At last we will have revenge. Ravensburger, acclaimed publisher behind award-winning board games and high-quality toys and puzzles, has announced details of its first two-player expandalone in the Star Wars Villainous line: the Star Wars Villainous: Revenge at Last game. Featuring the ruthlessly ambitious Sith lord Darth Maul and fiercely formidable Commander of the First Order Captain Phasma, Star Wars Villainous: Revenge at Last game will be available for pre-order on June 24, 2024, and on sale at Target beginning July 21, 2024.
Bulldog Licensing, one of the licensing industry’s leading agencies, has announced two new partners for the phenomenally successful Magic Mixies property from innovative toymaker Moose Toys. William Lamb Group, a major name in footwear for over 130 years and an expert in design-to-delivery production, is planning a range of footwear, bags, purses and accessories for the Magic Mixies brand. Launching initially with a retail exclusive bag in spring 2024, the full range of products will be in development later in the year.
The Op Games has announced its popular title Blank Slate has received Circana’s Toy Industry Award for #1 Selling Toy in the United States in the Family Word/Other Games category. The awards recognize the best-selling and top selling toys, properties, and manufacturers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe, according to Circana’s Retail Tracking Service. “We are honored that Blank Slate is recognized as one of Circana’s top selling games,” said Eric Brendel, VP of Sales at The Op Games. “We recognize our retailer partners who have helped The Op Games reach this great achievement and we also appreciate all the consumers who have played and shared the fun and laughter of playing Blank Slate.”
Playmates Toys revealed a new line of Mutations Mix ‘N Match Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures, designed after the highly-anticipated upcoming Paramount+ animated series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Taking cues from the series premise that a fearsome new foe emerges in New York City, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles must lend a hand to their allies – literally! These toys enable fans to swap out heads and limbs between each of the collectible figures to create unique mutants. The mutation variations are endless, with hundreds of possible combinations.
Cloudco Entertainment, owner of the Care Bears franchise, is proud to announce six all-new animated Care Bears: Unlock the Magic specials scheduled to debut throughout 2024 on Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max in the U.S. Adding to the 50 episodes previously launched to great acclaim in the U.S. on Max and elsewhere globally, the six (6) all-new “Care Bears: Unlock the Magic” animated specials and their respective launch dates are: “The Quest for The Rainbow Stone” (launched 2/2/24), “Grumpy’s Ginormous Adventure” (3/8/24), “The Star of a Thousand Wishes” (7/5/24), “The Bad Crowd Strikes Back” (9/1/24), “The Mystery of the Snickering Ghost” (10/4/24), and “The No Heart Games” (11/1/24). All of the new specials retain the look and feel of the animated TV series, but lean into bigger, more theatrical themes.
Sony Pictures Consumer Products invites fans of Ghostbusters to gear up for the next chapter in the iconic franchise with new products and unique collaborations designed to further immerse enthusiasts into the pop culture phenomenon. The robust consumer products program, anchored by key licensees including Hasbro, Funko, Timberland, and Kellogg’s, aligns with a new phase in the Ghostbusters franchise, marked by the much-anticipated arrival of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s latest film, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (premiering March 22 exclusively in movie theaters).
Just Play, a leading global toy company, has announced the acquisition of Tara Toy, the #1 manufacturer of licensed arts and crafts products sold at major retailers in the US. Tara Toy has grown their business over the past fifty years with a robust portfolio of licensed arts and crafts, activities, toys, and more. They hold top tier licenses including Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Nickelodeon, LOL, Barbie, and Hot Wheels. With this acquisition, Just Play will take a strategic step further into these same categories at retailers worldwide beginning in Fall 2024. Geoffrey Greenberg, Just Play’s Co-CEO stated, “It’s an honor for us to carry on the incredible legacy that Bruce and the Tara Toy team have built over the last nearly 50 years. Just Play and Tara Toy are synergistic in many important ways – licensing and retail partners look to us to deliver quality value and speed to market. We are looking forward to welcoming the team from Tara Toy into the Just Play family, seamlessly integrating operational processes and our brand portfolios.”
Shopping at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk Hollywood just got a little more adventurous! One of the hottest new preschool brands, DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse, is bringing the sprinkle party to La La Land with a-meowzing, exclusive merchandise available now at the Cartooniversal store on Universal CityWalk Hollywood and at the Animation Studio Store in Universal Studios Hollywood, beginning March 5. Gabby’s Dollhouse toys and products bring the imaginative dollhouse world to life with music, surprises, and more for kids to create their own adventure at home. Fans can shop an exciting assortment that includes Spin Master’s award-winning Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse and deluxe room sets, alongside all-new, exclusive cat ear headbands, plush, apparel, accessories and more that are only available at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk.