Happy Meal's 40th Anniversary: McDonald's Celebrates Launching Limited-Edition Throwback Toys From The Past Four Decades

McDonald’s is taking us to walk down memory lane! To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first-ever Happy Meal, the fast food company, launched the Surprise Happy Meal with some of its most popular Happy Meal toys from the last four decades. This limited-edition offering will be available in over 90 countries around the world at

participating McDonald’s restaurants until Monday, Nov. 11, while supplies last.

The roster includes beloved toys across the globe with two additional toys available only in the U.S. The official lineup of the 17 toys coming to the Surprise Happy Meal in the U.S. includes:

• Cowboy

  McNugget (McDonald’s): 1988

• Fireman

  McNugget (McDonald’s): 1988

• Mail Carrier

  McNugget (McDonald’s): 1988

• Hamburger Changeable (McDonald’s): 1989
• Grimace (McDonald’s): 1990
• Dino Happy Meal Box Changeable (McDonald’s): 1991
• McDonald’s Hot Wheels Thunderbird (Mattel): 1993

• Hamburglar (McDonald’s): 1995

• Power Rangers (Hasbro): 1995
• Space Jam Bugs Bunny (Warner Brothers): 1996
• Patti the Platypus (Ty Beanie Baby): 1997
• 101 Dalmatians

  – U.S. Exclusive (Disney): 1997

• Tamagotchi (Bandai): 1998
• My Little Pony (Hasbro): 1998
• Furby (Hasbro): 1999
• Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey

  – U.S. Exclusive (Disney): 2002

• Hello Kitty (Sanrio): 2013

“Since

the Happy Meal was introduced on the menu, it quickly became synonymous with our brand,” said Steve Easterbrook, McDonald’s CEO. “Today, this iconic red box creates lasting memories for billions of families annually across the world.”

First introduced as a Circus Wagon Happy Meal in June 1979 nationally in the U.S., the early iterations of the Happy Meal featured a decorative box including various toys such as a spinning top and McDonaldland character erasers. The Happy Meal global footprint has expanded to more than 38,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries around the globe —with the iconic toy still a beloved staple—serving as a symbol of surprise, playfulness and fun.

“Parents tell us how fondly they recall their favorite toys,” said Colin Mitchell, McDonald’s Senior Vice President, Global Marketing. “So, unboxing the Surprise Happy Meal together creates a real moment of bonding with their children. We hope these toys are something that they will treasure and remember.”

In addition to creating fun, family moments with memorable toys, the Happy Meal is well-loved for delicious favorites like Chicken McNuggets and hamburgers. Over the years, many new, balanced choices have been added around the world, such as fruits and vegetables, to evolve with consumer expectations and increase families’ access to recommended food groups. In the U.S., McDonald’s has served more than 3.4 billion fruit, low-fat dairy and water options in the Happy Meal since 2013. Following the removal of soda from U.S. Happy Meal menu boards in 2013, there has been a 15 percentage point increase (from 37% to 52%) in the number of Happy Meals served with milk, water or juice.

Beginning in 2020, McDonald’s USA will introduce a Reduced Sugar Low Fat Chocolate Milk in the U.S. as the latest step in this evolution. The version will have 25% less sugar than the previous fat free chocolate milk offered. Additionally, this version will have 25% less sugar than leading quick service restaurants’ low fat chocolate milk* options. As part of McDonald’s Global Happy Meal Goals announced in 2018, McDonald’s USA announced that chocolate milk would be reformulated to reduce the amount of added sugar.

Through this global Surprise Happy Meal event, fans of all ages are invited to join in the fun and discover what old or new favorite awaits them.