The Most Iconic Action Figure Lines: A Nostalgic Look-back
It may be surprising to some, but the enduring success of many beloved franchises often hinges on the merchandise they produce. Among this merchandise, action figures stand out as some of the most popular items. These toys serve as tangible representations of cherished characters, allowing children to immerse themselves in imaginative play and offering adults the thrill of collecting and showcasing these plastic icons.
Certain action figure lines surpass the media they originate from, becoming symbols of pop culture. Since the '70s, these iconic toy lines have been a defining feature of the toy industry. Today, they continue to captivate audiences, blending nostalgia with the ongoing allure of imaginative play.
1. G.I. Joe Has More Successful Toy Lines Than Successful Films
G.I. Joe has long been a cornerstone in the world of action figures, dating back to the early 1960s. Initially, the figures were twelve inches tall, focusing on military themes and iconic characters. The toy line achieved substantial growth in the 1980s with a cartoon series, expanding its market and introducing scaled-down figures for enhanced playability and accessory options.
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G.I. Joe diversified into multiple toy lines throughout its history. A Real American Hero in the 1980s remains a fan favorite, featuring characters like Snake Eyes, Duke, and Cobra Commander. The adventurous Adventure Team line and the more specialized Sky Patrol helped maintain interest over the decades. Highlighting its versatility, G.I. Joe introduced unique characters and sets, such as the Navy SEAL Torpedo and flamethrower-wielding Firefly. The weapon and vehicle accessories, like the RAM motorcycle and USS Flagg, added layers of engagement for young fans. Despite the movies generating mixed reviews, the toy lines have sustained their popularity, proving the timeless appeal of these miniature heroes and villains. Kenner's Star Wars action figures played a major role in spreading the series' popularity among kids. These toys initially hit the market in the late '70s and continued to soar in sales well into the mid-'80s. The line offered over 100 unique figures, with Kenner producing and selling more than 300 million units during this period. One noteworthy element was the 3.75-inch size of the figures, which allowed for a wide range of accessories, playsets, and vehicles that kids could collect. Despite producing many figures, Kenner often faced challenges keeping these figures in stock due to high demand. Today, original Star Wars figures, especially those with their original packaging, remain valuable collectibles. Hasbro has a long history with the Transformers Generation 1 toy line, which first launched in 1984 and remained popular for years. The original toys were so successful that they were kept on shelves even after the cartoon series ended in the United States. Powermasters and Pretenders, originally seen in Japanese anime, were brought to American fans to extend the line's life. Although Generation 1 eventually made way for Beast Wars and Beast Machines, Hasbro has continually revisited these classic designs. Many iconic figures have been remade, tapping into the nostalgic value cherished by long-time fans. The Power Rangers toy line was a big hit in the '90s, offering something for everyone who watched the show. Action figures of the Rangers allowed kids to recreate their favorite battles. The megazords were perfect for those who loved the giant robot scenes. The toy line even included weapon replicas and morphers so fans could pretend to be their favorite Ranger. From Jason to Kimberly, and from the Dragonzord to the Power Blaster, the toy line ensured that fans had everything they needed to bring the Power Rangers world to life. Kenner, known for its Star Wars and Super Powers toy lines, reached new heights with The Real Ghostbusters in the late '80s. Focusing on the animated series instead of the movies, they rolled out ten waves of action figures over six years. The toys featured different Ghostbusters variations, unique vehicles, and new villains. Kenner also included child-sized weapons, allowing kids to role-play as Ghostbusters. This approach made the toy line very successful and beloved, cementing its place in 1980s pop culture. The Gundam series has sustained its popularity for decades, largely thanks to its iconic model kits, often referred to as Gunpla. These kits have not only secured a dedicated fanbase but also influenced the design of mecha across the industry. The introduction of new mecha each season often coincided with the launch of new model kits, keeping the franchise fresh and engaging. Series like Gundam Build Fighters even centered entirely around Gunpla, showcasing their significance. The evergreen appeal of these model kits ensures older fans remain engaged while attracting new enthusiasts, cementing Gundam's place in popular culture. In the late 1980s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles became a huge craze. The 1987 cartoon took big liberties with the original story, but kids didn't mind. Playmates Toys played a key role by continuously designing and releasing new action figures and sets. By the third series, they had characters like "Leo, the Sewer Samurai." This creativity resulted in massive popularity. Elaborate playsets allowed kids to craft their own adventures. Today, many of these toys are valuable collectibles. Fans may want to look at their old collections because some figures hold significant worth. The My Little Pony toy line began in 1982, evolving from the less popular My Pretty Pony series. Hasbro revamped their approach by adding engaging features like fruit scents and glow-in-the-dark elements to the toys. This innovation made the ponies more appealing to children. The My Little Pony TV show followed in the footsteps of many '80s series, mainly existing to market the toys. Despite the show airing four years after the toys' debut, it successfully boosted sales. Today, My Little Pony remains a cornerstone of Hasbro's offerings, standing alongside other massive franchises like Transformers and G.I. Joe. He-Man was one of the first cartoons tied directly to a toy line, featuring new products in nearly every episode. Kids loved the show Masters of the Universe, which included strange and exciting adventures. With He-Man and the warriors of Eternia battling Skeletor and his minions, there were numerous action figures available for purchase. Beyond action figures, the toy line included a kid-sized Power Sword and an impressive Castle Grayskull playset. This combination of toys and television was highly successful. By the end of the second season, the He-Man franchise had generated sales totaling half a billion dollars. This remarkable success highlighted the strong connection between the animated series and its extensive line of toys. ToyBiz found major success with their X-Men: The Animated Series figures, thanks to the popularity of the Fox Kids show. Prior to this, they made figures of Marvel Comics superheroes with some success, but the cartoon propelled them to new heights. The company released a wide range of action figures and vehicles like the Blackbird and the Mutant-cycle. Their line covered characters from both the animated series and the comics, making it a sought-after collection for fans. ToyBiz managed to offer a variety of figures, keeping the fans’ interests in mind. Their dedication led to nearly ten years of dominance in the market. Even when giving fans what they wanted, ToyBiz also introduced items that were unexpected yet embraced by the community. This era solidified ToyBiz's place in the world of action figures for a generation.2. Kenner's Star Wars Toys Generated Hundreds Of Millions Of Sales
3. Transformers Generation One Is The Toy Line Hasbro Keeps Bringing Back
4. Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Created Toys For Every Type Of Power Rangers Fan
5. The Real Ghostbusters Created More Toys With The Cartoons Than The Films
6. Gundam's Model Kits Are The Reason The Series Has Been Around For So Long
7. Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Helped Make The Franchise Into A Massive Success
8. My Little Pony's Toy Line Created The Television Series
9. He-Man Generated Half A Billion Dollars In Sales
10. ToyBiz Defined The Look Of X-Men Toys For A Generation
