Honestly, I never thought I’d be the guy gushing over a plastic toy designed for kids as young as six, but here we are. When the first Playmobil Back to the Future set dropped in 2020, it felt like something shifted in the collector world. For decades, Lego had the monopoly on "cool" movie licenses. But then Playmobil—the German brand known for its iconic rounded smiles and klicky-clack joints—stepped into 1985 Hill Valley. It wasn't just a cash grab. It was a love letter to Robert Zemeckis’s masterpiece.
People usually overlook Playmobil because it doesn't have the "buildable" complexity of other brands. That's a mistake. While Lego focuses on the process of building, Playmobil focuses on the aesthetic of the object.
The DeLorean is the star. Obviously. It’s sleek.
If you’ve ever tried to display a model car, you know the struggle of finding something that doesn't look like a cheap gas station impulse buy but also doesn't cost $500. Playmobil hit this weird, perfect middle ground where the proportions are just right, the lights actually work, and it doesn't fall apart if you sneeze on it.
The Engineering Behind the Playmobil DeLorean
Let’s talk about the 70317 set. Most people buy this and just see a car, but the engineering is kinda brilliant for a mass-market toy. Unlike the Lego Creator version, which can sometimes feel a bit blocky or fragile in its early iterations, the Playmobil version is solid. It captures the brushed stainless steel look using a specific matte grey plastic that doesn't feel "cheap."
The wheels are the kicker. You can flip them down into flight mode with a satisfying click. It’s tactile. It’s snappy.
Why the Electronics Matter
Most toys use those high-pitched, annoying LEDs. Playmobil went with a soft blue glow for the flux capacitor and the exterior light strips. It looks phenomenal in a darkened room. You press a button on the bottom, and the whole thing comes to life. It’s got that 1.21 gigawatt energy without needing a nuclear reactor in your backyard.
- The set comes with Marty McFly and Doc Brown.
- Marty has his red puffer vest (it's actually a separate piece!).
- Doc has his 1985 hazmat suit.
- Einstein the dog is included, which is non-negotiable for fans.
Wait, I forgot the plutonium. There’s a tiny yellow crate. It fits in the back. You can actually "load" the plutonium cores into the reactor. It’s these small, tactile interactions that make the Playmobil Back to the Future line feel more like a miniature movie set than a shelf ornament.
📖 Related: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
Expanding the Hill Valley Universe
After the success of the DeLorean, Playmobil didn't just stop. They went deep into the lore. We got the 70459 set, which is the 1955 version of Marty and Doc. This one is special because it includes the guitar Marty uses at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance.
They even did the pickup truck.
You know the one. The black 1985 Toyota 4x4 that Marty swoons over at the end of the first film. In the Playmobil world, it’s set 70633. It’s chunky. It’s rugged. It comes with Biff Tannen, who looks appropriately annoyed while waxing the truck. Honestly, seeing a Playmobil Biff in a tracksuit is something I didn't know I needed until I had it on my desk.
The Advent Calendar Surprise
One of the weirdest and coolest things they did was the Back to the Future Advent Calendar (70574). Most advent calendars are filled with junk you throw away by January 2nd. This one was different. It allowed you to recreate the clock tower scene.
It comes with a cardboard backdrop of the Hill Valley courthouse. Every day, you open a door and get a new accessory—the "Save the Clock Tower" flyer, the lightning rod, the skateboard. By Christmas, you have a full diorama. It’s a genius way to build a collection without dropping $100 all at once.
Why Collectors are Pivoting to Playmobil
There’s a segment of the "kidult" market that is getting tired of the skyrocketing prices and "collector fatigue" found in other hobbies. Playmobil is refreshing. It’s durable. You can actually let a kid play with these, and they won't break a $200 investment.
But for the adults? It’s about the silhouette.
👉 See also: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
The Playmobil Back to the Future figures—the "Klickies"—have a timeless quality. They don't have noses. They have simple dot eyes. Yet, you look at the Marty McFly figure and you know it’s Michael J. Fox. It’s a masterclass in minimalist character design.
Some people complain that the scale is a bit wonky. Playmobil is roughly 1:19 scale, which is "G-Scale" in the model train world. This means the DeLorean is actually quite large. It’s about 10 inches long. It has presence. It doesn't get lost on a bookshelf.
Common Misconceptions About the Line
I hear this a lot: "Playmobil is for babies."
Look, if "for babies" means having a screen-accurate Mr. Fusion that actually opens and closes, then I guess I'm a baby. The 70634 set (the Part II Hoverboard Chase) features the futuristic "No Tech" pond scene. It comes with Griff Tannen and his pitbull hoverboard. The level of detail on Griff’s bionic leg is insane.
Another misconception is that these sets are hard to find. While some of the limited edition 3-packs (like the 70440 set with the 1955 outfits) can get pricey on the secondary market, the core DeLorean is still widely available.
- Sticker application: This is the one downside. Playmobil loves stickers. You’ll need a pair of tweezers and a steady hand to get the dashboard and the "OUTATIME" plate on straight.
- Battery life: The DeLorean takes AAA batteries. They last a surprisingly long time because of the auto-shutoff feature, but always use high-quality ones to avoid leakage.
- Interchangeability: Most people don't realize you can swap parts between figures. Want Doc Brown in a tuxedo? You can do that if you have other Playmobil sets.
What's Next for the Franchise?
We’ve seen the 1885 Western sets (70576), which brought us the steam-punk inspired Doc and the tombstone from the third movie. It feels like Playmobil has covered the main bases. However, rumors always swirl about a larger-scale Clock Tower or maybe a Playmobil version of the Jules Verne Train.
While nothing is confirmed for 2026 yet, the popularity of the 35th and 40th-anniversary pushes proved that this isn't just a fleeting trend. The Playmobil Back to the Future collaboration is one of the most successful "nostalgia" plays the company has ever made.
✨ Don't miss: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
Practical Steps for New Collectors
If you're just starting, don't buy everything at once. You'll burn out.
Start with the 70317 DeLorean. It is the anchor of the entire collection. If you don't like that, you won't like the rest. Once you have that, look for the 70574 Advent Calendar—even if it's not December. It's often the cheapest way to get a huge variety of accessories and the 1955 versions of the characters.
Check local toy stores or European importers. Sometimes the European packaging is slightly different and can be found for cheaper than the US "collector" boxed versions.
Lastly, get a display case. Dust is the enemy of black plastic tires and clear windshields. A simple acrylic box makes the Playmobil DeLorean look like a high-end museum piece.
Final Pro Tip
If you're buying these for a child, keep the tiny accessories in a separate Ziploc bag. The "Save the Clock Tower" flyer is literally a tiny piece of paper. It will get lost in a shag carpet within four seconds of being opened. Keep the "display" items for yourself and let them go wild with the car and the figures.
The beauty of this line is that it works as both a toy and a collectible. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but it respects the source material. That’s a rare feat in the modern toy aisle.
Actionable Next Steps:
To get the most out of your collection, prioritize acquiring the 70317 DeLorean first to test the quality of the plastic and electronics. If you plan to display the set, invest in a set of curved precision tweezers for the license plate and dashboard stickers, as manual application often leads to misalignment. For those looking for value, search for the 70574 Advent Calendar on secondary markets; it remains the most cost-effective way to acquire the 1955 era accessories and the iconic "Save the Clock Tower" props.