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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K



(Mark One)

[X] Annual report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.

[_] Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _________
to _________.


Commission File Number 001-05647
- ---------------------------------


MATTEL, INC.
------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware 95-1567322
- ---------------------------------- -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)



333 Continental Boulevard, El Segundo, California 90245-5012
- ------------------------------------------------- ----------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


(Registrant's telephone number) (310) 252-2000
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
- ------------------- ---------------------

Common stock, $1 par value (and New York Stock Exchange
the associated Preference Pacific Stock Exchange
Share Purchase Rights)

6-7/8% Senior Notes Due 1997 New York Stock Exchange

6-3/4% Senior Notes Due 2000 (None)



Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

(NONE)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [_]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statement incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment of this Form 10-K. [_]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant as of the close of business on March 14, 1997 was $7,086,336,967.

Number of shares outstanding of registrant's common stock as of March 14, 1997:
Common Stock - $1 par value -- 271,247,348 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

1. Portions of the Mattel, Inc. Annual Report to Shareholders for the year
ended December 31, 1996 (Incorporated into Parts I, II and IV).

2. Portions of the Mattel, Inc. 1997 Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
and Proxy Statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
within 120 days after the close of the registrant's fiscal year
(Incorporated into Part III).

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PART I
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
- ------- --------

Mattel, Inc. designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad
variety of toy products on a worldwide basis. The Company's business is
dependent in great part on its ability each year to redesign, restyle and
extend existing core products and product lines and to design and develop
innovative new toys and product lines. New products have limited lives,
ranging from one to three years, and generally must be updated and
refreshed each year.

Core brands have historically provided the company with relatively
stable growth. The Company's principal core brands are: i) BARBIE fashion
dolls and doll clothing and accessories; ii) FISHER-PRICE toys and juvenile
products, including the POWER WHEELS line of battery-powered, ride-on
vehicles; iii) the Company's Disney-licensed toys; and iv) HOT WHEELS
vehicles and playsets; each of which has broad worldwide appeal.
Additional product lines consist of large dolls, including CABBAGE PATCH
KIDS; preschool toys, including SEE `N SAY talking toys; the UNO and SKIP-
BO card games; the SCRABBLE game, which the Company owns in markets outside
of the United States and Canada; and other toy products. Revenues for 1996
of $3.8 billion were a record level for the Company.

For 1997 and beyond, the Company plans to focus on those brands which
have fundamental play patterns and worldwide appeal, are sustainable, and
will deliver consistent profitability. Rather than only four core brands,
emphasis will be placed upon six core categories of expertise. These
categories are: Fashion Dolls (BARBIE); Infant and Preschool (FISHER-
PRICE, Disney and SEE `N SAY); Entertainment (Disney and Nickelodeon);
Wheels (HOT WHEELS); Large Dolls (CABBAGE PATCH KIDS); and Small Dolls
(POLLY POCKET). Consummation of the proposed merger with Tyco Toys, Inc.
("Tyco"), which is discussed in detail below and in Note 7 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements, will add, among other brands, SESAME
STREET characters, MAGNA DOODLE and VIEW-MASTER to the Infant and Preschool
category and MATCHBOX, Tyco Electric Racing and Tyco Radio Control to the
Wheels category.

As used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, "Mattel" or the
"Company" refers to Mattel, Inc., and its subsidiaries, and "Fisher-Price"
refers to Fisher-Price, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Mattel.

Mattel was incorporated in California in 1948 and reincorporated in
Delaware in 1968. Its executive offices are located at 333 Continental
Boulevard, El Segundo, California 90245-5012, telephone (310) 252-2000.


2


COMPETITION AND INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
- -----------------------------------

Competition in the toy industry is based primarily on price, quality
and play value. In recent years, the toy industry has experienced rapid
consolidation driven, in part, by the desire of industry competitors to
offer a range of products across a broader variety of categories. In the
United States, the Company competes with several large toy companies,
including Hasbro, Inc. and Tyco Toys, Inc., as well as a number of smaller
toy companies. (See "Significant Events.") The larger toy companies have
pursued a strategy of focusing on core product lines. Core product lines
are those lines which are expected to be marketed for an extended period of
time, and which historically have provided relatively consistent growth in
sales and profitability. By focusing on core product lines, toy
manufacturers have been able to reduce their reliance on new product
introductions and the associated risk and volatility. The juvenile
products market, in which Fisher-Price is one of the leading companies, is
more fragmented. The more significant competitors in this area include:
Gerry Baby Products Company; Century Products Company; Graco Children's
Products, Inc.; Cosco, Inc.; and Evenflo Juvenile Furniture Company, Inc.

The toy industry is also experiencing a shift toward greater
consolidation of retail distribution channels, such as large specialty toy
stores and discount retailers, including Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Kmart and
Target, which have increased their overall share of the retail market.
This consolidation has resulted in an increased reliance among retailers on
the large toy companies because of their financial stability and ability to
support products through advertising and promotion and to distribute
products on a national basis. These retailers' growing acceptance of
electronic data interchange has provided toy manufacturers with an ability
to more closely monitor consumers' acceptance of a particular product or
product line.

Over the last ten years, toy companies based in the United States have
expanded their international marketing and manufacturing operations. The
Company believes a strong international distribution system can add
significantly to the sales volume of core product lines and extend the life
cycles of newly-developed products.


SEASONALITY
- -----------

Sales of toy products at retail are seasonal, with a majority of
retail sales occurring during the period from September through December.
Consequently, shipments of toy products to retailers are greater in the
third and fourth quarters than in each of the first and second quarters
combined. As the large toy retailers become more efficient in their
control of inventory levels, this seasonality is increasing.

In anticipation of this seasonal increase in retail sales, the Company
significantly increases its production in advance of the peak selling
period, resulting in a corresponding build-up of inventory levels in the
first three quarters of the year. In addition, the Company and others in
the industry develop sales programs, including offering extended payment
terms, to encourage retailers to purchase merchandise earlier in the year.
These sales programs, coupled with seasonal shipping patterns, result in
significant peaks in the third and fourth quarters in the respective levels
of inventories and accounts receivable, which contribute to a seasonal
working capital financing requirement. See "Seasonal Financing."


3


PRODUCTS
- --------

The Company has achieved consistent sales and earnings growth by
focusing on a number of core brands supplemented by various new product
introductions. The Company's principal core brands are BARBIE fashion
dolls and doll clothing and accessories; FISHER-PRICE toys and juvenile
products, including the POWER WHEELS line of battery-powered, ride-on
vehicles; the Company's Disney-licensed toys; and HOT WHEELS vehicles and
playsets, each of which has broad worldwide appeal. Additional product
lines consist of large dolls, including CABBAGE PATCH KIDS; preschool toys,
including SEE 'N SAY talking toys; the UNO and SKIP-BO games; the SCRABBLE
game, which the Company owns in markets outside of the United States and
Canada; and other toy products. Core brands are expected to be marketed
for an extended period of time and historically have provided relatively
consistent growth in sales and profitability. For the year ended December
31, 1996, principal core brands accounted for approximately 87% of gross
sales. In order to provide greater flexibility in the manufacture and
delivery of products, and as part of a continuing effort to reduce
manufacturing costs, the Company has concentrated production of most of its
core brands in Company-owned facilities and generally uses independent
contractors for the production of non-core products.

With respect to new product introductions, the Company's strategy is
to begin production on a limited basis until a product's initial success
has been proven in the marketplace. The production schedule is then
modified to meet anticipated demand. The Company further limits its risk
by generally having independent contractors manufacture new product lines
in order to minimize capital expenditures associated with new product
introductions. This strategy has reduced inventory risk and significantly
limited the potential loss associated with new product introductions.

New product introductions in 1996 included Olympic Gymnast BARBIE
[registered trademark] doll, Songbird BARBIE [registered trademark] doll,
SHOPPIN' FUN [trademark] BARBIE [registered trademark] and KELLY
[registered trademark] dolls, BARBIE [registered trademark] DREAM HOUSE
[registered trademark] Playset, a Victorian-style fold-up house, the addition
of a series of plush puppies and a Cruella DeVil fashion doll based on the live
action feature "101 Dalmations" to the Company's Disney line, HOT WHEELS
[registered trademark] MEGA RIG [trademark], a construction vehicle that
transforms into a construction site with working vehicles and play accessories,
CONSTRUX [registered trademark] building sets, BARBIE [trademark] FASHION
DESIGNER [trademark] CD ROM, FISHER-PRICE [registered trademark] WONDER TOOLS
[trademark] and FISHER-PRICE [registered trademark] CREATIVE EFFECTS [trademark]
instant camera and various children's products such as three-wheel strollers.

New product introductions planned for 1997 include WORKIN' OUT [trademark]
BARBIE [registered trademark] doll with special suction-cup shoes,
Dentist BARBIE [registered trademark] doll, BARBIE [registered trademark]
CRUISIN' CAR [trademark] motorized car which runs in preset drive patterns,
MY VERY OWN [trademark] BARBIE [registered trademark] child size vanity,
Talking BARBIE [trademark] doll with interactive CD ROM, BARBIE [trademark]
computer screen saver CD ROM, CABBAGE PATCH KIDS [registered trademark]
BRUSHING TEETH BABY [trademark] with real tooth brush and liquid gel,
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss plush and puppets, the addition of a series
of fashion dolls and action figures based on the animated feature "Hercules"
to the Company's Disney line, the addition of a series of Disney and Dr. Seuss
themed puzzles to the Company's game brand, HOT WHEELS [registered trademark]
X-V RACERS [trademark] motorized vehicles with charger, FISHER-PRICE
[registered trademark] LITTLE PEOPLE [trademark] childrens play inside
schoolhouse, FISHER-PRICE [registered trademark] SIDE-BY-SIDE WAGON [trademark]
with seating for two children and FISHER- PRICE [registered trademark]
HIDEAWAY HOLLOW [trademark] forest-themed playsets with bunny family.


4


INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
- ------------------------

Revenues from the Company's international operations represented
approximately 37%, 39% and 40% of total consolidated revenues in 1996, 1995
and 1994, respectively. Generally, products marketed internationally are
the same as those marketed domestically, although some are developed or
adapted for particular international markets. The Company sells its
products directly through its marketing operations in Argentina, Australia,
Austria, the Benelux countries, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany,
Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Scandinavia, Spain,
Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, and in certain areas of Eastern
Europe and Asia. In addition to direct sales, the Company sells
principally through distributors in certain parts of Latin America, the
Middle East, South Africa and Southeast Asia. It also licenses some of its
products to other toy companies for sale in various other countries. See
"Licenses and Distribution Agreements."

The strength of the US dollar relative to other currencies can
significantly affect the revenues and profitability of the Company's
international operations. The Company enters into foreign currency forward
exchange contracts and swap agreements primarily as hedges of inventory
purchases, sales and other intercompany transactions denominated in foreign
currencies to limit the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the
Company's results of operations and cash flows. See "Financial
Instruments." For financial information by geographic area, see Note 8 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report to Shareholders,
incorporated herein by reference.


PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
- ------------------------------

Through its product design and development group, the Company
regularly refreshes, redesigns and extends existing product lines and
develops innovative new product lines. The Company's success is dependent
on its ability to continue this activity. Product design and development
are principally conducted by a group of professional designers and
engineers employed by the Company.

License agreements with third parties permit the Company to utilize
the trademark, character or product of the licensor in its product line. A
principal licensor is The Walt Disney Company, which licenses many of its
characters and entertainment properties for use on the Company's products.
The Company also has entered into license agreements with, among others,
the following: Viacom International Inc. relating to its Nickelodeon
properties; Bluebird Toys (UK) Ltd.; and Original Appalachian Artworks,
Inc. A number of these licenses relate to product lines that are
significant to the Company.

Independent toy designers and developers bring products to the Company
and are generally paid a royalty on the net selling price of products
licensed by the Company. These independent toy designers may also create
different products for other toy companies.


5


The Company devotes substantial resources to product design and
development. During the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the
Company expended approximately $126 million, $111 million and $93 million,
respectively, in connection with the design and development of products,
exclusive of royalty payments. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in the Annual Report to Shareholders, incorporated herein by
reference.


ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION
- -------------------------

The Company supports its product lines with extensive advertising and
consumer promotions. Advertising continues at varying levels throughout
the year and peaks during the Christmas season. Advertising includes
television and radio commercials and magazine and newspaper ads.
Promotions include in-store displays, coupons, merchandising materials and
major events focusing on products and tie-ins with various consumer product
companies. To further promote the Company and its products, the Company
participates in the attractions "It's A Small World" at Disneyland and Walt
Disney World and "Autopia" and "Storybook Land" at Disneyland Paris under a
ten and one-half year agreement with The Walt Disney Company. The Company
also participates in toy stores in Disneyland, near Disneyland Paris and in
the Disney Village Market Place near Walt Disney World. Separately, a
total of twenty-six BARBIE Boutiques are located in F.A.O. Schwarz toy
stores, including the "BARBIE on Madison" boutique at the F.A.O. Schwarz
flagship store in New York City.

During the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, Mattel spent
approximately $614 million (16% of net sales), $584 million (16% of net
sales) and $516 million (16% of net sales), respectively, on worldwide
advertising and promotion.


MARKETING AND SALES
- -------------------

The Company's toy products are sold throughout the world. In the
United States, the Company's products are distributed directly to large
retailers, including discount and free-standing toy stores, chain stores
and department stores, and other retail outlets and, to a limited extent,
to wholesalers. Discount and free-standing toy stores continue to increase
their market share. During the year ended December 31, 1996, Toys R Us and
Wal-Mart accounted for approximately 22% and 12%, respectively, of
worldwide consolidated net sales and were the only customers accounting for
10% or more of consolidated net sales.

In general, the Company's major domestic and international customers
review its product lines and product concepts for the upcoming year at
showings beginning in late summer. The Company also participates in the
domestic and international toy industry trade fairs in the first quarter of
the year. A majority of the full-year orders are received by May 1. As is
traditional in the toy industry, these orders may be canceled at any time
before they are shipped. Historically, the greater proportion of shipments
of products to retailers occurs during the third and fourth quarters of the
year. See "Seasonality."


6


Through its marketing research departments, the Company conducts basic
consumer research and product testing and monitors demographic factors and
trends. This information assists the Company in evaluating consumer
acceptance of products, including an analysis of increasing or decreasing
demand for its products.

The Company bases its production schedules on customer orders,
modified by historical trends, results of market research and current
market information. The actual shipments of products ordered and the order
cancellation rate are affected by consumer acceptance of the product line,
the strength of competing products, marketing strategies of retailers and
overall economic conditions. Unexpected changes in these factors can
result in a lack of product availability or excess inventory in a
particular product line.


MANUFACTURING
- -------------

The Company's products are manufactured in Company-owned facilities
and by independent contractors. Products are also purchased from unrelated
entities that design, develop and manufacture the products. In order to
provide greater flexibility in the manufacture and delivery of products,
and as part of a continuing effort to reduce manufacturing costs, the
Company has concentrated production of most of its core products in the
Company's facilities and generally uses independent contractors for the
production of non-core products.

Mattel's manufacturing facilities are located in the states of
California, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, and New York, and in the United
Kingdom, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Italy. The Company also
utilizes independent contractors to manufacture products in the United
States, Mexico, the Far East and Australia. To protect the stability of
its product supply, the Company produces many of its key products in more
than one facility.

All foreign countries in which the Company's products are manufactured
(principally China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Mexico) currently enjoy "most
favored nation" ("MFN") status under US tariff laws, which provides a
favorable category of US import duties. As a result of continuing concerns
in the United States Congress regarding China's human rights policies, and
disputes regarding Chinese trade policies, including the country's
inadequate protection of US intellectual property rights, there has been,
and may be in the future, opposition to the extension of MFN status for
China.

The loss of MFN status for China would result in a substantial
increase in the import duty for toys manufactured in China and imported
into the United States and would result in increased costs for the Company
and others in the toy industry. The impact of such an event on the Company
would be significantly mitigated by the Company's ability to source product
for the US market from countries other than China and ship product
manufactured in China to markets outside the US. Toward that end, the
Company has expanded its production capacity in other countries. A number
of other factors, including the Company's ability to pass along the added
costs through price increases and the pricing policies of vendors in China,
could further mitigate the impact of a loss of China's MFN status.


7


On February 8, 1994, the European Union ("EU") adopted quotas on the
importation of certain classes of toys (as well as other products)
manufactured in China. The impact of these quotas on the Company's
business has been significantly mitigated by shifts in demand in favor of
toy categories not subject to the quotas, and by the ability of the Company
to source product for the EU from countries other than China and ship
product manufactured in China elsewhere.

With the implementation of the Uruguay Round agreement effective
January 1, 1995, all US duties on dolls and traditional toys were
completely eliminated. Canada also eliminated its tariffs on dolls and
most toy categories in 1995, with the exception of certain toy sets and
board games which will have their duties eliminated over ten years.
Meanwhile, both the EU and Japan began implementing Uruguay Round tariff
reductions that, by 1999, will lower the tariffs on dolls by over 40% in
the EU and by 15% in Japan. The EU and Japan are fully eliminating tariffs
on several other toy categories over a period of ten years.


COMMITMENTS
- -----------

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual
arrangements to obtain and protect the Company's right to create and market
certain toys and for future purchases of goods and services to ensure
availability and timely delivery. Such arrangements include royalty
payments pursuant to licensing agreements and commitments for future
inventory purchases. Certain of these commitments routinely contain
provisions for guaranteed or minimum expenditures during the terms of the
contracts. Current and future commitments for guaranteed payments reflect
the Company's focus on expanding its product lines through alliances with
businesses in other industries, such as television and motion picture
entertainment companies. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Commitments" and Note 6 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report to Shareholders,
incorporated herein by reference.


LICENSES AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS
- ------------------------------------

The Company's level of licensing activity has expanded in recent
years. Royalty expense during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994 was approximately $121 million, $104 million and $84 million,
respectively. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the
Annual Report to Shareholders, incorporated herein by reference.

The Company also distributes products which are independently designed
and manufactured.

8


FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
- ---------------------

From time to time, the Company enters into foreign currency forward
exchange contracts and swap agreements primarily as hedges for payment of
inventory purchases, collection of sales and various other intercompany
transactions. The contracts are intended to fix a portion of the Company's
product cost and intercompany cash flows, and thereby moderate the impact
of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company does not trade in financial
instruments nor does it enter into contracts for speculative purposes.

For additional information regarding foreign currency contracts, see
"International Operations" above and Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in the Annual Report to Shareholders, incorporated herein by
reference.


SEASONAL FINANCING
- ------------------

The Company's financing of seasonal working capital typically grows
throughout the first half of the year and peaks in the third or fourth
quarter, when accounts receivable are at their highest due to increased
sales volume and Company sales programs, and when inventories are at their
highest in anticipation of expected second half sales volume. See
"Seasonality." Domestic borrowings for seasonal financing under the
Company's revolving credit agreement are generally repaid in full by year-
end from cash flows generated in the fourth quarter from sales and
collection of accounts receivable.

The Company maintains and periodically amends or replaces an unsecured
revolving credit agreement with a commercial bank group that is utilized to
finance the seasonal working capital requirements of its domestic and
certain international operations. The agreement in effect during 1996,
which was recently amended (see below), was renegotiated in the first
quarter of 1996 to increase the total facility to $800.0 million from
$650.0 million. Within the facility, up to $400.0 million was a standard
revolving credit line available for advances and backup for commercial
paper issuances (a five-year facility). Interest was charged at various
rates selected by the Company not greater than the base rate charged by the
agent bank, plus a commitment fee of up to .09% of the unused line
available for advances. The remaining $400.0 million (a five-year
facility) was available for nonrecourse purchases of certain trade accounts
receivable of the Company by the commercial bank group providing the credit
line. Outstanding receivables sold are reduced by collections and cannot
exceed the $400.0 million at any time. The agreement required the Company
to comply with certain financial covenants for consolidated debt-to-
capital, interest coverage and tangible net worth levels.

During 1996, the Company entered into and renewed agreements providing
for up to $140.0 million of nonrecourse purchases of certain trade accounts
receivable of the Company by a commercial bank at various purchase dates.


9


Effective in March 1997, the Company amended its revolving credit
agreement. The new agreement consists of unsecured facilities providing a
total of $1.0 billion in seasonal financing from substantially the same
group of commercial banks. The facilities provide for up to $600.0 million
in advances and backup for commercial paper issuances (a five-year
facility), and up to an additional $400.0 million (a five-year facility)
for nonrecourse purchases of certain trade accounts receivable by the bank
group. In connection with the agreement, the Company is to comply with
certain financial covenants for consolidated debt-to-capital and interest
coverage.

The Company believes the amounts available to it under its revolving
credit agreement and foreign credit lines will be adequate to meet its
seasonal financing requirements.


RAW MATERIALS
- -------------

Packaging materials, mostly plastics and zinc, which are essential to
the production and marketing of toy products, are currently in adequate
supply. These and other raw materials are generally available from a
number of suppliers.

After very volatile pricing in the resin and packaging industries in
1995, 1996 saw a return to pricing stability. While management believes
that resin and packaging prices have temporarily stabilized, there can be
no assurance that the volatility experienced in 1995 will not return,
resulting in a material impact on the Company's gross margins and earnings.


TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PATENTS
- -----------------------------------

Most of the Company's products are sold under trademarks, trade names
and copyrights and a number of those products incorporate patented devices
or designs. Trade names and trademarks are significant assets of the
Company in that they provide product recognition and acceptance worldwide.

The Company customarily seeks patent, trademark or copyright
protection covering its products, and it owns or has applications pending
for United States and foreign patents covering many of its products. A
number of these trademarks and copyrights relate to product lines that are
significant to the Company, and the Company believes its rights to these
properties are adequately protected.

The Company also licenses various of its trademarks, characters and
other property rights to others for use in connection with the sale by
others of non-toy and other products which do not compete with the
Company's products.


10


GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
- ----------------------

The Company's toys are subject to the provisions of the Consumer
Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Flammable
Fabrics Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Consumer
Product Safety Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act enable the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (the "CPSC") to exclude from the market
consumer products that fail to comply with applicable product safety
regulations or otherwise create a substantial risk of injury, and articles
that contain excessive amounts of a banned hazardous substance. The
Flammable Fabrics Act enables the CPSC to regulate and enforce flammability
standards for fabrics used in consumer products. The CPSC may also require
the repurchase by the manufacturer of articles which are banned. Similar
laws exist in some states and cities and in various international markets.

Fisher-Price's car seats are subject to the provisions of the National
Highway Transportation Safety Act, which enables the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") to promulgate performance standards
for child restraint systems. Fisher-Price conducts periodic tests to
ensure that its child restraint systems meet applicable standards. A
Canadian agency, Transport Canada, also regulates child restraint systems
sold for use in Canada. As with the CPSC, NHTSA and Transport Canada can
require the recall and repurchase or repair of products which do not meet
their respective standards.

The Company maintains a quality control program to ensure product
safety compliance with the various federal, state and international
requirements.


EFFECTS OF INFLATION
- --------------------

Inflation rates in the US and major foreign countries in which the
Company operates have not had a significant impact on operating results for
the three years ended December 31, 1996. The US Consumer Price Index
increased 3.3% in 1996, 2.5% in 1995, and 2.7% in 1994. The Company is
afforded some protection from the impact of inflation as a result of high
turnover of inventories and benefited from inflation on the repayment of
fixed-rate liabilities during these periods.


EMPLOYEES
- ---------

The total number of persons employed by the Company and its
subsidiaries at any one time varies because of the seasonal nature of its
manufacturing operations. At December 31, 1996, the Company's total number
of employees, including its international operations, was approximately
26,000.

11


SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
- ------------------

Accounting Matters
------------------

In connection with a review of Mattel's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1995, the staff of the Division of Corporation
Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission has made inquiries of
Mattel regarding its accounting for certain matters during 1994 and 1995.
In the course of that review, the staff identified two matters on which it
disagrees with Mattel on the application of generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") to Mattel's accounting treatment under certain
contracts with The Walt Disney Company ("Disney").

The first relates to the timing of accrual of minimum royalty
obligations to Disney under a contract relating to Mattel's sale of infant
and preschool toys based on Disney characters (the "I&P Agreement"). The
staff believes that under GAAP, Mattel should have accrued for a shortfall
in those obligations during 1994 and 1995.

The second relates to the appropriate method of amortizing payment
obligations under contracts with Disney involving the placement of Mattel
sponsored stores and sponsorship of attractions at Disney theme parks (the
"Theme Parks Agreements"). The staff believes that under GAAP, the
payments should have been amortized over the life of the Theme Parks
Agreements by the straight-line method rather than at a rate based upon the
pattern of usage and, accordingly, that certain adjustments made by Mattel
during the fourth quarters of 1994 and 1995 were inappropriate.

In addition, Mattel made an accounting error in closing out inventory
hedge contracts in 1994 and 1995. Mattel recognized the resulting gain
during the period the hedge contracts were closed rather than during the
period the related inventory was sold as required by GAAP. This affected
the timing of income during the period 1994-96, but has no impact at the
end of the period or going forward or on the amount of Mattel's income
during the period.

While Mattel believes that its accounting treatment for the first two
matters discussed above was correct, it decided to make a catch-up
adjustment to results in the fourth quarter of 1996 in the amount of $21.8
million before taxes, or $15.1 million after taxes ($0.05 per share).
Application of the staff's interpretation during 1994-96 would have
decreased Mattel's reported pre-tax income in 1994 and 1995 and increased
its reported pre-tax income in 1996 as follows:

(i) for 1994, a reduction in pre-tax income of $19.5 million
(5.2% of pre-tax income), from $393.6 million to $374.2 million, of which
$11.8 million is attributable to the I&P Agreement, $4.9 million is
attributable to the Theme Parks Agreements and $2.8 million is attributable
to hedge accounting, and of which $10.8 million (20.5% of pre-tax income)
is applicable to the fourth quarter;

(ii) for 1995, a reduction in pre-tax income of $8.2 million
(1.6% of pre-tax income), of which $2.0 million is attributable to the I&P
Agreement, $3.3 million is attributable to the Theme Parks Agreements and
$2.9 million is attributable to hedge accounting, and of which $4.0 million
(2.5% of pre-tax income) is applicable to the fourth quarter; and


12


(iii) for 1996, an increase in pre-tax income of $5.9 million
(1.0% of pre-tax income), of which $0.7 million is attributable to the
Theme Parks Agreements and $5.6 million is applicable to hedge accounting,
offset by $0.4 million attributable to the I&P Agreement.

Mattel's accounting treatment for royalty obligations under the I&P
Agreement and payments under the Theme Parks Agreements was determined with
the concurrence of Mattel's independent auditors, Price Waterhouse.
Mattel's accounting treatment for the royalty shortfall under the I&P
Agreement and the 1994 adjustment to its payment obligations under the
Theme Parks Agreements were also reviewed by a second accounting firm,
Ernst & Young, whose views with respect to the accounting treatment of such
matters were reflected in an independent report prepared by the law firm of
Davis Polk & Wardwell for the Audit Committee of Mattel's Board of
Directors. That report to the Audit Committee also concluded that Mattel's
accounting treatment for these matters was in accordance with GAAP. While
Mattel continues to believe its original accounting treatment was
appropriate, Mattel has taken the fourth quarter charge described above.

The Tyco Merger
---------------

Mattel and Tyco are continuing to progress towards their previously
announced merger (the "Merger"). Tyco has established a meeting date of
March 18, 1997 for its stockholders to vote on the proposed Merger.
Consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things, the
absence of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by
any court or other judicial or administrative body or competent
jurisdiction which prohibits or prevents the consummation of the Merger.

Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended (the "HSR Act") and the rules promulgated thereunder, the Merger
may not be consummated until notifications have been given and certain
information has been furnished to the Antitrust Division of the United
States Department of Justice (the "Antitrust Division") and the United
States Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and specified waiting periods
have expired. On November 25, 1996, Tyco and Mattel each filed a
Notification and Report Form for review under the HSR Act with the FTC and
the Antitrust Division. On December 23, 1996, the FTC submitted to Mattel
and Tyco a request for additional information and documentary material (the
"Second Request"). Mattel and Tyco responded to the Second Request on
February 18, 1997.

Mattel and Tyco do not believe that any additional governmental
filings in the United States, other that a Certificate of Merger to be
filed in Delaware, are required with respect to the Merger. At any time
before or after consummation of the Merger, the FTC or the Antitrust
Division or certain private parties could take such action under the
antitrust laws as they deem necessary or desirable, including seeking
divestiture of substantial assets of Tyco or Mattel.

Mattel and Tyco do not believe that the consummation of the Merger
will result in a violation of any applicable antitrust laws. However, there
can be no assurance that a challenge to the Merger on antitrust grounds
will not be made or, if such a challenge is made, of the result.


13


Based upon recent discussions between Mattel and Tyco with respect to
their respective businesses and general conditions in the toy industry and
the economy as a whole, Mattel currently expects that the combined net
sales of Mattel and Tyco for the first full year of combined operations
after the Merger (assumed to be the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998)
will be $5 billion. Such estimate assumes that the overall net sales of
each of Mattel and Tyco will grow at an average rate of 7% per year from
their combined historical base. The foregoing projection is based upon
management's best estimate of future performance based upon the information
available to it at this time; however, such projection is based upon
numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general
business, financial, market and economic conditions and other matters, many
of which are beyond the control of Mattel and Tyco. Investors are strongly
cautioned not to attribute undue certainty to management's projections.
Mattel has no present intention to update the foregoing projection.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
- ------------------------------------

The executive officers of the Company, all of whom are appointed annually
by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board, are as
follows:



EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
NAME AGE POSITION SINCE
- --------------------- --- ------------------------------- ---------

John W. Amerman 65 Chairman of the Board 1980

Jill E. Barad 45 President & Chief Executive 1984
Officer and a Director of
Mattel, Inc.

Bruce L. Stein 42 President, Mattel Worldwide 1996
and a Director of Mattel, Inc.

Astrid Autolitano 58 President, Mattel International 1996

Byron Davis 49 President, Fisher-Price, Inc. 1995

Joseph C. Gandolfo 54 President, Mattel Worldwide 1990
Manufacturing Operations

Ned Mansour 48 President, Corporate Operations 1992
and a Director of Mattel, Inc.

William J. Quinlan 52 President, ARCO TOYS 1995

Francesca Luzuriaga 42 Executive Vice President & 1994
Chief Financial Officer


14


Glenn Bozarth 43 Senior Vice President, 1997
Corporate Communications

Kevin M. Farr 39 Senior Vice President 1996
& Controller

Douglas Glen 49 Senior Vice President 1997
& Chief Strategy Officer

E. Joseph McKay 56 Senior Vice President, Human 1993
Resources

John T. Phippen 52 Senior Vice President & 1995
Chief Information Officer

Barnett Rosenberg 52 Senior Vice President, 1996
General Counsel & Secretary

William Stavro 57 Senior Vice President 1993
& Treasurer


Mr. Amerman has been Chairman of the Board since February 1987 and a member
of the Board of Directors since November 1985. On December 31, 1996, he
retired as Chief Executive Officer.

Ms. Barad has been President & Chief Executive Officer since January 1997
and a member of the Board of Directors since November 1991. From August
1992 until December 1996, she was President and Chief Operating Officer.
From December 1989 until August 1992, she was President, Mattel USA. Prior
to that she served in various executive positions in the Marketing, Product
Design and Product Development areas.

Mr. Stein has been President, Mattel Worldwide and a member of the Board of
Directors since August 1996. From October 1995 to August 1996 he served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Interactive Entertainment.
From November 1994 to October 1995, he was a consultant for DreamWorks SKG
and Mandalay Entertainment. From June, 1994 to October, 1994, he served as
President and Chief Operating Officer of Marvel Entertainment Group. Prior
to that, he served as President of the Kenner Products division of Hasbro,
Inc. from 1990 to June, 1994.

Ms. Autolitano has been President, Mattel International since September
1996. From August 1995 to September 1996, she served as Executive Vice
President-Latin America and Mexico. Prior to that, she served as Senior
Vice President-Latin America and Mexico from December 1989 to August 1995.

Mr. Davis has been President, Fisher-Price, Inc. since April 1995. From
March 1993 to April 1995, he served as President - Toys, Fisher-Price.
Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President - Sales, Fisher-Price
from June 1991 to March 1993.


15


Mr. Gandolfo has been President, Mattel Worldwide Manufacturing Operations
since April 1990.

Mr. Mansour has been President, Corporate Operations and a member of the
Board of Directors since August 1996. From April 1991, he served in
several senior managerial positions at Mattel, including President, Mattel-
USA, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary.

Mr. Quinlan has been President, ARCO TOYS since January 1992.

Ms. Luzuriaga has been Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
since December 1995. From March 1989 until December 1995, she served in
several senior managerial positions at Mattel, including Controller,
Treasurer and Executive Vice President, Finance.

Mr. Bozarth has been Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications since
February 1996. From June 1990 to February 1996, he served as Vice
President, Corporate Communications.

Mr. Farr has been Senior Vice President and Controller since September
1996. From June 1993 to September 1996, he served as Vice President, Tax.
Prior to that, he served as Senior Director, Taxes from August 1992 to June
1993.

Mr. Glen has been Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer since
February 1997. From August 1994 through February 1997, he served as
President of Mattel Media. From March 1992 through August 1994, he was
Group Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Planning, for Sega
of America.

Mr. McKay has been Senior Vice President, Human Resources since November
1993. From December 1991 until November 1993, he was Vice President, Human
Resources. He was Senior Director, Human Resources from March 1991 to
December 1991. Prior to that he was Vice President, Human Resources-
Administration of Mileage Plus, Inc.

Mr. Phippen has been Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer
since June 1993. From February 1991 to June 1993, he served as Senior Vice
President, Information Systems.

Mr. Rosenberg has been Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
since August 1996. From June 1992 to August 1996, he served as Deputy
General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Pitney Bowes, Inc. Prior to
that, he was in private law practice with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius from July
1990 to June 1992.

Mr. Stavro has been Senior Vice President & Treasurer since May 1995. From
November 1993 to May 1995, he was Vice President & Treasurer. From March
1992 to November 1993, he was Vice President & Assistant Treasurer. Prior
to that he was Assistant Treasurer for more than five years.


16


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
- ------- ----------

Mattel owns its corporate headquarters consisting of approximately
335,000 square feet in El Segundo, California, which is subject to a $45.0
million mortgage. Mattel also leases buildings in El Segundo consisting of
approximately 350,000 square feet, which are primarily used for its design
and development and audio visual departments. Fisher-Price owns its
headquarters facilities in East Aurora, New York, consisting of
approximately 290,000 square feet.

The Company maintains sales offices in California, Illinois, New York
and Texas, and warehouse and distribution facilities in California,
Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas. The Company owns a
computer facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Internationally, the Company has
offices and/or warehouse space in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Canada, Colombia, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong and in
certain other areas of Asia, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand,
Poland, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Venezuela. The Company's
principal manufacturing facilities are located in China, Indonesia, Italy,
Malaysia, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States. See
"Manufacturing."

Most of the Company's facilities are occupied under leases and, for
the most part, are fully utilized, although excess manufacturing capacity
exists from time to time based on product mix and demand. With respect to
leases which are scheduled to expire during the next twelve months, the
Company may negotiate new lease agreements, renew leases or utilize
alternative facilities.


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
- ------- -----------------

THE GREENWALD LITIGATION AND RELATED MATTERS
--------------------------------------------

On October 13, 1995, Michelle Greenwald filed a complaint (Case No. YC
025 008) against the Company in Superior Court of the State of California,
County of Los Angeles (the "Greenwald Action"). The plaintiff is a former
Mattel employee who was terminated by the Company in July 1995. The
complaint seeks $50 million in general and special damages, plus punitive
damages, for (i) breach of oral, written and implied contract, (ii)
wrongful termination in violation of public policy and (iii) violation of
California Labor Code Section 970. The plaintiff claims that her
termination resulted from complaints made by her to management concerning
(i) general allegations that Mattel did not account properly for sales and
certain costs associated with sales; and (ii) more specific allegations
that Mattel failed to account properly for certain royalty obligations to
Disney. On December 5, 1996, the Company's motion for summary adjudication
of the plaintiff's public policy claim was granted. On February 10, 1997,
Ms. Greenwald filed a writ seeking appeal of the court's order granting the
motion. On February 20, 1997 the writ was denied. The Company has filed a
motion for summary judgment on the remaining causes of action. The motion
is scheduled for hearing on April 15, 1997.

The Company believes the allegations of the complaint in the Greenwald
Action to be without merit and intends to defend the action vigorously.


17


In April 1996 the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors
commenced an investigation with the assistance of the law firm of Davis
Polk & Wardwell ("Davis Polk") and the accounting firm of Ernst & Young.
In July 1996, Davis Polk and Ernst & Young issued a report to the Audit
Committee in which they stated that they had found no evidence that Mattel
accounted for sales and costs associated with sales in a manner which is
inconsistent with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). With
respect to Disney royalty obligations, Davis Polk and Ernst & Young
concluded that Mattel's accounting treatment for the Disney royalties
represented a reasonable application of GAAP given the facts and
circumstances as they existed at the time the accounting decisions were
made. See "Significant Events."

THE LEWIS ACTION
----------------

On April 23, 1996, a purported class and derivative action entitled
Lewis v. Vogelstein et al. (Case No. 14954) was commenced in the Delaware
Court of Chancery, New Castle County (the "Lewis Action") against the
Company and its directors. The plaintiff alleges that the directors of the
Company breached their fiduciary duties by causing the Company to adopt the
Mattel 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "1996 Plan"). Specifically, the
plaintiff alleges that the formula option grants to non-employee directors
as permitted by the 1996 Plan constitute corporate waste. The complaint
seeks (i) to have the case certified as a class action, (ii) to have the
1996 Plan declared void, (iii) a preliminary and permanent injunction
enjoining the grant of stock options to non-employee directors under the
1996 Plan, and (iv) attorney's fees. The 1996 Plan was approved by the
Company's stockholders on May 8, 1996.

Mattel's motion to dismiss the Lewis Action was heard on October 29,
1996. In an opinion released on March 7, 1997, the court held that there
was no merit to the plaintiff's claim that the proxy disclosure provided to
stockholders regarding their approval of the 1996 Plan was defective.
However, the court let stand the plaintiff's claim that the non-employee
director option grants constituted corporate waste. In particular, the
court focused on the one-time grants which directors receive upon initially
joining the Board. These are options to purchase 15,000 shares which vest
immediately and have a ten-year term; provided, however, that such options
terminate sixty days after the director ceases to be a member of the Board,
for whatever reason.

The Company believes the allegations of the complaint in the Lewis
Action to be without merit and intends to defend the action vigorously.

ENVIRONMENTAL
-------------

The Company's Fisher-Price subsidiary has executed a consent order
with the State of New York involving a remedial action/feasibility study
for voluntary cleanup of contamination at one of its manufacturing plants.
The ultimate liability associated with this cleanup presently is estimated
to be less than $1,425,000, approximately $873,500 of which has been
incurred through December 31, 1996.


18


GENERAL
-------

The Company is involved in various litigation and other legal matters
which are being defended and handled in the ordinary course of business.
None of these matters is expected to result in outcomes having a material
adverse effect on the Company's liquidity, operating results or
consolidated financial position.


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
- ------- ---------------------------------------------------

None


19


PART II
-------


ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
- ------- STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
-----------------------------------------------------

For information regarding the markets in which the Company's common
stock is traded, see the cover page hereof, and for information regarding
the high and low sales prices of the Company's common stock for the last
two calendar years, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in
the Annual Report to Shareholders, incorporated herein by reference.

As of March 1, 1997, the Company had approximately 42,000 holders of
record of its common stock.

The Company paid dividends on its Common Stock of $0.038 per share in
January 1995, $0.048 per share in April, July and October 1995 and January
1996, and $0.060 per share in April, July and October 1996. The payment of
dividends on the Common Stock is at the discretion of the Company's Board
of Directors and is subject to customary limitations. The dividends have
been adjusted to reflect five-for-four stock splits which the Company
declared on its common stock to holders of record on January 6, 1995 and
February 16, 1996.


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
- ------- -----------------------

The information under the caption "Five-Year Financial Summary" on
page 37 in the Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by
reference.


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
- ------- RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
---------------------------------------------------------------

The information under the caption "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on pages 38
through 41 in the Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by
reference.


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
- ------- -------------------------------------------

The consolidated financial statements of Mattel, Inc. and
Subsidiaries, together with the report of Price Waterhouse LLP dated
February 5, 1997, included on pages 42 through 61 in the Annual Report to
Shareholders are incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
- ------- FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
---------------------------------------------------------------

None


20


PART III
--------


ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
- -------- --------------------------------------------------

Information required under this Item relating to members of the Board
of Directors is incorporated by reference herein from the Company's 1997
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement. The
information with respect to executive officers of the Company appears under
the heading "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Part I herein.


ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
- -------- ----------------------

The information required under this Item is incorporated by reference
herein from the Company's 1997 Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
Proxy Statement.


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
- -------- --------------------------------------------------------------

The information required under this Item is incorporated by reference
herein from the Company's 1997 Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
Proxy Statement.


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
- -------- ----------------------------------------------

The information required under this Item is incorporated by reference
herein from the Company's 1997 Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
Proxy Statement.


21


PART IV
-------


ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
- -------- -------------------------------------------------------

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

Annual Report
Page Number(1)
-------------
(1) Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of 42-43
December 31, 1996 and 1995

Consolidated Statements of Income for 44
the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for 45
the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' 46
Equity for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 47-59

Report of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent 61
Accountants to the Company


1
Incorporated by reference from the indicated pages of the Annual
Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1996. With the
exception of the information incorporated by reference in Items 1, 5, 6, 7,
8 and 14 of this report, the Annual Report to Shareholders is not deemed
filed as part of this report.


22



(2) Financial Statement Schedule for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994 (1)

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Allowances


(3) Exhibits (Listed by numbers corresponding to Item 601 of Regulation S-K)

3.0 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.0 to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1993)

3.1 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit B to the Company's Proxy Statement dated March 23,
1996)

3.2 By-laws of the Company, as amended to date (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992)

4.0 Rights Agreement, dated as of February 7, 1992, between the
Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated February 12, 1992)

(The Company has not filed certain long-term debt instruments
under which the principal amount of securities authorized to be
issued does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company.
Copies of such agreements will be provided to the Securities
and Exchange Commission upon request.)

10.0 First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March
13, 1997 among the Company, the Banks named therein and Bank of
America National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent (to be
filed on a Current Report on Form 8-K)

10.1 Transfer and Administration Agreement dated as of March 11,
1997 among the Company, Mattel Factoring, Inc., the Banks named
therein and NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Agent (to be filed
on a Current Report on Form 8-K)

10.2 Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of September 13, 1996
among the Company, Mattel Sales Corp., Fisher-Price, Inc., and
Bank of America N.T.S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1996)







1
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or
the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.


23


10.3 Stock Subscription Warrant dated as of June 28, 1991 between
Fisher-Price, Inc. and certain investors (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(c) to Fisher-Price's Report on Form 10-K
for the transition period from July 1, 1991 to December 29,
1991)

10.4 Distribution Agreement dated April 11, 1996 among the Company,
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and CS First Boston
Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.0 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 1996)

10.5 Indenture dated as of February 15, 1996 between the Company and
Chemical Trust Company of California, as Trustee (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated April 11, 1996)

10.6* Form of Underwriting Agreement among the Company, Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and CS First Boston Corporation

Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements of the Company
- ------------------------------------------------------------

10.7 Form of Indemnity Agreement between Mattel and its directors
and certain of its executive officers (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit B to Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company dated March 24, 1987)

10.8 Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and certain
executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8
to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1992)

10.9 Form of Amended & Restated Employment Agreement between the
Company and certain executive officers (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993)

10.10# Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated July 29, 1996
between the Company and Jill E. Barad

10.11# Employment Agreement dated September 23, 1996 between the
Company and John W. Amerman

10.12# Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated September 9,
1996 between the Company and Joseph C. Gandolfo

10.13# Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated July 29, 1996
between the Company and Ned Mansour

10.14* Employment Agreement dated December 20, 1996 between the
Company and Bruce L. Stein


24


10.15 Mattel, Inc. Management Incentive Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995)

10.16 Mattel, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995)

10.17 Mattel, Inc. Financial Security Program Agreement for certain
officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the
Company's Registration Statement No. 2-95161 on Form S-1, filed
January 7, 1985)

10.18 Form of Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit No. 10.11 of Amendment No. 1 of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 26, 1987)

10.19 Mattel, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan (the "1990 Plan")
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement of the Company
dated March 15, 1990)

10.20 Amendment No. 1 to the Mattel, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan
(incorporated by reference to the information under the heading
"Amendment to Mattel 1990 Stock Option Plan" on page F-1 of the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus of the Company and Fisher-
Price included in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-4, Registration Statement No. 33-50749)

10.21 Amendment No. 2 to the Mattel 1990 Stock Option Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company's Proxy
Statement dated March 22, 1995)

10.22 Notice of Grant of Stock Options and Grant Agreement for the
1990 Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.0 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 31, 1994)

10.23 Grant Agreement for a Non-Qualified Stock Option for the 1990
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 31, 1994)

10.24 Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 1990 Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1993)

10.25 Amended and Restated Mattel, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
"1996 Plan") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended
September 30, 1996)


25


10.26 Form of Option Agreement for Outside Directors under the 1996
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended
September 30, 1996)

10.27* Form of Option Agreement under the 1996 Plan

10.28 Mattel, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective
as of October 7, 1990 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.10 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 29, 1990)

10.29 Mattel, Inc. Amended & Restated Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan as of May 1, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the Quarter ended June 30, 1996)

10.30 Description of the Mattel, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for
Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the
Mattel, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1991)

10.31 Fisher-Price, Inc. Matching Savings Plan, 1994 Restatement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.8 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 21, 1995)

10.32 The Fisher-Price, Inc. Pension Plan (1989 Restatement)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l) to Fisher-Price's
Registration Statement on Form 10 dated June 28, 1991)

10.33 Mattel, Inc. Personal Investment Plan, 1993 Restatement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.9 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 21, 1995)

10.34 First Amendment to the Mattel, Inc. Personal Investment Plan,
1993 Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.10 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 21, 1995)

10.35 Second Amendment to the Mattel, Inc. Personal Investment Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
1995)

10.36 Third Amendment to the Mattel, Inc. Personal Investment Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
1995)

10.37 Fourth Amendment to the Mattel, Inc. Personal Investment Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 1995)


26


10.38 Fifth Amendment to the Mattel, Inc. Personal Investment Plan,
1993 Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.0 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 14,
1997)

10.39 Mattel, Inc. Hourly Employee Personal Investment Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated February 20, 1996)

10.40 First Amendment to the Mattel, Inc. Hourly Employee Personal
Investment Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 14,
1997)

11.0* Computation of Income per Common and Common Equivalent Share

13.0* Pages 36 through 63 of the Mattel, Inc. Annual Report to
Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1996

21.0* Subsidiaries of the Registrant

23.0* Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP

24.0* Power of Attorney (on page 30 of Form 10-K)

27.0* Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR filing only)

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

Mattel, Inc. filed the following Current Reports on Form 8-K
during the quarterly period ended December 31, 1996:

Financial
Date of Report Items Reported Statements Filed
------------------ -------------- ----------------
October 15, 1996 5, 7 None
November 21, 1996 5, 7 None
November 22, 1996 5, 7 None

(c) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

See Item (3) above

(d) Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Allowances


27


Copies of Form 10-K (which includes Exhibit 24.0), Exhibits
11.0, 13.0, 21.0 and 23.0 and the Annual Report to
Shareholders are available to stockholders of the Company
without charge. Copies of other Exhibits can be obtained by
stockholders of the Company upon payment of twelve cents per
page for such Exhibits. Written requests should be sent to
Secretary, Mattel, Inc., 333 Continental Boulevard,
El Segundo, California 90245-5012.


- -------------------
* Filed herewith.
# Certain portions of this Exhibit were omitted from the copies filed
as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Complete copies of this
Exhibit have been filed separately, together with an application to
obtain confidential treatment with respect thereto.

28



SIGNATURES
----------

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


MATTEL, INC.
Registrant

By: /s/ Kevin M. Farr
-------------------------
KEVIN M. FARR
Senior Vice President and
Date: As of March 17, 1997 Controller
--------------------


29



POWER OF ATTORNEY
-----------------


We, the undersigned directors and officers of Mattel, Inc. do hereby
severally constitute and appoint Jill E. Barad, Ned Mansour, Robert
Normile, Barnett Rosenberg, Leland P. Smith and John L. Vogelstein, and
each of them, our true and lawful attorneys and agents, to do any and all
acts and things in our name and behalf in our capacities as directors and
officers and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our names in
the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys and agents, or any of
them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said Corporation to comply
with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in
connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including specifically,
but without limitation, power and authority to sign for us or any of us, in
our names in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments hereto;
and we do each hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and
agents, or any one of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.




Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----

/s/ John W. Amerman Chairman of the Board March 17, 1997
- -------------------
JOHN W. AMERMAN

/s/ Francesca Luzuriaga Executive Vice President March 17, 1997
- ----------------------- and Chief Financial Officer
FRANCESCA LUZURIAGA (principal financial officer)

/s/ Jill E. Barad Director, President and March 17, 1997
- ----------------- Chief Executive Officer
JILL E. BARAD


30


Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----

/s/ Harold Brown Director March 17, 1997
- ----------------
HAROLD BROWN

/s/ James A. Eskridge Director March 17, 1997
- ---------------------
JAMES A. ESKRIDGE

/s/ Tully M. Friedman Director March 17, 1997
- ---------------------
TULLY M. FRIEDMAN

/s/ Ronald M. Loeb Director March 17, 1997
- ------------------
RONALD M. LOEB

/s/ Ned Mansour Director and President, March 17, 1997
- --------------- Corporate Operations
NED MANSOUR

/s/ Edward H. Malone Director March 17, 1997
- --------------------
EDWARD H. MALONE

/s/ Edward N. Ney Director March 17, 1997
- -----------------
EDWARD N. NEY

/s/ William D. Rollnick Director March 17, 1997
- -----------------------
WILLIAM D. ROLLNICK

/s/ Christopher A. Sinclair Director March 17, 1997
- ---------------------------
CHRISTOPHER A. SINCLAIR

/s/ Bruce L. Stein Director and President, March 17, 1997
- ------------------ Mattel Worldwide
BRUCE L. STEIN

/s/ John L. Vogelstein Director March 17, 1997
- ----------------------
JOHN L. VOGELSTEIN



31


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
---------------------------------



To the Board of Directors of Mattel, Inc.


Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our
report dated February 5, 1997 appearing on page 61 of the December 31, 1996
Annual Report to Shareholders of Mattel, Inc. (which report and
consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included an audit of the Financial
Statement Schedule listed in Item 14(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion,
this Financial Statement Schedule presents fairly, in all material respects,
the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related
consolidated financial statements.




/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
- ------------------------
Los Angeles, California
February 5, 1997


32



MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND ALLOWANCES

(In thousands)



Balance at Additions Balance
Beginning Charged to Net at End
of Year Operations Deductions of Year
---------- ---------- ---------- --------
Allowance for
Doubtful Accounts
- --------------------

Year Ended
December 31, 1996 $ 10,788 $ 18,098 $ (14,532)(a) $ 14,354

Year Ended
December 31, 1995 16,100 14,682 (19,994)(a) 10,788

Year Ended
December 31, 1994 21,024 7,282 (12,206)(a) 16,100




Allowance for
Inventory Obsolescence
- -------------------------

Year Ended
December 31, 1996 $ 22,751 $ 59,737 $ (55,351)(b) $ 27,137

Year Ended
December 31, 1995 28,536 40,368 (46,153)(b) 22,751

Year Ended
December 31, 1994 19,432 37,039 (27,935)(b) 28,536




(a) Includes write-offs, recoveries of previous write-offs, and currency
translation adjustments.

(b) Primarily represents relief of previously established reserves resulting
from the disposal of related inventory, raw material write-downs and
currency translation adjustments.

33