Collecting toys from fast food chain happy meals has become a nostalgic pastime for many people, some of whom are just reminiscing on childhood memories.
However, what started as a harmless childhood fascination has now transformed into a lucrative hobby for some collectors. Here’s seven of the most valuable fast food Happy Meal toys on the market today.
McDonald’s “Underwater Monsters” (1979):
Among the earliest Happy Meal toys, the “Underwater Monsters” were a set of colorful and whimsical sea creature-themed characters. As McDonald’s first dip into the world of toy giveaways, these are now highly sought after by collectors, particularly in mint or near-mint condition. It’s not uncommon to see these toys fetch up to $300 per set.
McDonald’s “Changeables” Series (1987-1990):
These fun toys could transform from regular McDonald’s food items into robotic characters. Known as “McRobots” by fans, these toys are now considered classic and rare finds. A complete set in good condition can be worth anywhere between $300 and $500 today.
McDonald’s “101 Dalmatians” (1996):
With 101 unique toys released to coincide with the live-action movie’s release, collecting them all was a massive feat. Today, a complete set in mint condition can sell for over $400, with some of the rarer individual pieces fetching up to $50 each.
Burger King’s “Pokémon” Collection (1999):
Burger King released a set of 57 toys, including a gold-plated card, to commemorate the release of “Pokémon: The First Movie.” Today, this collection can be quite valuable. A complete set in mint condition can go for $300 to $500, and some of the rarer items, like the gold-plated cards, can sell for $100 each.
McDonald’s “Teenie Beanie Babies” (1997):
When McDonald’s partnered with Ty Inc. to release miniature versions of their popular Beanie Babies, they created a frenzy. These toys are some of the most sought after Happy Meal toys today. Some of the rarer pieces, like the “Peanut the Royal Blue Elephant,” can fetch up to $600 alone. Beary the Bear Doll is pulling in over $750.
Burger King’s “Simpsons” Characters (2000):
These toys were released in connection with “The Simpsons Movie” and included all of the primary characters from the popular television series. A complete set of these figurines can go for around $200 today, while some individual characters can fetch up to $50 each.
McDonald’s “Inspector Gadget” (1999):
This series of toys could be put together to create a full-sized “Inspector Gadget” figure. The complete figure is quite rare, as it required collecting eight different pieces. Today, the completed Inspector Gadget can sell for upwards of $350.
Check Your Stash
These are just a few of the many fast food toys that have gained surprising value over the years. If you happen to have any of these in your old toy chest, you might be sitting on a small fortune.
Even if you don’t, toy collecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby – both for the nostalgia and the potential financial gain. As with any collectibles, remember that condition, kept in the package, and completeness often play significant roles in determining value. Happy collecting!
