<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001523711-12-000043.txt : 20120514
<SEC-HEADER>0001523711-12-000043.hdr.sgml : 20120514
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120514180257
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001523711-12-000043
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120510
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120514
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120514

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCARBOROUGH DEAN A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001197584

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05647
		FILM NUMBER:		12840157

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 N. ORANGE GROVE BLVD
		CITY:			PASADENA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91103

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MATTEL INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000063276
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DOLLS & STUFFED TOYS [3942]
		IRS NUMBER:				951567322
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 CONTINENTAL BLVD
		CITY:			EL SEGUNDO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90245
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3102522000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0305</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-05-10</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000063276</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MATTEL INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MAT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197584</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCARBOROUGH DEAN A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>MATTEL, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>333 CONTINENTAL BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EL SEGUNDO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90245</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3701</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3701</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3701</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Restricted Stock Units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) were granted on May 10, 2012, pursuant to the Mattel, Inc. 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Common Stock (or, at the election of Mattel, Inc., a cash amount equal to the fair market value of such share on the settlement date). The RSUs are accompanied by dividend equivalent rights.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The RSUs will vest in four equal installments, as follows: (i) 25% on August 10, 2012, (ii) 25% on November 10, 2012, (iii) 25% on February 10, 2013 and (iv) 25% on the earlier of May 10, 2013 or the day before the first annual meeting of Mattel's stockholders that occurs after the grant date. Vested RSUs generally will be settled on the third anniversary of the grant date. On the settlement date, for each vested RSU, the reporting person will receive one share of Common Stock (or, at the election of Mattel, Inc., a cash amount equal to the fair market value of one share of Common Stock on the settlement date).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Andrew Paalborg, Attorney-in-Fact for Dean A. Scarborough</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-05-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
