10 McDonald's Happy Meal Toys From the '80s That Are Worth a Small Fortune

Nostalgia for the 1980s is at its peak. From "Stranger Things" to synth-pop playlists, the '80s vibe is everywhere — and collectibles from that decade are hotter than ever, including Happy Meal toys.

Dig through your attic or garage, and you might uncover a fun way to earn extra cash with these 10 surprisingly valuable McDonald's Happy Meal toys.

Market value: $3

In 1988, McDonald's launched a range of Happy Meals partnering with the popular Jim Henson puppet-based animation, "Fraggle Rock." There were four vegetable-based cars and two figures holding carrots for toddlers.

Some Fraggle Rock Happy Meal toys are sold as sets, priced between $4 and $12 for three or four toys. If you're lucky enough to find the Doozer forklift truck or bulldozer, these are super rare and could be worth more.

Market value: $6

McDonaldland characters like Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglar, Grimace, and more were (and still are) very popular with fast food fans. In 1982, numerous plastic toys and games featuring each of the characters were produced, sometimes with more than one character together.

Toys like Ronald McDonald the Gymnast sell for around $6, but only if all the parts are still intact.

Market value: $10

The McDonald's Boo Buckets were Happy Meal Halloween giveaways in 1986. You got your tasty meal and a bucket to go trick-or-treating with. Weirdly, each of the buckets has ventilation holes in the lid, begging the question, "Why?"

Despite their oddness, these buckets are sought after. In good condition and with their original lids, you can get $10 each for these collectibles.

Market value: $199

Another food-based range, the McNugget Buddies, brought the Happy Meal staple to plastic life in 1988. There were 12 cute characters to collect, and collectors will pay a decent amount for new, in-plastic editions.

One collection of all 12 in mint condition recently sold for $199, working out to approximately $16 per buddy.

Market value: $22

"Oliver & Company" is a 1988 animated classic that replaces the characters from "Oliver Twist" with dogs. McDonald's was quick to get in on the Disney action and produced toys showing cute characters Oliver, Dodger, and friends.

Today, these adorable animals sell for approximately $2 each, but if you find a full set of four in good condition, they could be worth $22.

Market value: $52

Jim Henson products were super popular in the '80s, and characters from "Muppet Babies" were no exception. This Happy Meal range includes cute and tiny versions of the original Muppets, such as Baby Gonzo riding a tricycle and Baby Kermit on a skateboard.

A set of five, in average condition, recently sold for just over $52. If you find some in mint condition, you could command a higher price.

Market value: $56

Mario is a character who has stood the test of time, with new games and media coming out every year. Back in 1990, Super Mario Bros. 3 was a relatively new release, and McDonald's partnered with Nintendo to create a full range of Mario-themed Happy Meal toys.

A full set in decent condition sold for around $56 recently.

Market value: $65

They're not quite Transformers, but these familiar food items change into robot characters that you can play with. Gallacta Burger, Turbo Cone, and Robo Cakes were all members of this sci-fi-themed Happy Meal toy run.

You'll definitely get more if you have a set of eight toys still in their wrappers. Later models from the 1990s with dino-themed characters can sell for $65 a set.

Market value: $75

These do exactly what they say on the packet: each toy is a tiny replica of something you'll find in a Happy Meal. Around the same time (1988 to 1989), Fisher-Price was selling McDonald's toys and playsets for kids to enjoy at home, making for a neat tie-in.

A set of four plastic meal items recently sold for approximately $75, so these could be a tasty earner.

Market value: $80

While McDonald's leaned into its own transformable range of Changeables, the fast food giant also partnered with the genuine Transformers brand. These toys were only available at select outlets, and collectors are willing to pay a premium for them.

Recent sales on eBay have reached up to $80 for the toy in new condition, still in its original plastic wrapping.

While not every Happy Meal toy is worth a fortune, some can command solid prices — especially if collectors are missing just one piece. With today's wave of '80s nostalgia, now's a great time to dig through your old toy boxes.

And if you're looking to make extra money on the side, other '80s favorites like Teddy Ruxpin dolls or classic video games could also be valuable. Just be sure to clean items gently and consider a professional appraisal to get the best return.