100 1980s Toy Lines
- Ken Miyamoto
- Sep 24, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 13, 2024
The 1980s was the decade of commercialism. It was all about sales and consumption in so many industries — especially entertainment. Any Generation Xer (and even some older Millennials) will remember how successful the toy lines of the 1980s were.
It started with Kenner's Star Wars toy line as 1979 flipped to 1980. Then He-Man and the Masters of the Universe came, along with the resized and reimagined G.I. Joe line. Transformers came from Japan by storm shortly after. Then came dozens upon dozens upon dozens of other toy lines, looking to match the success of those toy line monsters — or, at the very least, jump onto the toy line bandwagon to get at least a small piece of the pie.
Here we celebrate those toy lines (the memorable, forgettable, and everything in between) by sharing a master list of 1980s toy lines.
You’ll surely recognize many of these. Others you won’t have seen since you were a kid, triggering that ultimate nostalgia drip. And there will also be many that have you asking, “Wait, that was a thing?”
So sit back, step away from the scrolling through Tik Tok and Instagram, and journey back to a simpler and more magical time as we remember the toy lines from the 1980s.
100 1980s Toy Lines
1. Action Force
A British military action figure toy line that became the precursor to G.I. Joe in Europe.
2. AG Bear
A talking teddy bear that "communicates" with kids through recorded speech.
3. Air Raiders
Small action figures and vehicles set in a futuristic world where the control of air is vital to survival.
4. Alphie
An educational robot toy designed to teach preschoolers through fun games and learning activities.
5. Armatron
A motorized robotic arm toy that lets kids simulate real-life mechanical operations.
6. Army Ants
Colorful plastic ants dressed as soldiers in a humorous take on the military toy genre.
7. Barbie
Iconic fashion doll who has seen countless career changes and outfit updates since the 1960s.
8. Batman
Action figures based on the legendary DC superhero, often tied to comic book and movie releases.
9. Battle Beasts
Small animal warriors with heat-sensitive chest plates revealing their elemental power.
We have these in the store!
10. Big Trak
A programmable six-wheeled vehicle that lets kids control its movements.
11. Boglins
Creepy, rubbery hand puppets designed to resemble monsters living in dark swamps.
12. BraveStarr
Futuristic cowboy action figures from a distant planet, based on the animated series.
13. Cabbage Patch Kids
Unique soft-bodied dolls that became a national craze with their “adoption papers.”
We have these in the store!
14. Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future
Action figures that interacted with a TV show for a unique blend of live-action and toys.
15. Care Bears
Colorful teddy bears with unique belly badges, spreading messages of caring and sharing.
We have these in the store!
16. Centurions
Action figures with interchangeable armor that allowed them to transform into land, sea, or air specialists.
17. Changeables
McDonald's food items that transform into robots, combining fast food and sci-fi in one toy.
We have these in the store!
18. Computer Warriors
Figures and playsets based on the idea of tiny soldiers living inside electronics.
We have these in the store!
19. Construx
Building toys with modular pieces that snap together to create various structures.
20. Convertors
A Transformers-inspired line where everyday objects transformed into robots.
21. DC Super Powers
Action figures based on DC Comics superheroes, featuring spring-loaded "action" movements.
We have these in the store!
22. Diaclone
The Japanese precursor to the Transformers, featuring transforming vehicles piloted by tiny figures.
23. Dino-Riders
Dinosaurs outfitted with futuristic battle gear, piloted by human warriors.
24. Eagle Force
A line of military action figures made of die-cast metal, focusing on American patriotism.
25. Easy-Bake Oven
A child-friendly oven that uses a light bulb to bake miniature cakes and treats.
26. Entertech Water Guns
Battery-operated water guns that looked and acted like real-life firearms.
27. Etch A Sketch
A mechanical drawing toy that uses two dials to create pictures on a gray screen.
28. Food Fighters
Silly food-based characters waging a humorous battle with weapons and armor.
Iconic military action figures known for their vehicles, weapons, and heroic missions.
We have these in the store!
30. Glo Worm
A soft, glowing plush worm designed to help young children fall asleep.
31. GoBots
Another line of transforming robots, often considered the direct competitor to Transformers.
We have these in the store!
32. Golden Girl and the Guardians of the Gemstones
Female action figures in a fantasy setting, battling evil with the power of gemstones.
We have these in the store!
Muscular action figures in a magical, barbaric world, led by the iconic hero He-Man.
We have these in the store!
34. Hot Wheels
Small die-cast cars known for their speed, durability, and large variety of models.
We have these in the store!
35. The Hugga Bunch
Plush dolls known for their large heads and the ability to "hug" smaller dolls.
36. Inhumanoids
A line of action figures featuring monstrous villains and heroic humans in a subterranean world.
37. Jem
Fashion dolls based on the animated series about a rock star with a secret identity.
38. Kid Sister
A plush doll marketed as a kid’s companion and friend.
39. Lazer Tag
A futuristic game where players wore vests and used guns to "tag" each other with infrared light.
40. LEGO
Iconic building blocks that let kids build everything from houses to spaceships.
We have these in the store!
41. M.A.S.K.
Action figures with transforming vehicles and masks, mixing G.I. Joe-style combat with Transformers technology.
We have these in the store!
42. Madballs
Grotesque, rubber balls featuring crazy, monstrous faces.
43. Manglors
Rubbery monster figures that could be stretched, torn apart, and stuck back together.
44. Maple Town
Furry, animal-shaped figures that lived in a peaceful village, often sold with playsets.
45. Marvel Secret Wars
Action figures based on Marvel's comic book event series, featuring popular superheroes and villains.
We have these in the store!
46. Micro Machines
Tiny cars and vehicles known for their incredible attention to detail.
We have these in the store!
47. Monchhichi
Cute, monkey-like dolls with human features, popular in the 1980s.
48. Mr. Potato Head
A customizable potato-shaped figure with interchangeable facial features.
We have these in the store!
49. M.U.S.C.L.E.
Tiny, collectible wrestler figures made from rubber, featuring many different designs inspired by Japanese wrestling.
We have tons of these in the store!
50. My Buddy
A large plush doll marketed as a boy’s best friend.
51. My Child Doll
Soft-bodied dolls with realistic features, marketed as highly collectible in the 1980s.
52. My Little Pony
Colorful pony figures with brushable manes, set in a magical world of friendship.
53. My Pet Monster
A large, plush monster with plastic handcuffs, marketed as a "tough" plush for boys.
54. Nerf Balls
Foam-based sports toys, from footballs to dart guns, known for being safe and fun.
55. Nerfuls
Soft, rubbery figures with ball-shaped heads and mix-and-match parts.
56. Pillow People
Pillows with arms, legs, and faces, offering a comforting bedtime companion for kids.
57. Play-Doh
Soft, colorful modeling clay that encourages creativity and imagination.
We have some new ones in the store!
58. PoGo Ball
A bouncy ball toy with a platform for standing, allowing kids to jump and bounce around.
59. Police Academy
Action figures based on the slapstick animated series of the same name, with exaggerated features and weapons.
60. Poochie Pals
A fashionable dog-themed toy line for young girls, featuring pink accessories and playsets.
61. Pound Puppies
Plush dogs with sad expressions, marketed as needing a home and loving care.
62. Power Lords
A science fiction action figure line with transforming characters, from the mind of fantasy artist Wayne Barlowe.
63. Puffalump
Soft, puffy stuffed animals made of lightweight fabric, offering a unique texture for play.
64. Purr-tenders
Plush animals disguised as different creatures, revealing their true identities with secret compartments.
65. Rainbow Brite
Colorful dolls from a magical land who use the power of color to fight evil.
66. Rambo: The Force of Freedom
An action figure line based on the popular animated series and the iconic Rambo movies, featuring highly detailed, muscular figures of Rambo and his allies, along with their various weapons and vehicles to fight the evil forces of S.A.V.A.G.E.
We have Rambo in the store!
67. The Real Ghostbusters
Action figures based on the animated series, featuring ghost-fighting heroes and ghoulish villains.
We have tons of these in the store!
68. Ring Raiders
Miniature planes that could be attached to rings for aerial battles on your hands and fingers.
69. RoboCop
Action figures and vehicles based on the popular sci-fi movie and animated series, featuring the cyborg law enforcement officer RoboCop and his enemies.
70. Robo Force
Robotic action figures with suction cup bases and crushing arms, designed to battle evil robots.
71. Robotix
Building kits that let kids create motorized robots from interlocking parts.
72. Rubik's Cube
A challenging 3D puzzle cube that became a worldwide craze in the 1980s.
73. The Saga of Crystar
Action figures based on a fantasy comic book series, featuring crystal warriors battling molten enemies.
74. Sea Wees
Miniature mermaid dolls designed for bath-time play, often sold with small sea creature accessories.
75. Sectaurs
Action figures that combine insect-like creatures with humanoid warriors in a fantasy setting.
We have some of these in the store!
76. She-Ra: Princess of Power
She-Ra’s toy line, featuring female warriors battling evil in the same universe as He-Man.
We have some of these in the store!
77. SilverHawks
Space-themed action figures featuring metallic, armored heroes fighting intergalactic crime.
We have one of these in its original packaging in the store!
78. Simon
An electronic memory game that challenges players to repeat sequences of lights and sounds.
79. Sky Commanders
Action figures that battled using zip lines, with playsets featuring cables for aerial adventures.
80. Speak & Spell
An educational toy that helps kids learn spelling and pronunciation through electronic voice commands.
81. Spinjas
Spinning top toys that battled each other in miniature arenas.
82. Star Bird
A toy spaceship with lights and sounds, capable of "flying" through space adventures.
83. Star Fairies
Dolls from a magical world, each with their own unique star-shaped accessories and powers.
84. Starriors
Robotic action figures built for battle, with interchangeable parts and a futuristic storyline.
85. Steel Monsters
Post-apocalyptic vehicles and figures with a focus on survival in a ravaged future world.
86. Starcom
A military-themed toy line featuring futuristic vehicles and figures with magnetic foot technology and motorized features.
Scented dolls with fruity-themed names, each representing a different sweet treat.
We have tons of these in the store!
88. Super Naturals
Action figures with holographic faces and bodies, adding a spooky, supernatural twist to traditional figures.
89. Sweet Secrets
Jewelry and accessories that transformed into small dolls and figures.
90. Teddy Ruxpin
A talking bear that could tell stories via an embedded cassette tape player.
Action figures based on the mutant crime-fighting turtles from the popular cartoon and comic series.
We have these in the store!
92. ThunderCats
Action figures based on the animated series, featuring cat-like humanoid heroes battling evil forces.
We have these in the store!
93. Transformers
Robots that transformed into vehicles, animals, and more, blending sci-fi action with engineering.
We have these in the store!
94. Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light
Action figures featuring holographic chest emblems, set in a world of magic and technology.
We have these in the store!
95. Wacky WallWalker
Sticky, octopus-shaped toys that "walked" down walls when thrown.
96. Watchimals
Animal-themed watches for kids, with fun and colorful designs.
97. Weepuls
Fuzzy pom-pom creatures with glued-on eyes.
98. WereBears and Terror Teds
Transforming plush bears that turned from cuddly to monstrous with a simple twist.
99. Wrestling Superstars
Action figures based on real-life wrestling stars, featuring signature moves and accessories.
We have these in the store!
100. Zoids
Model kits of mechanical animals.
Bonus 1980s Toy Lines
We had to include these gems!
Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos
A toy line based on the animated series starring Chuck Norris as a martial arts hero leading a team of elite fighters against the evil organization VULTURE.
The Karate Kid
Action figures and playsets inspired by the popular movie franchise, featuring characters like Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi. The figures included action moves like karate chops and kicks, along with dojo and tournament playsets that recreated key scenes from the films.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Action Figures
A toy line based on the popular role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, featuring a variety of fantasy characters like wizards, warriors, elves, and monsters.
Voltron
A toy line based on the animated series Voltron: Defender of the Universe, featuring the iconic robot composed of five lion mechas that combined to form the massive Voltron figure. The toy line included individual lion figures, which could be combined to form the full Voltron, as well as action figures of the pilots and other vehicles from the series.
Don’t worry. We didn’t forget the one that really started it all…
One of the most iconic toy lines of all time, Star Wars action figures were produced by Kenner starting in the late 1977 through 1985. The line featured highly detailed figures of characters, vehicles, and playsets from the original Star Wars trilogy, including beloved figures like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and the Millennium Falcon.
We have these in the store!
