You remember these, right? Everyone does. McDonald's toys weren't just a mainstay for most of our childhoods. They were what got a lot of us started as collectors.
McDonald's toys just aren't the same today. Partly because they aren't horrifying. In the old days, everything was made with poorly constructed plastic molds. Even the really cool toys had a bit of a, well, melty aura.
That doesn't mean they're not worth anything, though. In fact, here are a few of the most valuable McDonald's toys. Some of them may still be collecting dust in your old bedroom.
Released: 1998
Sold: Aug. 1, 2022
Price: $44.96
Why the set is valuable: For some reason, Halloween toys are almost always hits. This Ronald and Pals Haunted Halloween McDonald's Happy Meal set was an actual display used at a McDonald's restaurant in the 1990s.
McDonald's ran their 1998 promotion nationally from Oct. 9 to Oct. 29, and most of the displays themselves were tossed out afterward. This 20-inch display survived, including all six toys: Iam Hungry, Witch Birdie, Black Cat Grimace, Jack-o-lantern McNugget Buddy, Ghost Ronald, Scarecrow Hamburglar and Ghoul.
How are we already craving fries just reading this?
*Note: Prices are based on eBay sales for the complete McDonald's toy set, unless otherwise noted.
Released: 2008
Sold: Dec. 10, 2021
Price: $60
Why the set is valuable: The reality is that pretty much every major movie release gets a McDonald's toy. So the question is: What makes some items collectibles and some not?
It could be the popularity of the movie. After all, "Kung Fu Panda" was wildly successful. It could also be exactly how well the figures lend themselves to the McDonald's toy format.
You can see right here that the Kung Fu Panda characters make for adorable figurines in a way that, say, "The Shining" never will.
Released: 2021
Sold: March 14, 2022
Price: $75
Why the set is valuable: It's possible that you either don't remember or weren't aware that there was a "Space Jam" sequel, called "Space Jam 2: A New Legacy." If this is true, we're sorry.
If you were aware of this series, in which . basketball defeats the internet . you might be interested in this set of 14 collectible figures from the movie, which includes mainstays such as Marvin the Martian and Lola Bunny.
For more valuable collectibles, check out Work + Money.