The 90s were a golden era for fast food toys. A Happy Meal or Kids Club combo wasn’t complete without that tiny, magical surprise inside. Fast food chains turned every meal into an adventure, offering unique, collectible, and unforgettable toys. From Disney characters to superheroes, these toys made fast food trips something special. Let’s dive into some of the best fast food toys we scored in the 90s!
Disney’s The Lion King Toys (McDonald’s, 1994)
To celebrate the release of The Lion King, McDonald’s launched a set of toys featuring beloved characters like Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa. These mini figures captured the magic of the movie and turned our playrooms into mini Pride Lands. Collecting each character became a mission, and kids everywhere sang “Hakuna Matata” with their plastic friends in hand.
Beanie Babies (McDonald’s, 1997)
In 1997, McDonald’s partnered with Ty to release a line of mini Beanie Babies. These small plush animals sparked a craze, with kids (and some parents) eager to get each one. The limited releases led to lines out the door, making each new Beanie Baby feel like a real treasure. This collaboration helped fuel the larger Beanie Baby frenzy of the 90s.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Burger King, 1990)
Burger King brought the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to their Kids Club meals, giving us tiny action figures of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. These toys were sturdy, colorful, and perfect for play. For many TV show fans, they became prized collectibles that sparked epic turtle battles at home and school.
Pokémon Toys (Burger King, 1999)
In 1999, Pokémon mania hit Burger King. They released toys inside Poké Balls, each featuring a different character from the Pokémon universe. Kids opened Poké Balls to find Pikachu, Charizard, and more—57 options in all. Collecting them became a feverish quest, turning fast food trips into Pokémon adventures.
McDonald’s Changeables Happy Meal Toys (1987)
In 1987, McDonald’s delighted kids with Changeables—mini robots disguised as Happy Meal items like burgers, fries, and shakes. Inspired by the Transformers craze, these toys transformed simple fast food into fun, collectible robots. The Changeables became an instant hit, sparking excitement with each meal as kids discovered which transforming treat they’d get next.
Batman Returns Toys (McDonald’s, 1992)
McDonald’s celebrated Batman Returns with toys featuring Batman, the Batmobile, and Catwoman. These small figurines captured the superhero magic of Gotham, allowing kids to recreate scenes from the film or imagine their own adventures. These tough, detailed toys fueled many superhero stories in backyards everywhere.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (McDonald’s, 1995)
The Power Rangers craze inspired McDonald’s to release action figures of the Rangers themselves. Each toy was well-crafted and detailed, making them favorites among young fans. For kids who loved watching the Power Rangers battle villains on TV, these toys brought the action home, letting them join the adventure in their own way.
101 Dalmatians Toys (McDonald’s, 1996)
To promote the re-release of 101 Dalmatians, McDonald’s introduced a mind-blowing set of 101 Dalmatian toys. Each visit was a surprise, with kids eager to see which Dalmatian they’d receive. While collecting all 101 was challenging, it kept kids coming back, and each unique toy made the search worthwhile.
Inspector Gadget Toys (McDonald’s, 1995)
McDonald’s Inspector Gadget series was one of their most creative toy sets. Each meal came with a different piece of the goofy detective, which kids could collect and assemble into a full action figure. It was fun and interactive, and it turned multiple trips into a larger adventure as kids eagerly gathered all the parts to build Inspector Gadget.
Space Jam Toys (McDonald’s, 1996)
When Space Jam hit theaters, McDonald’s brought the Looney Tunes fun to Happy Meals with toys featuring Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny, and friends. Kids could shoot hoops with mini basketball-themed toys or play with characters from the movie. The toys were fun and sporty and captured the excitement of the Space Jam craze.
Why These Toys Stuck With Us
These toys weren’t just about play—they were a slice of 90s pop culture. With each release, fast food chains gave us a little piece of our favorite characters and shows. They added excitement to each meal and made every trip to the counter feel like an adventure. For kids growing up in the 90s, these toys were more than plastic figures; they were part of our world, a way to take the magic of the movies and TV shows home with us.
So, here’s to the iconic toys of the 1990s—the small treasures that turned our Happy Meals into unforgettable memories!