A live-action Toys "R" Us movie is currently in development, helmed by Story Kitchen, the creative force behind recent video game adaptations like the Sonic the Hedgehog films. According to Variety, the project aims to encapsulate the childhood wonder and excitement synonymous with the Toys "R" Us brand, which has been a significant part of the toy industry for over 70 years.

Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg, co-founders of Story Kitchen, expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “Toys 'R' Us is a cultural touchstone that continues impacting the child in all of us today. As '80s kids who considered Toys 'R' Us one of the most magical places on Earth, we’re honored to partner to create a film that will capture the spirit of adventure, creativity and nostalgia that Toys 'R' Us represents.”

Somehow Toys 'R' Us returned. Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

The film draws inspiration from classics such as Night at the Museum, Back to the Future, and Big, as well as contemporary toy-to-movie crossovers like Barbie. While specific casting details remain under wraps, Johnson, Goldberg, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Elena Sandoval will produce for Story Kitchen, alongside Kim Miller Olko, who is producing for Toys "R" Us Studios.

Miller Olko, president of Toys "R" Us Studios, shared her vision for the film, saying, “As Toys "R" Us first film, this project is an exciting opportunity to bring the magic of our brand to the big screen. It will be a journey as boundless as play itself, evoking the electric sense of wonder that is the essence of Toys "R" Us. This story will capture the imagination, adventure and joy that has made Toys "R" Us a destination for kids of all ages.”

Story Kitchen is also busy with other projects, including film adaptations of Square Enix's Just Cause, directed by Ángel Manuel Soto of Blue Beetle fame, as well as Dredge: The Movie, Kingmakers, and Sleeping Dogs.