12 Classic Toys And Games Mattel Is Turning Into Movies
Barbie has become a big hit and a box office blockbuster. Barbie is a Warner Bros. Pictures movie and the first movie to receive a PG-13 rating from the Mattel…
Long Beach, CA – July 06: Larry Wood, a Hot Wheels toy designer for 50 years, is being inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit on July 20. His garage is practically a living history of Hot Wheels and all things automotive, from classic cars to classic gas pumps, in Long Beach on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Wood worked for Mattel Toys in El Segundo and has been a resident of Redondo Beach for over 5 decades. He still plays with cars, big and small, at the age of 81.
(Photo by Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images)
Barbie has become a big hit and a box office blockbuster. Barbie is a Warner Bros. Pictures movie and the first movie to receive a PG-13 rating from the Mattel division. The PG-13 rating clearly didn't effect the movie's success as Barbie exceeded opening weekend expectations, snaring $162 million over its first three days in domestic theaters. The Barbie movie is a movie from Mattel Films which is the movie division of Mattel which first started diving into the movie business in 2016 with the release of "Monster High." Since "Monster High," Mattel Films has released 11 films including the most recent Barbie movie. What many don't know is that Mattel Films actually has several toy movies currently in production. Many of which, have potential to out perform the Barbie movie based on their notoriety.
These movies will be based on several toys and games developed by the brand Mattel. Mattel was developed in 1945 and is the world's second largest toy maker in terms of revenue, after The Lego Group. The two biggest toys for Mattel in previous years has been Barbie and Hot Wheels. While there really isn't any coincidence, Barbie dolls have shown a HUGE rise in revenue since the Barbie movie was released. The 33% bump in sales can be credited directly to the movie's success. Mattel is hoping the same will be done for the upcoming toy movies they are currently working on.
With projections of the doll industry in general rising to a whopping 14 billion dollars based on the success of the Barbie movie, it's no shock that Mattel wants to create these upcoming toy masterpieces. If they can capture even a fraction of Barbie's success, they will be extremely happy. These are the movies that Mattel is currently working on bringing to the big screen and will be released in the near future.
Barney
Yes, the purple dinosaur is being made into a movie HOWEVER, it won't be what you think. It'll be more adult targeted and tackle more adult conflicts.
Polly Pocket
Polly Pocket is a popular line of dolls and accessories that was created by Bluebird Toys and acquired by Mattel in 1998. Emily in Paris star Lily Collins is set to star as Polly Pocket herself.
Hot Wheels
J.J. Abrams is producing the movie that'll focus just as much on the characters as well as the cars. No release date has been set as it is currently in production.
"Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots"
Vin Diesel is leading the charge for the Rock Em movie. They haven't decided if he'll be starring as a robot or a human.
American Girl
Plot details are currently unavailable and it hasn't been announced who will be writing and/or directing just yet.
"Magic 8 Ball". . . from the writer of "Cocaine Bear"
This will be a horror movie and will most definitely have an R rating although Mattel is debating that. Plot details are still unknown.
"Masters of the Universe"
So this movie was originally set to be released via Netflix. Mattel is now currently searching for a new buyer.
"Major Matt Mason". . . This is an old astronaut toy from the '60s
Tom Hanks will star in this move based on the old toy. No production timeline has been given just yet.
"Uno"
Yup, everyone's favorite card game is being made into a movie. Writer Marcy Kelly has been hired for the project although no other details have been announced.
"View-Master"
This project was announced in 2019. No other announcements have been made regarding its production.
"Matchbox"
David Coggeshall, the screenwriter behind the upcoming “Orphan: First Kill” and Lee Daniels’ Netflix horror film, is set to pen the screenplay for the film. No other details have been given.
"Thomas and Friends"
“World War Z” director Marc Forster on board to direct and co produce. It will blend live action and animation. No release date has been set.
