September 09, 2023 6 min read
Welcome to our comprehensive guide covering the Funko Pop market. In this guide we offer essential statistics, trends, and key facts about the Funko Pop market. Let’s dive in.
In 2023, Funko is predicted to generate revenue of $1.10 billion, reflecting a 17% decrease from the previous year. Roughly 70-75% of their revenue is attributed to their popular lines of figurines. This year, on the tailwinds of COVID-19, Funko has faced multiple challenges, including excess inventory write-offs exceeding $30 million, a workforce reduction of over 12%, and leadership changes. Funko is currently in the process of restructuring and implementing cost reduction initiatives.
Funko operates on the belief that there's a fan for everything, and they've successfully cultivated a highly engaged community of fans spanning across genders and age groups. Contrary to being mere toys, their products resonate with a broad audience, with the average customer age standing at 36 years old. Funko consistently nurtures this dedicated fanbase by leveraging digital platforms, social media, and real-world events. As a result, this enthusiastic following has played a significant role in driving substantial revenue growth for the company.
Year |
Revenue |
Annual Change |
2023 |
$1.10B (estimated) |
-17% |
2022 |
$1.32B |
28.51% |
2021 |
$1.03B |
57.74% |
2020 |
$652.54M |
-17.93% |
2019 |
$795.12M |
15.89% |
2018 |
$686.07M |
32.94% |
2017 |
$516.08M |
20.94% |
2016 |
$426.72M |
- |
The secondary market for Funko Pops is estimated to be worth $700 million to $1 billion, as stated by former Funko CEO Andrew Perlmutter. To take advantage of this and other growth opportunities, a consortium led by former Disney CEO Bob Iger, sports agent Rich Paul, and eBay, among others, acquired a 25% stake in Funko in 2023. This investment positions eBay as the preferred secondary market for Funko products, with plans for exclusive releases.
The popularity of Funko Pops has given rise to a thriving accessories market, featuring clear plastic protective cases, and displays. While specific market size data is unavailable, several players have entered the competitive landscape. Vaulted Vinyl is at the forefront, introducing innovative products and customer experiences, including V2 Premium Protectors (the world's first UV and scratch-resistant protectors), the Guardian (a best-in-class foldable protector), the Legendary (a virtually unbreakable hard protector), and uniquely designed Display Vaults, a radical take on Funko Pop displays.
1. The rise of limited edition Funko Pops.
Funko has been releasing more and more limited edition Funko Pops in recent years, and this trend is likely to continue in 2023. These figures are often more expensive than regular Funko Pops, but they are also more desirable to collectors.
2. The growth of the Funko secondary market.
The secondary market for Funko Pops has been growing rapidly in recent years. This is due to the fact that some Funko Pops have become very valuable, and collectors are willing to pay a premium to get their hands on them.
3. The increasing popularity of Funko Pops outside of the United States.
Funko Pops are becoming increasingly popular in markets outside of the United States. This is due to the fact that the company is expanding its distribution channels and partnering with more international retailers.
How many different Funko Pops are there? Funko has been producing Pop figures for over 20 years, resulting in a total of 13,741 unique Pop figures that exist as of 2023, up from 8,366 in 2019.
The Pokémon Pop collection comprises 81 figures, with the most recent release being Espeon (Flocked) in September 2023. Notably, this collection does not currently include any chase figures.
Top 3 Most Expensive Pokémon Funko Pops:
1. 2022 Charizard (Metallic) (Canceled) - $800 (Rumored to be released at WonderCon 2022 but canceled)
2. 2021 ECCC Charmander (Diamond Glitter) (ECCC Con Sticker) - $250
3. 2021 ECCC Vaporeon (Diamond Glitter) (ECCC Con Sticker) - $250
There are 131 Game of Thrones Funko Pop figures, including rare variants like the 2013 SDCC Freddy Funko as Jaime Lannister (Bloody).
Top 3 Most Expensive Game of Thrones Funko Pops:
1. 2013 SDCC Freddy Funko as Jaime Lannister (Bloody) - $19,330
2. 2013 SDCC Freddy Funko as Jaime Lannister - $4520
3. 2013 SDCC Ned Stark (Headless) - $1080
The complete Marvel Funko Pop list features 1305 figures, with rare variants such as the 2012 SDCC Freddy Funko as Tony Stark (Metallic) being among the most expensive.
Top 3 Most Expensive Marvel Funko Pops:
1. 2012 SDCC Freddy Funko as Tony Stark (Metallic) - $38,660
2. 2019 SDCC Freddy Funko as Venmo - $26,980
3. 2013 SDCC Freddy Funko as Ghost Rider (Metallic) - $23,270
The most popular Funko Pop figure, Dancing Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy, has garnered significant attention with approximately 35,732 listings within collections on PopPriceGuide.com and over 14,000 Amazon reviews. However, these figures likely represent only a fraction of the total production numbers for Dancing Groot, which are believed to be orders of magnitude larger. With its adorable charm and broad appeal, Dancing Groot could very well be the highest produced Funko Pop of all time.
The first Funko Pops, including Batgirl, Green Lantern, and two Batman variants, debuted in 2010 at San Diego Comic-Con as part of the Funko Force 2.0 line. These initial figures, packaged in clamshells, remain in circulation today and hold considerable value. They were originally exclusive to the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con.
Current Values:
The world’s largest Funko Pop collection is owned by David Mebane from Knoxville, Tennessee, who possesses a staggering 7,095 Funko figures.
Funko Pops began in 2010. Funko originally had a line of collectibles called 'Funko Force 2.0.' After SDCC 2010, the remaining Funko Force 2.0 figures were repackaged into the iconic Pop! boxes that Funko uses today.
Funko was founded in 1998 by Mike Becker and Claudia Becker. Initially, it was a project to create nostalgia-themed toys, starting with a bobblehead of the Big Boy mascot, a well-known restaurant advertising icon.
While Mike Becker founded Funko in 1998, it was likely a team effort that brought the Funko Pops we know and love to life. With the first Funko Pops being released in 2010, Funko was 12 years into its journey as a brand.
Funko Pops are manufactured at factories in China and Vietnam.
Funko Pops were released in 2010. After they transitioned from the original line of collectibles called 'Funko Force 2.0.’ Funko repackaged them from plastic clamshell packaging into the iconic Funko Pop boxes that we know and love today.
Shareholders of Funko include TCG Capital Management LP, Working Capital Advisors (UK) Ltd., Richard H. Pickup, Cooper Creek Partners Management LLC, No Street GP LP, Massachusetts Financial Services Co., The Vanguard Group, Inc., Woodson Capital Management LP, Bayberry Capital Partners LP, and Geode Capital Management LLC.
The Funko Pop market is estimated to be between $700 million and $1 billion.
The rarest Funko Pop is the 2016 SDCC Willy Wonka and Oompa Loompa (Golden Ticket 2 Pack). This exclusive Funko Pop was released on July 22, 2016, during the Funko Fundays event at that year's San Diego Comic-Con. It became highly sought after among collectors. Only 4 of these sets were believed to have been created, making them exceptionally rare. In fact, aside from 1-of-1 prototypes, this 2 Pack likely stands as the rarest Funko Pop in existence.
The most expensive Funko Pop is the 2016 SDCC Willy Wonka and Oompa Loompa (Golden Ticket 2 Pack), ranking as the number 1 Most Expensive Funko Pop. Its price range is between $15,000 and $100,000, with the highest sale price reaching $100,000, with a rumored $200,000 sale in 2023. There are only 10 of these sets in existence.