He’s huge. He’s hairy. Honestly, he’s a little bit creepy if you catch him out of the corner of your eye at 2 AM. When Harry and the Hendersons hit theaters in 1987, nobody really expected a family flick about a Sasquatch to spawn a merchandising frenzy, but here we are nearly forty years later talking about the Harry and the Hendersons doll. It wasn't just a toy. For kids of the late eighties, that plush was a weirdly realistic gateway into the world of cryptozoology, mostly because Rick Baker—the legendary makeup artist—did such a phenomenal job on the film's practical effects that the toy designers had their work cut out for them.
You’ve probably seen the one I’m talking about. It’s the large, 18-inch-ish plush produced by LJN. Yeah, the same LJN that made those notoriously difficult Nintendo games and the Thundercats figures. They managed to capture that specific "Harry" expression: a mix of profound confusion, gentleness, and "I just accidentally broke your ceiling fan."
Finding one today isn't as easy as hitting up a local Target. It’s a hunt.
What makes the LJN Harry and the Hendersons doll so weirdly iconic?
Most movie tie-in toys from the 80s were stiff. They were plastic. They didn't feel "real." But the LJN Harry was different because he was essentially a massive pile of synthetic fur with a rotocast vinyl head and feet. The face sculpt is where the magic (or the nightmare fuel) happens. LJN used a soft vinyl that captured Harry's wide, soulful eyes and those massive, flat teeth. If you look closely at a well-preserved model, the paint apps on the mouth are surprisingly detailed for a mass-produced toy from 1987.
The hair is the real kicker. It’s long. It’s shaggy. It gets incredibly matted if you actually played with it, which is why "Mint in Box" versions are such a big deal now. Most Harry dolls you find at flea markets or on eBay look like they’ve been through a literal car wash without the drying cycle. They get "dreadlocked" over time. Collectors call this "attic hair." It's basically when the synthetic fibers break down and bind with thirty years of dust.
Why do we care? Because the movie represented a shift in how we viewed monsters. Harry wasn't King Kong. He was family. Owning the Harry and the Hendersons doll was like having a piece of that "gentle giant" energy in your bedroom.
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The different versions you’ll find in the wild
LJN didn't just stop at one size, though the large plush is the one everyone remembers. There were actually a few variations, including a smaller "bean bag" style plush and some PVC lead-free figures that came in blister packs.
- The "Big" Plush: This is the flagship. He usually came in a tall, open-faced box so you could feel the fur. Crucial for marketing.
- The Wind-up Walking Harry: These are rarer. A small plastic version that waddled.
- The PVC Miniatures: These usually feature Harry in different poses, like holding a flower or looking surprised.
If you’re hunting for the big guy, check the tush tag. A real 1987 LJN tag is a gold mine of information, usually featuring the Universal City Studios copyright. If the tag is cut off, the value drops significantly. Collectors are picky. They want the provenance.
The Rick Baker Factor: Why Harry looks "Human"
You can't talk about the toy without talking about Rick Baker. He won an Academy Award for the makeup in this movie. He's the same guy who did An American Werewolf in London. He didn't want Harry to look like a guy in a suit, even though it was Kevin Peter Hall (the same actor who played the Predator!) in a suit.
The Harry and the Hendersons doll tried to mimic that animatronic complexity. Notice the brow ridge. Notice the way the nose is shaped. It’s not a "bear" nose; it’s a primate nose. This anatomical accuracy is why the doll remains popular with Bigfoot enthusiasts, not just movie buffs. It’s widely considered one of the best "mainstream" representations of what a Sasquatch might actually look like, albeit a slightly Hollywood-ized version.
The current market: What is a Harry doll worth in 2026?
Prices are all over the place. Honestly, it’s a bit of a circus. A few years ago, you could snag a loose Harry for $40. Now? Not so much.
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- Loose/Played With: Expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $150. This depends heavily on whether the fur is matted and if he still has his "expression."
- With Box (Damaged): If the box looks like it was stepped on by a Bigfoot, you’re looking at $250-$350.
- New in Box (NIB): For a pristine, museum-quality Harry, prices have been known to north of $600 in private collector circles.
The "Grail" version is the one where the fur is still white/cream. Because it’s synthetic, it tends to yellow over time if exposed to sunlight or cigarette smoke. Finding a "Snow Harry" (as some call the clean ones) is incredibly tough.
Beware of the "Ewok" Confusion
Believe it or not, I’ve seen people list these as "Large Star Wars Ewok Dolls" on Facebook Marketplace. Don't be fooled. An Ewok has a hood and a much flatter face. Harry has that distinctive high forehead and the "Henderson" charm. If you see a "mysterious hairy doll" for $20 at a garage sale because the owner thinks it's a generic gorilla, grab it.
How to clean and restore your Bigfoot
So you bought one. He smells like a basement. What now?
Whatever you do, do NOT put Harry in the washing machine. You will ruin the vinyl face and the "fur" will turn into a solid brick of felt. This is a common mistake.
Instead, use a very mild upholstery cleaner or even just a damp cloth with a tiny bit of Woolite. Brush him out with a wide-tooth comb—very gently. It’s like grooming a dog, but the dog is a 40-year-old movie prop. For the vinyl face, a little bit of warm water and dish soap works wonders. Avoid harsh chemicals like acetone; they will strip the paint right off his eyeballs, and then you’ve got a "Zombie Harry," which is a whole different vibe.
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Why the remake rumors affect the price
Every few years, rumors of a Harry and the Hendersons remake or a high-budget series surface. When that happens, the price of the original LJN Harry and the Hendersons doll spikes. Nostalgia is a powerful drug, but scarcity is a bigger one. LJN went out of business in the early 90s (eventually bought by Acclaim), so these toys aren't being repressed. There are no "retro" re-releases from the original molds. What’s out there is all there is.
Actionable Steps for Potential Collectors
If you're serious about adding a Henderson to your shelf, stop looking at just eBay. The "big" sites are saturated with professional sellers who know exactly what they have.
- Check Estate Sales: Look for houses that haven't been touched since the 80s. Harry is often buried in the back of a closet.
- Verify the Face: Ask for high-res photos of the nose and teeth. Scuffs on the vinyl are the hardest things to fix.
- Smell is important: Synthetic fur from 1987 is a magnet for odors. If the seller says "stored in a smoke-free home," that adds 20% to the value immediately.
- Join FB Groups: There are specific "80s Toy Hunter" groups where Harry pops up. You’ll get a better price there than on a public auction site because you're dealing with enthusiasts, not flippers.
The appeal of the Harry and the Hendersons doll isn't just about a movie. It’s about that specific era of practical effects where monsters felt like they could walk out of the screen and into your living room. He’s a reminder that sometimes, the scariest thing about a monster is how much he reminds us of ourselves. Keep him out of the sun, give him a brush every now and then, and he’ll probably last another forty years.
To start your collection, first decide if you want a "display" piece or a "restoration" project. Buying a matted Harry for cheap and carefully grooming him back to life is incredibly satisfying for many hobbyists. Just make sure the vinyl is intact before you buy, as that's the one part you can't easily fix with a comb and some patience.