Adulting is hard. Really hard. Sometimes you just need a tiny cardboard box filled with fried potatoes and a plastic trinket to make it through the day.
Lucky for you (and us!), McDonald’s has heard our collective cries and unleashed a brand new Happy Meal upon the world. But that’s not all we’re indulging in!
Prepare for a massive dose of guilty pleasure as we revisit 10 throwback hits that prove our taste in music peaked sometime before we started paying bills.
1. New Happy Meal (2025)
McDonald’s just dropped a brand-new Happy Meal, and it’s out-of-this-world—literally. This limited-time promo features toys from Pixar’s upcoming movie Elio, including eight collectible characters with fun, launchable bases.
It’s a fresh addition that taps into both movie magic and interactive play, making it a hit with kids and collectors alike.
2. Halloween Pails (1986–Present)
Remember those plastic pumpkin buckets that doubled as trick-or-treat containers? The orange McPunk’n, white McBoo, and green McGoblin became Halloween staples for generations of kids.
Whenever these seasonal treasures return to the menu, social media explodes with excitement. Parents who collected them as children now share the tradition with their own kids, proving some Happy Meal toys are truly timeless.
3. Disney Movie Toys (1990s)
The golden era of Disney and McDonald’s collaborations brought us miniature versions of beloved characters from films like The Lion King, Aladdin, and 101 Dalmatians.
Toys weren’t just plastic figurines – they moved, lit up, and sometimes even played music! Kids would beg parents for Happy Meals just to complete their collections.
4. Beanie Babies (1997)
The Teenie Beanie Babies craze created actual traffic jams at McDonald’s drive-thrus! Adults bought Happy Meals in bulk, sometimes ordering dozens just for the toys inside.
McDonald’s had to implement purchase limits as the tiny plush animals flew off shelves faster than Big Macs. Some locations sold out within hours of opening. This collaboration between McDonald’s and Ty remains legendary in Happy Meal history.
5. Hot Wheels & Barbie (1990s–2000s)
The perfect gender-neutral promotion paired tiny Hot Wheels cars with collectible Barbies, letting kids choose their preferred toy regardless of the “boy/girl” marketing.
Hot Wheels featured real car models with working wheels that actually rolled smoothly. The Barbies came with changeable outfits and themed accessories that sparked imaginative play.
6. Pokémon Toys (2000s, 2020s)
Gotta catch ’em all – in your Happy Meal! The Pokémon craze paired perfectly with McDonald’s collectible strategy, creating trading opportunities right in the restaurant playplace.
The original 2000s collection featured plastic figurines of popular characters like Pikachu and Squirtle. When Pokémon cards joined Happy Meals in the 2020s, it created such demand that McDonald’s had to limit purchases as adults cleared out entire inventories to resell online.
7. McDonald’s Changeables (1987–1989)
Food that transforms into robots? Genius! These clever toys resembled McDonald’s menu items that morphed into mechanical creatures with just a few twists and turns.
A Big Mac became a dinosaur. French fries transformed into a robot. Even the McFlurry could change shape! Kids were fascinated by the innovative design that combined their favorite meals with the popularity of transforming toys.
8. The Lego Happy Meal (2002)
When two childhood icons collided! The 2002 Lego Happy Meal brought mini building sets featuring race cars, tiny robots, and adventure-themed creations.
Unlike most Happy Meal toys that came ready to play, these required assembly – part of their charm! Each set contained just enough pieces to build something cool without overwhelming young builders. The collaboration made perfect sense!
9. Muppet Babies (1980s)
Baby Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the gang brought the popular cartoon series right to your Happy Meal! These colorful figurines captured the playful essence of the show’s characters in their adorable infant forms.
Each Muppet Baby came posed in a unique position – some sitting, others standing or waving. The toys were simple by today’s standards, but their charm was undeniable.
10. Inspector Gadget (1995)
Go-go-gadget Happy Meal! The 1995 Inspector Gadget promotion remains legendary for its innovative design – a multi-part collectible that actually assembled into something amazing.
Each week featured a different body part of the famous detective. Collect all eight, and you could build a 12-inch Inspector Gadget figure with extending arms!
11. Teenie Beanie Boos (2014–2017)
Those giant adorable eyes! Ty’s Beanie Boos brought their signature cute aesthetic to Happy Meals with miniature versions of the popular plush characters.
From colorful unicorns to wide-eyed penguins, these tiny stuffed animals featured the same sparkly eyes and super-soft material as their larger counterparts. Kids loved collecting the rainbow of creatures, each with its own name and birthday.