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Nunzilla - Wind Up Sparking Nun

March 13 2013

Nunzilla sparking

Remembering Nunzilla

This item has been discontinued and is no longer for sale. If you have a great memory of it or would like us to bring it back, leave a comment on this post and let us know.

Through the eyes of a child, a sweet, caring nun teaching a grammar school class can appear to be an imposing black cloaked disciplinarian with the power to doom you to hell. Nunzilla is that fear in plastic. Intended as humorous nostalgia for people who were raised Catholic, it was denounced as anti-Catholic, but it was also a popular gift for nuns.

Original description

Say your prayers! No one is safe from the wrath of Nunzilla! This fire-breathing wind-up sister trudges straight out of a Catholic-school student's nightmare like a determined disciplinary force, with green eyes blazing and sparks flying from her mouth. Wearing the traditional black and white habit and carrying a Bible in one hand and a ruler in the other, this holy terror will have you owning up to transgressions from as far back as birth. 2" tall and made of hard plastic, packaged in a custom cathedral-style box.

Denounced By the Catholic League

From the Catholic League's 1997 Report on Anti-Catholicism:  Archie McPhee, which bills itself as "Oufitters of Popular Culture," included in its "Collector’s Edition Catalog" a number of items which caricatured Catholic nuns, some quite offensively. For example, there was a windup doll, "Nunzilla," billed as "Terrifying, but in a good way." "Say your prayers," the ad instructs. "No one is safe from the wrath of ‘Nunzilla.’ This windup sparking sister trudges straight out of a Catholic school student’s nightmares like a determined disciplinary force, with green eyes ablaze and sparks flying from her mouth. Wearing the traditional black and white habit with a yellow cross and clutching a Bible in one hand and a ruler in the other, this holy terror will have you owning up to transgressions from as far back as birth."

Nunzilla tattoo sparking nun

Tess Donohoe sent us a picture of her awesome Nunzilla tattoo. The tattoo is by Lisa Murphy and colored by Janine AshtonTess tells us that she's Irish and went to convent school which means that she has had actual encounters with Nunzillas

Nunzilla front view sparkingCloseup of Nunzilla Face spark nun

A flock or abbey of nunzilla sparking

18 comments

  • Mary Anne Havens: February 22, 2020
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    I’m writing again, please, please, please, bring back “Nunzilla” she is great for recovering Catholics.

  • betsy carter: January 02, 2020
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    Bring back Nunzilla ASAP please! The younger generation needs her as much as we did.

  • AnnieGirl: December 11, 2019
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    I attended 6 different Catholic schools, 3 of them Girls schools, and graduated from a convent high school. There were nuns from 6 different orders of Catholic nuns – and real life Nunzillas in each order, each school!
    Bring back Nunzilla- I’ll buy at least a dozen!
    Thank you.

  • Tim : August 27, 2019
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    I work at a Catholic university as a senior administrator and proudly display my Nunzilla along with my boxing nun and glow-in-the-dark Virgin Mary. I wish I could give all my coworkers Nunzillas.

  • BARBARA HORN: March 19, 2019
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    IN MEMORIUM OF “MOTHER IGNATIOUS” WHO IN THE 1960S MADE COUNTLESS CHILDREN PEE THEIR PANTS AND SOLD US BACK THE CANDY SHE CONFISCATED FROM US, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BRING NUNZILLA BACK. MINE ARE ALL BROKEN.
    THANK YOU

  • Mary Anne Havens: February 09, 2019
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    Please bring Nunzilla back. We would order at least 10. Our Nunzilla got overwound and her sparks wore out.

  • Jim Johnson: December 05, 2018
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    I went to parochial school for eight years. Nunzilla is frighteningly realistic; gives me chills. I have one but she doesn’t spark anymore. I must have another one to remind me of that somewhat unpleasant time in my life.

  • Carol Dotson: November 04, 2018
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    My five year old granddaughter wanted me to get another one of these since mine doesn’t spark anymore. I’m sad it’s not available.

  • Belinda Dyer: October 19, 2018
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    We loved Nunzilla but she got overwound do please bring her back !!!

  • MARY ANN: October 08, 2018
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    AFTER ATTENDING A PAROCHIAL school and taught by NUNS, SOMEONE PUT ONE OF THESE ON OUR TABLE AT A CLASS REUNION. IT WAS A HIT. NOW OTHERS ARE LOOKING FOR “NUN ZILLA”.

  • pam magney: October 02, 2018
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    bring back nunzilla!

  • Carl: May 28, 2018
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    My Dad’s nunzilla broke because he wound it up too much, and he would very much like another one. If you could create more before Father’s Day, it would make a great gift!

  • cheyenne Goodman: May 25, 2018
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    i would love to sell these at my store in jerome we have lots of archie Mcphee products and this would be an awesome addition and would sell very well in the store!

  • Rizzo: May 23, 2018
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    Mine broke and I absolutely want to replace it. Please bring it back. I want to buy as gifts for friends. All of my recovering catholic friends.

  • Dale Irvin: May 09, 2018
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    Gave these to my Catholic school girl daughters. Was hoping to relive those laughs by doing it again now that they are adults. Would love it if they came back!

  • John: February 06, 2018
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    No more Nunzillas? Blasphemy!

  • Robert Dugger: November 24, 2017
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    Would like to purchase couple dozen for my sons class reunion

  • Tammy Zeller : September 09, 2017
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    I’m looking to purchase about a dozen of these toys as gifts for The Sound of Music nuns in our local production. Can’t find them anywhere. Please help

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