MrBeast Lab is a toy line of collectable minifigures created by Youtuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast. After partnering in January 2024, the minifigures are produced by the Australian toy manufacturer Moose Toys.
 | |
| Type | Collectable minifigures |
|---|---|
| Inventor(s) | Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) |
| Company | Moose Toys |
| Availability | July 25, 2024–present |
| Features | MrBeast icon |
| Official website | |
The figures, many of which resemble the MrBeast channel icon, launched to the public during San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2024, and became one of the largest brand activations in the event's history. Despite this, the product's launch was not announced on any of Donaldson's social media platforms for a number of days following, unlike Donaldson's sweets Feastables company had done one year prior. The unusually quiet launch was attributed to a number of allegations against Donaldson and long-time channel collaborators including Ava Kris Tyson, which had surfaced right before the product's scheduled release. Because of these allegations, the launch was negatively reported on by a number of news agencies.
History
editDevelopment and release
editOn January 25, 2024, the Australian toy manufacturer Moose Toys announced it had partnered with American YouTuber and philanthropist Jimmy Donaldson, known online as MrBeast, to create a toy line.[1] Shortly after the announcement, both the CEO of Moose Toys, Paul Solomon, and Donaldson released statements supporting the partnership.[1][2] On July 19, 2024, the final "MrBeast Lab" product debuted to the public via a YouTube video on the Moose Toys channel.[3] This debut took place shortly before the product became available for purchase, which began within the month in the U.S., and later during the fall internationally.[2]
The product first appeared for purchase at San Diego Comic-Con from July 25 to 28[2] in a pop-up toy store in the shape of an overturned tanker truck carrying toxic waste.[4][5] The event was the first time Moose Toys had ever made an appearance at Comic-Con,[5][6] and was one of the largest brand activations ever seen at Comic-Con.[4] Despite this, the timing was regarded as especially odd by a number of news agencies. Just before, allegations that long-time channel collaborator Ava Kris Tyson had inappropriately interacted with and groomed minors surfaced, alongside allegations about other channel collaborators, and claims that Donaldson faked his videos, mistreated employees, and created a toxic working environment.[3][4][7][8][9][10] The resulting scrutiny led to an unusually quiet launch of the new toy line, with no mention of its debut on Donaldson's YouTube channel, Instagram, X, or other social media platforms, much unlike his earlier launch of Feastables.[3][8] The launch was possibly forced at the time it was due to a marketing agreement, as the toy line appeared to have been in the works for over a year by the time of launch.[3][7]
On August 17, 2024, Donaldson released his first video since the allegations against him and his team surfaced, titled "7 Days Stranded In A Cave", in which he made no mention or denied any of the allegations, but instead advertised the toy line for the first time on his main account, not satisfying a number of his viewers.[11]
Recent history
editDespite the negative press, the Missouri radio station KICK-FM,[12] the American family magazine Reader's Digest,[13] American lifestyle magazine Good Housekeeping rated the toy a "must-have" on their top Christmas gift idea lists in October 2024,[14] and the Canadian bi-monthly magazine Today's Parent rated it one of the most trending toys of 2024.[15] On October 17, 2024, a limited edition of the mutator toy was sold at Walmart's final "Collector Con" of the year.[16] In the first three months of 2025, it was announced the product was becoming available for purchase in Mexico.[17]
Description
editThe toy line primarily consists of small-scale collectable minifigures called "swarms" which stand at 1 in (25 mm) tall.[18] The minifigures, which come packaged in a plastic test tube, are accessed by first adding water to the test tube, shaking, and then removing the minifigures from the fizz in the test tube.[2][18] "Mutators" function similarly, with the difference being they are located in a plastic chamber rather than a test tube, and that the chemical reaction in the chamber actually colors the toy instead of just producing fizz.[2][19] Other products in the toy line include "vinyl figures", which are stylized off of the MrBeast channel logo, and "collector figures", which are 6 in (150 mm) tall and also stylized off of the MrBeast channel logo.[2] A limited number of 1,000 "Hyperchrome Panthers" swarm minifigures were also released in the initial launch as the 'most valuable' of the toys.[6] Prices of the toys range between $4.99 and $24.99.[8]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b Zahn, James (January 25, 2024). "Moose Toys, MrBeast Ink 'BEAST' of a Partnership Deal". The Toy Book. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Lalwani, Andy (June 25, 2024). "'MrBeast Lab' New Toy Line Collaboration with Moose Toys Set to Hit U.S. Shelves in July". What's Trending. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Shaukat, Rahman (August 9, 2024). "MrBeast Quietly Launches Toy Line Amid Recent Controversy". GameRant. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c Wäppling, Åsk (August 1, 2024). "MrBeast Crashes Comic-Con With The Slimiest Toy Store Ever". Adland. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Patterson, Madison (July 29, 2024). "Moose Toys' SDCC Debut Highlighted MrBeast Partnership, XOX Kweenie Line". The Toy Book. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "Moose Toys collaborates with YouTuber MrBeast for MrBeast Lab". Toy World Magazine. June 26, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Faulkner, Jason (August 8, 2024). "Is a MrBeast Lab Toy Line Really Launching Right Now?". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c van Wyk, Adrian (August 9, 2024). "MrBeast Releases Toy Line Amid Disturbing Allegations". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Gaspich, Caroline (August 10, 2024). "MrBeast quietly launches toy line amid allegations he 'knowingly' worked with a registered pedophile". Daily Mirror. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Monaghan, Becca (August 20, 2024). "Launch of MrBeast's new toy line called "legendary bad timing"". Indy100. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "MrBeast faces backlash for ignoring controversy amid new video releases". The Express Tribune. August 19, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Quaid (October 21, 2024). "Must-Have Holiday Toys In Missouri & Illinois: Top Picks Revealed". KICK-FM. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ Hillman, Marisa (October 21, 2024). "25 Hottest Christmas Toys That'll Be Flying Off the Shelves in 2024". Reader's Digest. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ Geall, Megan (October 4, 2024). "The must-have toys for children this Christmas, according to the experts – plus, get huge savings this Amazon Prime day". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Jaffer, Alina (November 13, 2024). "The Top Trending Toys of 2024". Today's Parent. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
- ^ Lassner, Erin (October 17, 2024). "Walmart's Two-Day Collector Con Is Live: Shop Exclusive Collectibles From Movies, TV Shows and Fan-Favorite Franchises". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ "Moose Toys expands presence in Mexico". Toy World Magazine. November 8, 2024. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Hartsock, Bug (June 25, 2024). "Moose Toys Launches MrBeast Lab Line with YouTube Star". The Toy Book. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Ettinger, Marlon (August 19, 2024). "MrBeast new toy line drops—as he's mired in allegations over employees' inappropriate relationships with minors". The Daily Dot. Retrieved December 23, 2024.