Many of these Barbie dolls were launched almost 30 years ago and aren’t available at retail stores. We’ve tried to vet these third-party Amazon sellers as best as we could, but cannot guarantee when the products will arrive or their condition.
2023 saw a massive resurgence of Barbie, thrusting the doll back into the center of the pop-culture universe. Though her reign at the top of toy shelves spans back to her 1959 debut,the success of the live-action Barbiemovie has sent both general interest and fan nostalgia for the beloved Mattel doll to all-time highs.
With Barbie fever sweeping the globe once more, now is the perfect time for collectors, fans, and newcomers alike to revisit Barbie’s original heyday - the 1990s - a decade with multiple record-shattering successes, out-of-the-box innovations, and exciting crossovers with fan-favorites, Barbie’s vast IP collaborations, superlatives, and side hustles make picking the best Barbie deals a daunting task. Not to fear! Grab your trapper keeper and jelly pen, and take note of the top 1990s Barbie dolls below.
Happy Holidays Special Edition 1990 Barbie
Holiday spirit lives year-round in elegant Barbie style.
This retro holiday edition Barbie with a puffy pink dress helped the 1990s start in celebratory fashion. With sparkles and ruffles galore, this Happy Holiday Special Edition doll is a must-buy.
This celebratory ’90s Barbie kicked off the decade in elegant fashion. Depicted in an elaborate sequined pinkish, fuchsia dress topped with sparkling puffy shoulder accents, this special edition holiday Barbie would turn heads on a collector’s shelf or waltzing on the ballroom floor of a Winter Solstice party. To sweeten the deal, this Barbie set comes complete with a shining star ornament perfect for decorating or making a special holiday season wish upon. That hairstyle sure is a product of its time.
Paint ‘N Dazzle Brunette Barbie
Bedazzle Barbie with a Bang-For-Your-Buck Deal
The Paint ‘N Dazzle Barbie’s sequined accessories and Tulip Fabric Paint create infinite fashion makeover possibilities, making it the perfect gift for ’90s kids and one of the best Barbie dolls of the 1990s.
The ’90s saw a coloring craze take hold of the toy market, partly due to the popularization of toys like Doodle Bear and Lite-Brite. Never one to miss out on a trend, Mattel tried its hand by releasing the interactive Paint ‘N Dazzle Barbie. Complete with a kit of Tulip Fabric Paints to design outfits, rinse, and repeat with, this classic ’90s Barbie takes the popular doll’s trademark modular style to another level. Not only does the Paint N’ Dazzle Barbie capitalize on the toyetic fabric paint trend, but the inclusion of accessorizing tools like rhinestones, neon floral buttons, and sparkly sequins make it the perfect homage to the overall ’90s arts & crafts aesthetic. You’ll probably need to get your own paint though, as the one in the box has probably dried up.
1996 Olympic Gymnast Barbie
Worthy of a gold medal.
This 1996 Olympic Gymnast Barbie celebrates the Hall of Fame gold-medal athletes, featuring Barbie dressed in the Olympics uniform and extra flexible joint abilities.
During the 1996 USA Women’s Gymnastics team’s gold medal run, the roster of super athletes was able to become pop-culture fixtures. This popularity peaked whenthe Hall of Fame team, nicknamed the “Magnificent Seven”,added a special eighth member to its roster in the form of the special edition Olympic Gymnast Barbie.
Outfitted in the official USA Gymnastics uniform, this Barbie variant includes tumbling accessories and extra joint flexibility that help her hang with Olympic legends like Dominique Dawes and Kerri Strug. If you’re nostalgic for a ’90s vibe, then you likely hold some nostalgia in your heart for this Olympic squad, making this doll a perfect marriage of nostalgia and must-buy.
Working Woman Barbie
Hack into this Barbie deal, which includes a real, retro CD-ROM.
This one is definitely a product of its time. The Working Woman Barbie is complete with outfits, work accessories, and even an interactive CD-ROM. This Barbie aimed to celebrate women in the workplace, but is a bit dated in today’s setting.
What’s more evocative of the 1990s than a leather sports coat? A CD-ROM filled with clip art. Equipped with all the aforementioned, this retro Barbie is a must-buy for any fan with ’90s nostalgia. Over four decades after Barbie’s debut, the Working Woman Barbie is the first effort from Mattel that openly celebrates women in the workplace, despite Barbie having a bevy of outfits for countless jobs. Sure, the concept is a bit dated, but this collectible also encourages a healthy work-life balance, with a reversible outfit that keeps Barbie ready to quick-change into a party outfit as soon as she clocks out at work.
Walt Disney World Special Edition Barbie
The perfect addition to your Mojo-Dojo-Casa House of Mouse.
Where’s Barbie going? She’s going to Disney World! Equipped with a Mickey Mouse balloon and jacket and dressed in a cute blue skirt, this Barbie marries the worlds of Mattel and Disney for the ultimate fan gift.
Before she was a “Barbie girl in her Barbie world”, Barbie dreamed of going to Disney World. This 1996 collaboration between Mattel and Disney is an excellent addition to what was already a stacked year for Disney, which included the release of classics like Muppet’s Treasure Island, The Mighty Ducks, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Sporting a Mickey Mouse-themed outfit, a cute tote to shop and pack snacks with, and a Disney balloon, this Barbie was part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Disney World.
FAQ
Are there any Barbie dolls that are based on the Barbie movie?
Collaborating with popular movies and IP has been key to Barbie’s enduring success, and the 2024 Barbie movie is no different. Fans of the movie looking for a gateway to get into collecting the dolls that inspired the film have lots to choose from, with collectible Ken and Barbie dolls, as well as cars and playsets featuring recognizable looks from the Oscar-nominated hit.
What is the most successful Barbie of all time?
Despite being released back in 1992, Totally Hair Barbie still holds the title of most successful Barbie to this day. Featuring long, wavy foot-length hair that reached, Totally Hair Barbie amplified the hairstyles of the ’90s to outrageous effect, reportedly selling over 10 million units across the globe, and earning coverage in the New York Times. This stylish, brushable iteration of Mattel’s Malibu resident also earned a re-release to capitalize on the nostalgia and to commemorate its 30th anniversary.
