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Nostalgic cartoons from the 80s and 90s spanned every genre imaginable. Most of them were colorful, catchy, and endlessly watchable. From funny to dramatic to downright bizarre, the animated series from these decades are some of the most memorable ever created. However, these cartoons were unique in another way as well. The purpose of many 80s and 90s animated shows was to sell toys. These cartoons started much like extended commercials aimed at maximizing product placement. Over time, they evolved into fan-favorite series that young viewers watched faithfully.
10. Jem And The Holograms Are A Line Of Dolls
The nostalgic cartoon series Jem ran for three seasons, starting in 1985. The music-based show featured a fictional band called Jem And The Holograms. Although Jem begins as a music executive, she finds a computer that transforms her into a rockstar. The eponymous Jem and her band actually started as a line of dolls. The dolls appealed to young girls who enjoyed watching MTV’s colorful female artists like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. The cartoon series was one of many that Hasbro used to sell toys in the 80s and 90s. The animated show was a hit with fans, and the dolls were as well.
9. He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe Increased Action Figure Sales
He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe is an undeniably enduring fictional universe. The original 80s cartoon series is a nostalgic fan favorite, and Netflix released a reboot in 2021. Following in the footsteps of its competitor, Hasbro, Mattel launched the original cartoon to sell toys. He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe action figures were more prominent than many of Hasbro’s action figure lines, making them popular with collectors. However, the release of the beloved cartoon series is what truly catapulted them to the top of every 80s kid’s wishlist.
8. Mighty Max Brought A British Toy Line To Life
Mighty Max was a short-lived 90s cartoon about the title character’s experiences. This nostalgic cartoon was equal parts horror and adventure, which kept fans watching for two full seasons. The show’s creators based the characters on the Mighty Max line of toys, which were popular in the U.K. before making their way to the states. The Mighty Max toys were considered the male answer to the famous Polly Pocket toy line, primarily marketed to girls. However, both genders enjoyed the often dark cartoon series, which later launched a video game entitled The Adventures Of Mighty Max.
7. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Was A Huge Success For Hasbro
Most people who grew up in the 80s and 90s remember seeing G.I. Joe action figures in toy stores. The Hasbro collection was wildly successful. However, it wouldn’t have been nearly as successful without the nostalgic cartoon G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. The series premiered in 1983 and was an excellent balance of American patriotism and enjoyable cartoon action. The show ran for an impressive ninety-five episodes. Its popularity among young viewers made it a perfect vehicle to sell toys. Additionally, a single-season prequel series hit the air in 2010.
6. Care Bears Was An Excellent Way To Sell Toys
The Care Bears began as a line of greeting card characters, but they quickly made their way into the realm of toys. The adorable bears were well-loved by adults and children alike. Furthermore, the Care Bears were among the highest-selling toys of the 1980s. The Care Bears nostalgic cartoon show aired from 1985 until 1988. It featured all of the popular Care Bears living together in Care-A-Lot. The lovable series influenced positive toy sales, and many short films and remakes have also been created due to its popularity.
5. Pound Puppies Is An Adorable Nostalgic Cartoon
Although Tonka’s Pound Puppies toy line featured many adorable characters, the cartoon series did more for selling the pups than any other marketing efforts. The series was an offshoot of a short television special based on the pups. The nostalgic cartoon ran for two seasons, starting in 1986. It brought the toy characters to life by giving them unique, endearing personalities. Each character was memorable in the animated series, which increased kids’ interest in the toy line. Kids who didn’t or couldn’t have pet dogs loved the toy line and the cartoon alike.
4. Creepy Crawlers Helped Sell A Strange Line Of Toys
The Creepy Crawlers toy line had a somewhat odd concept, which made the alien bugs all the more popular with kids. Although the toy line hit shelves in the 60s, its popularity peaked in the 90s. A big reason for this rise in popularity was the 1994 cartoon show Creepy Crawlers. The show followed a kid named Chris Carter, who finds himself immersed in a world of magical bug mutants. The mutants are the product of a device called The Magic Maker, which Chris designed himself. The show was popular enough to last two seasons and breathed new life into the thirty-year-old line of toys.
3. My Little Pony Is Still A Popular Animated Series
My Little Pony has developed a cult-like following over the years, with a subculture all its own. The line of toys launched in the 80s and was yet another successful Hasbro product in that decade. The original 1986 cartoon was surprisingly dark for a children’s show but nevertheless helped boost sales of the popular rainbow horse toys. In the 2010s, a reboot called My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic reinvigorated interest in the My Little Pony universe. As a result, new toys hit the market and continue to enjoy strong sales today.
2. Street Sharks Is An Underrated Nostalgic Cartoon
The Street Sharks were truly bizarre – both the toy line and the cartoon – but fans loved them nevertheless. The series ran for three seasons, with the first premiering in 1994. The nostalgic cartoon brought a line of Mattel action figures to life on the small screen, and viewers enjoyed watching the crime-fighting exploits of the sharks. The series was very underrated at the time of its release but remains a favorite among fans of 90s cartoons. As for the toy line, a new limited edition set of sharks hit stores in 2021, which has reignited interest in the cartoon.
1. Transformers Has Done Far More Than Just Sell Toys
The Transformers line of action figures was Hasbro’s answer to Mattel’s highly successful He-Man set. The toys and the accompanying nostalgic cartoon originated in the 1980s, and there’s been no stopping the franchise ever since. Transformers were the highest-selling toys of the 1980s. Transformers the cartoon ran for four seasons and has since spawned animated spin-offs and live-action films. Multiple iterations of Transformers toy lines have come to life over the years, and it’s unlikely fans will ever have to go without their favorite franchise.
