User reviews

The editing and the narrator are so corny and almost unbearable.

I grew up on all of these toys and shows. I grew up collecting Barbie, and many of the Barbies I had show up in that episode. My brothers and I grew up collecting and watching Star Wars. Same with He-Man and G.I. Joe. It's fun seeing how the success of these toy lines came about.

My generation is busily building entertainment for the generations to come. So these shows show critical information on the formation of the current culture. I found these episodes fascinating. I love that they feature the people who were originally involved in the creation of these toys. I can feel their enthusiasm and passion. They're fun, quick, and compelling. I'd happily watch as many as they make. As Martin Hafer says, the intro is a bit silly, but I highly recommend these shows.

"The Toys That Made Us" is a made for Netflix series that just debuted. However, while the intro to each episode indicates there are eight, so far only four have been released and IMDB only lists seven episodes. I am pretty sure we'll be seeing the other four soon and it will all be straightened out.

Apart from one of the most incredibly lame animated intros in the history of television shows, "The Toys That Made Us" is well made and enjoyable. Some of this is due to its power as nostalgia, but because there is depth and enjoyment to it the show works even better and is something I strongly recommend you watch.

The four episodes (so far) are as follows: Star Wars toys (the best episode), Barbie, He-Man (the worst episode...mostly because the team that made the toys seemed like cynical jerks) and GI Joe. All are worth seeing even if you hate the particular toys due to excellent writing, editing and focus. Well worth seeing and very well made.

Few days ago I was checking the new additions on Netflix when I saw these series. I added them to my viewing queue, but it was just last night as I started watching.

Honestly, these are of the most exciting documentaries ever. Why - because it's all about our childhood! And we've all been kids!

Aside of it, the series are really well done. I just have nothing to comment on - as a documentary, they have a very well defined structure and topic following. Sure, they miss some details, but for a 50 minute format it is very well done.

So far I've seen only the first 3 episodes - Star Wars, Barbie and He-Man. They are all so exciting. I am a 42y old male and as a kid I loved Star Wars and I still do, just never had SW toys, however as a kid I did have He-Man toys and I loved them. I totally relate to the series and honestly can't wait to see the other episodes.

As for Barbie - I am a male, never been into Barbie, but these series are pretty much like VH1 Behind the Music series - so well done, that you really don't care what the episode is about - you just watch it, as you know it will be interesting and there would be something to learn. And indeed, the Barbie episode was absolutely interesting to watch!

Today I saw two episodes one after another, cannot remember doing such thing for a documentary, ever. My only problem is, they say these are 8 episode series and I see on IMDB they list 8 episodes, while Netflix Canada shows me only the first 4 and I am very disappointed. Hope they will import the other 4 episodes soon! I don't know who should I message about this, but hope somebody from the crew would pay attention to my problem here and would ring their phone. I would try to contact Netflix Canada anyway.

So, I would totally recommend these series to anyone, young or old, boy or girl, who used to have at least one toy in their life. Probably the most exciting series on Netlix in the last 6 months, after Stranger Things 2. My opinion, but I don't think I am far from the truth.

12/29/17. Maybe 3 1/2 stars! An enjoyable look at how much strategic planning goes into creating a successful toy franchises! Many times we only link toys to our childhood, but the memories of childhood can last a long time when it is associated with a toy we loved! Worth catching. A fun watch!

I liked best the episode about He- Man. The makers state that they knew that they had a totally ingenious idea and tyhat the kids would not stand a chance when He-Man shouted "I have the power!" And they are totally right, because I remember back when I was a kid in the 80's and play fought with my brother I would pretend I was He-Man and shout the same thing. The good thing about this documentary is that we get the inside story on how the figures and dolls were made and then we also get to see how in the end sales figures dropped and they entered obscurity. Of course among collectors many of them still are treasured.

The Toys That Made Us.... If you grew up in the 80s and 90s this documentary series is for you. The four episodes to this season are: StarWars, He-Man, Barbie and G.I. Joe. Each episode showcases the ups and downs, the history and the people behind each creation.

A theme I realized from each episode was the uncertainty of creating a popular toy. The risk these people took was something to easily admire. Personally I found the StarWars and He-man episodes the better of the four. I consider myself a pretty hard core StarWars fan and I was still surprised on some of the information given in that episode. The He-Man episode felt genuine and I connected easily with these people. The show and toys are really a product of the creators. While watching the GI and Barbie episodes, Although well done episodes I just didn't feel as connected to the history, toys or people as much. That being said, I think there's an episode for everyone that grew up playing with some kind or action figure/doll.

This is something worth checking out, easily watchable and generally fun. I will also mention the Editing in this series was fantastic, the jump cuts, the inserts of film clips and overall tone didn't go unnoticed.

The next four episodes slated are to be: Lego, Hello Kitty, StarTrek and Transformers.

I happened upon this documentary series. I thought that maybe this wasn't "for me" since I don't collect toys. If you grew up, then this is a show for you! Nostalgia aside (and there is something for everyone!), the drama that unfolds in the telling of how all these toys made it into our homes and our lives is just riveting. I binged the entire series! I hope there will be more episodes!!!

Really interesting and cool topic but the editing, sound effects etc are increddible anoying to me and alot of it feels like filler, and that is why i only give it a 6 even though there is great information to be had

With the on-going revival of everything retro, Brian Volk-Weiss and Tom Stern could not have picked a better time to bring us a TV series that throws us back to the toys of yesteryear.

Season 1 which first streamed on Netflix back in December covers some of the biggest toy franchises ever. With the first series spanning 4 episodes covering the history of "Star Wars", "Barbie", "He-Man", and "G.I Joe" makes for a more than enjoyable watch not only because it brings the many joyous memories of viewers childhoods but also allows us to see an interesting side of an industry many will not have seen before.

It introduces us to the creative minds of the people who brought these amazing characters to life with there outrageous ideas and designs to the arguments that ensue to who named which toy that helped it reach the pinnacle of its success.

There are deeper layers here, covering the underhand and illegal tactics that some of these manufacturers did to propel them ahead of there competition and help parents part with there hard earned cash to make sure their child had the greatest and latest toys to show off to there friends.

Overall "The Toys That Made Us" is a complete pleasure to watch, It took me on a trip down memory lane and provided me with some of the best times I had as a child, It is entertaining, funny, and thought-provoking all at the same time. I can wholeheartedly recommend this show and you really should give it try.

Score 5/5

The old footage and topics discussed are interesting but the show is unfortunately ruined by the editing. Constant use of the same clip over and over in an attempt to be funny. It's like a Tim and Eric episode that's trying to also be a documentary. I wish it stuck to the facts and history instead of trying so hard to entertain. It drove me crazy that every time someone seemed to have something interesting to say, they would cut mid sentence to an annoying past clip from someone earlier in the show. Or the narrator would say something like "but that didn't work out the way they wanted" and then they would show a clip of the creator of the toy just sitting there. It was just really poorly edited, I can't stress that enough.

I was never allowed to watch tv when I was a kid and never got any of these references in the 70's and 80's. I watched this and now I feel... partially caught up. I'm glad I didn't know about the GI Joe aircraft carrier at the time. Knowing and not having it would have been... Looking forward to season 2.

Nice well put together stories, with credible people. But it sometimes tries too hard to be funny. overall pretty ok show to pass some time.

Thoroughly entertaining. This series expands on what I consider to be the most unique and influential toy era in history. In-depth look at the creative process, business decisions, culture, and child perspectives. Most importantly, another look at the TOYS that played such a fleeting (but impactful) role in our lives. It's not just a stroll down memory lane for the kids who played with these toys and the people who still collect them - it's a fine series that documentary fans won't want to miss. Looking forward to additional installments... I can only imagine that Transformers and Care Bears may be on the brink.

I must admit I have not watched the Barbie episode, the othera were very well done. The interviews were of course informative, not only through the eyes of the creator but through the context in which the toylines were created. I look forward to more episodes in the series.

It was a pleasure to watch this series. Revivalism in the best way. "The Toys That Made Us" are fully documented stories, where every detail, from concept to creation is told in a colorful passionate way. I ended up watching even the "Hello Kitty" episode!!!. Highly Recommended.

The first 4 episodes are some of the best pieces of documentary that i have seen in my life. I cannot wait to see more.

The actual information is sparse, and mixed with a lot of noise. Most of the time is gossip from someone related with the issue. But one can see from the excitement of the target audience, this is all they have been expecting. It's usually the janitor who cleaned the lab every night that will talk about what the lab chief thoughts were, and what the janitor was told by a delivery boy while smoking a joint during a break. Sure, the connection is there, but not with the facts.

While this documentary of sorts definitely is a niche for the nerds, the collectors and us who actually did grow up with the toys - children of the 1970s and 1980s - then there was a lot of nostalgia here.

It was fun to learn about the companies such as Kenner, Hasbro and Mattel, and get to hear about their ideas concepts, ups and downs, successes and failures, and so forth.

It was overwhelming with the sheer amount of information that I had to absorb as I sat down to watch "The Toys That Made Us". But for an old nerd like me it was most definitely worth it.

This is a great combination of footage from the vintage toy days and combined with footage of how things are today.

Heard about this on Facebook, instantly found it and tuned in. My family knows my love for 80's toys so they tuned in with me. Everybody enjoyed. My son and I lost interest in the Barbie episode, but realize they needed to have it there for the History and for the Women who grew up with it. I highly recommend that you watch this.

I loves season 1. It was super interesting and entertaining. And it was critical enough. Season 2 feels a bit rushed and more like a commercial for the toys. Anyway, pretty great that this got made and I hope they continue the series, even if the theme songs says it's just 8 episodes.

This is a great 8-part series of documentaries featuring various toy lines that have been popular over the last 60 years or so. The research is extremely detailed, the formula for each episode keeps you riveted and the editing is spectacular.

However, there is one reason why I did not rate 10/10 stars. This is because the people making the series limited themselves to just 8 episodes. This means only about 8 toy lines. I loved the episodes so far but I feel that they should do a few more. Some note worthy suggestions might be the My Little Pony franchise, Furby or maybe Raggedy Ann and Andy? Or maybe American Girl?

For me, particularly Furby. I would love to know who started the controversy on Furby in 1998 and why, for instance. As of right now, I have two original 1990's Furbies in my room that are fully functioning. They have just learned to sleep when not being played with... Would love to know more about them!

I also have some of the new Friendship is Magic toys from Hasbro because I admit that I am a Pegasister. But I did not just start collecting MLP toys. I LOVED having them when I was a little girl, so it would be nice to know more about MLP, too.

A Disney toy documentary might be nice, too. Specifically on the larger than life and ever growing Mickey Mouse toy line.

I also collect Raggedy Ann and Andy items and though I do know a LOT about the origins of the dolls, it would still be nice to finally see a documentary on it completed, as the efforts made by the Raggedy Ann and Andy toy museum were thwarted when no one helped them fund the attempt a few years ago.

What else would be interesting... Sky Dancers, maybe. I heard they were pulled from shelves because kids kept getting smacked, but my Sky Dancers NEVER smacked me. I was VERY careful with them.

Or... One of the world's first audio-animatronic toys??? Teddy Ruxpin??? I have often heard that there would have been no Furby without him.

Or how about Tamagotchi? Or the Pokemon franchise??? Those were both extremely popular when I was little, too. I got caught up by both of them and to this day, I still train Pokemon! (I'm 25. lol)