“Changeables was the most requested Happy Meal program at X across social media platforms and customer service,” said Guillaume Huin, McDonald’s senior marketing director.
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McDonald’s is riding the nostalgia wave with the return of changeable Happy Meals.
Like Transformers, Changeables are toys that look like McDonald’s menu items but can be reconfigured into robots, dinosaurs, and more. These were first introduced in 1987.
“We’re bringing back the iconic Changeable Happy Meal, allowing a new generation of fans to enjoy the nostalgic experience that made it a fan favorite,” McDonald’s said in a statement to USA TODAY.
McDonald’s says the changeable Happy Meals will be available starting Tuesday, January 27, but won’t be around forever.
“The popular toy that first captured the hearts of fans in the late ’80s and early ’90s is back in restaurants for a limited time, giving kids and adults alike the chance to own one of 16 changeables that transform into classic McDonald’s icons,” the company said in a statement.
See the past and present of McDonald’s Changeable Happy Meal
The three original Changeables Happy Meals were released in 1987, 1989 and 1990, Guillaume Huynh, the company’s senior marketing director, wrote in a Jan. 22 post on X.
Huynh also said the new Changeables will feature “updated versions of both the robot and dinosaur designs of the original three Happy Meal programs released in 1987, 1989 and 1990.”
“Changeable was the most requested Happy Meal program on X across social media platforms and customer service,” Huynh said in the post.
The toy consists of a collection of 16 characters.
“Every design has a name and has a little personality,” said Huynh, who also uploaded a video showcasing the individual changeables featured in Happy Meals.
McDonald’s teased the toy’s return by posting profiles of trading card-like characters on its Instagram page and Happy Meal page.
Commenters suggested that fans are excited about the toy’s return.
One commenter said, “Oh my gosh, these totally bring back childhood memories.”
“The ’90s in me is so excited,” one person wrote.
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Contact her at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
