Toys / Toy Collecting

Movies Tie-In Battling For Your Action Figure Budget

By Randy Herkowitz
May 19, 2008 - 16:43

I honestly cannot remember a summer so loaded with potential blockbuster films accompanied by action figures!  There is so much competition within the movie industry and now it is going to translate on the toy shelves.

Iron Man by Hasbro

The summer movie season officially started on May 2nd 2008 with the release of Iron-Man.  Thus far this one looks like a winner!  The action figures have already been on the shelves for some time now and look pretty cool.  

Following the Invincible Iron Man on May 9th 2008 was the seizure inducing Speed Racer movie based on the animated series from the 1960’s.  Even though many of the toys (all under the Hot Wheels brand name) are of toy cars, there are still a plethora of action figures to choose from.  Again, these have gotten a healthy head start in toy isles already.



On May 15th 2008, the sequel to the successful Disney series based on the popular children’s books, Chronicles of Narnia has an extraordinary amount of action figures and play sets to collect produced by Play Along Toys.  These action figures are being produced in two different scales, a six inch and 3 ¾ inch scale. Prince Caspian is expected to be a darker film.  Therefore it will be interesting how kids will take to the large array of action figures.

Indiana Jones by Hasbro

Perhaps, the biggest film of them all, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is released on May 22nd 2008.  Not only is Hasbro Toys producing action figures and related toys on the fourth installment of the popular franchise but are also revisiting the other three films to add to the potential loads of action figures to stock up on. These action figures are slowly starting to hit retail, so keep your eyes peeled.

Following the Indiana Jones excitement on June 13th 2008 is a new Incredible Hulk movie.  This has no connection to the Ang Lee film that was released only a couple of years ago.  I have a feeling you will see a sea of green clogging the pegs.  I just don’t see the need for a dozen different Incredible Hulk action figures.  I personally think Marvel should have waited a couple more years before attempting to reboot this franchise.  Only time will tell.

Hulk by Hasbro

July 11th 2008 brings the second film for Indie comic character, Hellboy in Hellboy 2: The Golden Army.  I’m not sure how this movie will do in the box office.  However, I personally am looking forward to it.  Oh yeah, and Mezco Toys are producing action figures for the movie in two different scales, both the six to seven inch scale and the 3 ¾ inch scale. 

Hellboy by Mezco Toys

July 18th 2008 the excitement concludes with the Dark Knight.  This is the second chapter in Christopher Nolan’s Batman series and the last performance by the late Heath Ledger as the Joker.  There is not only one set of action figures for this film but two!  One series targeted more towards the collector and the other more kid friendly.  

That is six major films accompanied by action figures!  Most of the action figures are already in stores or will be soon as pictures have been revealed since Toy Fair.  As long as the movies are good, most likely the toys will sell.  If I were to make a guess on which action figures will be the peg warmers or end up in the clearance isles the quickest, I’d have to go with both the Incredible Hulk and Narnia: Prince Caspian.  I think kids will buy a Hulk figure or two but after that, how many Hulks do you need and as for Prince Caspian, I like the figures and Play Along Toy’s approach.  However, the first movie regardless of the huge success did not sell many toys for Hasbro and there is just too much competition out there.

Batman by Mattel

I for one already have all the Iron-Man movie figures I need and am very much looking forward to not only collecting the entire Indiana Jones action figure Universe but the collector series of the Dark Knight action figures.  I am also planning on supporting Mezco’s Hellboy movie toys especially if they are nearly as nice as the action figures they made for the first film.

This summer is sure to be an expensive trip to the movie theater and toy stores alike.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12