Back in the 1990s, Beanie Babies were everywhere. And Beanie Baby fever was alive and well. The latest film from Apple TV+ looks at the craze, but moreso three women who were integral to the Beanie Baby revolution.

In the film we meet Robbie (Elizabeth Banks), who in the 1980s is trapped in a loveless marriage and a dead-end job when she meets Ty Warner (Zach Galifianakis). Together, they launch a toy company—Ty—that erupts in long-term success.

Next, in the 1990s, we meet a pair of women who were integral to the Beanie Babies. First is Maya (Geraldine Viswanathan), who starts as a college student and a part-time receptionist but soon becomes a part of the online marketing that leads to the rapid rise. The second is Sheila (Sarah Snook), a single mother of two girls who provide some of the early inspiration for the toys.

The film bounces along about a 16 year-period from the early 1980s to the late 1990s. It focuses on telling these stories, showing how they intersect and how all three women were integral in the success of the brand, yet often forgotten by history.

The performances here are solid. Galifianakis is the thread that connects the stories and is sufficiently strange and at times vindictive as Ty. The female leads all do a nice job in their roles, though the standout for me was Viswanathan, who has some interesting moments as Maya.

The look of the film is solid, exploring the fashions of the 1980s and 1990s. The story moved at a good pace and the way the interwoven narratives were told made it easy to follow.

Overall, the film was an interesting look behind the scenes of the craze, focusing on the people who brought it to life and played a role in its demise. Apple TV+ has had a strong year for original films and this is a nice addition to the lineup. It’s worth checking out for those who are interested in learning more about the Beanie Baby craze.

The Beanie Bubble is now streaming on Apple TV+

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.