Brands and Characters of the Year

The Pop Culture Hall of Fame recognizes the iconic brands of toys and collectibles that have shaped people from their childhood and beyond. Each year, the Hall also honors the franchises or individual characters that have the most impact by inspiring those toys, collectibles, comics and movies. Lastly, we also like to honor pop culture charities that do good and spread joy where it is mostly needed.

Class of 2022

El Chapulín Colorado
El Chapulín Colorado

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2022

Hilariously inept, Chespirito's El Capulin Colorad is the superhero the world needs for a good laugh

Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2022

George R. R. Martin's sprawling epic kept fans waiting for more whether in print on on screen.

Lego
Lego

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2022

The ultimate creative toy, for over 90 years Lego has stirrred imaginations worldwide.

MAD Magazine
MAD Magazine

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2022

MAD Magazine was the bulwark of snark for a generation of kinds and even some gronw-ups

Pop Culture Hero Coalition
Pop Culture Hero Coalition

Induction category:
Charity

Class of: 2022

This anti-bullying organization uses the inspiration of "the hero's journey"  to teach kids that even if things are tough, you can be tougher and find the strength to make it to better days. This is our Charity for 2022.

Class of 2021

Hasbro Pulse
Hasbro Pulse

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2021

Getting collectors what they want in an exclusive and fun way should be the new model for everybody!

James Bond
James Bond

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2021

Bond… James Bond has been saving the world for 25 movies and counting.

Magic Wheelchair
Magic Wheelchair

Induction category:
Charity

Class of: 2021

Magic Wheelchair turns wheelchairs into carriages, pirate ships, ponies, or whatever a kid wants to go with their Halloween or comics convention costume.

Monopoly
Monopoly

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2021

For almost a century, Monopoly has made real estate, taxation, and paying rent fun for the whole family.

Nu Pogodi’
Nu Pogodi’

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2021

The Wolf and Hare engaged in crazy antics in the iconic Soviet era cartoon series Nu Pogodi

Class of 2020

Games Done Quick
Games Done Quick

Induction category:
Charity

Class of: 2020

Games Done Quick is a video game speedrunner event that has raised millions of dollars for charities.

Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2020

The overly cuddly, round feline character has been a staple of pop culture worldwide since the mid-70s and just keeps purring.

Jazwares
Jazwares

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2020

With a combination of familiar old brands and hot new trends, Jazwares is filling a nice gap in the toy and collectibles market.

Tetris
Tetris

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2020

Tetris was one of the earliest cross-platform video game successes snd still remains popular to this day.

The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2020

The wild success of The Mandalorian surprised critics and fans when it debuted on Disney+.

Class of 2019

Extra Life
Extra Life

Induction category:
Charity

Class of: 2019

Extra Life started as a fundraiser inspired by Victoria Enmon, who died of leukemia when she was just an adolescent. After meeting Victoria and working to raise support on her behalf, Jeromy Adams took his gaming passion and fundraising talent to start Extra Life. To date, the organization has raised more than $50 million.

Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2019

Final Fantasy started as a last attempt for the fledgling studio Square to regain profitability. Ironically (and fortunately for Square) the series became a smash hit, now standing at 15 titles and sitting atop a massive influence.

Sideshow Collectibles
Sideshow Collectibles

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2019

Sideshow began in 1994 with the goal of bringing fans closer to the series they love. With a talented team drawing from different professions including art, film, architecture and engineering, Sideshow has distinguished itself as a premier producer of incredibly detailed figures.

Star Trek
Star Trek

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2019

Star Trek, debuting in the mid 60's on network TV, introduced audiences to a whole new concept of science fiction. With the Original Series, The Next generation, Deep Space Nine and many films, Star Trek still influences us to this day.

Stranger Things
Stranger Things

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2019

Stranger Things began as the passion project of relatively new producers, the brothers Matt and Ross Duffer. After Netflix took a chance on the series, Stranger Things became a smash hit. It's 80's fueled aesthetic, memorable story and cast of characters propelled the show into a lasting force.

The Joker
The Joker

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2019

Over time, his motivations, costumes, seriousness and story has changed, but the Joker's impact has remained on a steady track upward to become on of the most influential comic book characters of all time.

Class of 2018

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2018

"He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" was perhaps the most popular cartoon of the 1980s. The action figures and playsets based on the adventures Skeletor, She-Ra, Beast Man, Stinkor and the rest were colossal sellers. Over thirty years after their introduction, the characters remain as popular as ever.

POPS! for Patients
POPS! for Patients

Induction category:
Charity

Class of: 2018

POPS! For Patients collects and donates Funko Pop! figures to kids in hospitals to spread a little joy. Since August of 2016, they’ve donated almost 10,000 figures to kids in the U.S and other countries.

Pokémon
Pokémon

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2018

The Pokémon empire spans cartoons and toys as well as video and virtual games. The most popular and enduring part of the “Pocket Monster” universe is the collectible card game, which has been in circulation since the mid-1990s.

Power Rangers
Power Rangers

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2018

Power Rangers have morphed into so many versions over the last 25 years, it’s almost hard to count all the different variations. But with each new generation comes continued popularity on TV, movies, comics and merchandising.

Tintin by Hergé
Tintin by Hergé

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2018

Tintin was the globetrotting, adventure-seeking, young reporter at the center of Belgian cartoonist Herge's comic books. Over the course of several decades, Tintin travelled the world and even to the moon solving mysteries and enthralling readers of all ages and languages.

Warhammer
Warhammer

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2018

The Warhammer series of tabletop games started in the 1980s emphasizing thoughtful, cooperative team play over competition. The series has gone from the original Warhammer Fantasy Battle’s Earth-like setting to the more recent Warhammer 40,000, with its futuristic, planet hopping storyline.

Class of 2017

G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2017

G.I. Joe has been a mainstay of toys and collectibles since 1964. He made toy history by introducing the term "action figure" to the world.

Nerf
Nerf

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2017

Nerf is best know for their soft foam sports toys as well as their sponge-projectile weapons.

Pixar
Pixar "Cars"

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2017

Pixar's "Cars" movies have been a juggernaut for producing countless beloved collectible toys.

Transformers
Transformers

Induction category:
Franchise

Class of: 2017

Transformers have been an enormous success story in toys, comics, television, and movies since the 1980s and are still as strong as ever.

Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2017

Wonder Woman has been an super hero favorite for 75 years, but never more popular than in 2017.

Class of 2016

Deadpool
Deadpool

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2016

Despite his raunchy, viloent R-rated antics, Deadpool has become one of the most popular, bankable super heroes in the Marvel Universe.

Funko
Funko

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2016

Funko is best known for its collectible vinyl Wobblers, plush toys, and Pop! figures.

Jakks Pacific
Jakks Pacific

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2016

Jakks Pacific designs and markets toys, electronics and consumer products representing hundreds of popular brands.

NECA
NECA

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2016

The National Entertainment Collectibles Association manufactures action figures and dolls of many recognizable characters.

Class of 2015

Barbie
Barbie

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2015

Barbie is an iconic American doll from Mattel who helped the imaginations of girls worldwide run wild.

Mattel-WWE
Mattel-WWE

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2015

Mattel continues to lead the action figure world, thanks in large part to its line of WWE figures, which annually ranks among the industry’s best sellers.

Rey from
Rey from "Star Wars"

Induction category:
Character

Class of: 2015

As the anchor of the latest "Star Wars" trilogy, Rey has also been a powerhouse in toys and collectibles.

Tech Deck
Tech Deck

Induction category:
Brand

Class of: 2015

Tech Deck rose to prominence in the '80s as a leading manufacturer of fingerboards, mini skateboards ridden by hand.