List of films based on toys
This is a list of feature length animated and live-action theatrical, television, and direct-to-video films based on toys, tabletop games, and trading cards. Many of these films are based on dolls and action figures made by the toy companies Hasbro, Kenner, and Mattel.[1]
History of films based on toys
Prior to 1977, toys were released together with films as merchandising tie-ins. Films that were suitably toyetic spawned numerous licensed properties, often marketed heavily to children. Beginning in the late 1970s, this approach was flipped as films began to appear that were based on popular toys. In 1977, Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure debuted as the first theatrical motion picture in which a consumer toy was the star.[2] During the 1980s, action figures got their own films, such as Masters of the Universe (The Secret of the Sword) and Transformers (The Transformers: The Movie), as did dolls, such as Pound Puppies (Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw) and My Little Pony (My Little Pony: The Movie). Also in the 1980s, the greeting card companies American Greetings and Hallmark Cards created popular characters that were made into toys, on which films were later based, such as The Care Bears (The Care Bears Movie), Rainbow Brite (Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer), and Strawberry Shortcake (Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie).
A resurgence of live action film adaptions of toy properties began in 2007 with the release of Transformers, the first film in what would become the Transformers film franchise. The first film in the G.I. Joe film franchise, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, was released two years later. In 2008, Hasbro Inc. entered into a deal with Universal Pictures to make at least four movies based on the toy company's products. In 2012, the poor performance of the first film from this partnership, Battleship, caused other projects in development to be shelved or sold off to other studios.[3] The success of The Lego Movie in 2014 showed that even intellectual properties without an existing narrative, or even familiar characters, could be profitable and its success renewed the interest of toy companies and film studios in producing toy-related projects stuck in development hell.[4][5]
On November 3, 2017, Hasbro Studios entered into a five-year production and distribution deal with Viacom's Paramount Pictures to develop additional stories based on Hasbro properties.[6] In 2021, is was reported that Mattel Films had 13 films in production based on Mattel toys and games, such as Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Masters of the Universe, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, Polly Pocket, View-Master, American Girl, and Uno.[7] After being in development for over a decade, a live-action film adaptation of Barbie was announced by Warner Bros. Pictures with actress Margot Robbie cast as Barbie and Greta Gerwig directing.[7][8][9] Released in July 2023, Barbie was the first live-action Barbie film after numerous computer-animated films and specials[10] The film received critical acclaim and grossed more than $1 billion in worldwide box office sales, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 2023, the highest-grossing film of all time solely directed by a woman, and the 25th highest-grossing film of all-time.
Live-action films based on toys
Animated films based on toys
- Action Man - Palitoy/Hasbro
- Action Man: Robot Atak (2004) - direct-to-video
- Action Man: X Missions – The Movie (2005) - direct-to-video
- Action Man: The Gangrene Code (2006) - direct-to-video, Mexico only
- Barbie - Mattel
- Barbie and the Rockers: Out of this World (1987) - television film
- Barbie and The Sensations: Rockin' Back to Earth (1987) - television film
- Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001) - direct-to-video
- Barbie as Rapunzel (2002) - direct-to-video
- Barbie of Swan Lake (2003) - direct-to-video
- Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper (2004) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: Fairytopia (2005) - direct-to-video
- Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (2005) - direct-to-video
- Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia (2006) - direct-to-video
- The Barbie Diaries (2006) - direct-to-video
- Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006) - direct-to-video
- Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow (2007) - direct-to-video
- Barbie as the Island Princess (2007) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: Mariposa (2008) - direct-to-video
- Barbie and the Diamond Castle (2008) - direct-to-video
- Barbie in a Christmas Carol (2008) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: Thumbelina (2009) - direct-to-video
- Barbie and the Three Musketeers (2009) - direct-to-video
- Barbie in A Mermaid Tale (2010) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale (2010) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: A Fairy Secret (2011) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: Princess Charm School (2011) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: A Perfect Christmas (2011) - direct-to-video
- Barbie in A Mermaid Tale 2 (2012) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar (2012) - direct-to-video
- Barbie in the Pink Shoes (2013) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: Mariposa & the Fairy Princess (2013) - direct-to-video
- Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale (2013) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: The Pearl Princess (2014) - direct-to-video
- Barbie and the Secret Door (2014) - direct-to-video
- Barbie in Princess Power (2015) - direct-to-video
- Barbie in Rock 'N Royals (2015) - direct-to-video
- Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure (2015) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: Spy Squad (2016) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: Star Light Adventure (2016) - direct-to-video
- Barbie & Her Sisters in A Puppy Chase (2016) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: Video Game Hero (2017) - direct-to-video
- Barbie: Dolphin Magic (2017) - direct-to-video
- Bayala - Schleich
- Bayala: A Magical Adventure (2019)
- Bionicle - Lego Group
- Bionicle: Mask of Light (2003) - direct-to-video
- Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui (2004) - direct-to-video
- Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows (2005) - direct-to-video
- Bionicle: The Legend Reborn (2009) - direct-to-video
- BraveStarr - Mattel
- BraveStarr: The Movie (1988) (2004) - direct-to-video
- Bratz - MGA Entertainment
- Bratz: Starrin' & Stylin' (2004) - direct-to-video
- Bratz: Rock Angelz (2005) - direct-to-video
- Bratz: Genie Magic (2006) - direct-to-video
- Bratz: Passion 4 Fashion Diamondz (2006) - direct-to-video
- Bratz: Fashion Pixiez (2007) - direct-to-video
- Bratz: Girlz Really Rock (2008) - direct-to-video
- Bratz: Pampered Petz (2010) - direct-to-video
- Bratz: Desert Jewelz - Genie Magic 2 (2012) - direct-to-video
- Bratz Go to Paris: The Movie (2013) - direct-to-video
- Bratz Babyz - MGA Entertainment
- Bratz Babyz: The Movie (2006) - direct-to-video
- Bratz Super-Babyz (2007) - direct-to-video
- Bratz Babyz Save Christmas (2008) - direct-to-video
- Bratz Kidz - MGA Entertainment
- Bratz Kidz: Sleep-Over Adventure (2007) - direct-to-video
- Bratz Kidz: Fairy Tales (2008) - direct-to-video
- Candy Land - Milton Bradley/Hasbro
- Candy Land: The Great Lollipop Adventure (2005) - direct-to-video
- Care Bears - American Greetings/Kenner
- The Care Bears Movie (1985)
- Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986)
- The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland (1987)
- Care Bears Nutcracker Suite (1988) - television film
- Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot (2004) - direct-to-video
- The Care Bears' Big Wish Movie (2005) - direct-to-video
- Care Bears: Oopsy Does It! (2007)
- Care Bears: Share Bear Shines (2010) - direct-to-video
- Care Bears: The Giving Festival (2010) - direct-to-video
- Care Bears to the Rescue Movie (2010)
- Care Bears: A Belly Badge for Wonderheart (2013) - direct-to-video
- Enchantimals - Mattel
- Enchantimals: Finding Home (2017)
- Ever After High - Mattel
- Ever After High: Spring Unsprung (2015) - Netflix exclusive
- G.I. Joe - Hasbro
- G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987) - direct-to-video
- G.I. Joe: Spy Troops (2003) - direct-to-video
- G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom (2004) - direct-to-video
- Gobots - Tonka/Hasbro
- Hero Factory - Lego Group
- Hero Factory: Rise of the Rookies (2010) - video release of Hero Factory episodes as a single film
- Hero Factory: Savage Planet (2011) - video release of Hero Factory episodes as a single film
- Herself the Elf - American Greetings/Mattel
- The Special Magic of Herself the Elf (1983) - television film
- Holly Hobbie - Tomy/Knickerbocker Toys/American Greetings
- Holly Hobbie and Friends: Surprise Party (2005) - direct-to-video
- Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes (2006) - direct-to-video
- Holly Hobbie and Friends: Secret Adventures (2007) - direct-to-video
- Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever (2007) - direct-to-video
- Holly Hobbie and Friends: Fabulous Fashion Show (2008) - direct-to-video
- Holly Hobbie and Friends: Marvelous Makeover (2009) - direct-to-video
- Hot Wheels - Mattel
- Hot Wheels World Race (2003) - direct-to-video
- Hot Wheels AcceleRacers: Ignition (2005) - direct-to-video
- Hot Wheels AcceleRacers: Speed of Silence (2005) - direct-to-video
- Hot Wheels AcceleRacers: Breaking Point (2005) - direct-to-video
- Hot Wheels AcceleRacers: The Ultimate Race (2005) - direct-to-video
- Team Hot Wheels: The Origin of Awesome! (2014)
- Lego - Lego Group
- Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers (2010) - direct-to-video
- The Lego Movie (2014)
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League (2015) - direct-to-video
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom (2015) - direct-to-video
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Cosmic Clash (2016) - direct-to-video
- Lego Scooby-Doo! Haunted Hollywood (2016) - direct-to-video
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Gotham City Breakout (2016) - direct-to-video
- The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
- The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017)
- The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
- Lionel toy trains and model railroads - Lionel
- Lionel Lionelville Destination: Adventure (2009) - direct-to-video
- Masters of the Universe - Mattel
- The Secret of the Sword (1985)
- Max Steel - Mattel
- Max Steel: Endangered Species (2004) - direct-to-video
- Max Steel: Forces of Nature (2005) - direct-to-video
- Max Steel: Countdown (2006) - direct-to-video
- Max Steel: Dark Rival (2007) - direct-to-video
- Max Steel: Bio Crisis (2008) - direct-to-video
- Max Steel vs. The Mutant Menace (2009) - direct-to-video
- Max Steel vs. The Toxic Legion (2010) - direct-to-video
- Mega Bloks - Mega Brands
- Dragons: Fire and Ice (2004) - direct-to-video
- Dragons II: The Metal Ages (2005) - television film
- Mini 4WD - Tamiya
- Monster High - Mattel
- Monster High: Ghouls Rule (2012) - television film
- Monster High: 13 Wishes (2013) - television film
- Monster High: Frights, Camera, Action! (2014) - television film
- Monster High: Freaky Fusion (2014) - television film
- Monster High: Haunted (2015) - television film
- Monster High: Boo York, Boo York (2015) - direct-to-video
- Monster High: Great Scarrier Reef (2016) - direct-to-video
- Welcome to Monster High (2016)
- Monster High: Electrified (2017) - direct-to-video
- Monster High: Happy Howlidays, Ghouls (2017) - direct-to-video
- My Little Pony - Hasbro
- My Little Pony: The Movie (1986)
- My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas (2005) - direct-to-video
- My Little Pony: The Princess Promenade (2006) - direct-to-video
- My Little Pony Crystal Princess: The Runaway Rainbow (2006) - direct-to-video
- My Little Pony: A Very Pony Place (2007) - direct-to-video
- My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure (2009) - direct-to-video
- My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (2013)
- My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks (2014)
- My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Friendship Games (2015)
- My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Legend of Everfree (2016)
- My Little Pony: The Movie (2017)
- My Little Pony: A New Generation (September 24, 2021) - Netflix exclusive
- My Scene - Mattel
- My Scene Goes Hollywood (2005) - direct-to-video
- Playmobil - Brandstätter Group
- Playmobil: The Secret of Pirate Island (2009) - direct-to-video
- Playmobil: The Movie (2019)
- Polly Pocket - Bluebird Toys/Mattel
- PollyWorld (2006) - direct-to-video
- Pound Puppies - Tonka/Hasbro
- The Pound Puppies (1985) - television film
- Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw (1988)
- Princess of Power - Mattel
- The Secret of the Sword (1985)
- Raggedy Ann & Andy - Hasbro (since 1983)
- Rainbow Brite - Hallmark Cards/Mattel
- Rescue Heroes - Fisher-Price
- Rescue Heroes: The Movie (2003) - direct-to-video
- Robotix - Milton Bradley/Hasbro
- Robotix: The Movie (1987) - televised shorts released as direct-to-video feature
- Shopkins - Moose Toys
- Shopkins: Chef Club (2016) - direct-to-video
- Shopkins: World Vacation (2017) - direct-to-video
- Shopkins: Wild (2018) - direct-to-video
- Star Fairies - Tonka/Hasbro
- Star Fairies (1985) - television film
- Strawberry Shortcake - American Greetings/Kenner/Playmates Toys/Hasbro
- Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie (2006)
- Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Blossom Festival (2007) - theatrically released episodes of Strawberry Shortcake
- Strawberry Shortcake: Let's Dance (2007) - theatrically released episodes of Strawberry Shortcake
- Strawberry Shortcake: Rockaberry Roll (2008) - theatrically released episodes of Strawberry Shortcake
- The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit (2009) - direct-to-video
- Strawberry Shortcake: The Glimmerberry Ball Movie (2010) - direct-to-video
- Tonka Trucks - Tonka/Hasbro
- Tonka Tough Truck Adventures: The Biggest Show on Wheels (2004) - direct-to-video
- Transformers - Hasbro
- The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
- Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising (2013) - television film
- Troll doll - Dam Things/DreamWorks Animation
- Trolls (2016)
- Trolls World Tour (2020)
- Trolls Band Together (2023)
- Uglydoll - Pretty Ugly/STX Entertainment
- UglyDolls (2019)
References
- Peterson, Jeffrey (2012-05-17). "From toys to the big screen". Deseret News. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
- Heitmueller, Karl (2007-06-26). "'Transformers' Roots Can Be Traced To Care Bears, My Little Pony, In Rewind". MTV.com. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
- Brodesser-Akner, Claude (2012-02-06). "What Hollywood Can Learn From the End of Universal's Ill-Fated Hasbro Deal". Vulture. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
- French, Alex (2017-07-27). "How to Make a Movie Out of Anything — Even a Mindless Phone Game". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- Miller, Daniel (2014-02-11). "Other toy makers are looking to build on success of 'The Lego Movie'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
- Lang, Brent (November 3, 2017). "Paramount, Hasbro Sign Five-Year Distribution, Production Pact". Variety. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- Barnes, Brooks (July 9, 2021). "It's Hollywood Barbie's Moment (and She's Bringing Her Friends)". New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- Fleming, Michael; Graser, Marc (September 23, 2009). "Barbie's a Living Doll at Universal with Big Screen Plans". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- Creswell, Julie (December 13, 2018). "Mattel's Revival Plan: Bet on Barbie, the Movie". New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- Rubin, Rebecca (April 25, 2023). "Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling Bring Plastic, Fantastic 'Barbie' to CinemaCon". Variety. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
See also
- American Girl (film series)
- Barbie (film series)
- G.I. Joe (film series)
- List of Lego films
- My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
- Transformers (film series)
- List of films based on Hasbro properties
- List of television programs based on Hasbro properties
- List of films based on comic strips
- List of films based on comics
- List of films based on video games