Back in Time Today
Remember those little plastic toys that came with your happy meal? Most ended up forgotten or broken, but some have become surprising treasures.
Fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King released promotional toys that are now worth big bucks to collectors.
If you saved these toys from the 80s and 90s, you might be sitting on a small fortune!
1. McDonald’s Changeables (1987-1990)
Food that transforms into robots? McDonald’s hit marketing gold with these Transformers-inspired toys. Kids went crazy collecting the entire set of burgers, fries, and drinks that morphed into cool robot figures.
The most valuable pieces include the McNuggets box and ice cream cone transformers. Collectors particularly seek out the rare Series 3 pieces that were discontinued early in their run.
Original unopened packages command the highest prices, with complete collections in mint condition selling for upwards of $200 on auction sites. Individual pieces in good condition can fetch $20-$40 each depending on rarity.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming Out of Their Shells (Burger King, 1990)
When the TMNT went on tour with their rock band, Burger King celebrated with these coveted figurines. Each turtle came dressed in their musical gear, ready to rock out with tiny instruments and stage accessories.
The complete set included all four turtles plus Splinter as the band manager. These toys coincided with the wildly popular concert tour that had kids nationwide shouting “Turtle Power!”
Finding these figures still in their original packaging is extremely rare. A sealed complete set can command between $150-$250 from serious collectors, while individual mint-condition figures sell for $30-$50 each.
3. Disney Masterpiece Collection Toys (McDonald’s, 1996)
Miniature VHS cases that opened to reveal beloved Disney characters captured the hearts of 90s kids everywhere. Each toy resembled the actual VHS packaging of classic films like The Lion King, 101 Dalmatians, and The Aristocats.
McDonald’s released these during Disney’s famous “vault” era, when films were only available for purchase during limited windows. The clever marketing made these toys instant collector items.
Today, a complete set of all 10 toys in their original Happy Meal bags can fetch $100-$200. The most valuable pieces include the harder-to-find Pocahontas and Toy Story mini-VHS cases, which can sell individually for $30-$40.
4. Inspector Gadget Build-A-Figure (McDonald’s, 1995)
Go-go-gadget collectible! This innovative promotion required persistent visits to McDonald’s to collect all six parts needed to build the complete detective. Each piece snapped together to create a 10-inch tall Inspector Gadget with extending limbs.
Many kids never completed their figures, making intact versions extremely rare today. The hat piece containing Gadget’s helicopter was particularly prone to breaking, adding to its scarcity.
A fully assembled figure with all working parts can command upwards of $300 from serious collectors. Even individual pieces sell for $50-$75, especially the rarer components like the extending neck or helicopter hat that often broke during play.
5. Pokémon 23K Gold-Plated Cards (Burger King, 1999)
At the height of Pokémon fever, Burger King released what would become some of the most valuable fast food toys ever. Each came in a Poké Ball case containing a 23-karat gold-plated card featuring icons like Pikachu, Charizard, and Jigglypuff.
Parents rushed to collect these shiny treasures, often buying meals just for the toys. The gold cards came with authenticity certificates in specially designed boxes, adding to their collectibility.
Sealed cards in mint condition now sell for $75-$300+ depending on the character. Charizard and Pikachu command the highest prices, while complete sets of all six cards in original packaging have sold for over $1,000 to serious Pokémon collectors.
6. Muppet Babies Toys (McDonald’s, 1986)
Before CGI animation took over, Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies ruled Saturday mornings. McDonald’s capitalized on this popularity with adorable wheeled vehicles featuring Baby Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, and Gonzo.
Each character rode in a unique vehicle that matched their personality—Kermit in a skateboard, Miss Piggy in a fancy car. The toys were surprisingly well-made with moving wheels and removable figures, unlike many flimsy Happy Meal offerings.
Complete sets in good condition now fetch $100-$150 from nostalgic Gen-X collectors. The rarest piece—Baby Animal on his drum set—can alone sell for $40-$50 when found with its original wheels intact and no paint wear.
7. Fraggle Rock Figures (McDonald’s, 1988)
Underground cave dwellers became underground collector hits! The Fraggle Rock Happy Meal toys captured the essence of Jim Henson’s quirky characters with surprising detail for fast food premiums.
Each figure came with a unique action feature—Gobo had a movable backpack, Red could dance with movable arms. The set included main Fraggles plus the industrious Doozers and even a Gorg character, satisfying true fans of the show.
Finding these figures with all their moving parts still functional is increasingly difficult. Mint sets have reached $100+ in value, with individual figures in good condition selling for $15-$25 each. The rarer Traveling Matt figure commands the highest individual prices.
8. Snoopy World Tour (McDonald’s, 1998-1999)
Around the world with the world’s favorite beagle! This beloved promotion featured Snoopy dressed in traditional outfits from different countries. From Snoopy in a Scottish kilt to a French beret, each figure captured cultural elements with Peanuts charm.
The collection spanned multiple releases, with some countries receiving exclusive figures not available elsewhere. This international variation created a collector’s challenge that continues today.
Complete sets now command $150-$300, especially when including the harder-to-find international exclusives. Japanese collectors particularly prize these figures, driving up prices for rare pieces like Samurai Snoopy and Kabuki Snoopy to $40-$60 each when found in original packaging.
9. Hot Wheels Pull-Back Racers (McDonald’s, 1983)
Vrooom! McDonald’s earliest collaboration with Mattel produced these miniature pull-back Hot Wheels that actually worked. Despite their small size, these cars packed real power when pulled back and released.
The set featured iconic Hot Wheels designs like the Corvette, Firebird, and custom vans in vibrant metallic colors. Unlike modern fast food toys, these were metal-and-plastic construction similar to actual Hot Wheels, making them far more durable.
Vintage pieces in original packaging can reach $100-$200 today. Even loose cars in good condition fetch $20-$30 each if the pull-back mechanism still works. The most valuable is the rare Golden Corvette variant, which has sold for over $75 individually.
10. Barbie Happy Meal Dolls (McDonald’s, multiple years)
Tiny fashionistas with massive value! Throughout the 90s, McDonald’s released miniature Barbie dolls that captured the fashion doll’s iconic style in pocket-sized form. Each promotion featured Barbies with different themes—from beach parties to winter wonderlands.
The dolls came with changeable outfits and tiny accessories that were surprisingly detailed for their size. Many featured the same hair styling as their full-sized counterparts, with rooted hair in various colors.
Collectors now pay $50-$150 for rare editions, particularly the Holiday Barbies and international exclusives. The 1993 Happy Birthday Barbie series commands the highest prices, with complete sets in original packaging selling for over $200 to serious Barbie enthusiasts.
11. Mario Bros. 3 Toys (McDonald’s, 1990)
When Super Mario Bros. 3 took the gaming world by storm, McDonald’s jumped on the Nintendo bandwagon with these coveted toys. Each figure featured a different character or power-up from the groundbreaking game, including Mario, Luigi, and Princess Toadstool.
The toys had unique action features—Mario could punch blocks, Luigi could jump with a spring mechanism. They arrived just as Nintendo fever reached its peak, making them instant must-haves for kids.
Complete sets or sealed figures can fetch $150+ from gaming memorabilia collectors. The Under-the-Sea Mario figure is particularly valuable at $40-$60 individually because its tail mechanism often broke during play, making intact specimens rare finds today.
12. Looney Tunes Superheroes (McDonald’s, 1991)
Holy cartoon crossovers! When Looney Tunes characters donned superhero costumes, they created an unexpectedly valuable collector’s item. Featuring Bugs Bunny as Batman, Daffy Duck as Duck Dodgers, and other clever mashups, these figures delighted kids with their playful take on DC superheroes.
Each character came with a unique action feature or vehicle that enhanced their superhero persona. The toys were larger than typical Happy Meal offerings, with more detailed sculpting and moving parts.
Complete mint sets now value at $100-$200, with Taz as The Flash being the most sought-after figure at $30-$40 individually. Sealed figures in original packaging command premium prices from both Looney Tunes fans and superhero memorabilia collectors alike.