The American Girl is coming back. To celebrate their 35th anniversary, the original American Girl dolls are being reintroduced.
Mattel announced Tuesday that the brand’s historic six original dolls will return to the market, the company said in a news release.
The first three dolls -- Samantha Parkington, Kirsten Larsen and Molly McIntire debuted in 1986 and were retired between 2008 and 2013, People reported. Felicity Merriman, Addy Walker and Josefina Montoya were introduced during the 1990s and retired during the mid-2010s, the magazine reported.
The original dolls command a premium on the market. One original Samantha doll, with all of her accessories, has a buy-it-now price of $11,000 on eBay.
The six dolls will be released again as part of the American Girl 35th Anniversary Collection, according to its website. Dressed for the first time in their signature outfits, the 18-inch dolls will come packaged in a retro-inspired box that will include the first paperback book in each character’s series, according to the news release. Each doll will retail for $150 and are available to buy now.
“For 35 years, American Girl has created powerful stories with smart, courageous heroines that have helped shape an entire generation of women,” Jamie Cygielman, general manager of American Girl, said in a news release. “As we celebrate this major milestone, we’re thrilled to recognize the very first generation of American girls who grew up with these beloved, original characters and made them the phenomenon they are today.
“Knowing many of these women are now moms themselves, we look forward to creating special, multi-generational experiences for families via their shared love of the brand,” Cygielman added. “We can’t wait to inspire and empower this next generation with even more relevant products, immersive experiences, and timeless stories.”
American Girl dolls have been more than playthings -- they also have appeared in movies. Olivia Rodrigo got her start in an American Girl film (as Grace Thomas), while Shailene Woodley (as Felicity) and Annasophia Robb (as Samantha) starred in films highlighting the original dolls’ stories, People reported. Willow Smith and Abigail Breslin starred in a Kit Kittredge film, the magazine reported.