Barbie's back for Christmas, but as a Rapunzel who needs no prince's help

She's a post-feminist Rapunzel doll who escapes from her mythical tower using cunning and creative skill while Prince Ken watches from the sidelines dressed in satins and silk.

This latest permutation of Barbie, who has been transformed from vacuous blonde to She-woman, will be on every empowered infant's wish-list this Christmas, say retail experts predicting the season's bestselling toys.

This Barbie – who comes with a Rapunzel video – is not the only doll to have been awakened by the feminist revolution in time for the festive shopping rush.

The British Association of Toy Retailers, which compiles the annual list, also tips a brand of sassy Bratz dolls, who lounge in an open-top Mercedes (for an extra cost), wearing tight tops, tweezered eyebrows and heaps of attitude.

Sarah Allen, public relations manager of Mattel, which manufactures Barbie, said the doll had been revamped countless times since she appeared in the shops in 1959. She had to "move with the times" to keep her place in the bestsellers, Ms Allen said.

"The toy industry is like the very fast-moving fashion industry. Last year, she was the Nutcracker. This year, she's a modern-day Rapunzel who uses the creative skills of painting to escape her imprisonment and who has no need for a prince's help."

Also among the latest incarnations are Fashion Photo Barbie and Pop Sensation Barbie, both signs of the times, Ms Allen said. But while a lipstick feminist might rule the list, the Baby Annabel doll, which cries, gurgles, needs feeding and nappy-changing, is also forecast to remain popular.

Dr Stevanne Auerbach, an American child psychologist otherwise known as Dr Toy, said modern girls still had a need for dolls. "Girls love to play with them and the importance of nurturing they teach should not be underestimated," she said.

Television and film spin-offs also featured on the must-have list of toys. A Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets Lego box will be launched next month to coincide with the release of the film, while the recent success of the Spider-man movie has caused the classic comic-book toys to fly off the shelves, as well as recent creations such as the flip-and-trap machine on the list of top 10. A Ready, Steady, Cook Popcorn Maker on the list is tipped to be the all-time bestseller, building on last Christmas's hugely popular Candyfloss Maker.

MicroPets – a spin-off from the Tamagotchi by the same Japanese company, Tomy – have catchy names such as Kuda and Moshi and respond to a secret code dictated by owners are also forecast as a Christmas bestseller.

George Newbold, a nine-year-old from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, was unimpressed by the only educational aid this Christmas, an interactive, talking book called Leapfrog. "I'm going to be asking for a MicroPet because they are like Tamagotchis," he said. Did he have any of the former toys. "Yes, about five of them. But they are in my toy rubbish bin because I got bored with them."

Toy heaven - the tipped top 10 best-sellers for christmas

Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets by Lego. After the success of last year's Lego Hogwart's Castle, another fantastical scene

Barbie Rapunzel by Mattel. The latest incarnation of a runaway success, an empowered Barbie with the trailing hair and gown

MicroPets by Tomy. Ears wag and eyes and tongues flash when it's switched on

Bratz by Bandai. Funky-looking dolls which derive their modern look from teen culture

Fimbles by Mattel. Furry toys of characters from a new TV series for pre-school children

Baby Annabel by Zapf. A plastic doll that blinks, cries, burps and gurgles

Leappad by Leapfrog. Interative learning in a speaking book

Beyblades by Hasbro. Spinning tops battle for supremacy in an arena

Ready Steady Cook Popcorn Maker by Character Options

Spider-man Flip and Trap by Vivid. Activity pad for model Spider-man