McDonald’s has launched a new line of collector cups featuring beloved characters like Hello Kitty, Shrek, Barbie, and Grimace. This initiative taps into nostalgia, aiming to attract customers as menu prices rise and sales slow.
Fans are eagerly searching for these collectible cups, with TikTok creators sharing tips on how to obtain their favorites. McDonald’s promotes these cups as valuable investments, suggesting that collectors will appreciate their worth in the future. “In 20 years, you’re going to be happy you collected all six limited edition cups,” the company stated on its official X account.
On resale platforms like eBay, individual cups are selling for prices ranging from $15 to $50. Meanwhile, a complete set of six can fetch around $250, and some sellers are offering cases of 100 cups for $1,500. However, experts caution that the long-term value of fast-food promotional items is generally low. Justin Caravoulias, consignment director for action figures and toys at Heritage Auctions, notes that collectible cups from fast-food chains do not typically appreciate significantly over time.
Over the years, McDonald’s has released various collectible cups, including those themed around “Batman Forever,” the 1992 U.S.
Olympic basketball team, and Disney Millennium drinkware featuring Mickey Mouse. Some past collections, like the 2010 “Shrek Forever After” cups, were even found to contain hazardous materials.
Other fast-food chains have also used similar promotional strategies.
Taco Bell has released cups for various “Batman” films, while Burger King has offered cups themed around “Pocahontas” and “Lord of the Rings.” However, the sheer volume of these cups produced means they are not particularly rare. Caravoulias explains that collectors often hold onto these items in anticipation of their future value, making it easy to find well-preserved examples.
Many of these cups can be found on resale sites like eBay for around $10 each. Additionally, secondhand shops often have bags filled with unopened collectibles from McDonald’s, Burger King, and other chains dating back 20 to 30 years. When new items are released, collectors often rush to acquire them. Caravoulias mentions that short-term investors frequently buy cases of cups, open them, and sell sets while they are still in high demand.
While the past performance of promotional items may not predict future trends, the market for these collectibles tends to be more stable. “History repeats itself. They’ll never be as valuable as they are now,” Caravoulias stated. “This is probably the highest value that they’ll ever be.”
Although most cups are relatively inexpensive, there are exceptions. For instance, a McDonald’s “Star Wars” cup from the 1970s recently sold for $128 on eBay. Additionally, a complete display of the 1992 Dream Team cups sold for $900, likely due to the timing of the sale coinciding with the upcoming Paris Olympics. This renewed interest in basketball memorabilia increased demand for items from that era.
As collectors seek to complete their vintage collections, some are willing to pay a premium for certain items, especially those tied to iconic franchises. While some enthusiasts may spend $100 or $200 on complete sets to avoid searching for each cup individually, most items remain accessible to the average collector.
While online shopping makes it easy to find these cups, some collectors prefer the thrill of the hunt in person. Amethyst Bowlsby, a 34-year-old collector from Riverton, Wyoming, enjoys visiting thrift stores and garage sales for these treasures, partly due to the stories she hears from sellers.
Bowlsby began her quest to complete her collection of McDonald’s “Batman Forever” cups during her teenage years, as they represent her “comfort movie.” She already owned a cup featuring Batman but needed to find Robin, Two-Face, and the Riddler. She discovered the Robin cup at a thrift store for just under five dollars, while her husband gifted her the Two-Face cup. However, the Riddler cup, inspired by Jim Carrey’s memorable performance, was the hardest to find. On her 28th birthday, her mother surprised her with the coveted cup.
“I’m weirdly into ‘Batman Forever.’ It’s a silly movie, but it makes me happy,” Bowlsby shared.
On eBay and Etsy, complete “Batman Forever” collections are often listed for $50 or less. According to Caravoulias, many fast-food collectibles fail to appreciate in value because “everything has become collectible” since the 1990s. The internet has made people more aware of the value of vintage items, leading to an accumulation of merchandise kept in mint condition.
With so many toys preserved in excellent shape, individual values have decreased. Caravoulias explains that the value of collectibles over time depends on nostalgia and the degradation of the original stock. For instance, the Beanie Baby craze collapsed when parents advised their children no
t to play with them, fearing they might become valuable. In contrast, certain Pokémon cards are now worth significant amounts due to ongoing popularity and scarcity.
Vintage “Star Wars” action figures from the 1970s also command high prices, as the franchise remains immensely popular and finding these toys in mint condition is rare. Caravoulias noted that children typically opened packaging and played with their toys, which is expected behavior.
In the 1990s, new “Star Wars” toys based on the original franchise were released, and collectors quickly purchased them, aware of the value of older merchandise. Like “Star Wars” collectors, fast-food cup enthusiasts have learned to store their memorabilia carefully, but this does not necessarily increase market value.
“They’re not disappearing, they’re not breaking, they’re not getting used, and they’re not getting thrown away. So, everyone who wants them can get them pretty easily,” Caravoulias explained.
Despite this, many people still want to acquire collectible cups with each new release. For fast-food restaurants, this strategy effectively attracts customers. Some individuals hope for quick returns, while others, like Bowlsby, simply cherish their souvenirs.
While the future value of these collectibles remains uncertain, Caravoulias advises, “If you like these cups, if you enjoy them, if you feel some connection, then collect them.”’