Before smartphones and streaming, many kids’ most prized possessions came from a drive-thru window. Fast food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell used to compete with each other by offering themed toys with their kids’ meals, whether that be relating to the latest blockbuster movies to Saturday morning cartoons. While many of these plastic trinkets ended up lost or broken, some forgotten fast food toys have gained cult followings and are now worth surprising amounts of money. If you’ve got one stashed away in your attic, you might be sitting on a collector’s goldmine.
8. Disney Masterpiece Collection Toys
These McDonald’s toys were based on classic Disney VHS releases like Cinderella, Snow White, and The Lion King. They came in mini plastic clamshell cases designed to mimic the VHS tapes. Nostalgia drives prices, with some unopened sets selling for $100–$250 online.
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7. Clone Wars Bobblehead Set
To coincide with Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Burger King released a set of bobblehead toys featuring Jedi, Sith, and droids. Collecting all of them was tough, and a complete, mint-condition set is now worth several hundred dollars to the right fan. These are among the most collectible forgotten fast food toys for Star Wars lovers.
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6. Teeny Beanie Babies
The Beanie Baby craze hit its peak when McDonald’s released mini versions with Happy Meals. Some of these forgotten fast food toys, like the rare “Glory the Bear,” have sold for over $400 if sealed in original packaging. Not all are valuable, but certain versions remain highly sought-after.
Also read: Best Limited-Edition Sneakers That Became Collector’s Gold
5. Fraggle Rock PVC Figures
Before The Muppets, there was Fraggle Rock, and McDonald’s gave away PVC figures of beloved characters like Gobo and Red. These toys weren’t flashy, but they’re now cherished by Jim Henson fans. Full sets in mint condition can go for $100+, especially if still in the original bags.
4. Pokémon 23K Gold-Plated Cards
One of the most memorable forgotten fast food toys of the late ’90s, Burger King sold these in Poké Ball containers and featured characters like Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo. The cards are not actual gold, but they’re plated and officially licensed. A sealed set of six can fetch $200 or more on eBay.
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3. Muppet Babies Toys
Based on the adorable Muppet Babies cartoon, this McDonald’s set of toys included tricycle-riding versions of Kermit, Miss Piggy, and others. They were colorful, well-made, and had real moving parts. Collectors still seek them out, and sets in pristine condition can sell for $80–$150, depending on rarity.
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2. Inspector Gadget Toy
What made this toy unique was that it was a buildable Inspector Gadget. You had to collect different parts (arms, legs, torso, head) from separate McDonald’s Happy Meals to complete the figure. Full, intact Inspector Gadgets are rare, and some listings show them going for $300+ when still in the packaging.
Also read: Retro Electronics That Have Become Collectors’ Items
1. 1989 Batman Toys
Released in tandem with Tim Burton’s Batman, this McDonald’s line featured action figures, Batmobiles, and Joker toys. The moody, dark design made them stand out from the colorful fast food toys of the time. Today, a complete set of these forgotten fast food toys in good condition can sell for over $150 on collector sites.
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