From the 1970s to the present, McDonald’s has been making kids worldwide happy through their Happy Meal collectibles. And while you’ll probably see a few of them packed in the attic from your parents’ homes, many of them are sold online for a heavy price tag. Yup, these are the collectibles that are difficult to find as McDonald’s no longer releases them. Today, we’ll delve into that treasure trove to reveal the 14 McDonald’s collectibles that are worth your money.
14. Lego Bionicle (2001)
Do you remember the Bionicle craze of the early 2000s? In 2001, McDonald’s hopped on the bandwagon by introducing a series of Bionicle toys in Happy Meals. To complete a set of these mini Bionicle figures today, you’ll likely spend around $200, with individual figures ranging from $20 to $35 each.
13. Inspector Gadget (1999)
In 1999, McDonald’s unveiled a set of Inspector Gadget toys that required collecting all eight pieces to assemble the full figure. This clever marketing tactic meant kids had incomplete sets in mint condition that they had probably tossed out in their toy chests. A single piece might not be worth much, but a complete set might cost you $125 to $265 if you search the internet.
12. Super Mario Brothers (1990)
The world was in a state of Super Mario fever back in the 1990s, thanks to the Nintendo Entertainment System. With that, McDonald’s released a set of Super Mario Bros. Happy Meal toys. This collection features four of the iconic game characters: Mario, Luigi, a Goomba, and a Koopa Paratroopa. For collectors today, they’re a holy grail, with collectors paying as much as $800 to $980 for a complete set in mint condition.
11. Teenie Beanie Babies (1997)
If there’s another thing to remember in the ’90s, they were the Beanie Baby craze. In 1997, McDonald’s released a line of miniature Beanie Babies called Teenie Beanie Babies. It was a massive success, and people lined up to get a hand on the Happy Meal. Today, some of the rarest bunches, like the International Bears quartet, can sell up to $500.
10. Magic Snack Maker (1993)
In 1993, McDonald’s introduced the Magic Snack Maker, a three-piece toy that allows you to create your favorite McDonald’s treats. The set included a French Fry Maker, a Hamburger Maker, and a Frozen Fruit Snack Maker. Today, a complete set can sell between $200 and $300, with the Frozen Fruit Snack Market fetching close to $400.
9. Hot Wheels (Various Years)
Hot Wheels have been a staple toy for generations. It’s no surprise that McDonald’s has teamed up with them on numerous occasions to create special editions of Happy Meal toys. While some aren’t worth much, some of the rarer ones can be valuable. One set of four sealed cars from 1990 can sell up to $149. There’s even a special McDonald s-themed truck costing around $200.
8. 101 Dalmatians (1996)
In 1996, Disney released the classic animated film 101 Dalmatians. With that, McDonald’s promoted the movie by launching 101 of the Dalmatian puppies. Today, a complete set of the 101 Dalmatians can sell for up to $100 to $125. Yup, you’ll score the complete set online if you’re lucky enough! Meanwhile, a piece or two isn’t that expensive if you just want them displayed in your home.
7. Furby (1999)
These furry talking creatures were a massive hit in the late ’90s, and McDonald’s released a line of mini versions. While they don’t have the same features as their large counterparts, they were still a must-have for kids who collected them. A complete set of these Mini Furbys can sell for $200 today, available in an 80-piece variety pack. Meanwhile, the individuals cost around $20 each.
6. Boo Buckets (1986)
In 1986, McDonald’s introduced a well-loved Happy Meal that would last for decades. Yup, it’s the Boo Bucket, which featured three designs of McPunk’n, a classic jack-o’-lantern; McBoo, a spooky ghost; and McGoblin, a green-faced ghoul. Over the years, McDonald’s featured many different variations, but it was never the same. Today, all three characters in good condition can be priced between $25 and $30, with the entire set at $125.
5. McDonald’s Changeables (Late 1980s)
Before Transformers, there were the Changeables. In the late 1980s, McDonald’s released a line of shape-shifting robots. The Changeables can be transformed into robots or dinosaurs. The first series focused on the Big Mac, milkshake, and a carton of fries. There’s also the second series called McDino Changeables, which includes Fry Bot and Macro Mac. A 16-piece toy set from 1988 can cost $150, while the complete set of 22 Changeables is around $399, given that they’re in pristine condition.
4. Dukes of Hazzard ‘General Lee’ (1982)
At the height of the show’s popularity in 1982, McDonald’s released The Dukes of Hazzard Happy Meal toys. It features a collection of the five most iconic vehicles, like General Lee, a 1969 Dodge Charger. Today, you can score the orange paint job and controversial Confederate flag roof for $75 to over $100. Meanwhile, the Daisy Duke Jeep can sell for as much as $125.
3. McNugget Buddies (Late 1980s)
In the late 1980s, McDonald’s unveiled the McNugget Buddies collection of chicken nuggets with interchangeable outfits and accessories. The most iconic ones are Sarge, who’s a military man, and Rocker, the musician. Today, a dozen McNugget Buddies, still in their unopened packaging, can sell for $200. Meanwhile, a set of 10 played toys is around $150.
2. Transformers (1985)
In 1985, McDonald’s finally welcomed the Transformers through a regional exclusive set of toys. They were only available in the St. Louis area, as it featured four of the popular Autobots of Bumblebee, Brawn, Cliffjumper, and Gears. A single Bumblebee toy costs around $70, while Brawn can be purchased for a whopping $119.97. If you got the original cardboard store display, then you’re looking at $600.
1. McDonald’s 110 Film Camera (1990s)
In the early 1990s, McDonald’s gave away a working 110 film camera that looked like French fry containers. They actually took real pictures using Kodak’s innovative 110 film format. Back in 2024, an eBay seller listed one in its original packaging for a whopping $2,225!