Two pop-culture comfort zones are colliding in the best way this spring: Basic Fun! has teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to launch a Harry Potter x Care Bears plush collection celebrating Harry Potter’s 25th Anniversary in 2026.

The crossover brings Hogwarts house pride to Care-A-Lot, with limited-edition Care Bears styled for Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin—built for collectors, longtime fans, and anyone who wants a little extra loyalty, compassion, and friendship on their shelf (or in their arms).

What’s in the Harry Potter x Care Bears collection?

The collection arrives in two sizes, each packed with house-specific details and anniversary touches.

12-inch Plush Hoodie Assortment

These larger bears come dressed for maximum cozy: super-soft mascot hoodies, Hogwarts house robes, and iconic house scarves in matching colors.

• Gryffindor House Tenderheart Bear
• Hufflepuff House Love-a-Lot Bear
• Ravenclaw House Wish Bear
• Slytherin House Grumpy Bear

Each 12-inch bear also features the Harry Potter 25th anniversary logo on their paw.

MSRP: $17.99 each (or $34.99 for a 2-pack)

8-inch House Bears Plush Assortment

Smaller, collectible, and ready for adventures, the 8-inch “besties” include house robes, scarves, and a house crest, plus a paw design that blends classic Care Bears charm with the Harry Potter anniversary mark.

• Gryffindor House Tenderheart Bear
• Hufflepuff House Funshine Bear
• Ravenclaw House Grumpy Bear
• Slytherin House Good Luck Bear

MSRP: $9.99 each

Why this crossover works

Basic Fun! says the goal was to connect two worlds that already share a common thread: comfort, imagination, and characters that fans stick with for decades.

“As the iconic Harry Potter franchise celebrates 25 Years of Magic, in honor of the first film in the series, we are beyond excited to connect the worlds of Care-A-Lot and Hogwarts for an enchanting crossover that’s rich in character details and filled with heart,” said Lisa Doiron, Vice President of Global Brand Marketing at Basic Fun!

Cloudco Entertainment echoed that multi-generational appeal.

“Care Bears and Harry Potter have a unique ability to connect with fans of all ages,” said Robert Prinzo, Head of Global Licensing at Cloudco Entertainment. “Bringing them together was a fun and meaningful way to celebrate imagination, magic, and the comfort these brands have offered for decades.”

When and where to buy

According to the announcement, the Harry Potter x Care Bears plush are launching worldwide this spring, rolling out at retailers across North America, the UK, and the EU. Fans can also find them at major toy retailers starting this month.

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For updates, follow @CareBears.

The bigger picture: 25 years of Harry Potter magic

The plush drop lands during a milestone year for the franchise, which continues to expand across films, stage productions, games, location-based experiences, and consumer products—with an HBO Original TV series based on the Harry Potter books also on the way.

If you’re the type who still knows your house without thinking about it—or you grew up with belly badges and Care-A-Lot life lessons—this collection feels like a collectible love letter to both.

More info: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/basic-fun-debuts-care-bears-harry-potter-collection-302654587.html

Welcome, my fellow merrymakers, to the wacky wonderland of Festivus! This offbeat holiday originated in the sitcom Seinfeld, and boy, did it strike a chord with the anti-Christmas crowd.

Picture this: it’s December 23rd, and instead of decking the halls with boughs of holly, you’re airing your grievances with Uncle Bob’s questionable fashion choices. Festivus encourages us to unleash our inner grumps, letting loose a torrent of complaints that would make even the Grinch proud.

The Story Of Festivus | Seinfeld

But wait, there’s more! Prepare for the “Feats of Strength,” where you can prove your dominance in a wrestling match against Aunt Mildred. Who knew family gatherings could double as a WWE smackdown?

Despite its fictional origins, Festivus has somehow clawed its way into reality, gaining a cult following of merry misfits. In a world of reindeer sweaters and fruitcake disasters, this holiday offers a refreshing alternative—no tree decorating, no excessive gift-giving, just pure, unadulterated weirdness.

So, this December 23rd, don your Festivus pole, gather your loved ones, and let the grievances flow like a broken faucet. Embrace the absurdity, revel in the laughter, and remember: Festivus isn’t just a holiday; it’s a state of mind. Happy Festivus, you magnificent oddballs!

When the 1997 disaster film Volcano depicted lava erupting along Wilshire Boulevard and referenced blasting during Red Line subway construction, it delivered gripping cinema — but not accurate engineering.

In reality, Los Angeles Metro did not rely on large-scale blasting to construct subway tunnels beneath Wilshire Boulevard and the Miracle Mile. Instead, engineers used tunnel boring machines (TBMs) specifically to avoid the very risks Hollywood dramatized.

Why Blasting Was Avoided

The Wilshire Corridor sits atop historic oil fields, making methane gas pockets a known and serious concern. A deadly methane explosion near Fairfax Avenue in 1985 led to heightened scrutiny of underground construction in the area. Blasting in such conditions could have caused unpredictable gas releases, ground instability, or damage to surface structures.

As a result, Metro engineers chose pressurized, closed-face tunnel boring machines, which allow for:

• Controlled excavation in dense urban environments

• Continuous ground support to prevent settlement

• Integrated gas detection and ventilation systems

These machines grind slowly through soil and rock while installing precast concrete tunnel linings, creating a sealed, gas-resistant structure as they advance.

The Real Engineering Feat

Although Volcano took creative liberties for dramatic effect, the true story of tunneling under Wilshire is no less impressive. Advances in TBM technology and methane mitigation ultimately allowed the Metro D Line (formerly the Red Line/Purple Line) to safely pass through one of Los Angeles’ most geologically complex corridors — without explosions, collapsing streets, or cinematic chaos.

Bottom Line

Volcano remains a memorable piece of 1990s disaster cinema, but its portrayal of subway construction is fiction. The real achievement lies in decades of careful planning, modern tunneling technology, and engineering solutions that quietly reshaped Los Angeles beneath its busiest boulevard.

Related Links:

• LA Metro – D Line (Purple Line) Extension Project
• Engineering News-Record: Tunneling Through Gas and Tar in LA
• Los Angeles Times Archive: Methane Risk and Subway Construction

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