The Most Iconic Children’s Lunchboxes of All Time

Many things from decades ago were better than they are now. There is no doubt that lunchboxes have evolved and keep kid’s food and drink cooler, but the designs are boring. No kids are gawking at someone else’s lunchbox in awe in 2023. On the other hand, all the cool kids were sporting one of the most iconic children’s lunchboxes of all time and became the center of attention back in the day.

We All Live in a Yellow Submarine

The Beatles will always be a key part of the ’60s and early ’70s culture. Liverpool’s “Fab Four” released banger after banger, with some of their albums only coming months after the last. “Yellow Submarine” was originally on the album Revolver, but it wasn’t until the animated movie, donning the same title, that it became a huge hit.

Although some Beatles fans may have the album on the bottom rung of their discography, there’s no denying how groovy this lunchbox is. You can find a used one for a few hundred dollars if you are lucky enough.

Meet the Jetsons

There are a multitude of early cartoons that continue to live on 70 years past their prime. And when they have an out-of-this-world lunchbox, it makes sense why it remains in popular culture. The Jetsons were essentially the space version of The Flintstones that ran only 75 episodes, including a very short primetime stint in the early 1960s.

With its lunchbox looking like something straight from Disney’s “Tomorrowland,” it became a must-have. A mint lunchbox could net you thousands today, but those in the 1960s would have to peak into the future to realize this tin would be worth anything.

Mickey Mouse’s Lunchbox

Speaking of “Tomorrowland,” everyone’s pal, Mickey Mouse, is a prominent fixture in that section of The Magic Kingdom. Numerous Mickey Mouse lunchboxes could tickle someone’s fancy, especially if he’s accompanied by one of his best friends. However, a certain lunch kit with his friend, Minnie, is his most prized possession.

This lunch kit was a hot commodity during the Great Depression. It was the first lunchbox featuring Walt’s favorite rodents, making it one of the most desired items on this list.

Mickey Mouse is still a popular theme in the present day, so the odds are many of you will be packing your child’s backpack with a (modern) Mickey lunchbox.

Man From Atlantis

Most of the best lunchboxes come from successful movies, television series, or cartoons. Rarely does a lunchbox create a high demand after a failed 13-episode season. Man From Atlantis sports a 6.5 on IMDB, signifying that the network executives made the right decision cutting bait with the show. Sadly, the world was not ready for Patrick Duffy to be an amphibious man from the long-lost underwater civilization.

Since the show came and fizzled out so fast, King-Seeley Thermos stopped producing the branded lunchboxes. Because of how rare they are, you’ll have to fork over thousands of dollars to look at Duffy’s mug.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Lunchbox

Superman continues to be one of the most popular superheroes ever. He’s been a pop culture icon for decades, so much so that millions wear the iconic “S” symbol worldwide. It only makes sense that the 1954 lunchbox version is the crown jewel of lunchboxes. The lunchbox has fetched as much as $16,000 in years past, proving Superman’s star power is everlasting.

The most iconic children’s lunchboxes of all time may not always come from a successful show or record, but their uniqueness sets them apart. However, you could probably do without Man From Atlantis memorabilia.