The Ultimate Movie Mania: Unveiling the Latest Mattel Toy Film Adaptations that Surpass Barbie's Success!
Get ready for a wave of excitement as Mattel, the creators of the blockbuster hit 'Barbie,' gears up to bring their iconic toys to life on the big screen From the high-speed thrills of Hot Wheels to the enchanting world of American Girl, get ready for a whirlwind of adventure, laughter, and nostalgia Stay tuned for a lineup of upcoming movies featuring beloved toys like Polly Pocket, Magic 8 Ball, and more! Brace yourself for a toy-filled cinematic journey that will capture the hearts of audiences worldwide
Mattel plans to capitalize on Barbie's tremendous box office triumph by integrating its iconic toys into a cinematic universe. Movies based on American Girl, Polly Pocket, and the Magic 8 Ball are currently in development. However, the Hot Wheels adaptation holds the potential to be the first to debut on the silver screen, helmed by director J.J. Abrams and produced by Bad Robot Productions in collaboration with Warner Bros.
Robbie Brenner, the head of Mattel Films, announced in July 2023 to Variety that the upcoming action film, scheduled for release in July 2025, will feature relatable, three-dimensional characters with emotional journeys. She emphasized the significance of creating a movie with a captivating storyline and compelling characters, drawing inspiration from the works of J.J. Abrams, known for his ability to infuse his films with genuine emotion and high stakes.
Keep scrolling for more about all of Mattel’s upcoming films:
Credit: Shutterstock (2); Mattel (2)
American Girl! Magic 8 Ball! Every Upcoming Movie Based on Mattel Toys Following Barbie’s Success
Mattel, inspired by the massive success of Barbie at the box office, is now venturing into creating cinematic universes with their iconic toy brands. While films based on American Girl, Polly Pocket, and the Magic 8 Ball are in development, the Hot Wheels adaptation, helmed by renowned director J.J. Abrams and produced by Bad Robot Productions in collaboration with Warner Bros., is likely to be the first to make its debut on the silver screen.
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Robbie Brenner, the head of Mattel Films, announced in July 2023 to Variety that the action film, scheduled for release in July 2025, will feature relatable and multi-dimensional characters with emotional journeys.
She further emphasized the importance of looking at J.J. Abrams movies as inspiration, highlighting their incredible storytelling and well-developed characters. The aim is to create a movie that goes beyond mere entertainment, providing genuine emotions and high stakes for the audience.
Keep scrolling for more about all of Mattel’s upcoming films:
Credit: Mattel
Hot Wheels
Abrams' film is scheduled for release in June 2025.
"We had been in discussions with Mattel for a while about Hot Wheels, but couldn't find the right idea that truly captured the essence and significance of the Hot Wheels brand," Abrams revealed to The New Yorker in July 2023. "But then we finally conceived something... something that elicits emotion and is realistic and intense."
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Barney
In July 2023, the news broke that Daniel Kaluuya had been cast as the lead actor and producer of a film centered around a colossal, purple dinosaur. Shortly after, Kevin McKeon, the vice president of Mattel Films, divulged that the movie would possess a surrealistic quality, indicating that its target audience would not be children.
“We are emphasizing the property's millennial angst rather than tailoring it specifically for children. It is primarily targeted towards adults,” he clarified to The New Yorker in that moment. “Not that it has an R-rating, but it will delve into the challenges and difficulties of being in your thirties, having grown up with Barney — exploring the sense of disillusionment prevalent within this generation.”
Credit: Julian Makey/Shutterstock
Polly Pocket
MGM announced their plans to adapt a film based on the miniature dolls in June 2021. The dolls were originally created by Bluebird Toys and later acquired by Mattel. Lena Dunham will direct and write the film, featuring Lily Collins in the leading role. Collins will also serve as a producer on the project. Variety reports that the live-action movie will revolve around a young girl and a pocket-sized woman forming a friendship. Collins further stated in a July 2023 statement that the film will reintroduce Polly to the world in a fun and contemporary manner, bringing these tiny toys to life on the big screen.
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Major Matt Mason
Paramount Pictures has revealed exciting news about the long-awaited film, originally scheduled for release in 2011 and starring Tom Hanks. After facing delays, the project has finally gained momentum, as announced in September 2019. The renowned studio has enlisted the talented Akiva Goldsman to adapt the screenplay from a captivating short story. This story centers around a remarkable character inspired by the thrilling astronaut adventures first introduced in 1967. The original short story was crafted by none other than Michael Chabon, a distinguished author and recipient of the esteemed Pulitzer Prize.
Credit: Amazon
Big Jim
Mattel Films revealed in August 2022 that it will be producing a live-action film about the 1970s action figure, which will be developed by Dan Mazer.
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Thomas and Friends
Success of the Thomas & Friends television series sparks film adaptation directed by Marc Forster. Mattel, the company behind the beloved show that aired from 1985 to 2021, announced in October 2020 that they would bring the adventures to the big screen. The upcoming movie is set to be an exciting "four-quadrant family adventure," combining live-action and animated elements. Alyssa Hill and Jesse Wigutow have been entrusted with crafting the script for this highly anticipated project."Since my childhood, Thomas has always held a special place in my heart. Collaborating with Robbie and the entire team at Mattel and joining this enchanting adventure with such a timeless property leaves me filled with absolute excitement," Forster expressed in a statement.
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American Girl
The family comedy, centered around the iconic dolls and their accompanying books, aims to empower young girls by fostering self-assurance and nurturing their character development, as stated by Brenner in an interview with Variety in July 2023.
Credit: Mattel
Magic 8 Ball
Brenner revealed in an interview with Variety in July of 2023 that the upcoming Magic 8 Ball movie would most likely be a PG-13 thriller, veering away from its initial intention as a film suitable for children. Notably, the production will be undertaken by the esteemed experts in horror, Blumhouse Productions.
Credit: Mattel
Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots
After their debut in the 1995 film Toy Story, the plastic figurines are finally taking center stage in their very own movie. Spearheaded by One Race Films and Universal Pictures, this highly anticipated project will see the talented Vin Diesel both starring in and producing the film.
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View-Master
The picture viewer, which was invented in 1939, will reportedly be getting its own flick.
Credit: Shutterstock
Uno
Written by Marcy Kelly, the famous party game is in the works to become a movie, with rapper Lil Yachty reportedly attached to star.
Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Chatty Catty and Betsy Wetsy
Jason Bateman's production company, Aggregate Film, is behind a movie featuring the iconic dolls.
Credit: COURTESY OF NETFLIX/Netflix/THA/Shutterstock
Masters of the Universe
The live-action film released in 1987, which was titled after the Mattel toy He-Man and adapted from its comic series, performed poorly at the box office. Despite Netflix obtaining the rights in 2021 and originally scheduling the release of their own version featuring Kyle Allen as Prince Adam/He-Man for October 2024, they ultimately abandoned the project in July 2023. According to Variety, Mattel is now actively seeking a new buyer and aims to transform the He-Man films into a franchise.
