18 Of The Most Memorable Lunchboxes From The 1970s

Lunchboxes in the 1970s weren’t just containers for PB&J sandwiches but status symbols in school cafeterias across America. These metal treasure chests featured the hottest TV shows, movies, and cartoon characters of the decade.

For kids growing up during this groovy era, your lunchbox choice made a bold statement about your personality and pop culture preferences.

1. The Star Wars Galaxy Fighter

Before Baby Yoda merch flooded stores, the original Star Wars lunchbox reigned supreme in school cafeterias. Released after the 1977 blockbuster, this rectangular tin featured Luke, Leia, and Darth Vader against a starry background.

Kids would proudly display their Jedi allegiance while munching on space-themed treats. The matching thermos often disappeared faster than the Millennium Falcon making the Kessel Run.

2. The Six Million Dollar Man’s Bionic Briefcase

Faster, stronger, and definitely cooler than regular lunchboxes! Steve Austin’s bionic adventures fueled playground imaginations nationwide. The artwork captured Lee Majors in mid-action, with circuits and gadgets decorating the borders.

Boys would make that iconic slow-motion sound while opening their lunch. Complete with a red thermos featuring Steve’s determined face, this lunchbox proved we had the technology to make lunchtime awesome.

3. Charlie’s Angels Crime-Fighting Carrier

Girl power packed into portable form! This pastel-colored sensation showcased Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith striking their signature poses. Every detail screamed ’70s glam – from the feathered hairstyles to the bell-bottom outfits.

Young fans would trade sandwich halves just to be associated with these iconic detectives. The matching thermos featured the Angels’ silhouettes, making hydration suddenly mysterious and exciting.

4. The Partridge Family’s Musical Mealtime Box

Lunch with a side of bubblegum pop! The Partridge Family lunchbox transformed cafeteria tables into concert venues. Featuring David Cassidy’s dreamy smile front and center, surrounded by his musical TV family, this box caused many preteen sighs.

The psychedelic painted bus design wrapped around all sides, creating a 360-degree fan experience. Thermos bottles were often cherished by devoted admirers practicing their future Mrs. Cassidy signatures.

5. The Incredible Hulk’s Angry Appetite Container

HULK SMASH… hunger pangs! This gamma-ray green lunchbox featured Lou Ferrigno’s muscular alter-ego mid-transformation. Kids with this box enjoyed instant playground credibility – nobody messes with someone carrying the Hulk.

The dramatic artwork showed buildings crumbling and people fleeing as the not-so-jolly green giant unleashed his rage. Parents secretly hoped the message wasn’t “get angry when hungry,” but children loved the rebellious vibe.

6. The Fonzie Cool Factor Carrier

Aaaay! The Fonz brought his leather-jacketed coolness to lunchrooms everywhere with this Happy Days hit. Henry Winkler’s thumbs-up pose dominated the front, promising lunch periods as cool as Arnold’s Drive-In.

Richie, Potsie and the gang appeared in supporting roles around the edges. The thermos typically featured the malt shop jukebox or Fonzie’s motorcycle. Just owning this lunchbox automatically made you part of the cool crowd – no actual coolness required.

7. The Planet of the Apes Simian Snack Box

Monkey business never looked so serious! This apocalyptic lunchbox featured Cornelius, Dr. Zaius, and other ape characters in their dystopian glory. The detailed artwork captured mounted ape soldiers patrolling beaches and hunting humans.

Kids with this box enjoyed explaining the complex movie plot to confused friends. The matching thermos usually depicted the Statue of Liberty scene – accidentally spoiling the movie’s twist ending for generations of children who hadn’t seen it yet.

8. The Dukes of Hazzard’s General Lee Lunch Carrier

Yeehaw for lunchtime! This orange-dominated box featured Bo and Luke Duke sliding across the General Lee’s hood – their signature move captured in tin.

The Confederate flag-topped Dodge Charger raced around all sides of the box, perpetually outrunning Boss Hogg, though the flag is now controversial.

Daisy Duke appeared in her iconic shorts, causing many young hearts to flutter. The thermos typically featured Uncle Jesse dispensing country wisdom or Cooter with his tow truck. Just owning this box made ordinary cafeteria tables feel like Hazzard County.

9. The Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine Munchies Box

Zoinks! This groovy green and blue box let kids solve mysteries between math and social studies. The famous cartoon Great Dane and his teenage detective friends appeared mid-chase, usually running from some masked villain.

The psychedelic Mystery Machine van wrapped around the sides, representing freedom and adventure. The thermos invariably featured Scooby and Shaggy demolishing improbably tall sandwiches.

Scooby Snacks not included, but strongly suggested as the appropriate lunch contents.

10. The Bionic Woman’s Super-Powered Snack Carrier

Jamie Sommers kicked lunchtime into high gear with her action-packed metal box. Lindsay Wagner’s athletic pose dominated the front, often depicted using her bionic hearing or leaping impossible distances.

The sides featured circuit boards and computer readouts that supposedly powered her superhuman abilities. The matching thermos displayed close-ups of her bionic ear in action.

This lunchbox became especially popular after the Six Million Dollar Man version, proving girls could be just as bionic as boys.

11. The Emergency! Rescue Rations Box

Sound the sirens – it’s lunchtime! This adrenaline-pumping box featured paramedics Roy DeSoto and Johnny Gage racing to save lives. The bright red design mirrored their emergency vehicles, complete with flashing lights and rescue equipment.

Hospital scenes showed Dr. Brackett and Nurse Dixie providing medical wisdom. The thermos often resembled an oxygen tank or featured the squad’s dispatch radio.

This box inspired countless future healthcare workers who practiced CPR on unsuspecting stuffed animals.

12. The Kung Fu Fighting Lunch Master

Grasshopper, what is the sound of one sandwich unwrapping? David Carradine’s philosophical martial artist brought Eastern mysticism to Western lunchrooms with this serene yet powerful box.

Kwai Chang Caine appeared in his trademark monk robes, often in mid-kick against multiple opponents. Flashback scenes to the Shaolin temple decorated the sides. The thermos resembled a bamboo water carrier, completing the Zen aesthetic.

Many kids attempted slow-motion fighting moves while carrying it.

13. The Banana Splits Animal Band Lunchbox

One banana, two banana, three banana, LUNCH! This psychedelic sensation featured Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky – the costume-wearing animal musicians who dominated Saturday mornings. Their colorful antics covered every inch of this trippy tin.

The Splits’ Banana Buggy raced around the edges, promising adventure between bites of your sandwich. The thermos typically showed the gang playing instruments or riding theme park rides.

This box practically guaranteed your lunch would be as wild as their show.

14. The Land of the Lost Dinosaur Dinner Box

Prehistoric lunch adventures awaited kids with this sci-fi Saturday morning favorite! The Marshall family appeared running from pursuing dinosaurs and lizard-like Sleestaks across a vividly colored prehistoric landscape.

Holly, Will, and their father Rick navigated crystal pylons and jungle terrain on all sides of the box. The thermos often featured Chaka, their friendly Pakuni companion, or the family’s cave dwelling.

15. The Muppet Show Meal Madness

It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights… and eat lunch! Jim Henson’s felt superstars brought their variety show chaos to this wildly popular box. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and the whole gang appeared as if mid-performance.

The iconic theater stage framed the characters on the front, while backstage antics decorated the sides. Muppet Show fans would recreate their favorite sketches using sandwich parts.

16. The Space:1999 Cosmic Cuisine Carrier

Future food storage from a past vision of the future! This sci-fi spectacular featured Commander Koenig and the crew of Moonbase Alpha drifting through space after a nuclear disaster.

The sleek Eagles spacecraft zoomed across a starry background, while alien landscapes decorated the sides. The thermos resembled a futuristic life support system or communication device.

This sophisticated lunchbox appealed to older kids who considered themselves too mature for cartoon boxes.

17. The Welcome Back, Kotter Classroom Cuisine

Up your nose with a rubber hose – and a sandwich too! This classroom comedy sensation featured John Travolta and the Sweathogs bringing their Brooklyn attitude to lunchrooms nationwide.

Mr. Kotter’s wise-cracking students dominated the front, usually mid-prank or comeback. The teacher himself appeared trying to maintain order despite their antics. The thermos typically showcased Vinnie Barbarino’s signature confused expression or Horshack’s enthusiastic hand-raising.

18. The Waltons Country Kitchen Carrier

Good night, John-Boy – and good lunch! This wholesome Depression-era family brought their mountain values to metal form. The entire Walton clan appeared on the front porch of their farmhouse, radiating rural charm and family togetherness.

Grandma and Grandpa Walton featured prominently, dispensing wisdom between sandwiches. The thermos resembled a mason jar or milk bottle.

This lunchbox appealed to parents hoping their children would absorb the show’s strong family values along with their milk and cookies.