The Fun of 1988 | TMNT, Roger Rabbit & Game Boy Hype

Q: When was Die Hard released?

Die Hard was released on July 15, 1988. Starring Bruce Willis as John McClane, the film redefined the action genre and became a cultural phenomenon. The Nakatomi Plaza setting became one of cinema's most iconic locations.

TMNT

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Cowabunga!

1988 was the year the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exploded from comic book obscurity into global phenomenon. Playmates Toys launched their action figure line, and nothing would ever be the same.

Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo became household names. The figures featured unique accessories - Leo's katanas, Don's bo staff, Raph's sai, and Mikey's nunchucks - and the quality was unmatched for the era.

The animated series premiered, pizza consumption skyrocketed, and "Cowabunga!" entered the cultural lexicon. The TMNT craze was powered by NES gaming - kids would play the arcade game, then collect the figures.

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1988 Entertainment Essentials

TOON

ROGER

Who Framed Roger Rabbit Merch

The highest-grossing film of 1988 blended live-action with animation like never before. "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." Jessica Rabbit became an icon.

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ACTION

DIE HARD

Die Hard (Nakatomi Plaza)

Released July 1988, Bruce Willis redefined the action genre. Nakatomi Plaza became the most famous fictional building in cinema. Yippee-ki-yay!

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COMING 1989

GAME BOY

Nintendo Game Boy

It wasn't out yet, but 1988 was the year of the hype. Nintendo announced portable gaming was coming, and we could barely contain our excitement.

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TINY

MICRO

Micro Machines

The tiniest toy cars with the biggest collection potential. Cities, playsets, and that fast-talking commercial guy made these a 1988 must-have.

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TRANSFORM

ROBOTS

Transformers G1

Robots in disguise! The original Generation 1 Transformers were still going strong in 1988, with Optimus Prime and Megatron leading the charge.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What was the most popular toy in 1988?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures and the NES Control Deck were the most popular toys of 1988. The TMNT toy line launched by Playmates Toys became a phenomenon, with Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo figures flying off shelves faster than stores could stock them.

When did the first TMNT toys come out?

The first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures were released in 1988 by Playmates Toys. The initial wave included the four turtles, Splinter, Shredder, April O'Neil, and Foot Soldiers. They became one of the best-selling toy lines of all time.

Was Who Framed Roger Rabbit successful?

Yes, Who Framed Roger Rabbit was the highest-grossing film of 1988, earning over $329 million worldwide. The groundbreaking film combined live-action with animation and won four Academy Awards for its technical achievements.

When was Die Hard released?

Die Hard was released on July 15, 1988. Starring Bruce Willis as John McClane, the film redefined the action genre and became a cultural phenomenon. The Nakatomi Plaza setting became one of cinema's most iconic locations.

Was the Game Boy released in 1988?

The Nintendo Game Boy was announced in 1988 but released in Japan on April 21, 1989. Throughout 1988, anticipation for the handheld was enormous, making it one of the most hyped products of the year.