Mattel Wicked Dolls Might be Getting Recalled

A packaging goof could add up to huge damages

Mattel Wicked Doll Recall Reseller Discontinued

News

By RC Staff

10 November 2024

Key Points

New Wicked dolls from Mattel are appearing at stores right now
The packaging contains an extremely inappropriate error
Resellers believe they might be recalled, and the boxes could become collectable

Update: While an official recall has not been announced, Amazon and Target have begun pulling their listings for the Mattel Wicked Dolls. We’re expecting a statement from Mattel soon.

The Wicked Movie is all set to hit theaters later this month, and merchmakers are pulling out all the stops to get their money’s worth. Mattel has produced a line of dolls based on characters from the film that are already in stores, but a risqué typo on the packaging has parents worried. We’ve seen recalled and discontinued products flip before, and now resellers are wondering if this is worth jumping on. Let’s figure out what’s happening

Mattel Wicked Doll Typo Causes a Scandal

If you’ve been following our blog, you should know all about Wicked. The film is slated to hit theaters on November 22, and we’ve been making a killing on early merch. Wicked Stanley Tumblers, Wicked Starbucks cups, and now Wicked dolls.

Mattel rolled out their Wicked collection earlier this month. There are a multitude of dolls based on the film’s characters, with several variants of Glinda and Elphaba. Pretty standard fare ahead of a premiere.

These are available at stores and online for $25. These aren’t limited edition products; no quantity limits, no particular rush to buy them and we don’t expect to see them sell out any time soon.

There’s just one particular, minor issue. See, on the packaging for Mattel’s Wicked dolls, they included a URL address. Rather than linking to the proper website (wickedmovie.com), some poor designer wrote out wicked.com, one of the biggest pornography sites on the internet.

Considering that this is a children’s product widely stocked at stores across the country, this is a huge issue. Some kid is a few keystrokes away from some very adult imagery, and the blame rests squarely at Mattel’s feet.

Are the Mattel Wicked Dolls being recalled?

Not yet. The typo blew up on social media yesterday, and we’re guessing Mattel’s marketing team has caught wind of it by now.

They have a couple options. A recall is possible, but since the problem is contained to the packaging, they may elect to simply request stores to cover up the text with a sticker.

That would be the economical choice, but considering how serious of a typo this is, Mattel may also choose to completely redo the packaging. Do they really want to risk their reputation on whether or not a kid will peel off a sticker?

As of November 10, major retailers have begun to take down their listings for Mattel Wicked Dolls. A statement from Mattel and official recall might be coming soon.

Recalled Mattel Wicked Dolls as Collectables

We would be shocked if Mattel doesn’t respond to the issue. They might do it quietly, but there’s simply too much risk to leave this unfixed. No matter what method they take, collectors will be paying attention.

If the dolls are fully recalled and the packaging redone, the original packaging for Mattel’s Wicked dolls could become a collectable. It’s unlikely the dolls themselves will be pulled from the market, but there might be serious interest in the boxes themselves.

We’ve seen discontinued products resell before. In September, we covered the failed video game Concord, and watched as physical copies exploded in value after being pulled from the market. Before that, Fruit Stripe gum briefly traded at a premium following its discontinuation.

These Wicked Mattel dolls are much spicier. Just to be clear, we’re not advising anyone to buy anything just yet. These are not limited edition collectables, and Mattel has too much money staked on them to just pull them from sale.

We recommend keeping a close eye on the collection and Mattel’s socials in the immediate future. We’ll be expecting a response from them soon, and we’ll be making a call afterwards.

Until then, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter to stay tuned in on everything else worth reselling. 2024 is coming to an end, and we’ll be counting down the days with new flips all the way to the new year.