For generations of shoppers, a trip to Toys “R” Us meant aisles packed with action figures, dolls, games, and the latest must-have toys. Now, nearly a decade after the retailer’s U.S. stores disappeared following bankruptcy, the familiar toy chain is preparing for a much bigger return.
According to USA Today, Toys “R” Us announced plans to open 120 new standalone stores across the United States during the 2026 holiday season. The expansion will dramatically increase the company’s physical presence and give longtime shoppers another chance to experience the toy store outside its existing locations and shops inside Macy’s.
Toys R Us Coming Back With 120 New Locations
The new openings will increase the number of standalone Toys “R” Us stores in the U.S. from 40 to 160. The company has not yet revealed the full list of locations or individual opening dates, but it plans to welcome holiday shoppers looking for toys, collectibles, and gifts.
Shoppers can expect products from familiar brands and franchises, including LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokémon, and K-Pop Demon Hunters. Select locations will also feature cafés and candy shops. Some stores will introduce Creator Studios, giving influencers, brands, and content creators spaces to film, reveal products, and host special events.
The Beloved Toy Chain Has Been Rebuilding for Years
The latest expansion adds another chapter to a comeback that once seemed unlikely. Toys “R” Us filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2017 while carrying roughly $5 billion in debt. The company later liquidated its U.S. business and closed its remaining domestic stores the following year. Toys “R” We returned to physical retail in 2019 with smaller stores, though both later closed. After WHP Global acquired the brand in 2021, it expanded again with a flagship at American Dream and shops inside Macy’s stores nationwide.
Since then, the company has expanded into airports, Navy Exchange locations, and additional standalone stores. For anyone who remembers wandering through a giant Toys “R” Us as a child, seeing Toys R Us coming back on this scale carries a little extra nostalgia. The stores may look different from the sprawling locations many shoppers remember, but the brand is once again trying to make the toy-store experience part of the holiday season.