In the 1970s, “Star Wars” transformed the toy marketplace. It has never been the same.
Fun fact: Since 2012, “Star Wars” has held the Guinness World Record for most successful film merchandising in history with a total that currently sits around $32 billion.
But the movie-toy connection doesn’t end there. Far from it.
These days, films are often based on toys — including wildly successful hits like “Toy Story,” “The Lego Movie,” “Transformers,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and of course, a certain tall blonde who loves pink. Movies are influencing children’s Christmas lists more than ever.
‘It’s me! Mario!’
This year’s animated hit “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” — based on the game that first became a hit in the 1980s — has strongly influenced the Christmas list of 5-year-old New Orleanian Lenton Provenza.
“Anything Mario or Yoshi (Mario’s trusty dinosaur) is a hit,” said Lenton’s mother, Luella. “We’re a gaming family, so he was definitely into Mario before the movie, and then of course the movie came along.”
Lenton is looking to build on his Hot Wheels Mario Kart collection this Christmas with the Hot Wheels Mario Kart Circuit Track, which comes with his two favorite characters, Mario and Yoshi, in their die-cast vehicles ready to race. Load karts into the launchers and turn on the booster to start them around the track and through the inverted loop.
The set includes lap-counting flags, a booster and green shell obstacles to knock off your opponent. Priced at $90.99.
Race Mario and Yoshi around the Hot Wheels Mario Kart Circuit Track.
Rainbow Raceway
Another fun Mario raceway option is the Mario Kart Rainbow Raceway, which features a track 8 feet long and 2 feet high. Designed for ages 4 and up, it can be configured straight or curved and includes an electronic start and finish gate that displays the winner. Priced at $149.99.
At the Lego store in Lakeside Mall, floor supervisor Heather Mazriegos said holiday shopping has officially begun.
“It started right after Halloween,” she said, adding that the store has seen a long list of items in demand, including the Lego Spider-Man Final Battle. Inspired by the new Marvel hit Spider-Man No Way Home, this 360-degree playset is designed for ages 10 and up. It features 900 pieces of fun, including nine popular characters — all three different Spider-Mans, MJ, Doctor Strange, Doc Ock, Electro, the Green Goblin and Ned. A guaranteed hit with any Spidey fan, it even features a hidden surprise. Priced at $109.99.
Christmas countdown calendars
She added that if in doubt, Lego Advent calendars are always a hit.
“We have five different ones — Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter, Friends and Lego City,” she said. “Something for everyone.”
The Lego City Advent Calendar is a safe bet for any child 5 and up. As with each Advent calendar, every toy comes with easy, step-by-step building instructions and a foldout playmat to make the countdown to Christmas extra fun. Figures in the Lego City option include Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a snowman, hockey player, carol singer, reindeer and puppy and kitten figures. Priced at $34.99.
A recreation of the iconic Barbie Corvette seen in the Barbie movie has room for four dolls.
Hi, Barbie!
After crushing box office records this year, it can be no surprise that Barbie is back in full force. A staple on all top toy lists this year, this year’s revamped Barbie Dreamhouse features the tallest slide on a Barbie home to date — a three-story spiral no doubt inspired by the movie version. Designed for ages 3 and up, this deluxe pad also includes a slide and pool just for Barbie’s furry friends and features 10 indoor and outdoor living areas. It’s priced at $199.99.
This year’s Barbie Dreamhouse has the tallest slide yet.
Second only to her house, the Barbie The Movie Collectible Car Corvette is another must-have.
A recreation of the iconic Barbie Corvette seen in the movie, this car features room for four dolls, a working steering wheel, doors and a trunk that opens for all of Barbie’s accoutrement. As a superhot item this year, prices are typically ranging between $129 and $200 on sites like eBay.
Old-school fun
Beyond toys inspired by hit movies, there are some staples that will always find their way onto kids’ lists.
At Magazine Street’s favorite toy retailer, Magic Box Toys, inventory manager Chandra Wright said demand stays steady all year for a few favorites, including a dollhouse by Danish toy maker Maileg (pronounced “my lie”).
The polar opposite of Barbie’s Dreamhouse, you’ll find no plastic and bright colors here. Crafted from wood, this vintage-looking dollhouse is reminiscent of something passed down for generations. Designed for ages 3 and up, it can be filled with built-to-last furniture of wood, metal and fabric to be enjoyed by little fabric mice and rabbit families. The unfurnished dollhouse is $298.
Wright said scooters are also always a hit, specifically options from a company called Scoot and Ride.
The Highwaykick 3 LED scooter, designed for ages 3 to 6, features maximum stability thanks to two front wheels, ensures a perfect fit thanks to an easily adjustable and foldable handlebar, comes in eight different colors and features LED lights on all three wheels. It’s priced at $110.
For the smallest kiddo on the go, Scoot and Ride’s My First 3 in 1 Baby Walker and Ride-On is the perfect choice for ages 6 months and up. Little ones can start using it without wheels. When they’re ready, just flip the bottom plate and it becomes a solid first ride on a toy that features handy storage inside. It’s $99.99.
Another option for the littlest on your list is Fisher Price’s new DJ Bouncin’ Star — by far the most frequently seen item on top toy lists this year. Designed for ages 9 months to 3 years, this little interactive dance partner features over 75 songs, sounds and phrases that teach colors, counting and the alphabet. Priced at $44.99.
The talking robotic toy Furby is making a comeback.
Cuddly chatterbox
Getting back to retro comeback toys, Furby has returned to top lists this year.
When the first Furby was released in 1998, this strange little bug-eyed furball quickly became the must-have toy of the season. Now the robotic pet is making a big comeback, appearing on many top toy lists for 2023.
Designed to be a fully interactive playmate for kids age 6 and up, the new and improved Furby comes in two different colors and includes five voice-activated modes — Dance Party, Copy Cat, Tell My Fortune, Let’s Chill and Lightshow — and knows over 600 phrases, jokes and songs. Have siblings to buy for? Get two and they will interact with each other! Priced at $69.99.
The Play-Doh ice cream truck is ideal for a budding entrepreneur.
Ice cream dreams
Of course, nothing has brought all the kids to the yard for generations like an ice cream truck. Pair it with the fun of Play-Doh and you’ve got another of this season’s top toys. Packed with storage, this truck has everything a budding entrepreneur needs, including a cash register, 12 cans of Play-Doh, 27 tools, a soft serve station, candy molds and even a Play-Doh sprinkle maker. Designed for ages 3 and up, it’s priced at $94.99.
Beast Lab lets kids create a surprise beast action figure.
Last but not least, the Beast
Finally, for the child who is fueled up and ready to save the world, something called the Beast Lab can be found on almost all top toy lists this year. It pairs some STEM learning with the ability to create a surprise beast action figure. This interactive playset for ages 5 to 15 transforms kids into mad scientists in a lab that features more than 80 lights, sounds and reactions that add to the anticipation of bringing their beast to life. Priced at $69.99.