And Action! Cool Movie Toys For Holidays

One good thing about being a reporter on the radio is that it keeps me in the loop of what sort of merchandising is being done to market films.. And you can about imagine that's a pretty fun thing to be in the loop on if you're a movie toy geek like me. And I admit to loving movie toys!

With the return of an iconic action movie hero in Indiana Jones this year, the big-screen debut of others (Iron Man and the newly computer-animated "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" characters), and the return of such fan favorites as Batman and the Incredible Hulk, there's been an incredible number of cool movie toys and collectibles hitting store shelves over the past few months.

The great thing is, the movie toy market isn't limited

to just superheroes this holiday season.

Many companies are also producing toys and collectibles

based on classic movies and television shows.

Big time toymakers such as Hasbro and Mattel, and specialty collectible artisans like Sideshow, NECA, McFarlane and Mezco are meeting fan demands with toys designed for kids who want to collect the latest stuff from their favorite action or animated movie; to high-end action figures and museum-quality pieces that add prestigious accents to any home movie theater.

The wide range of choice is also beneficial in these tough financial times. Action figures of your favorite movie can run anywhere from $5 to $10 and playsets and other larger figures can run you up to $30. If you want to get really elaborate, the price range runs up to $100-$150 on elaborate vehicles and playsets. And while the $100 to $400 range (or higher) may be too steep for some, there are definitely some benefits to investing in a collectible for a present.

Of course, the best thing is, they look great. But on top of that, high-end collectibles are usually produced in limited quantities, meaning the value of it will only appreciate. So what's all out there in terms of cool movie toys and collectibles to look for this holiday season? There are far too many to mention here so keep your eyes peeled when you head into the stores!

MICHELLE