The Ultimate 2026 Happy Meal Toy Schedule: 5 Upcoming Collections You MUST Collect (70 Disney Toys Included!)

The excitement for McDonald's Happy Meal toys has reached a fever pitch, with the fast-food giant launching some of its most ambitious and collectible promotions to date in late 2025 and heading into 2026. As of December 14, 2025, the focus is entirely on a massive, limited-time event celebrating a major Disney milestone, which is immediately followed by a lineup of highly-anticipated collaborations that are already sending collectors into a frenzy. This new wave of toys solidifies the Happy Meal's status not just as a kids' treat, but as a genuine pop culture collectible for adults and enthusiasts worldwide. This detailed guide breaks down the five most significant and confirmed Happy Meal toy releases currently scheduled for the US and select international markets, offering a first look at the characters, themes, and dates you need to mark on your calendar. From a monumental 70-toy collection to a mysterious "GOAT" collaboration, 2026 is shaping up to be a record-breaking year for McDonald’s collectibles.

The Current & Upcoming Happy Meal Toy Schedule: December 2025 - February 2026

McDonald's has strategically planned a series of promotions that cater to both long-time fans and new collectors, leveraging major anniversaries and unexpected cross-brand collaborations. The current promotion is a collector's dream, offering an unprecedented number of unique items in a single run.

1. Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration (Current: December 2025)

The biggest announcement dominating the collector community is the launch of the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration Happy Meal, which began rolling out on December 2, 2025, and is expected to run through the end of the year. This promotion is a monumental event, featuring an astonishing 70 brand-new Disney Happy Meal toys to collect. To make the collection achievable, each Happy Meal includes two collectible toys per box, a rare move by the fast-food chain. The collection is a tribute to seven decades of Disney magic, encompassing characters from classic animated films, Pixar hits, and Marvel blockbusters, all paired with a miniature Sleeping Beauty Castle backdrop.

Key Entities and Characters to Collect:

The sheer volume of this collection means that every Happy Meal is a blind box surprise. The lineup includes a diverse roster of Disney and Pixar favorites, ensuring there’s a piece of nostalgia for everyone.

• Classic Disney: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Dumbo, Tiana (from The Princess and the Frog).
• Pixar Favorites: Green Alien (from Toy Story), Crush (from Finding Nemo), Olaf (from Frozen), Sadness (from Inside Out).
• Marvel and Villains: Iron Man, Black Panther, Maleficent.
• Iconic Landmark: The Golden 70th Sleeping Beauty Castle.

The limited-time nature and high volume of this 70th Anniversary set make it an immediate must-have for Disney fans and Happy Meal collectors alike.

2. TMNT x Hello Kitty (Anticipated: January 2026)

The first major crossover of 2026 is a collaboration that marries two completely different, yet equally beloved, franchises: the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) and Hello Kitty. This unexpected pairing is expected to launch in the U.K. in January 2026, following the conclusion of the Disneyland promotion. While a US release date is often shortly behind international launches, the anticipation is already building for this unique set of collectibles. The toys are rumored to feature Hello Kitty characters dressed as the iconic heroes—Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael—or perhaps a fusion of the two aesthetics. This type of novel brand collaboration is highly sought after by collectors and is a strong indicator of McDonald’s continued push into innovative toy design.

3. The Mysterious "GOAT" Happy Meal (Anticipated: January-February 2026)

One of the most intriguing entries on the early 2026 schedule is the promotion simply listed as "GOAT," scheduled to run from approximately January 13 to February 2026. In modern pop culture, GOAT stands for "Greatest Of All Time," which immediately sparks speculation about a major celebrity or sports figure collaboration.

The GOAT Speculation: A New Adult Happy Meal?

The term GOAT has a history with McDonald’s advertising, but the 2026 listing points to a new, specific toy promotion. Given the chain’s massive success with the Adult Happy Meal—specifically the 2022 collaboration with Cactus Plant Flea Market—many in the collector community believe this could be another installment in the adult-focused collectible series. Potential theories for the "GOAT" collaboration include: * A Major Athlete: A tie-in with a legendary figure like Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, or a current sports superstar, which would align with the "Greatest Of All Time" moniker. * A Streetwear Follow-up: A new collaboration with a trendy fashion brand like GOAT.com or a similar tastemaker, offering unique, stylized figurines similar to the Grimace, Birdie, and The Hamburglar figures from the Cactus Plant Flea Market box. * Original McDonald’s Characters: A return to the teased, upcoming release featuring classic McDonald's characters like Grimace, Birdie, and The Hamburglar in a new, modern collectible format. This promotion is one to watch closely, as it represents McDonald’s strategy of creating buzz and catering to the nostalgia market.

4. Pokémon Cards 30th Anniversary (Anticipated: February 2026)

The annual Pokémon Happy Meal promotion is arguably the most consistent and highly-demanded collectible event on the McDonald’s calendar, and the February 2026 launch is set to be bigger than ever. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, suggesting the cards included in the Happy Meal will be a special, commemorative set. Past Pokémon promotions have caused frenzies, with scalpers often clearing out stock due to the high resale value of the exclusive trading cards. For the 30th Anniversary, collectors can anticipate: * Exclusive Holographic Cards: Special edition holographic or rare cards featuring iconic Pokémon like Pikachu, Charizard, and Eevee. * Commemorative Packaging: Unique packaging to celebrate the three-decade milestone. * Starter Pokémon Focus: A potential focus on the original 151 Pokémon that launched the franchise. The Pokémon cards promotion is a reliable source of high-value collectibles and a major driver of traffic for the fast-food chain.

5. The Return of McDonald's Originals (Teased)

Beyond the major collaborations, McDonald's has also teased an upcoming release that focuses entirely on its own iconic mascots. This collection is expected to feature new, modern interpretations of beloved characters, including: * Grimace * Birdie the Early Bird * The Hamburglar While a specific date has not been announced, this promotion is a strategic move to capitalize on the success of the Grimace Birthday Meal and the renewed public interest in the brand's classic IP (Intellectual Property). This set will be a must-have for vintage McDonald's collectors and those who enjoyed the recent Adult Happy Meal boxes.

Tips for Collecting the New 2026 Happy Meal Toys

Collecting the most popular Happy Meal toys requires a strategy, especially for high-demand sets like the 70 Disney toys and the Pokémon cards.

1. Prioritize Limited-Time Sets: The Disneyland 70th Celebration and the Pokémon 30th Anniversary will be the most difficult to complete. Start collecting on the launch day (December 2, 2025, for Disney) to get the best selection.

2. Check International Markets: Collaborations like the TMNT x Hello Kitty often debut in international markets (like the U.K.) before the US. Following global Happy Meal news can give you a head start.

3. Join Collector Communities: Online forums and social media groups dedicated to Happy Meal collectors are the best source for real-time updates, toy trading, and confirming the exact launch dates for ambiguous promotions like the GOAT set.

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4. Ask for the Full Set: While not always possible, asking your local McDonald's if you can purchase the full set of toys (or a dedicated collector's box, if available) can save you time and money compared to buying individual meals. This is particularly relevant for the massive 70-toy Disney collection.