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Trading cards are often tied to sports and their iconic athletes—even those who don’t follow baseball know the allure of a pristine card featuring a legendary player. However, these collectibles extend far beyond the world of sports. From musicians and toys to historical events, the '80s and '90s saw a wave of imaginative trading cards, with wax packs offering a treasure trove of surprises.
Wax packs were more than just cards—they often included collectible stickers (sometimes standalone, sometimes part of a larger image) and a stick of bubble gum. Even today, unopened packs might still contain intact gum, though it’s best left uneaten. While not every set on our list comes in a traditional wax pack, each one is delightfully bizarre and hard to believe they ever existed (and some still do!).
1. The Blair Witch Project
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The 1999 horror film, a pioneer in using the internet for viral marketing (recall when many believed it was a true story?), adopted a surprisingly conventional strategy with its 72-card trading set. Released by Topps, the foil-wrapped cards were unexpectedly artistic, eerie, and haunting. They also cleverly used the appeal of “randomly inserted” special foil cards to drive sales, nightmares notwithstanding.
2. Yo! MTV Raps
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Earning street cred from trading cards might seem unlikely, but the 1991 Yo! MTV Raps set pulled it off. Featuring legends like Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer, KRS-One, and Young Black Teenagers, each card was filled with fascinating tidbits about the artists, making it a hit among music aficionados. Quick question: What’s Big Boi’s real name?
3. Saved By the Bell
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Naturally, Saved By the Bell had its own trading card series (even Saved By the Bell: The College Years got one!). What could be cooler than a complete set of glossy promotional photos of your favorite TV stars? While the cards didn’t include gum or a strand of Zack’s hair, they were highly sought after and perfect for trading. Here, you can have my Slater card.
4. 21 Jump Street
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Many wax packs showcased hand-drawn artwork on their wrappers, a creative touch that sometimes led to questionable results. For instance, Topps’ 1987 set for the TV sensation 21 Jump Street featured a puzzling wrapper image—was it Johnny Depp, Richard Greico, or a strange mix of both? The mystery remains, but at least the pack included gum to chew on while you ponder.
5. ALF
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It’s odd enough to recall ALF as a hit TV show—a series about a sarcastic alien who constantly disrupted his human family with his antics and obsession with eating cats. But it’s even stranger to remember that Topps released two series of trading cards for the show in the '80s. Each wax pack contained stickers to complete puzzles and a “bouillabaseball player” card, featuring one of Gordon Shumway’s favorite athletes.
6. Saturday Night Live
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Unfortunately, the 1992 Saturday Night Live trading cards aren’t particularly humorous. While the skits and characters they depict might be amusing in hindsight, the cards themselves are largely underwhelming. Alongside your prized Wayne’s World cards, you might stumble upon a random black-and-white still of Jane Curtin in an unrecognizable role.
7. Desert Storm
Desert Storm Cards
Trading cards for a war? It may seem odd, but this isn’t a new concept. In the 1960s, there was a set for “The Men of the Green Berets,” followed by cards for World War II and Vietnam. The Desert Storm cards, however, take it a step further, showcasing details like Tomahawk missiles in flight and explaining terms like “carpet bombing.” Let’s hope no adversaries ever get their hands on these.
8.
The X-Files
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The truth is indeed out there, and it’s captured in the numerous trading card sets released for the iconic Fox series. The “super premium” collections featured character cards and eerie scenes from the show, blending entertainment with intriguing details—much like the series itself.
9. New Kids on the Block
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No matter which New Kid on the Block was your favorite, if you were an NKOTB fan, you likely owned a few packs of Topps’ stylish trading card sets. The wax packs included glossy concert photos, trendy stills (imagine the fashion!), and even a sticker. The card backs were packed with trivia about the band members, from their favorite colors to their full names. Need to know Donnie Wahlberg’s middle initial? Just check the cards.
10. Barbie
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Few trading card sets strike the perfect balance between cool and informative, but Mattel’s 1990 Barbie cards nailed it with flair. Modeled after sports trading cards, the 300-card set showcased unique Barbie dolls on the front (including rare vintage editions) and fascinating facts on the back, delighting even the most devoted Barbie enthusiasts. While Mattel has released other card sets, the 1991 collection remains the most iconic and elegant.
11. Gremlins 2
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While the original Gremlins film is undoubtedly the better watch, the trading cards for its sequel outshine the first set. Notably, they’re the only ones to feature multiple cards highlighting a scene where film critic Leonard Maltin is overwhelmed by furious mogwai. A must-collect for any cinephile.
12. Tron
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Even a futuristic film like Tron found its way into trading cards, with some wax packs including sleek lightcycle stickers to decorate your belongings. Better yet, the cards offered tips for mastering the Tron video game. Perhaps it’s time to dust off your old console and finally claim victory.
13. Garbage Pail Kids
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No discussion of '80s and '90s trading card mania is complete without mentioning the Garbage Pail Kids series, a parody of Cabbage Patch Kids that began as a card set. These cards were ubiquitous, and you can still find entire boxes online, in thrift stores, or at flea markets. If you grew up in the '80s or '90s with a love for gross-out humor, chances are the Garbage Pail Kids played a role in shaping your sense of humor.
14. Back to the Future II
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Is there a more iconic wax pack than the Back to the Future II version? It has everything—cards, stickers, bubble gum, all neatly packaged with the assurance of a “hit movie!” brand. The set included scenes from the film, catchy quotes, and numbered cards to keep track of your collection. (After all, numbering is crucial in a movie about the complexities of time travel.)
15. Jurassic Park
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Fans of '90s cinema still hold Jurassic Park in high regard, and Topps’ multiple card sets capture that nostalgia perfectly. Some packs even included “action hologram” cards, adding a reflective twist. While not everyone scored a hologram, the wax packs were packed with movie scenes, character cards, and behind-the-scenes glimpses to satisfy any dinosaur enthusiast.
16. Cyndi Lauper
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The reason behind Cyndi Lauper’s 1985 33-card trading set remains a mystery, but the vibrant cards are undeniably real. Despite the understated pink, black, and white packaging, the cards inside are bursting with color. Fans were treated to more than just gum and cards—each pack included three stickers, adding an extra layer of fun.
17. Indiana Jones
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While numerous Indiana Jones trading card sets exist, Topps’ original run remains unmatched. The classic wax packs featured hand-drawn artwork, gum, stickers, and cards filled with movie scenes and character portraits. For true fans, completing the collection with Raiders and Temple of Doom cards is the ultimate treasure hunt.
18. Howard the Duck
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While Howard the Duck is often regarded as one of the worst comic book adaptations, its wax pack boldly claims the cards inside are from a “new hit movie!” Sure, Howard, keep dreaming. (The pack includes the usual movie cards, stickers, and gum, though blowing bubbles with a beak might be a challenge.)
19. Creature Feature
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The Creature Feature set is most famous for its 1973 release, but the iconic monsters received a modern update in a 1980 series. Classic villains like Frankenstein’s monster, the Mummy, and the Phantom of the Opera were featured in Topps’ large packs, each containing one sticker, a piece of bubble gum, and 12 photo cards. It’s okay to scream—whether from excitement or fear.
20. E.T.
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Unfortunately, these packs didn’t include Reese’s Pieces—just the usual bubble gum. Each E.T. wax pack contained ten cards and one sticker, blending emotional moments (like “Michael’s Farewell”) with quirky filler (such as E.T. looking bewildered with the caption “Stranded!”). A must-have for Spielberg enthusiasts, these cards are worth reaching out for.
21. Return to Oz
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Hopefully, the trauma from this strange Wizard of Oz sequel has faded, allowing you to appreciate these trading cards. Wait, no—still too soon. Nightmares of pumpkin heads, visions of “wheelers,” and a desperate longing to return to Kansas are all signs you might be holding one of these wax packs. Proceed with caution.
22. Beetlejuice
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The cult classic Beetlejuice inspired a quirky animated series, which led to an equally eccentric set of trading cards. Each pack contained five cards and one standout glow-in-the-dark sticker, perfect for decorating your “Handbook for the Recently Deceased.”
23. Nintendo Game Pack
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What a clever scheme! Each five-card pack contained three scratch-off game pieces and two stickers, targeting both Nintendo owners (with gameplay tips) and non-owners (why else would you need a Mario scratcher?). While the concept seemed brilliant (especially for Nintendo), what were buyers supposed to do with the scratched-off cards afterward? They were one-time use only.
24. Dune
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The 1984 Dune film adaptation may have flopped, but the Fleer trading cards remain a standout piece of movie memorabilia. Despite the film’s modern ambitions, the wax packs are a quintessential example of the classic formula—ten cards, one sticker, and a piece of gum. Timeless.
25. Pac-Man
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While the 1980 Pac-Man trading cards commit some wax pack sins—like rub-off games, too few cards, and requiring familiarity with the game—they’re redeemed by one thing: adorable stickers. Think tiny munching Pac-Men, spooky ghosts, and witty captions, with two stickers per pack. Totally worth it.
