Are you curious to know what the rarest McDonald’s toys are? You’re not alone, as millions of people around the world not only collect Happy Meal toys but also pay fortunes for them.
So, whether you’re just curious or looking for collectible old McDonald’s meal toys, you’re in the right place!
We at Insight Factory have prepared a list of the five most expensive McDonald’s toys, precisely because of their rarity. Let’s check it out?!
How did McDonald’s toys come about?
Since the 1970s, McDonald’s has been not just a popular destination for quick meals, but also a paradise for toy collectors.
The toys we see today in McDonald’s meals were created as an innovative marketing strategy by the brand.
It all started with the creation of the classic Happy Meal in the United States, a McDonald’s product line that gave toys with children’s meals in the brand’s fast-food chains.
This was McDonald’s strategy to attract families and make visits to McDonald’s more appealing to children.
The first Happy Meal toys from McDonald’s were simple, often made of plastic and inspired by popular themes, such as cartoon characters or children’s TV shows.
But over time, due to the popularity of the toys, it became a McDonald’s tradition, with items that now can be worth fortunes.
5 rarest McDonald’s toys
As mentioned above, we will show you a list of the rarest McDonald’s toys, which are now worth hundreds of dollars. Check it out:
1. Mayor McCheese and Officer Big Mac
These two toys are classic figures from the McDonald’s universe, but they are also extremely rare. Mayor McCheese is a plastic figure, while Officer Big Mac is a plush toy. Both were released in 1971 and are considered the most valuable McDonald’s toys.
These two plush toys from the McDonaldland line represent two of McDonald’s most popular characters and are extremely rare. Just to give you an idea of their value, a complete set of these toys was sold on eBay for $330 in 2023.
2. The Dukes of Hazzard Cars
The Dukes of Hazzard is an American animated series that was very successful in the United States between 1979 and 1985.
In 1987, McDonald’s launched a collection of toy cars inspired by the series, all made of metal and plastic. In addition to the vehicles, users also received sticker books to customize them.
Recently, a complete collection of the six vehicles launched by the chain was sold for $350. But, as they are one of the rarest McDonald’s toys, they can be sold for up to $1,000.
3. McNuggets Buddies
In 1989, McDonald’s launched a collection of toys called McNuggets Buddies, small plastic figures representing McDonald’s nuggets.
They were discontinued in 1996, but in 2023 a new limited collection was launched, focusing on adult nostalgia. The McNuggets Buddies toys are very popular among collectors and can be sold for up to $500.
4. The McFurbys
The McFurbys are electronic toys that were released in 1998. They were similar to Furbys but had a McDonald’s theme.
Although they don’t seem so old, the original dolls are now considered very rare and are worth a fortune. The complete collection of McDonald’s McFurbys has 80 dolls and can be sold for up to $400.
5. Boo Buckets
The Boo Buckets are plastic toys that were released on Halloween in 1993. They represented the ghost Boo, a character from the movie “Corpse Bride”.
Right from the start, the Boo Buckets became a craze among Happy Meal customers, where the buckets were used in the United States to collect candy from neighbors during Halloween.
A set with the three buckets can be sold for up to $300, but the value can increase depending on the rarity of the bucket and even the faces they bring!
Did you like learning about the rarest McDonald’s toys?
These are just some of the rarest McDonald’s toys, which are not only used to entertain children during a quick meal. Over the years, they have become a tradition of the brand, turning into real treasures for collectors.
With limited editions, special collaborations, and adorable characters, these rare toys offer a fascinating journey through pop culture and the world of collecting.
So, if you have any of these toys at home, consider yourself lucky, as in addition to being the guardian of a unique part of McDonald’s toy history, you might also be sitting on a small fortune!