10 Iconic Toys That Need Meta Movie Blockbusters After Barbie

After Barbie’s amazing success, it’s time to give some other iconic toys their chance to blur the line between the toy world and the real world.

In the wake of Barbie's incredible blockbuster success, the door is now open for other iconic toys of our childhood to get their own chance at a live-action movie, and there are plenty that would be perfect for the job. Greta Gerwig's Barbie quickly became the biggest movie of the year after breaking records with its box office earnings. However, what made Barbie special, apart from its depiction of a beloved childrens' toy and metaphors on feminism, was its ability to merge Barbieland with the real world. Ultimately, this is the key to great toy-to-movie adaptations.

The possibilities for toy movies are essentially endless considering how many brands have gained popularity over the years. Plus, any new toy movie will inevitably be compared to what already exists i.e. Barbie, Transformers, G.I. Joe, etc. However, there are certainly some toys that have a better chance of replicating Barbie's blend of fiction and reality than others. In fact, these are the toys that have the potential to bring some fascinating and exciting stories to the table, bringing life to toy franchises that may have been forgotten.

One toy brand that could easily parallel what Barbie did is My Little Pony. First developed by Hasbro in 1981, My Little Pony's are plastic pony figures that boast a wide variety of colors, aesthetics, and personalities. Although My Little Pony has already had a couple of on-screen adaptations, the brand still has lots of potential for interesting projects. Like Barbie, My Little Pony has an overtly feminine ambiance, making themes of feminism a definite option. Additionally, the existence of "Bronies," or adult male fans offers an entirely different direction. Overall, a My Little Pony reboot could bring the toys back into prominence for a new audience.

The definition of a toy that has essentially been forgotten is Beanie Babies. These small, stuffed animals used to be the epitome of a lucrative collectible, but now they are considered to be almost worthless. However, the nostalgia factor is undoubtedly still present. Therefore, a Beanie Baby movie could easily explore these intricacies as Beanie Babies saw an incredible rise and a devastating fall. This definitely offers some similar themes to Barbie too, as the toys may have a much different idea of their value as opposed to humans. Plus, the human and Beanie Baby relationship would be vital, especially if a character was a collector.

Another doll that has the opportunity to become a great movie is Bratz Dolls. Released in 2001, Bratz are fashion dolls that offer a diverse range of characters and stylish outfits. While Barbie has a more mainstream ambiance, Bratz are not nearly as well-known, and this could be a good thing. Bratz are cool and stylish, but also have a more realistic and urban tone to them, making them perfect for a real-world crossover. A blockbuster that attempts to evoke a story like The Cheetah Girls or teen dramas like Gossip Girl could be a definite hit.

Although the G.I. Joe team is alive and well on-screen, a better known but often overlooked toy that could see a similar success is green army men. These little plastic figures have existed for generations, and because of this longevity, they would be ideal for a movie adaptation. The method of bringing the green army men to life would be an especially interesting one because the film would have the chance to blend the logic and strategy of war games with more classic themes of brotherhood that war stories provide. All in all, the green army men would be a great symbol for a modern war tale.

What would a movie be if it followed dolls on a much smaller scale? Polly Pockets are yet another doll that was first released in the 1980s. Unlike its predecessors, Polly Pockets are tiny in size, making them incredibly easy to carry around and build collections for. When considering movie adaptations, it's very tempting to imagine a Gulliver's Travel-esque film, and while this sounds silly, it could most definitely work. What happens when a human is turned into a Polly Pocket? Will she be inducted into the tribe of her own making or be shunned? A Polly Pockets movie would most definitely open up an entire world of doll culture.

Another older toy that lends itself to a perfect action movie adaptation is Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. First manufactured in 1964, these red and blue plastic robots stand in a boxing ring and punch at each other and in an everlasting boxing match. If done in the same vein as Transformers, this definitely has the potential for a successful movie franchise, and more than that, could be made even better if it leans into the 1960s nostalgia factor and themes of science fiction. A great example of a similar movie would be 2011's Hugh Jackman robot boxing movie Real Steel or a robotic version of Rocky IV.

The final doll to make it onto this list is the essential baby doll, the Cabbage Patch Kid. With their stuffed bodies and big, happy faces, the Cabbage Patch Kids have plenty of pleasantness to offer an audience, and even more nostalgia. What makes the Cabbage Patch Kids an ideal pick for a blockbuster movie is the fact that, in terms of backstory, anything is possible. With the dolls as a figurehead, the movie could go in any number of directions that, like Barbie, could emphasize themes of feminity and girlhood.

A gadget many 1990s kids had and would love to see on-screen is Tamagotchi. For those who don't remember, the toy is essentially a keychain that has a screen and a little pet inside that the player has to take care of. Considering the technological aspect of Tamagotchis, the most obvious direction for a movie would be that the Tamagotchi comes to life, or rather, the player gets sucked into the game. There is also the all-too-common scenario where a player forgets to take care of their Tamagotchi pet and they die. Considering all the shared experiences that come with a Tamagotchi, it is a perfect movie adaptation candidate.

Sometimes, going back to the classics can be the best move. For example, sock monkeys are one of the most classic examples of a childrens' toy, and with all of that history backing it up, it could make for a particularly good film. A sock monkey movie could evoke the quirkiness of the toy and the comfort it brings in the same vein as Paddington or Curious George. A more obvious plotline could involve a child bonding with their sock monkey or losing it. Either way, a sock monkey movie has the unique opportunity to do something unique because of its difference from a regular old teddy bear.

A toy whose movie would have the potential to enter the dark side would be Furbys. The colorful, fuzzy creatures that can talk are both cute and creepy, especially when it comes to their ability to hold a conversation. While a Furby movie could highlight the inner lives of Furbys, and their goodness, a different type of movie could go in the complete opposite direction, confirming the more spooky side of Furbys. A mixture of the two could be like a proper Gremlins sequel. In any case, a Furby movie would most certainly be interesting and would have to show the relationship between toys and humans.