Great Scott! Little People Go Back to the Future!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a pretty serious collector in some way, shape, or form. What began with Pokémon cards and Power Rangers figurines when I was an adolescent eventually led to collecting Harry Potter memorabilia in my teenage years. As other hobbyists would probably agree, these fandoms become integrated into our identity, with them serving as an extension of who we are, relatively speaking. We want to curate quality pieces into our collections, and the latest Back to the Future Little People Collector set from Fisher-Price is exactly that.
Arriving just in time for the first film’s 40th anniversary, Fisher-Price delivers an unexpected yet delightful crossover between the iconic world of Little People and the classic sci-fi adventure that introduced us to 1.21 gigawatts of cinematic magic. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be drawn to a set like this one, as Little People are typically seen as children’s toys. However, this isn’t your toddler’s dolls, as the Back to the Future set is clearly crafted with collectors in mind. From the two figurines to the packaging itself, this set is a love letter to the Robert Zemeckis film, shrunk down into the iconic chunky, child-safe plastic that everyone will easily recognize.
So, is this Fisher-Price collector’s set of Little People a good purchase for those Back to the Future enthusiasts out there? Let’s break down the highlights from this set!
[Note: while I am reviewing this item independently and honestly, it should be noted that I received the Little People: Back to the Future Collectors Set from Fisher-Price for the purpose of this review.]
Little People brings the nostalgia with this Back to the Future set
Now, I’ll be the first to admit I was slightly skeptical when I received the email about reviewing this set from Fisher-Price. I’m quite familiar with the Little People line of toys, as my mother owned a home daycare, and I myself even worked at a different facility during my college years. As a result, it might seem just the tiniest, no pun intended, bit unusual to see Back to the Future characters you’ve grown up with on your screen in that classic look that Fisher-Price’s Little People are renowned for.
However, that skepticism is washed away as you begin to examine the entire box in greater detail. It was in that moment, as I turned the package over in my hands, that I realized just how much thought went into capturing the spirit of these cinematic characters while keeping the iconic cartoon-like appearance we all know and love from Little People. It’s the kind of mashup I didn’t know I needed until I saw it for myself. From that moment, it suddenly feels like an absolute essential collector’s piece for anyone who loves the Universal film.
The package itself is a relatively simple box; the details that went into the design triggered waves of nostalgia that rippled through me at 88 miles per hour. You can’t help but see the world of Back to the Future coming alive once again, and for me, the score started ringing through my head instantaneously. And that was before I gave the figures themselves a closer look.
These Little People toys are a blast from the past!
The set comes with two figures, which are the two most important characters from Back to the Future: Marty McFly and Doc Brown. Both Marty and Doc feel ripped right from the silver screen, and shrunk into the neatly designed box. These aren’t ultrarealistic or detailed action figures, which should be obvious for those familiar with the Little People toys. Instead, this collector’s set reimagines Marty and Doc’s iconic looks in the cutest way possible, while still capturing an impressive amount of detail and personality.
Of the two figures in this set, Marty’s was the first one I was drawn to. Fisher-Price managed to capture all the essential pieces that make Marty… well, Marty. His legendary red puffy vest, denim jacket, and sneakers are all represented with surprisingly crisp paintwork. Even his hairstyle, simplified though it may be, is unmistakably inspired by Michael J. Fox’s 1980s look. Fans of Back to the Future will recognize him immediately, as the outfit that has become synonymous with Marty McFly is present, with the Little People figure remaining true to what you’d expect from any officially licensed set.
Then there’s Doc Brown, who is every bit as iconic as Marty. You truly cannot have one without the other, and Fisher-Price has made sure to include them both in rather vibrant detail. From the wild shock of white hair to his white lab coat and expressive eyebrows, Doc translates surprisingly well into this miniature world of Little People. The sculptors managed to capture his slightly manic, yet lovable energy, though in a cuter, rounder style that makes him appear just slightly less mischievous or off-kilter.
This set stands out because it blends the toy-like innocence of the Little People brand and the time-bending brilliance of Back to the Future incredibly well, with each character not just perfectly represented but reinvented in a new and creative way. Whether you display them in their box or set them on your desk next, their presence instantly sparks a 1.21-gigawatt surge of happiness.
The Back to the Future packaging is a collectible of its own
One of the standout features of the set is the packaging itself, which places the Little People version of Marty and Doc in a screen right from the film! The inserted box art depicts the Hill Valley clock tower, an important structure in the world of Back to the Future. It makes sense that Fisher-Price would want to capture this moment, as the clock tower is almost a character itself, as there would be no return trip for the young McFly if not for what happens on that fated night in 1955.
The figures are held in place with some plastic, which only adds to the whimsical nature of the packaging. Marty is found on the ground, near a stamped on DeLorean and the logo, but it’s Doc that steals the show, as he’s propelling down the wire much like Christopher Lloyd in the film. The backdrop itself, as well as the DeLorean emblazoned across the front, are also cartoon-ified, just like the film’s characters. Personally, I’d keep them in the packaging, as the box itself completes the look more than just having the Little People on display.
Even if you choose to unbox your Marty and Doc, the packaging is made of sturdy enough material that you could easily keep it for your collection as well. Perhaps you want to take them out every once in a while and replace them when done. Or even just use it as a backdrop for your reenactment of the movie. Regardless of whatever you choose to do with your box, Fisher-Price clearly understands the collector mindset and has created something visually appealing enough to double as shelf art and practical enough for everyday play.
There’s no wrong way to display or play with this Fisher-Price set
While the Back to the Future Little People set is primarily marketed as a collector’s item, it’s still durable enough for children’s play. At the end of the day, these are Little People from Fisher-Price, a company known for making some of the most durable children’s toys currently on the market. These molded figures are the same chunky toys that you’d let any toddler play with, standing at over 2.5 inches tall and made of a material that will withstand most forms of play. All that to say, intending to allow your children to play with Marty and Doc, you don’t need to worry about any harm, as they are incredibly child-friendly and play-friendly.
Still, as I’ve stated earlier, this set is geared towards Back to the Future enthusiast and their collections. That intention was put into the entire set, balancing both the fun and playfulness of Little People and the nostalgic appreciation for the time. To me, this set is made to be displayed alongside other movie memorabilia, either in your office or media room.
There’s one thing that definitely feels missing from this Back to the Future set, and that’s the lack of a toy DeLorean. I completely understand that many of the collector sets Fisher-Price releases are just the characters themselves; however, when going all out with a BTTF set like this, you would think a rideable DeLorean would be almost essential.
In the past, Fisher-Price has made vehicles for their Little People figurines, so it’s not a far stretch to cast a DeLorean for Marty and Doc to ride around in. It could definitely be a cost-saving measure; however, if I were paying for a set such as this Back to the Future one, I would have gladly paid a few extra dollars to have the iconic car that is just as integral to the story as these two characters. Perhaps in the future, Fisher-Price might expand the line with a specialty-designed vehicle, as I, for one, would absolutely pay to have a complete set.
Final thoughts on this Back to the Future set from Fisher-Price
Overall, this Little People Collector’s set is the perfect gift for any Back to the Future lover in your life. The design is quite detailed for miniature toys such as these, with Fisher-Price putting forth considerable effort to perfectly capture Marty McFly and Doc Brown. This set captures what makes Back to the Future so special, displaying this unstoppable duo for everyone to see. Now I just have to make sure my sister doesn’t take it from my shelves, as this is definitely a piece that everyone will be fighting over.
The Back to the Future Little People Collector’s Set is available now from Fisher-Price! Considering picking this setup? Let us know @boxseatbabes on all social media!
Revisiting Back to the Future For Its 40th Anniversary!
