List of films based on toys

Last updated November 25, 2025

R This article lists feature length animated and live action theatrical, television and direct-to-video films based on toys, tabletop games and trading cards. Many of these films are based on dolls and action figures made by American toy companies Hasbro and Mattel.^[1]

History of films based on toys

Prior to 1977, toys were released together with films as merchandising tie-ins. Films that were suitably toyetic spawned numerous licensed properties, often marketed heavily to children. Beginning in the late 1970s, this approach was flipped as films began to appear that were based on popular toys. In 1977, Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure debuted as the first theatrical motion picture in which a consumer toy was the star.^[2] During the 1980s, action figures got their own films, such as Masters of the Universe ( The Secret of the Sword ) and Transformers ( The Transformers: The Movie ), as did dolls, such as Pound Puppies ( Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw ) and My Little Pony ( My Little Pony: The Movie ). Also in the 1980s, the greeting card companies American Greetings and Hallmark Cards created popular characters that were made into toys, on which films were later based, such as The Care Bears ( The Care Bears Movie ), Rainbow Brite ( Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer ), and Strawberry Shortcake ( Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie ).

A resurgence of live action film adaptions of toy properties began in 2007 with the release of Transformers , the first film in what would become the Transformers film franchise. The first film in the G.I. Joe film franchise, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra , was released two years later. In 2008, Hasbro entered into a deal with Universal Pictures to make at least 4 films based on its brands and products. In 2012, the poor performance of the first film from this partnership, Battleship , caused other projects in development to be shelved or sold off to other studios.^[3] The success of The Lego Movie in 2014 showed that even intellectual properties without an existing narrative, or even familiar characters, could be profitable and its success renewed the interest of toy companies and film studios in producing toy-related projects stuck in development hell.^[4]^[5]

On 3 November 2017, Hasbro Studios entered into a five-year production and distribution deal with Paramount Pictures to develop additional productions based on Hasbro brands.^[6] In 2021, Mattel Films announced a development of 13 films in production based on Mattel toys and games, such as Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Masters of the Universe, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, Polly Pocket, View-Master, American Girl and Uno, as well as an original intellectual property in Christmas Balloon.^[7] After being in development for over a decade, a live-action film adaptation of Barbie was announced by Warner Bros. Pictures with actress Margot Robbie cast as Barbie and Greta Gerwig directing.^[7]^[8]^[9] Released on 21 July 2023, Barbie was the first live-action Barbie film after numerous computer-animated films and specials.^[10] The film received critical acclaim and grossed more than $1 billion in worldwide box office sales, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 2023, the highest-grossing film of all time solely directed by a woman and from Warner Bros. in their centennial anniversary and the 25th highest-grossing film of all-time.

Live-action films based on toys


Film title	Year	Source Toy	Manufacturer	Release type
Samantha: An American Girl Holiday	2004	American Girl	Mattel	Television film
Felicity: An American Girl Adventure	2005
Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front	2006
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl	2008			Theatrical release
An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong	2009			Direct-to-video
An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars	2012
An American Girl: Saige Paints the Sky	2013
An American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight	2014
An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success	2015
An American Girl: Lea to the Rescue	2016
Battleship	2012	Battleship	Hasbro	Theatrical release
Bratz: The Movie	2007	Bratz	MGA Entertainment
Barbie	2023	Barbie	Mattel
Clue	1985	Cluedo	Waddingtons/Parker Brothers
Dungeons & Dragons	2000	Dungeons & Dragons	TSR/Wizards of the Coast
Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God	2005			Television film
Dungeons & Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness	2012			Direct-to-video
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves	2023			Theatrical release
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie	1987	Garbage Pail Kids	Topps
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra	2009	G.I. Joe	Hasbro
G.I. Joe: Retaliation	2013
Snake Eyes	2021
The Hugga Bunch	1985	The Hugga Bunch	Hallmark Cards/Kenner	Television film
Mars Attacks!	1996	Mars Attacks	Topps	Theatrical release
Masters of the Universe	1987	Masters of the Universe	Mattel	Theatrical release
Monster High: The Movie	2022	Monster High		Television film
Monster High 2	2023	Monster High		Television film
My Pet Monster	1986	My Pet Monster	American Greetings	Direct-to-video
Ouija	2014	Ouija	Hasbro	Theatrical release
Ouija: Origin of Evil	2016	Ouija	Hasbro
Robosapien: Rebooted	2013	Robosapien	WowWee
Transformers	2007	Transformers	Hasbro/Tomy
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen	2009
Transformers: Dark of the Moon	2011
Transformers: Age of Extinction	2014
Transformers: The Last Knight	2017
Bumblebee	2018
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts	2023

Animated films based on toys

Film title	Year	Source Toy	Manufacturer	Release type
Action Man: Robot Atak	2004	Action Man	Palitoy/Hasbro	Direct-to-Video
Action Man: X Missions - The Movie	2005			Direct-to-Video
Action Man: The Gangrene Code	2006			Direct-to-Video (Mexico Only)
Barbie and the Rockers: Out of this World	1987	Barbie	Mattel	Television Film
Barbie and the Sensations: Rockin' Back to Earth	1987			Television Film
Barbie in the Nutcracker	2001			Direct-to-Video
Barbie as Rapunzel	2002
Barbie of Swan Lake	2003
Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper	2004
Barbie: Fairytopia	2005
Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus	2005
Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia	2006
The Barbie Diaries
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow	2007
Barbie as the Island Princess	2007
Barbie: Mariposa	2008
Barbie and the Diamond Castle
Barbie in a Christmas Carol
Barbie: Thumbelina	2009
Barbie and the Three Musketeers	2009
Barbie in A Mermaid Tale	2010
Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale	2010
Barbie: A Fairy Secret	2011
Barbie: Princess Charm School
Barbie: A Perfect Christmas
Barbie in A Mermaid Tale 2	2012
Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar	2012
Barbie in the Pink Shoes	2013
Barbie: Mariposa & the Fairy Princess
Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale
Barbie: The Pearl Princess	2014
Barbie and the Secret Door	2014
Barbie in Princess Power	2015
Barbie in Rock 'N Royals
Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure
Barbie: Spy Squad	2016
Barbie: Star Light Adventure
Barbie & Her Sisters in A Puppy Chase
Barbie: Video Game Hero	2017
Barbie: Dolphin Magic	2017			Television Film
Barbie: Princess Adventure	2020
Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday	2021
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams	2021
Barbie: Mermaid Power	2022
Barbie: Epic Road Trip	2022			Netflix Interactive Special
Barbie: Skipper and the Big Babysitting Adventure	2023			Television Film
Bayala: A Magical Adventure	2019	Bayala	Schleich
Bionicle: Mask Of Light	2003	Bionicle	Lego Group	Direct-to-Video
Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui	2004
Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows	2005
Bionicle: The Legend Reborn	2009
BraveStarr: The Movie	1988, 2004	BraveStarr	Mattel
Bratz: Starrin' & Stylin'	2004	Bratz	MGA Entertainment
Bratz: Rock Angelz	2005
Bratz: Genie Magic	2006
Bratz: Passion 4 Fashion Diamondz	2006
Bratz: Fashion Pixiez	2007
Bratz: Girlz Really Rock	2008
Bratz: Pampered Petz	2010
Bratz: Desert Jewelz - Genie Magic 2	2012
Bratz Go to Paris: The Movie	2013
Bratz Babyz: The Movie	2006	Bratz Babyz
Bratz Super-Babyz	2007
Bratz Babyz Save Christmas	2008
Bratz Kidz: Sleep-Over Adventure	2007	Bratz Kidz
Bratz Kidz: Fairy Talez	2008	Bratz Kidz
Cabbage Patch Kids: First Christmas	1984	Cabbage Patch Kids	Coleco/Hasbro/Mattel/Toys "R" Us/Play Along/Jakks Pacific/Wicked Cool Toys	TV Special
Cabbage Pack Kids: The New Kid	1995			Direct-to-Video
Cabbage Patch Kids: The Clubhouse	1996
Cabbage Patch Kids: The Screen Test	1997
Cabbage Patch Kids: Saturday Night	1998
Cabbage Patch Kids: Vernon's Christmas	1999
Candy Land: The Great Lollipop Adventure	2005	Candy Land	Milton Bradley/Hasbro
The Care Bears Movie	1985	Care Bears	American Greetings/Kenner
Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation	1986
The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland	1987
Care Bears Nutcracker Suite	1988			Television Film
Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot	2004			Direct-to-Video
The Care Bears' Big Wish Movie	2005			Direct-to-Video
Care Bears: Oopsy Does It!	2007
Care Bears: Share Bear Shines	2010			Direct-to-Video
Care Bears: The Giving Festival				Direct-to-Video
Care Bears to the Rescue Movie
Care Bears: A Belly Badge for Wonderheart	2013			Direct-to-Video
Enchantimals: Finding Home	2017	Enchantimals	Mattel
Ever After High: Spring Unsprung	2015	Ever After High	Mattel	Netflix Exclusive
G.I. Joe: The Movie	1987	G.I. Joe	Hasbro	Direct-to-Video
G.I. Joe: Spy Troops	2003
G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom	2004
G.I. Joe: Ninja Battles	2004
Gobots: Battle of the Rock Lords	1986	Gobots	Tonka/Hasbro
Hero Factory: Rise of the Rookies	2010	Hero Factory	Lego Group	Video release of Hero Factory episodes as a single film.
Hero Factory: Savage Planet	2011	Hero Factory	Lego Group	Video release of Hero Factory episodes as a single film.
The Special Magic of Herself the Elf	1983	Herself the Elf	American Greetings/Mattel	Television Film
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Surprise Party	2005	Holly Hobbie	Tomy/Knickerbocker Toys/American Greetings	Direct-to-Video
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes	2006
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Secret Adventures	2007
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Best Friends Forever	2007
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Fabulous Fashion Show	2008
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Marvelous Makeover	2009			Direct-to-Video
Hot Wheels World Race	2003	Hot Wheels	Mattel
Hot Wheels AcceleRacers: Ignition	2005
Hot Wheels AcceleRacers: Speed of Silence
Hot Wheels AcceleRacers: Breaking Point
Hot Wheels AcceleRacers: The Ultimate Race
Team Hot Wheels: The Origin of Awesome!	2014
Team Hot Wheels: The Skills to Thrill!
Team Hot Wheels: Build the Epic Race!
Team Hot Wheels: Search for the 5th Driver!
Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers	2010	Lego	Lego Group	Direct-to-Video
Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Super Heroes Unite	2013			Direct-to-Video
The Lego Movie	2014			Theatrical Release
Lego Friends: Girlz 4 Life	2015			Direct-to-Video
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Cosmic Clash	2016
Lego Scooby-Doo! Haunted Hollywood
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Gotham City Breakout
Lego Scooby-Doo! Blowout Beach Bash	2017
Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain
The Lego Batman Movie				Theatrical Release
The Lego Ninjago Movie				Theatrical Release
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash	2018			Direct-to-Video
Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part	2019			Theatrical Release
Lego DC Batman: Family Matters	2019			Direct-to-Video
Lego DC Shazam! Magic and Monsters	2020			Direct-to-Video
Piece by Piece	2024
Lionel Lionelville Destination: Adventure	2009	Lionel Trains	Lionel	Direct-to-Video
The Secret of the Sword	1985	Masters of the Universe	Mattel
Max Steel: Endangered Species	2004	Max Steel		Direct-to-Video
Max Steel: Forces of Nature	2005
Max Steel: Countdown	2006
Max Steel: Dark Rival	2007
Max Steel: Bio Crisis	2008
Max Steel vs. The Mutant Menance	2009
Max Steel vs. The Toxic Legion	2010
Dragons: Fire And Ice	2004	Mega Bloks	Mega Brands
Dragons II: The Metal Ages	2005	Mega Bloks	Mega Brands	Television Film
Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!! WGP: Bousou Mini 4WD Daitsuiseki	1997	Mini4WD	Tamiya
Monster High: New Ghoul @ School	2010	Monster High	Mattel	Television Special
Monster High: Fright On!	2011			Television Film
Monster High: Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love?	2012
Monster High: Ghouls Rule	2012
Monster High: Escape from Skull Shores	2013
Monster High: Friday Night Frights
Monster High: 13 Wishes
Monster High: Scaris: City of Frights
Monster High: Frights, Camera, Action!	2014
Monster High: Freaky Fusion	2014
Monster High: Haunted	2015
Monster High: Boo York, Boo York	2015
Monster High: Great Scarrier Reef	2016
Welcome to Monster High	2016
Monster High: Electrified	2017
Monster High: Happy Howlidays, Ghouls	2017
My Little Pony: The Movie	1986	My Little Pony	Hasbro
My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas	2005			Direct-to-Video
My Little Pony: The Princess Promenade	2006
My Little Pony Crystal Princess: The Runaway Rainbow	2006
My Little Pony: A Very Pony Place	2007
My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure	2009
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls	2013
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls -Rainbow Rocks	2014
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Friendship Games	2015
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Legend of Everfree	2016
My Little Pony: The Movie	2017
My Little Pony: A New Generation	2021			Netflix Exclusive
My Scene: Jammin' in Jamaica	2004	My Scene	Mattel	Direct-to-Video
My Scene: Masquerade Madness	2004
My Scene Goes to Hollywood	2005
Playmobil: The Secret of Pirate Island	2009	Playmobil	Brandstätter Group
Playmobil: The Movie	2019	Playmobil	Brandstätter Group
Polly Pocket: Lunar Eclipse	2004	Polly Pocket	Bluebird Toys/Mattel	Direct-to-Video
Polly Pocket 2: Cool at the Pocket Plaza	2005
PollyWorld	2006
The Pound Puppies	1985	Pound Puppies	Tonka/Hasbro	Television Film
Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw	1988	Pound Puppies	Tonka/Hasbro
The Secret of the Sword	1985	Princess of Power	Mattel
Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure	1977	Raggedy Ann	Hasbro
Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer	1985	Rainbow Brite	Hallmark Cards/Mattel
Rescue Heroes: The Movie	2003	Rescue Heroes	Fisher-Price	Direct-to-Video
Robotix: The Movie	1987	Robotix	Milton Bradley/Hasbro	Televised Shorts compiled into a 'film'
Shopkins: Chef Club	2016	Shopkins	Moose Toys	Direct-to-Video
Shopkins: World Vacation	2017
Shopkins: Wild	2018
Star Fairies	1985	Star Fairies	Tonka/Hasbro	Television Film
Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie	2006	Strawberry Shortcake	American Greetings/Kenner/Playmates Toys/Hasbro
Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Blossom Festival	2007			Theatrical Release
Strawberry Shortcake: Let's Dance	2007
Strawberry Shortcake: Rockaberry Roll	2008
The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit	2009			Direct-to-Video
Strawberry Shortcake: The Glimmerberry Ball Movie	2010
Tonka Tough Truck Adventures: The Biggest Show on Wheels	2004	Tonka Trucks	Tonka/Hasbro
The Transformers: The Movie	1986	Transformers	Hasbro/Tomy
Beast Wars II: Lio Convoy's Close Call!	1998
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising	2013			Television Film
Transformers One	2024
Trolls	2016	Troll Doll	Dam Things/DreamWorks Animation	Theatrical Release
Trolls World Tour	2020
Trolls Band Together	2023
Ugly Dolls	2019	Uglydoll	Pretty Ugly/STX Entertainment
Quest for Zhu	2011	ZhuZhu Pets	Cepia LLC	Direct-to-Video

References

↑ Peterson, Jeffrey (2012-05-17). "From toys to the big screen". Deseret News. Archived from the original on July 11, 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
↑ Heitmueller, Karl (2007-06-26). "'Transformers' Roots Can Be Traced To Care Bears, My Little Pony, In Rewind". MTV . Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
↑ Brodesser-Akner, Claude (2012-02-06). "What Hollywood Can Learn From the End of Universal's Ill-Fated Hasbro Deal". Vulture. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
↑ French, Alex (2017-07-27). "How to Make a Movie Out of Anything — Even a Mindless Phone Game". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
↑ Miller, Daniel (2014-02-11). "Other toy makers are looking to build on success of 'The Lego Movie'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
↑ Lang, Brent (November 3, 2017). "Paramount, Hasbro Sign Five-Year Distribution, Production Pact". Variety. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
1 2 Barnes, Brooks (July 9, 2021). "It's Hollywood Barbie's Moment (and She's Bringing Her Friends)". New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
↑ Fleming, Michael; Graser, Marc (September 23, 2009). "Barbie's a Living Doll at Universal with Big Screen Plans". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
↑ Creswell, Julie (December 13, 2018). "Mattel's Revival Plan: Bet on Barbie, the Movie". New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
↑ Rubin, Rebecca (25 April 2023). "Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling Bring Plastic, Fantastic 'Barbie' to CinemaCon". Variety . Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.

External links

List of films based on toys at IMDb

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Peterson, Jeffrey (2012-05-17). "From toys to the big screen". Deseret News. Archived from the original on July 11, 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-11.

[2] Heitmueller, Karl (2007-06-26). "'Transformers' Roots Can Be Traced To Care Bears, My Little Pony, In Rewind". MTV . Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved 2013-07-11.

[3] Brodesser-Akner, Claude (2012-02-06). "What Hollywood Can Learn From the End of Universal's Ill-Fated Hasbro Deal". Vulture. Retrieved 2014-02-11.

[4] French, Alex (2017-07-27). "How to Make a Movie Out of Anything — Even a Mindless Phone Game". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-25.

[5] Miller, Daniel (2014-02-11). "Other toy makers are looking to build on success of 'The Lego Movie'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-02-11.

[6] Lang, Brent (November 3, 2017). "Paramount, Hasbro Sign Five-Year Distribution, Production Pact". Variety. Retrieved November 6, 2017.

[Barbie-7] 1 2 Barnes, Brooks (July 9, 2021). "It's Hollywood Barbie's Moment (and She's Bringing Her Friends)". New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2021.

[8] Fleming, Michael; Graser, Marc (September 23, 2009). "Barbie's a Living Doll at Universal with Big Screen Plans". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2021.

[9] Creswell, Julie (December 13, 2018). "Mattel's Revival Plan: Bet on Barbie, the Movie". New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2021.

[Rubin-10] Rubin, Rebecca (25 April 2023). "Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling Bring Plastic, Fantastic 'Barbie' to CinemaCon". Variety . Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]