Things From Our Childhood Hollywood Will Probably Make Into Films

We've seen the likes of Care Bears, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe, Legos, Trolls, and more make the transition from playthings to feature film stars over the years. Banking on audiences' nostalgia has proved to be a reliable business strategy for Hollywood thus far, so why stop now? With the success of films like "Transformers" and "Barbie," paired with Mattel's many toy-based movies in the works, there's never been a better time to cash in on this trend.

Now that you're climbing the corporate ladder and paying taxes, toy companies may have a harder time selling you the toys you used to play with in your youth. But a new opportunity has emerged to exploit your precious childhood memories by turning them into motion pictures for the whole family, and you better believe studios will leave no toy box unturned. Between all the soul-crushing stress and extensional dread that comes with adulthood, you'll have no choice but to fork over your hard-earned money for a chance to revisit a much simpler time in life — even if it's only for a couple of hours. Let go of the cynicism of adulthood and channel your inner child with these more-believable-than-you-would-think predictions of things from our childhood that Hollywood will probably make into films.

In 2005, the Internet generation — comprised of the late half of millennials and the early half of Generation Z — was introduced to one of the most successful massively multiplayer online games designed for children. By 2013, "Club Penguin" had amassed more than 200 million registered user accounts. In the virtual world of the game, users played as penguins with gameplay consisting of minigames, chatting, home and wardrobe customization, community parties, and other activities. The popularity of "Club Penguin" grew through word-of-mouth, and the sheer scope of the game's community set it apart from the competition. In 2007, the Walt Disney Company purchased the game for $350 million. The game continued to grow in popularity until a decline in 2015 and an ultimate shutdown in 2017. Fan-run sites popped up in the following years and gained substantial traction until they were also shut down due to copyright infringement.

Based on the success of "Club Penguin" recreations and users' continual requests for the game to make a comeback, its dedicated fanbase remains actively interested to this day. If Disney ever decided to give in to fans' pleas and reactivate the game, what better way to market its's return than a nostalgia-fueled movie? Penguins have already had mainstream success on the big screen with films like "Happy Feet" and "Penguins of Madagascar," and if done right, "Club Penguin" could blow both franchises out of the water.

Zoo Pals are more than just animal-shaped paper plates; they make eating fun while bringing back nostalgic memories for kids growing up in the 2000s, designed to hold one large portion and two smaller portions for dipping sauces or sides. Once you finish eating, you're met with a friendly animal face that'll put a smile on yours. If you tuned into any kids' TV networks in the 2000s, chances are you've come across the catchy jingle from the brand's iconic commercials. "Oink! Oink! Zoo Pals! Buzz! Buzz! Zoo Pals! Quack! Quack! Zoo Pals! Zoo Pals makes eating fun!" The jingle continues to include more animal sounds from the Hefty-owned line. If you don't automatically start harmonizing along while reading the lyrics, chances are this era of childhood nostalgia went right over your head, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't still buy tickets for the future smash hit, "Zoo Pals: The Movie."

A movie about paper plates? Don't be so quick to judge. There's nothing audiences love more than the anthropomorphism of animals. Just look at how many movies have dogs as the main characters! Why not extend that same practice to Zoo Pals? Perhaps the film could tackle the ethical considerations of animal captivity in zoos or raise awareness for environmental challenges and sustainability — after all, the animals didn't choose to be paper plates. These heavier themes would be approached in a fun, light-hearted way for the whole family in an attempt to rake in as many ticket sales as possible.

In 1971, General Mills introduced a seasonal monster cereal line that went on to become a household breakfast staple for generations of children. Various characters and flavors have come and gone throughout the years, but the one character who's stood the test of time and arguably represents the face of the line is Count Chocula — the chocolate, cereal-eating equivalent of the blood-sucking Dracula. One bite of his chocolate-flavored corn cereal with marshmallows will take you back to a time of memorable commercials and pack-in prizes.

With more than 50 years of commercial appearances and time spent on shelves, Count Chocula has the star power to lead Halloween's next big horror comedy. A reimagining of Bram Stoker's classic "Dracula," this could finally be Count Chocula's chance to become a fully fleshed-out character — backstory and all. As for the rest of the monster mascots, they'll eventually have their time to shine in potential spin-offs and sequels, of course.

Another animal picture book classic that Hollywood won't be able to resist making into a feature-length movie is Marcus Pfister's "The Rainbow Fish." Published 23 years after "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" in 1992, '90s kids and their parents were instantly in awe of "The Rainbow Fish" and its unique illustrations, which use holographic foil for the fish's scales. The simple story about the inner joys of sharing with others is perfectly catered for preschool-aged children — although all ages could benefit from the lesson. Since its publication, the book has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

Like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," "The Rainbow Fish" has been adapted into an animated television series and short film. There have also been multiple book sequels, all of which teach different life lessons from the perspective of the fish. At this point, more than enough material and public interest is out there for a film to be made about the selfless character. As long as the movie adopts the book's signature, standout artwork and wholesome story, Hollywood will undoubtedly have a hit on their hands.

Middle schoolers in the 2010s transformed into hoarding collectors, bargaining merchants, and even thieves with the introduction and rising popularity of Silly Bandz. The rubber wristbands came in a wide range of shapes and colors, with themes such as dinosaurs, farm animals, the beach, and even the Kardashians. Certain collections were rarer than others, causing jealousy and competitiveness among kids. Soon enough, they became too much of a distraction in schools, and many started banning them altogether.

Although Silly Bandz are still around today, the craze has long worn off, no longer able to keep up with evolving trends and kids' ever-changing interests. But old trends come back in style all the time — just look to '90s and Y2K fashion or the success of 2023's "Barbie" movie. A dedicated Silly Bandz movie could be exactly what the brand needs to get back on everyone's radar. Nothing is off limits as far as Hollywood is concerned, so why not dramatize the legacy of sensationalized rubber bands?

Were you really a '90s kid if your school supplies weren't decked out in Lisa Frank's funky, whimsical, and colorful designs? The design company, founded by artist Lisa Frank, sold various stationary and activity products such as stickers, folders, pencil cases, coloring books, and notebooks featuring original characters, including Casey and Caymus the Golden Retrievers, Panda Painter, Hunter the Leopard, and others. Although production has since dwindled and products no longer fill store shelves like they used to, Frank's art style remains one-of-a-kind and in high demand. In 2021, the company experienced an Instagram-driven renaissance with the help of Frank's son, Forrest Green.

As one of the most recognizable childhood brands in the world, Lisa Frank needs to make the ultimate comeback with its very own movie. This was almost the case in 2017 when it was announced that a Lisa Frank live-action-meets-animation hybrid movie was in development. "I have always wanted to do a feature film that brings the world of Lisa Frank to life," Frank told Variety. "We have so much backstory on our characters and they have been alive in my imagination since the beginning." Unfortunately, there have been no updates on the movie's status since, but in our eyes, it's never too late.