Hey there fellow Funko fan! If you‘re like me, you just can‘t get enough of those super cute Pop figures. As an avid collector myself, I wanted to put together the ultimate list of the 10 best Funko Pops ever made. These are the must-have figures any serious collector needs to own.
Now I don‘t expect everyone to agree with my picks here. With thousands of Funko Pops out there covering every movie, TV show, and comic imaginable, there‘s room for plenty of favorites. But I stand by each of these Pops as being iconic, valuable, and downright adorable additions to your shelf.
Before we get to the list, let‘s go over a quick history of Funko and what makes Pop figures so great. This history will help you appreciate just how special these top 10 Pops are in the Funko universe.
A Brief History of Funko Pop Figures
Funko has been around since 1998, but they didn‘t release their first Pop! figure until 2010. It was a vinyl figure of the DC Comics hero Batman. This kicked off the Pop craze that still dominates Funko to this day.
Funko Pop figures are made of vinyl and usually stand at 3.75 inches tall. With their oversized heads and tiny bodies, I find them absolutely adorable! Their stared-out black eyes and simple style give them a lively cartoonish look.
While the early Pop figures focused mostly on DC and Marvel comics, Funko now has licenses for just about every major franchise imaginable. They release hundreds of new Pop designs every single year to the delight of fans and collectors.
According to Statista, Funko produced over 6 million Pop figures in 2020 alone. And their sales continue to grow at an impressive rate each year.
What I love about Pop figures is that they retain their value very well over time. Especially rare and limited edition Pops. This makes them a fun investment for collectors who can even "flip" the figures for profit later.
Now let‘s dive into my picks for the 10 best Funko Pop figures ever released!
1. Dancing Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy)
Kicking off the list we have this adorable Pop featuring baby Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy. This iconic scene of Groot dancing to "Mr. Blue Sky" while the rest of the team battles in the background is such a classic moment from the films.
Funko perfectly captured baby Groot‘s silly little dance moves and big smiling face in this figure. I love how his giant head teeters from side to side on his tiny body.
Released in 2014, this Amazon exclusive Pop gained huge popularity once the first Guardians movie became such a massive hit. It now sells for $100-200, a huge profit over its original retail price.
Overall, Dancing Groot is probably the most iconic Pop that Funko has made for the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far. It‘s a must-own for any fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy crew.
2. Boba Fett (Star Wars)
Next up is none other than legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett from the Star Wars franchise. This Pop features Boba decked out in his signature green and black Mandalorian armor, complete with his iconic jetpack.
Released way back in 2010 as one of Funko‘s first Star Wars Pops ever, this Boba Fett version is extremely rare and valuable today. It was limited to only a few thousand pieces before being retired. Near-mint boxes now fetch over $2,500 at auction!
Even with more recent Boba Fett Pop designs, serious collectors agree that this original edition is still the best. It perfectly encapsulates one of the most popular characters from the Star Wars universe with its classic design.
I will warn you – this is one very expensive Pop to obtain. But for hardcore Star Wars and Funko fans, it‘s an absolute grail piece.
3. Big Boy (#1000)
In 2012, Funko hit a huge milestone – their 1000th Pop figure! To mark the occasion, they fittingly released an oversized 6-inch Pop featuring Big Boy.
Big Boy is the chubby mascot for the diner chain Big Boy Restaurant. This jumbo Pop captures Big Boy in all his burger-holding glory, pompadour hairdo and all.
I really enjoy how Funko used such a nostalgic and larger-than-life American icon to celebrate their 1000th Pop. It just has a fun, whimsical vibe compared to more traditional collectibles.
Since this was a limited edition figure, it can sell today for around $200-300. For collectors and fans of Funko history, Big Boy #1000 is a true grail piece marking just how far the company had come.
4. Dumbo with Timothy (Disney)
For Disney lovers and animation fans, this sweet Dumbo Pop is an absolute must-have. It features Dumbo, the iconic big-eared elephant from the 1941 classic film, along with his mouse friend Timothy.
Funko did an amazing job capturing the bond between timid Dumbo and encouraging Timothy here. Dumbo‘s oversized head and adorable little hat are fantastic. And a tiny Timothy sits on his tusk comforting him. Just look at those big, sad eyes!
This tender moment between the pair is one of my all-time favorite Disney Funko Pops. It distills everything that makes Dumbo such a heartwarming and emotionally moving film into one adorable package.
For any Disney or classic animation fans, you need to grab Dumbo and Timothy for your collection ASAP. It‘s just too precious for words!
5. Planet Arlia Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z)
Switching gears, we move onto one of the most coveted chase variant Pops that Funko has ever produced – Planet Arlia Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z.
Chase variants are special edition Pops with alternate color schemes. They are produced in extremely limited quantities, making them highly rare and valuable to collectors.
The Planet Arlia version of Vegeta features him with a purple and black costume rather than his usual blue and white Saiyan armor. Only a few thousand were produced, so it sells today for a staggering $2,000 to $3,000!
Beyond the color swap, this Vegeta Pop oozes swagger and strength. From his upright posture to confident smile, Funko perfectly captured the Saiyan prince‘s ego here.
For DBZ collectors, this chase Vegeta is the definitive Holy Grail Funko Pop. If you can get your hands on one, it‘s easily worth the hefty price tag.
6. Alex DeLarge (A Clockwork Orange)
Next up is the terrifying yet iconic character of Alex from Stanley Kubrick‘s disturbing 1971 film A Clockwork Orange.
Complete with a bowler hat and fake eyelash, this Pop depicts the troublemaking punk who leads his "droogs" on violent and heinous crimes. He is also holding a large codpiece, referencing the controversial art scene.
Alex DeLarge represents one of Funko‘s earliest attempts at tackling more mature film subjects in Pop form. Though the character is deeply unsettling, Funko did an excellent job capturing his signature menacing but charismatic look.
For collectors who appreciate Kubrick‘s filmography or provocative cult classics, Alex DeLarge is a must own figure. You can nab him for around $50-$75.
7. Moon Knight (Marvel)
With Oscar Isaac‘s Moon Knight show releasing on Disney+ earlier this year, the moon-powered Marvel hero has seen a surge in popularity. That makes this amazing glow-in-the-dark chase variant Moon Knight Pop extra enticing.
Glow variants feature paint that makes the entire Pop light up when exposed to darkness. On an already white-hooded character like Moon Knight, the effect looks seriously spectacular.
Between the sleek hooded costume to his mystical weaponry, this Funko Pop is the perfect collectible for any newfound Moon Knight fans. And with the character‘s growing mainstream appeal, it‘s sure to only go up in value as supplies dwindle.
I highly recommend snatching up Glow Moon Knight ASAP! He‘s one of the coolest looking Marvel Funko Pops in recent years.
8. General Raam (Gears of War)
Shifting to video games, this General Raam Pop from Gears of War is fantastic. As the leader of the Locust army, Raam struck fear into players of the original Gears trilogy with his hulking size and devastating weaponry.
Funko did an amazing job converting this beastly character into an epic Pop figure. The spiked armor, muscular physique, and signature turret weapon all look straight out of the game‘s cutscenes. I love all the fine details in his reptilian face too.
For fans of the legendary Gears of War franchise, General Raam is a must-own collectible. He truly captures the dark, gritty mood of the games. And he looks great displayed next to the other Gears Pop figures too.
9. Jaime Lannister (Game of Thrones)
Next on the list we have Jaime Lannister from HBO‘s blockbuster fantasy series Game of Thrones. Looking at this Pop, you can instantly see the resemblance to Nikolaj Coster-Waldau‘s handsome features.
From Jaime‘s wavy blond hair to his arrogant expression, Funko did an incredible job bringing this fan-favorite character to tiny vinyl form. And the glinting gold armor looks amazing too.
Jaime‘s redemption arc was one of the most compelling storylines in Game of Thrones. So having this collectible Pop figure is a great memento for fans who followed his entire 8-season journey.
While there are enough GoT characters to fill a huge collection, I highly recommend picking up Jaime Lannister if you only get a few. He‘s certainly one of the better designed and iconic character Pops from the show.
10. Captain America (Marvel)
Finally, no list of the best Funko Pops would be complete without including an original Avenger. So I‘ve chosen the classic red, white and blue Captain America as my last pick.
While there are tons of Captain America Pops, this version perfectly encapsulates Cap‘s bright and colorful design from earlier Marvel films. He looks bold and heroic, complete with his famous circular shield.
No Marvel collection is complete without some representation from Captain America. He is the quintessential superhero who always strives to fight for justice and freedom.
Overall, this Cap Pop just oozes nostalgic Marvel goodness. For such an affordable and cool looking figure, it‘s hard to leave Cap off any Funko Pop best-of list.
And those are my choices for the 10 greatest Funko Pop figures released to date! From adorable animals to heroic icons, I hope this list gave you some inspiration for expanding your own collection with these amazing Pops.
Where To Buy Funko Pops
Now that you know which Funko Pops to look for, here are some of my favorite places to purchase them:
Amazon – With low prices and Prime shipping, Amazon is my #1 stop for buying common Funko Pops. They have the biggest selection and cheapest costs. Just watch out for counterfeits.
eBay – It‘s the top spot to find valuable, vaulted, and rare Funko Pops from sellers worldwide. You can get amazing deals on retired figures. Just verify seller ratings.
Entertainment Earth – For pre-ordering upcoming Funko releases, especially exclusives, Entertainment Earth is fantastic. Their mint guarantees are reassuring too.
Facebook Groups – Search for buy/sell/trade Funko Pop groups on Facebook in your area. You can get great deals buying locally from other collectors.
Conventions – Attending pop culture conventions like SDCC or NYCC is the best way to get exclusive Con edition Pops when they first release.
Mercari/Poshmark – You can buy gently used Funko Pops for good discounts on these resale apps. Great for finding retired figures sans packaging.
Local Comic Shops – Don‘t forget to check smaller collectibles stores in your area. They often carry Funko Pops and can special order specific ones for you.
Barnes & Noble – This bookstore chain carries a nice selection of Funko Pops, especially for literary-themed figures. Their prices are reasonable too.
Caring For Your Funko Pop Collection
Owning Funko Pops is super fun, but you‘ll want to make sure you care for them properly so they retain their value and stay looking pristine. Here are some of my top tips for keeping them in mint condition:
- Display them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading of colors over time.
- Keep them in a cool, dry room with a relatively stable temperature. Avoid humidity!
- Gently clean them every so often with a soft microfiber cloth or brush. Watch out for abrasive cleaners.
- Never display them somewhere they could easily be knocked over. Dropping them can cause permanent damage.
- Leave them in their original packaging or protected display cases to reduce handling that could scuff them.
- Consider purchasing soft plastic Pop protectors to place individual Pops inside. They help protect from scratches.
- Don‘t place stickers directly on Pops or write on them with pen. This could devalue them.
- Handle Pops carefully by their bases rather than heads/bodies. Oils from skin can wear down the paint.
- Never microwave a Pop or otherwise expose them to high heat. Vinyl can melt!
With proper storage and care, your Funko Pop investment should stay looking awesome for many years. Given their rising collectibility, protecting their condition is a smart move as they gain value.
The Joys of Collecting Funko Pops
Thanks for checking out my picks for the 10 best Funko Pop figures released to date. As you can see, I‘m clearly obsessed with these adorable vinyl figures!
In my opinion, collecting Funko Pops is one of the most fun and satisfying hobbies out there. I love being able to display my favorite movies, games, and characters right on my shelves. It‘s also thrilling to hunt down hard-to-find exclusives and chase variants.
I hope this article gave you some great suggestions to enhance your own Funko Pop collection with. Let me know if you agree or disagree with any of my top 10 choices! I‘m always eager to debate and discuss Pop opinions with fellow enthusiasts.
Happy collecting!