living in a forest village. The show was popular during the early and mid-1980s. The artwork usually included several Smurf characters in peaceful or funny scenes. It was a common choice for children who liked animation and fantasy stories.
10. The Dukes of Hazzard Lunch Box
Oniichan on Wikimedia Commons
The Dukes of Hazzard lunch box came from the TV series that aired from 1979 to 1985. It featured characters like Bo and Luke Duke and their car, the General Lee. The design focused on car chases and Southern countryside scenes. It was usually carried by fans of the show’s action and humor.
11. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Lunch Box
Miguelon756-5303 on Wikimedia Commons
Released after the 1982 movie E.T., this lunch box showed scenes from the film, such as the bike flight and the alien character. It was one of the most popular movie-based lunch boxes of the early 1980s. The box came with a Thermos and was often sold in metal versions. It was carried by children who were moved by the story and characters.
12. Peanuts Lunch Box
todd.vision on Wikimedia Commons
This lunch box showed the comic strip characters from Peanuts, including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Lucy. It was widely sold in the 1970s and 1980s in both metal and plastic versions. The box featured comic strip scenes or character group portraits. It appealed to children who enjoyed simple, thoughtful humor and familiar characters.
13. Transformers Lunch Box
Paramount Pictures/Hasbro on Wikimedia Commons
The Transformers lunch box became available during the cartoon’s peak in the mid-to-late 1980s. It included detailed images of robot characters who could turn into vehicles. These boxes were usually made of plastic and sometimes came with a matching Thermos. Fans of the show and toy line commonly used them in elementary schools.
14. My Little Pony Lunch Box
Hasbro on Wikimedia Commons
This lunch box featured pastel-colored ponies from the My Little Pony brand, which included toys, cartoons, and books. The box artwork included magical settings and gentle characters. It was a common lunch box in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was chosen by children who enjoyed fantasy and storytelling.
15. Ghostbusters Lunch Box
Sony Consumer Products on Wikimedia Commons
Based on the 1984 film and later cartoon, the Ghostbusters lunch box showed characters, ghosts, and the Ghostbusters logo. It was sold during the mid-to-late 1980s in metal and plastic versions. It was often used by children who liked comedy, adventure, and science fiction. The box became recognizable due to its use of bright colors and detailed artwork.
16. Metal Muppets Lunch Box
The Muppets Studio on Wikimedia Commons
This lunch box featured characters from The Muppet Show, such as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie Bear. It was made in the late 1970s and early 1980s during the height of the show’s popularity. The artwork showed scenes from the show or portraits of the main characters. It was common among children who liked music, puppetry, and family-friendly comedy.