6 Weirdest 80s Toy Commercials That Still Make Us Laugh

The 1980s were a golden era for toys, with advertisements that were often as entertaining as the toys themselves. Many of these commercials, while memorable, were also downright bizarre. Looking back now, some of them make us laugh with their strange concepts, odd visuals, and quirky characters. Here are six of the weirdest 80s toy commercials that still leave us both puzzled and amused.

1. My Buddy Doll

The “My Buddy” commercial was supposed to show a boy bonding with his new best friend, a doll. But with its overly enthusiastic jingle and the doll’s slightly unsettling appearance, it ended up being a little weird. Kids were meant to relate to this lifelike companion, yet something about the doll’s blank stare made it strange.

Despite the odd vibes, the commercial became iconic. The catchy jingle stuck in people’s heads, but for many, the doll’s eerie nature made it less appealing. Today, it’s still remembered, but mostly for how oddly unsettling it felt.

2. Madballs

Madballs were foam balls with grotesque faces, and their commercial matched the toy’s bizarre design. The ad featured these wild, ugly faces bouncing around, causing chaos. Though the concept was silly, the exaggerated grossness and zany energy made the commercial unforgettable.

The combination of outlandish character designs and ridiculous humor appealed to many kids at the time. But looking back, the whole idea of ugly-faced balls wreaking havoc seems pretty strange. It’s no wonder this ad still makes us laugh today.

3. Boglins

Boglins were rubbery puppet creatures, and their commercial tried to make them look like mischievous pets. While the puppets were supposed to be funny, the eerie lighting and weird creature movements gave the ad a creepy vibe. The blend of humor and horror didn’t quite mix.

Boglins’ strange appeal came from their odd looks, but the commercial’s attempt at humor often felt forced. The result was a commercial that was both confusing and oddly amusing, leaving kids intrigued yet slightly creeped out.

4. Barbie and the Rockers

Barbie took on a rockstar persona in the 80s, and the commercial for Barbie and the Rockers was filled with bright neon colors, glitter, and big hair. While the dolls were fashionable, the over-the-top 80s style and the robotic dancing felt cringeworthy rather than cool.

The exaggerated enthusiasm in the commercial felt a bit off. The music, fashion, and glitter were overdone, turning what was supposed to be a glam rock experience into something laughably absurd. It’s a prime example of how the 80s embraced all things big and bold—sometimes to a fault.

5. Pee-Wee Herman Doll

Pee-Wee Herman was already a quirky character, but his doll commercial took it to a new level of weird. The ad showed kids pulling the doll’s string to hear his high-pitched catchphrases. While Pee-Wee was beloved, his doll’s odd voice and expressions made the commercial unsettling.

The combination of Pee-Wee’s eccentric personality and the doll’s robotic voice made for a strange commercial. Though it aimed to be funny, it ended up being more bizarre, leaving viewers laughing—if a little nervously.

6. Teddy Ruxpin

Teddy Ruxpin was a talking teddy bear, and his commercial emphasized the magic of having a storytelling bear. While innovative for its time, the sight of a bear moving its mouth to speak was both fascinating and unnerving. The surreal aspect of it still stands out today.

The idea of a toy telling stories was cool, but something about Teddy’s stiff movements and mechanical voice made the ad feel strange. Many kids loved Teddy Ruxpin, but the commercial’s oddness is what we remember most, making it one of the weirdest toy ads of the 80s.