Toymaker Hasbro Inc (HAS.O) reported a surprise fall in quarterly revenue on Wednesday, hit by a decline in sales of its toys based on the Star Wars franchise in the holiday season.

The company's shares fell 4.2 per cent to US$90 before the bell.

The maker of My Little Pony and Nerf guns warned last October of weak holiday sales due to the bankruptcy of retailer Toys 'R' Us.

Net revenue from the company's partner brands, which includes toys based on movie franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel superheroes, fell 21 per cent to US$342.9 million.

The Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based company's revenue fell 2.1 per cent to US$1.6 billion, while analysts had expected it to rise to US$1.72 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Excluding items, the company earned $2.30 per share.

Hasbro reported a net loss attributable to the company of US$5.3 million, or 4 cents per share, in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, due to a US$296.5 million charge related to the U.S. tax overhaul.

A year earlier, the company posted profit of US$192.7 million, or US$1.52 per share.