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, board games, and trading cards. Many of these films are based on dolls and action figures made by the toy companies Mattel, Kenner, and Hasbro.[1]
Prior to 1977, toys were released along with films as merchandising tie-ins. Films that were suitably toyetic spawned numerous licensed properties, often marketed heavily to children. Beginning the in late 1970s this approach was flipped, however, 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 Masters of the Universe action figures got their own film (The Secret of the Sword), as did The Care Bears (The Care Bears Movie), Rainbow Brite (Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer), and My Little Pony (My Little Pony: The Movie). Also in the 1980s, the greeting card companies American Greetings and Hallmark Cards created many well-known characters that were made into toys on which films were later based.
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 the next year. 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 released in 2014 renewed the interest of toy companies and film studios in producing long-rumored toy-related projects stuck in development hell.[4]
In addition to films, several animated cartoon series have also been created based on toy properties, often airing at the same time, or soon after, the toys were launched. The extension of toy properties into films and television, as well as video games, books, apparel, and other products marketed to children has allowed companies to build lucrative franchises around their most popular characters and brands.
Live-action films based on toys
- American Girls - Mattel
- Samantha: An American Girl Holiday (2004) Television film
- Felicity: An American Girl Adventure (2005) Television film
- Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front (2006) Television film
- Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008)
- An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong (2009) Direct-to-video
- An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars (2012) Direct-to-video
- An American Girl: Saige Paints the Sky (2013) Direct-to-video
- An American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight (2014) Direct-to-video
- An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success (2015) Direct-to-video
- Battleship - Hasbro
- Battleship (2012)
- Bratz - MGA Entertainment
- Bratz: The Movie (2007)
- Cluedo (Clue in North America) - Waddingtons/Parker Brothers
- Clue (1985)
- Dungeons & Dragons - TSR/Wizards of the Coast
- Dungeons & Dragons (2000)
- Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God (2005)
- Dungeons & Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness (2012) Direct-to-video
- G.I. Joe - Hasbro
- G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
- G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)
- Mars Attacks - Topps
- Mars Attacks! (1996)
- My Pet Monster - American Greetings
- My Pet Monster (1986) Direct-to-video
- Ouija - Hasbro
- Witchboard (1986)
- Witchboard 2: The Devil's Doorway (1993)
- Ouija (2014)
- Ouija 2 (October 21, 2016)
- Robosapien - WowWee
- Robosapien: Rebooted (2013)
- Transformers - Hasbro
- Transformers (2007)
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
- Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
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 and the Popstar (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
- 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 Babyz - MGA Entertainment
- Bratz Babyz: The Movie (2006) Direct-to-video
- Bratz Super-Babyz (2007) 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: 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)
- Digital Monster - Bandai
- Digimon: The Movie (2000)
- 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
- Hero Factory - Lego Group
- Hero Factory: Rise of the Rookies (2010) Direct-to-video
- Herself the Elf - American Greetings/Mattel
- The Special Magic of Herself the Elf (1983) Television film
- Holly Hobby - American Greetings/Knickerbocker Toys
- 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)
- The Hugga Bunch - Hallmark Cards/Kenner
- The Hugga Bunch (1985) Television film
- Lego - Lego Group
- Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers (2010) Direct-to-video
- Lego Atlantis: The Movie (2010) Television film
- Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu (2011) Television film
- Lego City: A Clutch Powers 4-D Adventure (2011) Direct-to-video
- The Lego Movie (2014)
- The Lego Batman Movie (February 10, 2017)
- The Lego Movie Sequel (May 18, 2018)
- Lionel toy trains and model railroads - Lionel
- Lionel Lionelville Destination: Adventure (2009) Direct-to-video
- 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
- 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 Scene - Mattel
- My Scene Goes Hollywood (2005) Direct-to-video
- 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)
- Raggedy Ann & Andy - Hasbro (since 1983)
- 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
- Star Fairies - Tonka/Hasbro
- Star Fairies (1985) Television film
- Strawberry Shortcake - American Greetings/Kenner/Playmates/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
- Tamagotchi - WiZ/Bandai
- Tamagotchi: The Movie (2007)
- 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 (November 4, 2016)
- Various classic toys in Pixar's Toy Story films
- Toy Story (1995)
- Toy Story 2 (1999)
- Toy Story 3 (2010)
- Toy Story 4 (June 15, 2018)
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.
- ↑ 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.
See also
- American Girl (film series)
- Barbie (film series)
- List of Lego films
- My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (franchise)
- Transformers (film series)
- Hasbro Studios
- List of films based on cartoons
- List of films based on comics
- List of films based on comic strips
- List of films based on video games