If you like collecting glimpses of pop culture, I’m sure you must have thought of getting a Funko Pop at least once. These bighead figures based on movies or comic characters are a new trend among collectors, who are ready to pay crazy high prices for these pop-culture toys!
In this guide, I’ll introduce you to the most expensive Funko Pops that broke the internet. I’ll also help you understand how to assess the value of a Funko Pop so you don’t miss out on a hidden gem!
What Is Funko Pop & Its History?
Funko Pops are small vinyl figures with large heads and bobbleheads released by Funko Inc. Company. The legacy of Funko collectibles started in 1998 when toy collector Mike Becker established the coin bank manufacturing company in Snohomish, Washington.
While the Funko coin banks were a big flop, leading the company to bankruptcy, Becker found another interesting way to stay in the business. He got the license to make bobbleheads based on the Austin Powers franchise, which was a major hit.
The new owner of Funko Inc., Brian Mariotti, began selling Pop! Vinyl figurines in 2011. These figurines are generally based on iconic characters from popular entertainment franchises, including Doctor Who, Dragon Ball, Marvel, DC, Disney, Star Wars, and more.
Most Expensive Funko Pops Ever Sold!
Since 2010, Funko Inc. has released numerous Pop figurines and bobbleheads. Out of all, animation movies, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pokémon-themed Pops are the most popular among collectors. These special figurines can sell for up to a few thousand dollars.
Let’s take a look at the 14 exclusive and most valuable Funko Pops that fetched unexpectedly high prices in online sales!
1. Willy Wonka & Oompa Loompa Golden Ticket Funko Pop! (Sold for $210,000)
This Funko Pop is really a golden ticket! Featuring a set of golden Willy Wonka and Oompa Loompa Pops, it was launched at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con. The company made only 10 of these ultra-rare sets, out of which only four were available for fans via the Golden Tickets found in the Funko chocolate bars.
This Funko Pop made headlines in 2022 when a buyer purchased it for a whopping $100,000 at Chalice Collectibles. Then, in 2023, the golden ticket broke its own record when it sold for a stunning price of $210,000, becoming the most expensive Funko Pop figure ever sold!
2. Clockwork Orange Funko Pop (Sold for $60,000)
This is the second highest-priced Funko Pop to find today and can be worth around $40,000 to $60,000. The Funko company had planned to release a series of Clockwork Orange Pops in 2012, but it had to use the name “Radio Days” for copyright due to the lack of funding required for licensing.
This resulted in a legal dispute between Clockwork Orange’s company and Funko Inc., which required Funko to destroy all Clockwork Pops, except 24 pieces, making it the rarest Funko Pop. These 24 pieces, all signed by Mariotti, were reportedly sold to Funko Funatic forum members and his friends and family.
3. Freddy Metallic Iron Man (Sold for $43,000)
If you’re a Marvel fan, you’ll love this Funko Pop action figure as it features a vinyl figure of Freddy as Tony Stark with a metallic finish. Being the only Marvel character in the Freddy Funko 12-piece series, it is highly rare and valuable, one selling for $43,000!
4. Bloody Freddy Funko Pop (Sold for $19,000 – $24,000)
This exclusive 25-pop series was launched at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con. Being a limited edition piece, the value of the Bloody Freddy, aka Bloody Jaime Lannister Pop can go as high as $19,000 to $24,000.
5. Freddy Funko Buzz Lightyear (Around $24,000)
This Funko Pop figure is another rare piece to look for! One of the oldest Freddy 12-pieces, its glow-in-the-dark (chase) version of the Freddy Buzz Lightyear Pop was exclusively distributed at the 2011 San Diego Comic Con. Only 25 Buzz Lightyear Chase Pops exist, and its estimated value can go up to $24,000 today!
6. Venom Freddy Funko Pop (Around $18,000)
This Funko Pop features Freddy as Venom from Marvel Comics. It was released in 2016 as a limited edition with only 24 Venom Freddy Pops and can be worth up to $18,000 – $19,000 today!
7. Boo Berry Funko Pop (Sold for $12,000 – $20,000)
This is the rarest Boo Berry Funko Ad icon Pop that was launched at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con. Being the original General Mills Boo Berry Pop, it is highly valuable and can sell for high prices of around $12,00 to $20,000.
8. Dragon Ball Z Animated Pop (Sold for $15,000)
Based on the popular Japanese animation television series Dragonball Z, this limited-edition Funko Pop vinyl figure was exclusively released at the New York Comic Con. A rare signed Dragonball Z Planet Arlia Vegeta Pop was sold for $15,000 on eBay!
9. Star Wars Gold Funko Pop Luke Skywalker (Sold for $15,000)
This Star Wars-themed golden Funko Pop features the most popular character from the series, Luke Skywalker. Released and distributed as a limited edition of only 80 pieces at 2019 Fundays, this Pop is highly sought after and fetches hefty returns. One of the highest sales of Loki Pop went up to $15,000 on eBay!
10. Metallic Stan Lee Red Funko Pop (Around $7,500)
This Funko Pop is the figure of the father of all comic superheroes! What makes it adorable is that it features Stan Lee as a superhero himself with a red outfit and a blue cape. Reportedly, only ten Metallic Stan Lee Pops were made in total, making them a rare Funko Pop. As of today, its estimated worth is around $7,500.
11. Signed Padme Amidala Funko Pop (Sold for $6,000)
If you rooted for Padme Amidala, this Star Wars Funko Pop will be your favorite. It features a vinyl figure of Amidala. Exclusively released for the 2018 Spring Convention, a Padme Amidala Pop with the autograph of actress Natalie Portman sold for $6,000 on eBay in April!
12. Freddy as Hopper Funko Pop (Around $3,000)
Funko Inc. released its Stranger Things-themed Funko Pops in 2023 in an exclusive 100-piece series. This Pop features Freddy Funko as the beloved character of Jim Hopper from the HBO series. While this vinyl figure is quite new, it can still be worth around $3,000 – $3,500 today!
13. Holographic Darth Maul Funko Marvel Pop (Sold for $3,250)
This unique Holographic Darth Maul Funko Pop is another gem for Star Wars lovers. With a glow-in-the-dark feature, this bobblehead looks unique and rare. One was sold at $3,250 on eBay, but as a few previous sales have estimated, its price can go up to $6,000.
14. Ghost Rider Freddy Funko Pop (Sold for $500 – $2,800)
This amazing metallic Funko Pop features Freddy Funko as the Ghost Rider. The 12-piece limited edition Pop series was released at Comic Con. It has generally sold for $500 – $2,800 previously. It’s estimated to be much more valuable today.
How to Find the True Value of Funko Pops
Unlike the ones mentioned in the above list, common Funko Pop figures are generally worth only $5 – $20. It’s the rare ones with special features that are worth hundreds or even thousands. The price, hence, depends on the following factors:
1. Condition & Original Box With Stickers
Naturally, Funko Pops should be in a pristine condition to be valuable. This means the cracks or any other type of damage will depreciate their value. Besides, Pops with original packaging boxes and certificates are much more valuable.
If the box has intact stickers of a Comic Con edition, a limited edition piece, or a Chase edition, it may hike the price of a Funko Pop a little more.
2. Rarity and Demand
Generally, Funko Pops which were released in a very small number and in limited editions are likely to fetch extremely high values in sales. Some examples of such Pops are Oompa Loompa Golden Funko Pop, Clockwork Orange Funko Pop, and a few chase edition Pops.
It’s also been observed that usually famous franchise-based Funko Pops, such as the Iron Man Pop, Venom Funko Pop, and Stranger Things Funko Pop figures are more desired than others.
3. Special Features
If a Funko Pop vinyl figurine has distinctive features, such as glow-in-the-dark features or chase features, that sets it apart from the common ones, it’s likely to hold a higher value. Pops with a golden finish are highly precious.
What Is a Chase Funko Pop Vinyl: These Funko Pops have different features than the regular ones, such as a different color theme, outfit, or finishes. You can spot these with a Chase sticker which is found at the lower-right corner of the box.
4. Exclusivity
Funko Pops that are released exclusively for a club or event, especially San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic Con, etc., are highly sought after by collectors. Besides, Pops manufactured in limited numbers for specific retailers also fetch hefty returns as they can’t be found everywhere.
5. Vaulted Funko Pops
Funko Pops that have been decommissioned or discontinued (not being manufactured as of today) are vaulted Pops. Since these Pops are hard to find in the market, their value may (or may not) increase with time.
6. Important Signatures
If a Funko box is signed by a popular celebrity, its value is amplified. A Marvel Iron Man Funko Pop signed by Robert Downey Jr. was sold for $2,650 on eBay in February. Another example is a Marvel Funko Pop Loki featuring an autograph of Stan Lee that sold for $2,500!
A Funko Pop is more than just a toy, and collecting Funko Pops can be more than just a hobby when you realize that some Pops could be worth a real fortune!
So, when hunting pop collectibles, use this list of valuable Funko Pops to spot the most precious pieces! Hess Trucks are another valuable collectible that could be worth a pretty penny!
