Imaginext T.H.R.I.L.L.s

Tributes, Homages, Ringers, Inspirations & Look-aLikes!

There are many Imaginext figures inspired by older, vintage toy lines, classic movies and modern pop culture.

The Imaginext designers have done well recreating the classic monsters, most of which are in public domain, but given life and identifying features by Universal. The Imaginext line is aimed at children 3 to 8 years old, but there are unmistakable look-alikes from adult TV and movies like Breaking Bad, James Bond, Robocop and more.

It is not a new concept, homages can be seen in Lego Minifigures, Tech Deck Dudes, My Little Pony, and others, that may not even be yet known. This would be specifically covering a character like MLP’s “Dr. Hooves”, who represents an unlicensed “Dr. Who”, as opposed to “Cheese Sandwich” who is modeled after – and voiced by – Weird Al.

It is the simple design of the Imaginext character, and the loving tribute they pay to the source material that allows them to keep creating these new figures… also, one would assume they have a pretty good legal team.

But, it is the vast array of core Imaginext figures that make these additional figures, fun to collect and add to the greater world. Robocop & Batman teaming up to defeat Rita Repulsa, Harley Quinn and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

It is for this reason, I began to collect the “descriptions” of these visually similar figures, and dub them Imaginext THRILLs, so no matter if you call them tributes, homages, ringers, inspirations or look-alikes, THRILLs will cover it. A bit of “Acronymic License” is required for “Look-aLikes,” if there is such a word.

Using the resource of the endless Imaginext fan base, I hope to catalog as many of these figures as possible. From the large references and Easters Egg from the Masters of the Universe line, toys from the 80s, TV shows, movies, and pop culture, if someone has identified a theme, it will be here!