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.
Brands and Characters of the Year
Class of 2022
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
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
Induction category:
Brand
Class of: 2022
The ultimate creative toy, for over 90 years Lego has stirrred imaginations worldwide.
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
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
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
Induction category:
Franchise
Class of: 2021
Bond… James Bond has been saving the world for 25 movies and counting.
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
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’
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Induction category:
Brand
Class of: 2017
Nerf is best know for their soft foam sports toys as well as their sponge-projectile weapons.
Pixar "Cars"
Induction category:
Franchise
Class of: 2017
Pixar's "Cars" movies have been a juggernaut for producing countless beloved collectible toys.
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
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
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
Induction category:
Brand
Class of: 2016
Funko is best known for its collectible vinyl Wobblers, plush toys, and Pop! figures.
Jakks Pacific
Induction category:
Brand
Class of: 2016
Jakks Pacific designs and markets toys, electronics and consumer products representing hundreds of popular brands.
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
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
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 "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
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.
