The Booming Market for Rare Funko Pops
Over the past decade, Funko Pops have become one of the hottest collectible toys on the market. What started out as a niche hobby has exploded into a massive pop culture phenomenon, with fans snapping up every new vinyl figure release.
While most Funko Pops retail for around $10-15, the aftermarket for rare and limited edition figures is booming. High demand from collectors combined with scarce supply has led some Funko Pops to sell for jaw-dropping prices at auction or on the secondary market.
So what is driving these astronomical valuations? Much comes down to the classic economic principles of supply and demand. When Funko produces a limited run of a figure for an event like San Diego Comic Con, it automatically creates scarcity. And fans go crazy trying to hunt down exclusive figures.
Mix in the popularity of an iconic character like Stan Lee, Tony Stark, or The Joker, and you have a recipe for Funko Pop gold. Read on as we profile the most expensive Funko Pops ever sold and why serious collectors are shelling out five- and even six-figure price tags.
What Makes a Funko Pop Valuable?
When appraising the investment value of a Funko Pop, collectors assess several factors:
- Edition Size: Lower production runs increase scarcity and value. Figures limited to 24 or 12 pieces understandably fetch higher prices.
- Exclusivity: Was the Funko Pop an event exclusive or limited edition gift for employees? If so, fewer were produced compared to a wide retail release.
- Box Condition: Collectors want Funko boxes in mint, near-perfect condition. An unopened box will fetch exponentially more than an OOB (out of box) figure.
- Popularity: Iconic characters like Batman or Hello Kitty will always command higher prices than more niche franchises.
The Top 10 Most Expensive Funko Pops Ever Sold
Now that you know why some Funko Pops enter rare air, let‘s count down the 10 highest sales on record. Values are from the Pop Price Guide collector community database:
#10: Freddy Funko as Dumbo – $13,300
Kicking off the list is this adorable Dumbo figure styled after the Freddy Funko mascot. One of only 24 pieces produced as a San Diego Comic Con 2011 exclusive, this blue-hued pachyderm has soared in value recently after selling for under $2,000 in 2020.
#9: Moon Knight – $19,200
Disney+ has shone a spotlight on lesser-known Marvel heroes, driving up demand for this glow-in-the-dark Moon Knight Funko. It was a Comic Con exclusive limited to only 12 figures.
#8: Freddy Funko as Thundercat – $19,500
Another iconic 80s character, Thundercat was produced in a 12-piece run for San Diego Comic Con 2011. Fetching nearly $20k demonstrates the incredible nostalgia value of this cartoon hero.
#7: Freddy Funko as Spike (Cowboy Bebop) – $19,700
Anime fans rejoiced when Funko launched its Animation line, including cult classic Cowboy Bebop. This metallic blood-splattered Spike Spiegel has surpassed $20k in private sales thanks to just 24 figures produced.
#6: Clockwork Orange Alex DeLarge – $32,500
The iconic Kubrick anti-hero makes his mark in sixth place. Also produced in a tiny 24-piece run, this Alex glow-in-the-dark figure has become the holy grail for Funko Pop movie fans.
#5: Iron Man Freddy Funko – $38,500
Earth‘s beloved defender cracks the top 5 with this Convention Exclusive Freddy Funko molded to Tony Stark‘s heroic form. It‘s one of only 12 figures created, though rumor has it a partial production run of 6 more sat in the Funko vault for years.
#4: Freddy Funko as General Grievous – $38,500
Star Wars remains a perennial fan favorite, driving up prices on rare pieces like this Funko Pop take on cybernetic Separatist leader General Grievous. At only 12 produced as 2013 Comic Con exclusives, it‘s no surprise supply can‘t keep pace with fandom demand.
#3: V for Vendetta Metallic Chase – $45,000
The #3 spot goes to this ultra rare Chase variant of the anarchistic V character from the Wachowskis‘ dystopian thriller. Valued at $45k thanks to only a dozen copies distributed exclusively at SDCC 2012 events.
#2: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory – $100,000
Here is the crown jewel of Funko Pop Holy Grails: the Willy Wonka Golden Ticket edition. This special SDCC 2011 variant featured scratch-off golden tickets offering prizes for lucky attendees. Only 10 boxes exist with Wonka & Oompa Loompa figures.
This uber-rare box set obliterated Funko auction records when an anonymous buyer purchased it for a mind-blowing $100k in 2022.
#1: Clockwork Orange Glow-in-the-Dark Chase – $61,000
The current record holder for most expensive Funko Pop of all time is none other than our dear deranged droog Alex DeLarge. In 2022, a private collector purchased the ultra rare glow Chase variant for $61,000!
Just 24 were produced as 2012 SDCC exclusives, but finding one that hasn‘t already been snatched up by devoted Kubrick fans is virtually impossible. No surprise this masterpiece commands such an astronomical market value.
Most Expensive Funko Lines
Now that you‘ve seen the priciest individual pieces let‘s examine the most valuable Funko lines driving the rare pop market:
Freddy Funko – The mascot character modeled after founder Brian Mariotti, Freddy has been molded into endless incarnations as event exclusives. Limited supply makes these pieces catnip for hardcore collectors.
Comic Con Exclusives – San Diego Comic Con remains prime real estate for launching limited edition Funko Pops. These finite batches enter the market with built-in scarcity value.
Animation – Funko‘s animation collection brings beloved cartoon and anime characters into the Pop fold, like Cowboy Bebop‘s Spike. Nostalgia creates intense demand here.
Star Wars – Perhaps the most fanatical fandom in existence, Star Wars completionists pay big bucks for rare Freddy Funko incarnations of characters like Boba Fett.
Marvel – As the MCU ushers heroes into household name status, rare Marvel Funko Pops like Convention Exclusives soar in value. Discontinued Grail pieces bring in major auction sales.
Outlook for Serious Collectors
The vibrant secondary market shows no signs of cooling off, as iconic Funko Pops continue to reach new high water marks at auction. While not every Pop will enjoy stratospheric gains in value, the most coveted limited editions appear poised to remain solid investments.
For serious Funko collectors looking to buy and hold Grail pieces as assets, focus on securing Convention Exclusives, limited edition Freddys, and popular animation lines in pristine condition. Trends also favor comic book and Star Wars characters enjoying surges in mainstream popularity.
Of course, the ultra rare Clockwork Orange and Wonka Golden Ticket pieces likely remain once in a lifetime scores. But there‘s still plenty of room for Pops valued in the hundreds or thousands of dollars to escalate further.
While far more affordable, the average Pop buyer can still find cool figures to display out of box without worrying about condition. Just don‘t throw away the boxes for pieces that may one day mature into bigger value!
