The Ultimate Funko Pop Review & Collector‘s Guide
Unless you‘ve been living under a pop culture rock, you‘ve probably seen Funko Pop figures – those adorable collectible vinyl figures with big heads and big eyes portraying characters from movies, TV shows, video games, music, books, sports, and more. Over the past decade, Funko Pops have taken the world by storm to become one of the most popular and mainstream collectible crazes.
Our ultimate Funko Pop review dives deep into the wild world of Funko to explore the brand‘s history, the incredible variety of Funko Pop figures, what makes them so insanely collectible, and everything you need to know to start or build your Funko Pop collection. Consider this your comprehensive guide to all things Funko Pop!
The Funko Story: From Bobbleheads to Pop Culture Phenomenon
Funko‘s story began in 1998 when toy collector Mike Becker founded the company and began selling bobbleheads and figurines of nostalgic pop culture characters like Big Boy and the Pillsbury Doughboy. Becker teamed up with eccentric designer Freddy Funko, who created a punk rock version of the Hopper Kelly mascot. The "Freddy Funko" figure marked the birth of Funko‘s unique aesthetic with a large head and minimalist body.
After Becker sold the company in 2005, Funko expanded beyond retro characters into contemporary pop culture franchises. But it was the 2010 launch of the Funko Pop! vinyl figures, with their trademark oversized square heads and cute cartoon style, that really put Funko on the map. The first Pop! series included Batman, Batgirl, and other DC Comics characters.
Over the next decade, Funko would experience explosive growth, partnering with virtually every pop culture franchise you can imagine, from Marvel to Disney to Game of Thrones to Harry Potter. By 2020, over 250 million Funko Pop figures had been sold, and Funko claimed to produce 4-5 new figures every day! Alongside the core Pop! vinyl line, Funko‘s empire has expanded to include plush, action figures, board games, apparel, housewares, and more.
The Irresistible Appeal of Funko Pop
What makes Funko Pops so incredibly popular and collectible? The simple, chibi-style design is charming and accessible, while still depicting each character in intricate detail. The uniform sizing and look ties diverse franchises together in a satisfying way. Pops are both cute playthings for kids and nostalgic mementos for adult collectors.
From a collecting standpoint, Funko Pops hit all the right notes:
- Affordable price point ($10-15 for most figures)
- Huge variety of franchises and characters (8,000+ figures)
- Completionist appeal of collecting every figure in a line
- Regular new releases to keep you hooked
- Convention exclusives, limited editions, and "chase" variants for rarity
- Compact size and stackable boxes for easy display and storage
In short, Funko Pops offer a low barrier to entry but incredible depth and rabbit holes for hardcore collectors. Speaking of…
Inside the Funko Pop Collector Community
As Funko‘s popularity has exploded, so has a vibrant worldwide community of Funko collectors. Online, Funko fans gather in forums and Facebook groups like the Funko Funatic forum and Funko Pop Collectors Alliance to show off their collections, trade figures, and discuss new releases.
The Funko app lets you track your collection, manage your wishlist, and get notifications for new figures in your favorite fandoms. Funko-focused YouTube channels and podcasts provide reviews and collecting tips.
Offline, Funko collectors meet up at fan conventions and "Fundays" events for exclusive Pop releases, signings, and festivities. Funko has also opened its own retail stores in the US and UK.
Top Funko Pop Lines Reviewed
With literally thousands of Funko Pop figures in hundreds of franchises, we can barely scratch the surface, but here are reviews of some of the most popular and iconic Funko Pop lines:
Funko Pop Star Wars Review
Star Wars and Funko Pops are a match made in collector heaven. From the original trilogy to the Disney+ series, Funko has produced over 500 Star Wars Pop figures since 2011. The Mandalorian alone has over 50 Pop figures, including multiple versions of Mando, Baby Yoda/The Child/Grogu, Ahsoka Tano, Bo-Katan, and other fan favorites.
Other iconic Star Wars pops include Darth Vader, Yoda, Chewbacca, Han Solo, Rey, BB-8, and Boba Fett. Less popular characters get the Pop treatment too, like Max Rebo, Kuiil, Wampa, and the Child with Frog.
Funko Pop Marvel Review
Marvel‘s massive cinematic universe translates to a superpowered Funko Pop presence, with over 700 figures and counting. The core Avengers each have a dozen or more figures, including a photon blast Captain Marvel, a shawarma-eating Iron Man, worthy Captain America, and Hulk with tacos.
Spider-Man is Marvel‘s Funko Pop MVP with over 100 Pop figures depicting Peter Parker, Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and other spideys in endless costumes and action poses. Villains like Loki, Thanos, Green Goblin, and Venom join the heroic lineup alongside Guardians of the Galaxy, WandaVision, Shang-Chi, Black Widow, and Deadpool.
Funko Pop Disney Review
The Walt Disney Company and its many properties are a Funko Pop goldmine. Classic animated characters like Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Pinocchio, Dumbo, and the Disney Princesses are all adorably Pop-ified.
Then there are the Pixar films, with Pop lines for Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Up, WALL-E, The Incredibles, and beyond. With Disney‘s acquisition of Star Wars, Marvel, The Simpsons, and Fox franchises, there‘s no end to the House of Mouse‘s Funko potential.
Funko Pop Harry Potter Review
Accio Funko Pops! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is another Funko fan favorite. All your favorite Hogwarts students are represented in their school robes and Quidditch gear, wands at the ready.
Funko Pops of Dumbledore, Snape, Hagrid, Dobby, Sirius Black, McGonagall, and other Wizarding World regulars show off delightful details from the books and films. Magical creatures, Weasleys‘ Wizard Wheezes, and the Hogwarts Express are just a few of the Potterverse‘s 100+ enchanting figures.
Funko Pop TV Review
Any hit TV show you can think of probably has a Funko Pop series to go along with it – or several! Game of Thrones boasts over 100 figures of Jon Snow, Daenerys and her dragons, the Lannisters, White Walkers, and direwolves.
Cult classics like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Community, Breaking Bad, and Stranger Things have extensive Pop collections memorializing their iconic characters and scenes. Animation dominates too, with Nickelodeon favorites, The Simpsons, Scooby Doo, Peanuts, and more getting the Funko treatment.
Tips for Starting a Funko Pop Collection
Ready to start your own Funko Pop collection? Here are some tips:
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Collect what you love. Focus on Funko Pops from franchises and characters you‘re passionate about. Your collection should reflect your tastes and interests.
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Set a budget. Funko Pops are relatively affordable, but completionism can get expensive fast. Decide how much you‘re comfortable spending on your hobby.
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Understand rarity and value. Exclusive or "chase" figures can be more valuable than common figures. Vaulted (retired) figures can also increase in value on the aftermarket. Consider which figures you want to collect for fun vs. investment.
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Protect and display. To keep boxes pristine, consider protective cases. Display Pops on shelves, in cubes, or on the wall to show off your collection.
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Get involved in the community. Connect with other Funko fans online or at events to trade figures, get tips, and share your love of collecting.
FAQs About Funkos
We‘ll wrap up with answers to some common questions about Funko Pops:
How can I tell if a Funko Pop is real or fake?
Look for authentic Funko branding and logos on the packaging. Check the figure and box quality. If a price seems too good to be true, be wary. Buy from reputable retailers or sellers.
What are some of the rarest and most valuable Funko Pops?
Some of the rarest and most expensive Funko Pop "grails" include the Holographic Darth Maul, Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange, Headless Ned Stark, and the 18-inch Colossal Titan figure from Attack on Titan. These rare Pops can sell for thousands of dollars.
Where can I buy Funko Pops?
Funko Pops are sold at major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and GameStop, as well as collectible and hobby stores. You can also buy directly from Funko or on the aftermarket via eBay or collector forums.
Whether you‘re a casual fan or hardcore collector, there‘s a Funko Pop out there for you. These adorable figures capture the joy and nostalgia of pop culture in a way no other collectible can. Happy Funko hunting!
