UPdate: Here’s our review of  Pixar’s UP movie toys.

Coraline Leads the Pack of Dark Themed Toys

Now that the movie has been released, Coraline toys are available in stores as well as online.  Fans can find lots of collectibles including NECA’s pose-able dolls from 3” up, fashion dolls, magnet sets, lunch boxes, throw pillows and messenger bags.

Also, Dark Knight toys are continuing to creep out into the market as well — the most recent addition are Dark Knight head knockers.  The popularity of other dark-style cartoons such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Goth-inspired toys in certain markets is sure to up the ante for all these new toys.

And don’t forget about Harry Potter. The release of the next Harry Potter feature eight months later than originally planned is bound to allow more time for merchandising and the popularity of the books brings with it a love of all things Potter.

Continuing the dark-themed movie pattern:  collectible (and rare) Twilight dolls are available for all the fans of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, with a potential for more varieties once the sequel New Moon is released in the fall.

More Hot Movie Toys for 2009

• Monsters vs. Aliens is sure to bring with it some great toys and the release of UP is bound to bring new love to balloons at the very least.

• The planned release of the “classic” Toy Story in 3-D later this year will bring with it a fresh release of Buzz and Woody toys as well as a market for those collector’s items from the first release in the 90s.

• A potential release of Where the Wild Things Are in the fall has parents and children alike excited about the movie and all the Wild Thing toys that will soon be on the market.

• Disney’s The Princess & the Frog, which offer its first animated African-American heroine in December,  has already announced its new toy line.

Some other 2009 releases of movie toys are cult-pleasers meant for teens, young adults, and kids alike, including Terminator, Star Trek, X-Men, Transformers, G.I. Joe and a big screen version Land of the Lost.

These movies will find fans in the younger generation, but my guess is all those toys will really be created with the collectors in mind.  I predict older fans with more disposable income will be pre-ordering Sleestacks and G.I. Joe dolls before the movies premiere.

Robin's highlights never looked so.... chunky

The much anticipated video game LEGO Batman will momentarily rest on the shelves on September 28.  We say “rest” because the game is widely expected to be a sell-out.

This is the third LEGO series adventure game, so it has some big shoes to fill: LEGO Star WARS and LEGO Indiana Jones.  Like these other games, expect some tom-foolery and unexpected hijinks that simultaneously spoof the Batman enterprise and bring it to new vistas.

A gaming twist that will be exciting for players is the chance to play on the villains’ side.  So not only can you battle to save Gotham City, but you can fight to destroy it.

Here’s the trailer for the game which will simultaneously be released for all the major consoles.

Are the new Dark Knight Toys too dark for kids? That’s the drama being kicked up in Australia, where a leading family advocacy group is shunning the Batman toys. Why? The toys are given away with a burger and fries at a popular fast food chain known as Hungry Jacks.

The Australian Family Association does have a point: the toys may be sending mixed messages to parents that the newest Batman movie is suitable for watching by children. I saw this movie last weekend, and it is admittedly not something I would take my nine year old to. Too scary!

But, then again, the Dark Knight Toys in themselves are pretty cool.

Any readers’ thoughts?