Mattel Expects Strong Growth for Hot Wheels Brick Sets in 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 12 2026
0mins
Should l Buy MAT?
In a Bloomberg interview earlier, Mattel CEO Ynon stated: "Another example is Mattel Brick Shop. This is our Hot Wheels-branded building sets that we launched last year, and it's off to a very strong and promising start, growing at high double-digit, and it's a proper hit for the company. We expect that to grow strongly in 2026 and in 2027, but this investment will allow us to inflect that even more and capture more value earlier."
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Analyst Views on MAT
Wall Street analysts forecast MAT stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 14.160
Low
20.00
Averages
24.43
High
30.00
Current: 14.160
Low
20.00
Averages
24.43
High
30.00
About MAT
Mattel, Inc. is a global toy and family entertainment company. The Company's operating segments include North America and International. The North America segment markets and sells toys and consumer products in the United States and Canada. Products marketed and sold by the International segment are generally the same as those marketed and sold by the North America segment, although some are developed or adapted for particular international markets. Its franchise brands include Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA, and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that it owns or licensed in partnership with global entertainment companies. Its offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. The Company’s products are sold directly to consumers through its e-commerce platform and various third-party e-commerce channels.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Box Office Performance: Since 2016, Paramount and Warner Bros. have released animated films that grossed $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion respectively, indicating insufficient market share in animation, which limits overall revenue potential.
- Market Share: By 2025, the combined entity is expected to account for 27% of the U.S. box office market share, close to Disney's 28%, but the absence of kid-friendly animated content may affect long-term growth.
- Strategic Necessity: Analysts emphasize that developing a robust animated film portfolio is crucial for the newly formed Paramount/Warners Bros. combo to capture a broader audience and achieve box office growth in a competitive market.
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- Dramatic Profit Increase: The company's net income surged more than fourfold to 12.8 billion yuan, slightly exceeding the forecast of 12.6 billion yuan; however, a notable slowdown in the fourth quarter heightened investor worries about the durability of its key IP's popularity.
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- Global Market Strategy: By 2025, international markets accounted for 44% of Pop Mart's revenue, with expectations for increased contributions from the U.S. and Europe, reflecting the company's proactive global expansion strategy.
- Diversified Product Strategy: Collaborations with Uniqlo and Parisian luxury brand Moynat have led Pop Mart into new sectors like jewelry, with some Labubu gold necklaces priced above $2,000, aiming to enhance brand influence and market competitiveness.
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- Diverse Offerings: The new product line features multiple action figures inspired by the film, Barbie Signature dolls, and Funko Pop! vinyl figures, which are anticipated to attract consumers of all ages, thereby strengthening the brand's competitive position in the market.
- Global Partnerships: Mattel (MAT) is collaborating with over 70 global partners, including Hot Topic and Spirit Halloween, to launch additional apparel, accessories, and premium collectibles from 2026 to 2027, further expanding the brand's influence and reach.
- Strategic Importance: This product launch is closely tied to Mattel's strategy of expanding its toy brands into major theatrical franchises, marking a cornerstone in the multi-year pipeline of Masters of the Universe content and consumer products, which is expected to drive future growth.
See More
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- Global Product Line Launch: Mattel announced the launch of a global product line for 'Masters of the Universe' on April 25, 2026, covering toys, apparel, and more, aimed at engaging fans of all ages and enhancing brand influence.
- Film Tie-In Strategy: The live-action film, in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios, is set to debut in the U.S. on June 5, 2026, with the product line launching concurrently, expected to boost brand visibility and drive sales growth.
- Diverse Product Portfolio: The new series includes 'Masters of the Universe' action figures, Barbie® collections, Funko Pop! figures, and UNO® games, showcasing Mattel's innovation in the toy market and honoring the legacy of the brand, likely attracting a new generation of consumers.
- Ongoing Expansion of Collaborations: Mattel plans to release more movie-themed products in partnership with over 70 global collaborators from 2026 to 2027, further solidifying its leadership in the toy and entertainment market and driving long-term brand growth.
See More
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- Growth of Emotional Economy: According to projections from the iiMedia Research Center, China's emotional economy is expected to exceed 4.5 trillion yuan ($655 billion) by 2029, nearly doubling its value from 2024, highlighting an increasing consumer demand for emotional fulfillment and spiritual satisfaction that is driving market expansion.
- Changes Among Young Consumers: Research indicates that younger Chinese consumers, facing economic pressures, are increasingly inclined to pursue purchases that bring joy and identity rather than traditional material accumulation, a shift that not only affects spending habits but also prompts businesses to reassess their value propositions.
- Policy Attention on Emotional Economy: The Chongqing city government highlighted the importance of the emotional economy for the first time in its 2026 work report, indicating that policymakers are beginning to recognize this emerging consumer trend, while businesses are actively adjusting strategies to meet the demand for emotion-driven spending.
See More
