McDonald’s Is Bringing Back Throwback Toys for the Happy Meal’s 40th Anniversary: See Hamburglar, Furby, More

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McDonald's Is Bringing Back Throwback Toys for the Happy Meal's 40th Anniversary: See Hamburglar, Furby, More

Nostalgia alert! McDonald’s recently announced that it plans to bring back more than a dozen vintage Happy Meal toys as a fun way to celebrate the popular menu item’s 40th anniversary. On Thursday, November 7, the chain is introducing a new menu item called the Surprise Happy Meal. Each of the limited-edition offerings will come with a fan-favorite throwback Happy Meal toy from the past four decades. More specifically, 15 beloved characters will be featured in Surprise Happy Meals sold around the world, while two additional characters will be available exclusively in the U.S. Some of the returning critters include the Cowboy McNugget from 1988 and Power Rangers figurines, which debuted at the fast-food establishment in 1995, just as the group of colorful heroes was in the midst of a major pop culture moment. [ami-related id="1286129" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/food/pictures/savage-fast-food-tweets/" title="Savage Fast Food Tweets" target="" showsubt="false" thumb="false" imgsrc="https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/savage-fast-food-tweets.jpg"] Another returning toy with big ties to pop culture is Patti the Platypus, a Teenie Beanie Baby created to look just like her larger counterpart. Patti was sold along with Happy Meals in 1997, as Beanie Babies became increasingly popular around the world. The following year, just as Tamagotchis were all the rage, a smaller version of the virtual pet was sold as part of millions of Happy Meals. Now, McDonald’s customers will have a second chance to get their hands on a tiny Tamagotchi, seeing as the keychain is another Surprise Happy Meal offering. First introduced nationally as a Circus Wagon Happy Meal in June 1979, early iterations of the Happy Meal featured a decorative box including various toys, such as a spinning top and McDonaldland character erasers. The Happy Meal went international in 1982, and since then its global footprint has expanded to more than 38,000 restaurants in over 100 countries around the globe. Now, McDonald’s estimates 1 billion Happy Meals are sold globally each year. [jwplayer ZJNBMein-l3ahXupL] “Since the Happy Meal was introduced on the menu, it quickly became synonymous with our brand,” said McDonald’s CEO, Steve Easterbrook, in a press release. “Today, this iconic red box creates delicious, lasting memories for billions of families annually across the world.” What’s more? The toys included as part of a Happy Meal have made impressions on generations of McDonald’s customers. “Parents tell us how fondly they recall their favorite toys,” Colin Mitchell, McDonald’s senior vice president of global marketing, explained. “So, unboxing the Surprise Happy Meal together creates a real moment of bonding with their children. We hope these toys are something that they will treasure and remember.” Regular Happy Meals today now include fruit and vegetable components as well as toys that reflect current trends. Recent options have included Hello Kitty figures and Pokémon-inspired games. The Surprise Happy Meal will be available in more than 90 countries starting Thursday, at participating restaurants. Those in America can get in on the celebration until November 11, while supplies last. Scroll down to see all 17 throwback Happy Meal toys returning to McDonald’s this month!

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Cowboy McNugget

First introduced in 1988 and based on a series of popular TV commercials, this McDonald’s character came with interchangeable accessories like hats, hair and shoes.

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Fireman McNugget

This McDonald’s offering, also from 1988, was sold alongside “peel-off” sheets in some restaurants, meaning customers could customize the character to their liking.

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Mail Carrier McNugget

The last of the McNuggets from 1988, this toy came with its own hat and mail bag.

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Hamburger Changeable

This 1989 toy was one of the restaurant’s takes on the popular transforming toys of the time.

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Grimace

In 1979, Grimace had four arms — each carrying a different McDonald’s shake. By 1990, the well-known character went down to two arms but kept its bright purple hue.

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Dino Happy Meal Box Changeable

The second of the fast-food eatery’s transforming toys debuted in 1991. This one was designed to look like a dinosaur.

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McDonald’s Hot Wheels Thunderbird

Hot Wheels has created scale models of popular cars since 1968, making them a go-to collectible. The vehicles first wheeled into the Happy Meal in 1991, though this particular version is from 1993.

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Hamburglar

Robble, robble! This masked icon was introduced in the original Happy Meal in 1979 as a fun eraser. This returning iteration of the burger bandit hails from 1995.

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Power Rangers

Also making their debut in 1995 was an array of Power Rangers figurines. Each of the heroes was a globally recognized figure thanks to TV shows, movies and comic books.

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Space Jam Bugs Bunny

Bugs Bunny slam-dunked into the Happy Meal with the release of Space Jam in 1996. The flick included an all-star Looney Tunes lineup as well as several NBA greats including Michael Jordan and Larry Bird.

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Patti the Platypus

Patti was one of the “Teenie Beanie Babies” and an all-time best-selling Happy Meal toy that dates back to 1997. This toy is still sought after by collectors from around the world.

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101 Dalmatians

This U.S. exclusive, also from 1997, debuted months after the live-action movie, 101 Dalmatians, premiered in America and earned more than $320 million at the box office.

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Tamagotchi

The egg-shaped Tamagotchi keychain hatched into the Happy Meal at the height of the digital toys trend in 1998. That same year, McDonald’s celebrated Disney’s Mulan with the first international Happy Meal, which featured identical packaging in 38 different languages.

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My Little Pony

My Little Pony made pop culture history with TV shows, clothing lines and annual conventions. The toy joined the McDonald’s Happy Meal family in 1998.

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Furby

The hot holiday gift of 1999 was the first electronic toy to be included in the Happy Meal.

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Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey

This U.S. exclusive from 2002 became part of the Happy Meal toy lineup about two years after Fantasia 2000 hit theaters, and more than 40 years after Fantasia, in which this magical version of Mickey appears, was first released.

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Hello Kitty

The pop icon made her Happy Meal debut in 2000 and has inspired generations with her positive message of kindness and friendship. This version of Hello Kitty dates back to 2013.