Skip to Content

Holy Lunchtime, Batman! Fun, Vintage Lunchboxes

Ah, nostalgia. Do you remember the lunchbox you carried to school as a child? Check out some of our favorite lunchboxes from back in the day, plus a few cool recipes inspired by them.
McDonalds
Courtesy of Lunchboxes.com
Do you remember the lunchbox you carried to school as a child? Check out some of our favorite lunchboxes from back in the day, plus a few cool recipes inspired by them.Still feeling nostalgic? Take a trip with this retro candy from way back when, and if you're currently in the market for back-to-school gear, check out this roundup of the best lunchboxes for kids.
1

Cool and Classic

McDonalds
Courtesy of Lunchboxes.com
First came brown paper lunch bags — and smashed sandwiches and bananas with them. Then came the mighty lunchbox, wherein kids could protected their eats with looks that showcased their favorite pop-culture characters. From The Beatles to your favorite soda (Pepsi or Coke?), these lunch boxes are too good to let go.
2

Raggedy Ann and Andy

Raggedy-Ann-and-Andy
Erin KKR/Flickr

Inseparable siblings Raggedy Ann and Andy were one of the cutest brother-sister pairs break out of illustrated books onto big and small screens alike — and school gear, too. With their bright red hair and triangle noses, Raggedy Ann and Andy have been charming children since the 1920s, thanks to author Johnny Gruelle.

Related Recipe: Sausage Calzones

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Batman

Batman
Courtesy of Treasures From Paul's Basement/Flickr

Holy awesome lunchbox, Batman! The trusty sidekick Robin cheers from the wings as Batman takes care of business. We imagine many lunchtime capers inspired by this dynamic duo.

Related Recipe: BLT Burgers

4

The Beatles

The Beatles
Pam Sosnowski/GoRetro.Blogspot.Com

Hard to believe, but there was a time before The Jonas Brothers! John, Paul, Ringo, and George were the undisputed heartthrobs of the 1960s, and their likeness could be found everywhere, from album covers to t-shirts to cute, vintage lunchboxes. Surely you were the most popular girl at school if your lunch was being protected by this famous foursome.

Related Recipe: Rise and Shine

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola
Courtesy of Retro-Planet.com

It doesn't get more classic than the Coca-Cola logo. The images on this amazing lunchbox take us back to the 1950s, when drinking soda at the drive-through and diners were all the rage.

Related Recipe: Pigs in a Blanket

6

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss
Sarah Brooks/Flickr

Green eggs and ham, anyone? Unfortunately Dr. Seuss never got around to publishing a cookbook, but if he had, we surely be looking for this recipe to carry in our lunchboxes!

Related Recipe: Green Eggs and Ham Frittata

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

The Munsters

Munsters
Courtesy of Treasures From Paul's Basement/Flickr

This lunchbox is to die for! This classic depiction features the fabulously eccentric family in their sprawling convertible — on their way to a deliciously spooky family meal, no doubt.

Related Recipe: Bug Salad

8

Peanuts

Peanuts
Sarah Brooks/Flickr

Good grief! What will Snoopy get into next? Hopefully not your lunch!

Related Recipes: Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry with Peanuts

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Pepsi

Pepsi
Table4Five/Flickr

Before Britney Spears was paid to endorse Pepsi-cola, the brand relied on their signature design and on advertising like this bright red, white, and blue lunchbox to "hit the spot." Classic and patriotic, you had no choice but to pack a can of Pepsi inside.

Related Recipe: Chicken Fingers

10

The Smurfs

Smurfs
April Grifus/Flickr

They're Les Schtroumpfs in French, Los Pitufos in Spanish, and De Smurfen in Dutch. Whichever way you say it, this Smurfs lunchbox is too cute for words! Kids carrying their eats in this knew lunch was "not far now!"

Related Recipe: Salami and Cream Cheese Sandwich

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Star Wars

Electronic device, Technology, Display device, Gadget, Space, Multimedia, Square, Communication Device,
Bill Jackson/Flickr

No, this lil' lunch box doesn't double as a spaceship, but it probably did get your older brothers and sisters through a few nerdy years of Junior High School.

Related Recipe: Martha Stewart's Meat Loaf Sandwiches

12

Superman

Superman
Sarah Brooks/Flickr

Here he is, the Man of Steel, coming to the rescue of children suffering through boring bologna sandwiches everywhere!

Related Recipe: Quinoa Salad with Sugar Snap Peas

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Ronald McDonald

McDonalds
Courtesy of Lunchboxes.com

Your favorite big-shoe-wearin' redhead takes sandwiches to the next level with this cute lunchbox. Looks like he's loungin' with his old pal Birdie the Early Bird way out West on this classic box that came with a thermos. A happy meal, indeed.

Related Recipe: Classic Hamburger

Watch Next 
preview for Watch Our Newest Videos
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below