It was 30 years ago that Ty Warner launched the product that would firmly place his eponymous company, Ty Inc., in the history books: Beanie Babies.
The plush craze made billions and became the subject of numerous books and documentaries, including Zac Bissonnette’s 2016 book, The Great Beanie Bubble: Mass Delusion and the Dark Side of Cute. The book, published by Penguin Random House’s Portfolio division, serves as the basis for the new film, The Beanie Bubble, and has since been reissued with an updated subtitle: The Amazing Story of How America Lost Its Mind Over a Plush Toy — and The Eccentric Genius Behind It.
Following a theatrical bow last Friday, the film from directors Kristin Gore and Damian Kulash and starring Zach Galifianakis as a fictionalized version of Ty Warner hits Apple TV+ today and has inspired a comment from the real-life Warner, lauding the production while calling attention to its fictionalized accounts.
I applaud the filmmakers for capturing the unprecedented energy and excitement — though not the facts — surrounding the original release of Beanie Babies 30 years ago. The movie is, by its own admission, partly fiction. But, like the filmmakers, I am in the business of dreams, and I admire their creative spirit. To the fans and collectors of Beanie Babies who have been there for the last three decades, thank you for all the love you have shown."
To celebrate the 30-year legacy of Beanie Babies, Warner’s company will give away free Beanie Babies at select theatres across the U.S. and the UK.
Families attending screenings in any of the 37 theaters in the U.S. will have a chance to receive the Patti II Platypus Beanie Baby, “a snuggly soft Ty fabric buddy complete with the official Ty Heart and a special birthday poem.” Moviegoers visiting the 17 UK theaters will receive Peanut II, Squealer II, or Snort II, while supplies last.
“We hope you like our new Beanie Baby collection. We’ve tried to capture all the magic again — 30 years later,” adds Warner.
Ty Inc. will exhibit its latest product assortment when Toy Fair returns to the Javits Center in New York City beginning Sept. 30.
Look for the giant-sized October issue of The Toy Book debuting at the show.
Last year, competing documentaries tackled the story of the Beanie Babies craze, including The Nacelle Co.’s The Beanie Bubble and the Max Original, Beanie Mania.
