Funko Immortalizes Four John Hughes Films in Pop! Form 

Don’t you forget about … aliens. 

Funko has immortalized four classic 1980s teen films and the cult classic black comedy Mars Attacks in Pop! form. 

Fans of ‘80s cinema, collectors, and vendors have their pick of iconic John Hughes characters from Funko’s I Love the ’80s collection. Pop! figures in the new drop include a trio from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the five starring characters of The Breakfast Club, two protagonists from Pretty in Pink, and two from Sixteen Candles.

Funko’s I Love the 80s collection. | Source: Funko

Think fondly of Chicago with Matthew Broderick’s Ferris Bueller, Mia Sara’s Sloane Peterson, Alan Ruck’s Alan Frye, or cherish the suburbs with Michael Schoeffling’s Jake Ryan (in a green sweater this time), Molly Ringwald’s Samantha Baker, in her iconic bridesmaid dress – or Andie Walsh in her iconic pink dress, Jon Cryer’s Duckie Dale, Ally Sheedy’s Allison, Judd Nelson’s Bender, Anthony Michael Hall’s Brian, and Molly Ringwald’s Claire. (Molly Ringwald really was the queen amongst teens.)

The ‘Mars Attacks’ Collection. | Source: Funko

For fans and vendors of 1990s camp, the Mars Attacks collection includes three aliens: an Alien Leader, an Alien Woman, and an Alien Soldier. One in six Pop! Alien Soldiers have a glow-in-the-dark brain. 

Figures from both drops will be available online and in retail stores later this month. Tim Burton’s science fiction black comedy, based on the 1962 Topps trading card series, exited development hell for theaters in 1996.

Learn more about the wide array of Funko Pop collectible figures at funko.com.

Goodyear Toys Shares New Line of Pretend Play Toys for Aspiring Car Enthusiasts

Goodyear Toys (under license by Red Toolbox) is launching an all-new collection of toys under the Goodyear Pretend Play Line.

The collection has educational toys that will inspire kids to explore the world of car mechanics and care and seeks to encourage kids to be curious about how cars work. Toys in the line include a mechanic tool set, car care accessories, and a tire-changing kit so kids can use their imaginative play skills to learn the basics of car care while strengthening their problem-solving skills. Spanning all age ranges, the toys include play sets for individual play as well as interactive play sets that encourage teamwork and collaborative skills.

“Our mission at Red Toolbox has always been to create toys that empower kids to explore, learn, and build through play. The Goodyear brand is synonymous with quality and innovation,” says Ami Rosenfeld, CEO of Red Toolbox “The Goodyear Pretend Play Line offers a unique opportunity for children to engage with tools and vehicles in an imaginative way. We know that when children engage in pretend play, they learn invaluable skills while having fun. The Goodyear Pretend Play Line isn’t just about toys — it’s about inspiring the next generation of car enthusiasts, engineers, and mechanics. We’re incredibly proud of this new line and can’t wait for kids to start exploring the world of cars through play.”

The collection will soon be available at major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Costco, and select specialty stores. For more information and to check out the Goodyear Pretend Play Line, visit the Red Toolbox website.

‘Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket’ Surpasses 60 Million Downloads; New ‘Mythical Island’ Expansion Arriving Soon

As of this week, the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has surpassed 60 million downloads on iOS and Android devices since its global launch on Oct. 30, 2024. 

In addition to this significant milestone, The Pokémon Company International will launch the latest expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, Mythical Island, on Dec. 17. 

In this expansion, players will meet the new mythical Pokémon Mew. Mythical Island will allow players to find new and unique card illustrations showcasing a variety of new Pokémon. 

Mythical Island will be available on Dec. 16. | Source: Pokémon YouTube Channel

Mythical Island players will also discover new ways to build their card decks, experience new battles, and explore the app’s new binder and display board covers.

To experience all that the Mythical Island expansion offers, players can download the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket from the App Store or Google Play.

The Philly Specials’ Operation Snowball Surges Forward as Eagles Players Team Up with Toy Industry Partners to Spread Holiday Cheer

Operation Snowball is going strong!

The Philly Specials — a group of past and present Philadelphia Eagles players, including Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata — have been on an extra special mission this season. In collaboration with the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, Operation Snowball aims to give every student in the School District of Philadelphia a gift this December. 

Operation Snowball is joining forces with global partners, toy companies, and non-profits to realize this goal. Partners include Spin Master, Just Play, Fanatics, Jazwares, QVC, Tarte Cosmetics, Toy Foundation, Amazon Wondery, Amazon Local Good,  WildBrain, Five Below, Wawa, Shipmates, and Zippy Shell. 

WildBrain also supports the cause by sharing six brand-new animated shorts involving a few recognizable faces on the WildBrain Kids YouTube channel. The official music video they created for The Philly Christmas Specials included Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce, and Boys II Men. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ-uLpsmqSc
Boys II Men and the Kelce Brothers made cartoon cameos in the WildBrain music video. |  Source: WildBrain Kids Youtube 

“Operation Snowball is an incredible undertaking that reminds us all who matters most in our fight for, and investments in, public education: our children,” says Kathryn Epps, President and CEO of The Fund of the School District. 

To donate directly, visit this page. For more information about Operation Snowball and the Philly Specials, visit phillyspecialchristmas.com.


Pokémon and Aardman Tease A Special Project for 2027

The Pokémon Company plans to expand its brand by collaborating with Aardman for a future project. Aardman will bring its unique style of storytelling to the Pokémon universe with a special project launching in 2027.

Founded in 1976, Aardman is a multi-Academy Award and BAFTA award-winning studio known for producing films, series, games, and interactive entertainment. Consumers are most familiar with the studio’s work on Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time, and Morph.

The two companies gave consumers a sneak peek of the upcoming collaboration via a YouTube Short. The 10-second clip, which showcases stop-motion stylings of the iconic Poke Ball, has collected over 4,000 views and 900 likes within its first hour of launching.

“This is a dream partnership for Pokémon. Aardman are masters of their craft, and we have been blown away by their talent and creativity. What we have been working on together ensures our global Pokémon fans are in for a treat!” says Taito Okiura, VP of Marketing and Media at The Pokémon Company International.

“It’s a huge honor to be working with The Pokémon Company International — we feel sincerely privileged to be trusted with bringing their characters and world to life in a brand-new way,” says Sean Clarke, Managing Director of Aardman. “ Bringing together Pokémon, the world’s biggest entertainment brand, together with our love of craft, character, and comedic storytelling, feels incredibly exciting. Aardman and TPCi share an emphasis on heritage and attention to detail, as well as putting our fans and audiences at the heart of what we do, which we know will steer us right as we together create charming, original, and new stories for audiences around the world.”

While little is known about the project, the companies will share more information on the collaboration in the future. To learn more about Aardman animation, visit www.aardman.com.

Tech Meets Adventure in Toikido’s Tokyo-set ‘Beep Boop’

A lively Tokyo, quirky robots, and endless adventure — a new animated show for kids is in the works.

Toikido, the UK-based toy-driven gaming studio, will co-produce Beep Boop with animation studio Custom Nuts and production label Lazy Sunday.

The vibrant series will follow vending machine robots on their explorations through Tokyo’s Electronic Quarter. 

Beep Boop blends comedy, adventure, and relatable lessons within Tokyo’s iconic culture,” says Darran Garnham, CEO & Founder of Toikido. “Each episode is a new opportunity for fans to explore and laugh along with our Beep Boops as they take on tech mishaps and discover their unique place in the world.”

While the show is primarily for kids, the producers believe it will also appeal to adults who enjoy the tech-savvy humor and amusing situations the robots encounter in their pixelated journeys.

“The Beep Boop universe is like no other, combining Japanese cityscapes with universal themes of curiosity, exploration, and resilience,” says Silas Hickey, Founder of Custom Nuts.

The show will turn everyday tech moments into intriguing and silly happenings kids will love. 

“The potential to combine humor, adventure, and meaningful storytelling in this series is limitless, and we can’t wait to start creating memorable experiences for kids worldwide,” says Artem Vasilyev, Founder of Lazy Sunday.

For more information about this new project, visit toikido.com.

Kids India Welcomes New Managing Director as 2025 Event Registration Opens

As plans for Kids India 2025 begin to take shape, Spielwarenmesse India announced Tanu Ailawadi as its new Managing Director. After more than 10 years of successful growth, Ailawadi will continue to pioneer the Indian toy market to put new, innovative products in the hands of kids around the world.

Ailawadi is no stranger to Spielwarenmesse eG. As the previous Project Manager, Ailawadi has organized Kids India since its inception in 2013. She has over 20 years of experience in business and management, including leading a German trade fair team at the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. With a knowledge of business operations and a well-established network across various markets, Ailawadi plans to bring India’s market into the Western toy fold. 

Using my extensive knowledge of the Indian toy market and my personal contacts with its key players and decision-makers, I am aiming to continue leading Kids India forward and to secure the company’s position in the Indian market."
— Tanu Ailawadi, Managing Director, Spielwarenmesse

Kids India 2024 finished only a few months ago, but under Ailawadi’s direction, plans for next year’s Mumbai toy fair are already underway. With the largest market of children under 14 years old in the world, over 25 percent of the population, India plays a vital role in the growth and expansion of the toy industry. Subsequently, Spielwarenmesse’s Kids India has become a global marketplace for toy manufacturers and professionals to expand their outreach with creative new ideas. 

Last year’s fair boasted incredible success, attracting over 5,000 trade visitors from over 30 different countries to the global toy fair. This year’s addition of a start-up pavilion, a showcase for products that have been on the market for under five years, proved to be an effective strategy to support the growing number of young, innovative toy businesses in the country. Next year’s event will once again include the pavilion, giving a new generation of products the chance to be in the global spotlight. 

Kids India 2024 Opening Ceremonies. | Source: Kids India

For those who want to learn more about the Indian product market, toy professionals will host a panel at Spielwarenmesse on Feb. 1 discussing market entry strategies and India’s potential as a site of future toy production. After the panel, the panelists invite participants to an informal gathering with Ailawadi, allowing industry leaders to meet and swap ideas with Kids India’s newest Managing Director. 

Kids India 2025 will take place Oct. 6-8 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. To reserve a booth, exhibitors can visit the Kids India website.

Hot Wheels Celebrates BIGFOOT’s Big Impact

Hot Wheels is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original monster truck, BIGFOOT, with a special die-cast model and a revamped Ford truck. The 1974 Ford F-250 pickup was modified in 1975; four years later, the modifications were so extensive that it became the world’s first monster truck, leading to the industry fans and auto enthusiasts know today, including the Hot Wheels monster truck collection.

Fans can see the modified truck at Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire, which is on tour now. They can also bring the die-cast model home next year. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Trophy Champions Multipack, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Loop-and-Flip Trophy Challenge, and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Trophy Champions Assortment will join the collection in 2025.

The Champions Multipack includes a Baja Truck and a Baja Hauler. The BIGFOOT redesign is faithful to the all-blue model but includes gold detailing to celebrate the special anniversary. While monster trucks are a global phenomenon, Hot Wheels counts its monster truck series among its most successful endeavors, racking up the most views on all its YouTube channels and launching a video game, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Stunt Mayhem.

To rev your engines into the Hot Wheels monster truck collection, visit mattel.com.

MGA Entertainment Teams Up with The Rizzler for Diss-Mas Video

MGA Entertainment is joining forces with TikTok sensation The Rizzler to create a new type of gift guide for parents this holiday season. 

“MGA Presents: Diss-mas” is a shoppable holiday diss track against gift cards created by VIRTUE Worldwide and Pulse Films and directed by Zac Dov Wiesel.

“Gift guides are ubiquitous. At MGA, we wanted to take the classic gift guide and reimagine it in a really fun, never-been-done-before way,” says Josh Hackbarth, Chief Marketing Officer at MGA Entertainment. “We’re proud to introduce our new, shoppable music video diss track, turning the toy industry on its head and immortalizing more than 50 of our top holiday toys. This campaign, brilliantly conceived by VIRTUE, elevates the creative game that MGA brings to the table, from the avant-garde Bratz Pack in 2001 to the global unboxing sensation L.O.L. Surprise! in 2016 to a toy company’s first-ever diss track in 2024. It’s the perfect blend of pop culture swagger with kid-powered joy.”

The video is inspired by rap videos, taking place in a mansion with a garage filled with Little Tikes Cozy Couples, galleries of Rainbow High dolls, and more. 

“MGA’s willingness to take creative risks and adapt to a fast-paced, ever-evolving cultural landscape made them an incredible collaborator for this campaign,” says Kerry Tucker, Co-President of VIRTUE. “At VIRTUE, we pride ourselves on delivering bold ideas that cut through the noise and resonate deeply with audiences of all ages. This partnership with MGA was a perfect match, allowing us to push the boundaries of traditional toy marketing with a campaign that’s as fun and innovative as the toys themselves.”

Parents can shop the toys in the video using YouTube’s Shopping Program, which features clickable links as the products appear on screen.

Star Wars Gift the Galaxy Campaign Welcomes Luke, Leia, Thrawn, and More in Week 5

Disney’s Star Wars has been going strong with its Gift the Galaxy Campaign, and this week’s reveals draw from a rich history of Star Wars publishing, including Heir to the Empire and Shadows of the Empire.

The first is a set of two of the most legendary Star Wars characters. The Black Series Luke Skywalker (Imperial Guard) and Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) set will cost $44.99. This set represents an iconic moment: when Leia disguises herself as a Ubesian bounty hunter to gather intel on the Black Sun, she is captured by Xizor, and it is up to Luke to rescue her. Both action figures come in uniforms with removable masks and weapons. 

The next set the campaign will release is The Vintage Collection: Star Wars: Heir To The Empire 3-Pack. It will cost $49.99. The set includes Captain Pellaeon, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and Joruus C’baoth as 3.75-inch action figures. The set includes role-playing accessories like Joruss’ force lightning hand and Thrawn’s blaster pistol.

Both sets join the rest of the campaign’s releases as collectible action figures for play and display. They are available for preorder at Hasbro Pulse and participating retailers and are expected to be delivered in spring 2025. For more information, visit hasbropulse.com. 


STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES LUKE SKYWALKER (IMPERIAL GUARD) & PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA (BOUSHH)

This duo is ready to join the collection! Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia come with their own accessories and removable masks, ready to play the part.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $44.99

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