Major Brand and IP Anniversaries in 2026, a Complete Guide to Key Milestones

Few years arrive with as much nostalgic firepower as this one. The License Global updated list, compiled as of March 6, 2026, tracks major brand and IP anniversaries across 2026 and beyond, framing each milestone as a genuine opportunity for licensing, merchandising, and anniversary-related gifting. The roster spans everything from century-mark icons to scrappy decade-old upstarts, and if you know someone whose identity is wrapped up in any of these properties, the timing has never been better to lean into that.

Here is the complete breakdown, organized by milestone, so you can find exactly who you are shopping for.

The Century Marks: 100 Years

Two icons hit 100 this year, and both deserve more than a card. Winnie the Pooh, managed by Disney, reaches his centenary — and the range of licensed product around this bear is genuinely vast, from high-end collaborations to children's keepsakes. Marilyn Monroe, represented by Authentic Brands Group, also marks 100 years, making this a strong moment for collectors and classic Hollywood enthusiasts alike.

Deep Roots: 150 to 200 Years

The oldest milestone on the list belongs to the Zoological Society of London, represented by Metrostar, which marks an extraordinary 200 years. For anyone passionate about conservation or wildlife, this anniversary is a compelling gifting hook. Budweiser, with licensing handled by CAA, turns 150 — a milestone that practically invents its own merchandise category. Beatrix Potter, under Penguin Ventures, reaches 160 years, making her one of the most enduring children's storytelling brands on the planet.

Automotive Legends: 115 to 125 Years

Chevrolet, under General Motors, celebrates 115 years, while Ford Motorsports, under Ford Motor Company, marks 125 years. Both anniversaries are magnets for die-cast collectors, apparel fans, and anyone who grew up with a poster of a muscle car on their bedroom wall. OSRAM, the lighting technology brand, hits 120 years — a milestone that speaks to an industrial legacy worth recognizing.

The 85-Year Double: DC Comics Heavyweights

Warner Bros. Discovery holds two 85th anniversaries this year: "Aquaman" and "Wonder Woman." Both characters have sustained pop culture relevance across comics, animation, and film, and their shared milestone makes 2026 a natural year for DC-focused collectors to find something special.

Hasbro's Banner Year

Hasbro is having a remarkable run of anniversaries all at once. Play-Doh and Yahtzee each turn 70. Weebles marks 55 years. Twister reaches 60. Stretch Armstrong and Tonka both hit 50. And the beloved wobbly egg-shaped toy Weebles sits alongside the classic dice game Yahtzee as proof that simple, tactile play endures across generations. For a Hasbro enthusiast or a nostalgic parent, any of these milestones gives you clear gift direction.

The 25th Anniversary Class: A Pop Culture Reunion

The 25-year milestone is arguably the most crowded and emotionally resonant category on the list. Xbox turns 25, marking a quarter century of console gaming culture. "Halo" also hits 25, its timeline running parallel to Xbox's own rise. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," via Warner Bros. Discovery, reaches 25 years, meaning an entire generation of readers who grew up with that book are now adults with disposable income and serious nostalgia. "Fast & Furious," via Universal Pictures, marks the same milestone. "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" turns 25. "Totally Spies!," from Banijay, hits 25. KIDZ BOP reaches 25. And The Naughty Naughty Pets also marks the quarter-century. This is a gifting sweet spot: the people who loved these properties as children are now precisely old enough to appreciate a well-chosen anniversary piece.

Pokémon, Space Jam, and Tickle Me Elmo: 30 Years

Pokémon, managed by The Pokémon Company, marks 30 years — a milestone that has already been generating significant licensed product globally. "Space Jam," via Warner Bros. Discovery, also turns 30, and Tickle Me Elmo rounds out the 30-year class. All three sit in that precise window where millennial nostalgia is at its most commercially potent.

Sonic at 35

Sonic the Hedgehog, represented by SEGA of America, turns 35. The blue hedgehog has experienced a genuine cultural renaissance through the film franchise, making this anniversary land with more momentum than it might have a decade ago.

The 40-Year Class: Films and Characters

"Top Gun," via Paramount, reaches 40 years. "Labyrinth," from the Jim Henson Company, also marks 40. "Calamity James" from Beano hits 40, as does LMCA. These are properties with devoted, passionate fan bases for whom anniversary editions carry real meaning.

Danger Mouse at 45

"Danger Mouse," represented by Boat Rocker, turns 45. The animated British spy parody has maintained a loyal following across decades and multiple revival runs.

Robb Report, Stretch Armstrong, and Tonka: The 50-Year Milestone

The Robb Report, now under PMC, celebrates 50 years as a luxury lifestyle publication. Alongside it, Stretch Armstrong and Tonka (both Hasbro) mark their half-centuries — and both are prime candidates for premium collector editions.

The 55-Year Cluster

Mr Men and Little Miss, under Rainbow/Sanrio, turns 55. "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (the 1971 film), via Warner Bros. Discovery, also marks 55 years. Rainbow Designs hits 55, as do Weebles.

Star Trek, Twister, Slurpee, and Playmates Toys: 60 Years

"Star Trek" reaches 60, a milestone the franchise and its fandom have been building toward with considerable energy. Twister (Hasbro) turns 60. Slurpee, represented by The Brand Liaison, also marks 60. Playmates Toys celebrates 60 years in the business.

Ken Turns 65

Ken, the male counterpart to Barbie, managed by Mattel, celebrates 65 years. Following Barbie's own enormous cultural moment in recent years, Ken's milestone arrives with renewed relevance.

Dennis The Menace and the Nuremberg Toy Fair: 75 Years

"Dennis the Menace" from Beano marks 75 years, a remarkable run for a comic strip character who has remained a fixture of British childhood. Spielwarenmesse, the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in Germany, also celebrates 75 years as the world's leading trade platform for toys and games.

Chick-fil-A at 80

Chick-fil-A marks 80 years, a milestone for one of America's most recognizable fast food brands. Brand anniversaries at this scale tend to generate significant licensed and branded merchandise runs.

The Newer Entrants: 10 to 20 Years

On the younger end of the spectrum, The Puppet Company and Smartsweets both mark 10 years. Ninjago, from The LEGO Group, and "Wild Kratts" from PBS Kids each reach 15. LEGO "Batman" and Tokidoki both celebrate 20 years.

The breadth of this list is the point. From a 200-year-old scientific institution to a decade-old candy brand, anniversaries create permission to celebrate, collect, and give with intention. The License Global list frames these milestones as strategic opportunities for brands and licensees — but for gift-givers, the strategic angle is simpler: if someone you know has loved any of these properties for years, 2026 is the year to say so with something they will actually keep.