20 Popular Toys That Were Inspired by Movies
For decades, toys inspired by movies have been a mainstay of childhood, sometimes giving kids access to famous film personalities and scenes. These toys let fans interact with cherished characters on a deeper level and revisit their best movie memories.
- Tricia Quitales
- 7 min read
Movies have a special ability to inspire the imagination. From soft dolls to action figures, movie-based toys let fans relive their favorite scenes in real life. Many times, these toys serve as gateways for kids to play and replicate special movie events. Here are 20 of the most well-known movie-inspired toys, exploring their influence and the stories they still tell.
1. Barbie as Princess Leia (Star Wars)
Tara Winstead on Pexels
Young girls have long favored Barbie dolls, so the Princess Leia Barbie doll became an instant classic. Based on a Star Wars character, this legendary person shows Leia in her renowned white gown and hairdo. Released in the late 1990s, this Barbie doll let Star Wars fans mix these two cherished series.
2. Jurassic Park T-Rex Figure
Cup of Couple on Pexels
Among the most often used movie-based toys of all time is the T-Rex from Jurassic Park. This big, horrible dinosaur lets kids imagine their Jurassic adventures and perfectly embodies the exciting core of the film. Fans of the blockbuster movie have started demanding the release of the toy because of its realistic motions and thorough design.
3. Harry Potter Wizarding World Toys
Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
The Harry Potter series extended its magical world outside the screen with playsets, wands, and action figures. With these toys, fans can engage with the beloved series characters and objects, including Harry’s broomstick and Hogwarts Castle. The meticulous design of these toys helps bring the wizarding world to life.
4. Hot Wheels Cars from Fast & Furious
Pixabay on Pexels
The exciting car chases of the Fast & Furious films are well-known, so Hot Wheels conveyed that intense vitality. Inspired by the movie series, Hot Wheels created small cars with all the well-known vehicles seen in the films. Both collectors and children have delighted in reenacting fierce Fast & Furious car chases using these toys.
5. Red Ferrari F40 Coupe Die-cast Toy
Dalila Dalprat on Pexels
Since Toy Story debuted in 1995, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang have become household names. Children have been playing out their preferred movie scenes using action figures based on these characters, which have been rather popular. The Toy Story toys supported the notion that toys have their own adventures when nobody else is around.
6. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Plush Doll
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
After this 1982 movie’s release, the lovable alien E.T. became a cultural symbol, and fluffy dolls were sold immediately. With this soft and cuddly toy, children could bring home their own alien friend. As E.T. turned out to be among the most popular movies of the 1980s, many products followed this success.
7. The Lego Star Wars Collection
Oguz Kagan Cevik on Pexels
LEGO and Star Wars teamed up to produce the most popular toy franchise ever. Lego Star Wars sets let people create scenes, ships, and characters from the Star Wars universe. Combining two classic brands, these meticulous sets inspire invention while honoring the Star Wars narrative.
8. Ghostbusters Proton Pack Toy
Erik Mclean on Pexels
The Ghostbusters Proton Pack toy handed young people the tools to explore the realm of ghost hunting. Based on the 1984 movie, it had realistic sounds and lighting that let viewers “catch ghosts” just like the characters in the film. For years to come, Halloween costumes and childhood play revolved around it as a staple.
9. Batman Action Figures
mohamed abdelghaffar on Pexels
Batman action figures have been a mainstay of the superhero toy scene from the 1960s original Batman TV series to contemporary movies. These characters are meant to look like Batman and his famous adversaries, the Joker and the Penguin. They let kids replicate events from Batman’s heroic exploits and fights against evil.
10. The Iron Man Mask and Gauntlet
Louis Gys on Pexels
Since the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies came out, the Iron Man mask and gauntlets toys have been rather popular. From wearing his helmet to using the gauntlets with their light-up elements, these toys allow fans of all ages to feel like Tony Stark. Children started using the masks and gauntlets to pretend to be their preferred superhero in real life.
11. The Lion King Simba Plush
Wolf Art on Pexels
After the 1994 release of The Lion King, the plush Simba toy became a much-loved possession. Designed to let fans cuddle with the future Pride Lands king, this soft toy portrayed Simba as a young cub. Many children growing up in the 1990s came to treasure Simba’s softness.
12. The Transformers Action Figures
Soly Moses on pexels
The Transformers action figures are among the most often sought-after movie-inspired toys in history. Based on characters from the Transformers films, these figures can transform from robots to vehicles. Youngsters were delighted in the challenge and enjoyment of transforming their toys to replicate movie battles.
13. The Incredibles Superhero Toys
Paul Carmona on Wikimedia
This line of superhero action figures made possible by the Incredibles movies lets children bring the family of heroes to life. From Mr. Incredible to Dash, every toy gave them an opportunity to replicate the explosive action scenes of the film. Emphasizing cooperation, these toys were popular for group play and imagination.
14. Jurassic World Indoraptor
Cup of Couple on Pexels
This 2018 film is about the ferocious, genetically altered dinosaur known as Jurassic World Indoraptor. This toy captures the creature’s threat with its movable components and horrific design. It’s part of a bigger line of toys that lets fans create their Jurassic World with movie-star dinosaurs and characters.
15. The Matrix Morpheus Action Figure
Erik Mclean on Pexels
Inspired by action figures of important characters like Morpheus, the Matrix unveiled revolutionary special effects and a dystopian world. With his trench coat and signature sunglasses, the Morpheus action figure lets enthusiasts replicate the legendary fight scenes from the film. These brought The Matrix into homes all around the globe.
16. Wonder Woman Action Figures
Roy Reyna on Pexels
Based on the 2017 film, Wonder Woman toys became popular following the DC Universe character’s comeback. Designed for fans to relive Wonder Woman’s epic battles, the action figures, with their lasso of truth and armor, capture the core of the cherished heroine.
17. Minions Plush Toys
Elina Volkova on Pexels
From Despicable Me, the Minions became a worldwide sensation, and their fluffy toys were a major component of that popularity. Fans might relate to these funny characters through the soft, yellow, and cheeky Minions. Children and adults quickly came to love them for their naive antics and charm.
18. The Hunger Games Mockingjay Pin
Cygomezm on Wikimedia
The Mockingjay pin is the most iconic item inspired by the Hunger Games franchise among the several products. Though not a conventional toy, this pin has become a symbol for movie buffs to wear and honor their relationship to the film. Both book and movie buffs will find this collectible item to have great meaning because of its straightforward design.
19. Finding Nemo Plush Toys
SAULO LEITE on Pexels
Children could cuddle and play with the lovable Finding Nemo characters, which were softly rendered. After the movie came out in 2003, Nemo, Dory, and other underwater life rapidly became favorites for soft toys. These toys not only captured the appeal of the film but also let children relate to the heartwarming trip of the characters.
20. Star Wars Lightsaber Toys
J Meza Photography on Pexels
Star Wars lightsaber toys let fans of all ages handle the legendary weapons of the Jedi and Sith. These different-sized toys often have light and sound effects to mimic the distinctive hum of the lightsaber. They let children realize their Star Wars dreams in real life, whether playing in the backyard or battling Darth Vader.