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By Perri Nemiroff
Half the fun of summer blockbusters is going to see them. The other half is getting to own pieces of them. With many fan favorites in circulation and still more to come, you better start divvying up your resources and figuring out which summer movie toys are the must-haves. You don’t want your kid stuck with the Epic Ronin glider while his or her buddy next door has an Iron Man 3 disc blaster, right?
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Iron Man 3
As the biggest opener of summer 2013, Iron Man 3 toys are an absolute must. As someone with a soft spot for hurling harmless foam discs at friends and family, the Iron Man 3 Gauntlet Disc Blaster is a winner. Then, to ramp up your innocent assault, slip on the Iron Man 3 Mission Mask, which not only packs the power to fire four missiles, but let’s you aim them using a targeting light beam, too.
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Man of Steel
Toys aren’t always for kids, especially when they’re collectibles from Hot Toys. The company is known for making exceptionally detailed and realistic action figures from some of the hottest properties out there like The Avengers, Spider-Man, and more. The company's Man of Steel Henry Cavill Superman figure has detailed wrinkles and facial expressions, interchangeable palms, a Kryptonian command key, and more.
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Star Trek Into Darkness
This one’s surprisingly light in the toy department even though it’s taken $450.8 million worldwide, but fortunately Into Darkness is part of the Star Trek realm so if you broaden the scope, there are more than enough items to choose from, even apparel. If you’d like to keep your feet nice and cozy, why not do it Tribble style with a pair of Tribble slippers? Or you can indulge in some Star Trek bling and pick up your very own Starfleet Academy Class ring.
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Monsters University
In true Disney Pixar form, Monsters University has flooded the market with MU toys. Of the bunch, the big winners are the plush Art and your very own MU scare pig. Vinylmation is also in on the craze, offering up “frat packs,” which consists of 12 3” vinyl collectible figures including one mystery character. It’s also worth combing the Monsters University section of the Disney Store because now it’s loaded with some fun back-to-school items, too.
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Despicable Me 2
After Despicable Me hit theaters in 2010, it was pretty tough to track down a minion, but thanks to the three-year buffer between films, there are loads of the yellow guys out there to ensure your little one can have his or her very own after falling for the sequel. Any plush minion is a good minion, but this Funko POP! Dave is an excellent desk adornment no matter how old or young you are.
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Turbo
Turbo may be in the midst of a lackluster run at the box office, but since when do kids care about that? The concept of an adorable little snail just wanting to go fast is ideal for the toy market, so the Turbo racing team sets are a must. These babies rock almost all the characters from the film like Turbo, Whiplash, Burn, and more. Plus, keeping in line with the movie, the racers actually move pretty fast, too, courtesy of metal rollers.
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The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger may be a financial travesty, but at least we get some decent toys out of it. This figurine might give kids nightmares, but Johnny Depp as Tonto is pretty cute in Lego form. The Disney Store currently has five Lone Ranger-themed Lego sets and, naturally, the pricier one of the bunch is the most impressive. The “Constitution Train Chase Play Set” packs 699 pieces, seven characters from the film, loads of detail and, it actually works.
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Planes
The promotion material for Planes has yet to confirm whether or not it’ll be a Cars-sized hit, but just in case, it’s worth checking out the Disney Store’s Planes catalog so you’re prepared. Plus some of the options are pretty neat, too. There’s a bunch of plane models available including Dusty and El Chupacabra, and then you could have your kid fly those babies in style, donning this hat, shirt, and bomber jacket for the complete package.
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The Wolverine
If the X-Men offshoot is one of your top releases of the summer season, skip the figurines and go straight for the claws. The large majority of the action figures out there aren’t half as impressive as the ones for competing films and who hasn’t wished for retractable claws that spring from their hands in an instant? Even better, this design comes with sound effects, too.
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Pacific Rim
Even though Pacific Rim didn’t blow away the box office, the film definitely amassed a following and might even get a sequel, so better get on board early and build up your Jaeger army while you can. NECA has a 7” set of three (Gipsy Danger, Crimson Typhoon, and the Kaiju, Knifehead) that is available now, but it’s the 18” version of Gipsy Danger that looks like it’ll be the big catch thanks to a notably meticulous design and its wicked 8” chain-sword.
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The Smurfs 2
The Smurfs 2 may be a successful childish romp, but it certainly doesn’t do the source material justice, so it’s important to make sure your child knows that these silly displays of CGI mayhem come from strong roots. Pick up a copy of season one, volume one on DVD and then get the matching old school toys to go with it. The vintage 70s and 80s characters come at a cost, but they’re above and beyond the more modern options.
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Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
There’s nothing Sea of Monsters-specific on the market yet – unless you dine at Carl’s Jr. - but there is this little gem from the first film that’s so wildly inappropriate and hilarious that I’d truly like one for myself. But if you really do have a young Percy Jackson fan in your life, you’ll have better luck on Etsy, which is loaded with handmade items like winged sneakers, Camp Half Blood shirts and weird necklaces of Logan Lerman.
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Kick-Ass 2
All hail NECA for this trio of uncanny Kick-Ass 2 figures. Hit Girl and Kick-Ass are looking good, but Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s new style for the sequel makes for a particularly incredible toy. NECA can also help you prep for Halloween early this year. The company just unveiled three replica costumes – Kick-Ass, Hit Girl, and MF-er – and, like the company’s figurines, they’re all exceptionally accurate.
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One Direction: This Is Us
Considering the boy band already has an overwhelming following, the release of One Direction: This Is Us will only add to the hysteria. For those of you trying to manage someone interested in collecting anything and everything Harry, Louis, Liam, Zayn and Niall, try offering up something a little subtler like one of these 1D infinity necklaces. If the boys’ faces are a must, this pillow might be a good way to avoid buying a set of those creepy dolls.
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