What Makes a Funko Pop Valuable?

Most Pops are bought to enjoy, not to flip, and that's how it should be. But it's still nice to know which Pops hold their value and why some sell for many times their original price. Here's what actually drives the price of a Pop, based on what we see buying and selling them every day.

Limited availability

The biggest factor is how many were made and how hard they are to get. That's why these categories tend to be worth more:

• Convention exclusives: sold at one event with a limited run.
• Chase variants: usually packed about 1 in 6.
• Store exclusives: only sold through one retailer.
• Numbered limited editions: the sticker or box shows the exact production run.

Vaulted Pops

When Funko stops producing a Pop, it's called "vaulted." Once a Pop is vaulted, the only copies left are the ones already out there. Prices for vaulted Pops tend to climb over time, especially for popular characters, because no new stock is coming.

Character and franchise demand

A limited Pop of a character nobody's looking for won't go far. The most valuable Pops combine scarcity with a character people love. Franchises with big, active fan bases (anime, Marvel, Star Wars, horror) tend to hold value best. A new movie, season or game can also push up prices for older Pops of the same characters.

Condition

For collectors, the box is part of the item. Things that lower value:

• Creases, dents and crushed corners
• Sun fading
• Price tags, tape or sticker residue
• Scratched or torn windows
• Out-of-box figures (almost always worth less than in-box)

That's why protectors matter. Our guide on protecting and displaying Pops covers the basics.

Special finishes

Glow in the dark, metallic, flocked and diamond versions usually sell for more than the standard figure, especially when they're also exclusives. A glow-in-the-dark chase of a popular character is about as good as it gets for a lot of collectors.

How to check what a Pop is worth

Look at sold listings, not asking prices. Anyone can list a Pop for a crazy number, but what it actually sold for tells you the real market. Check a few recent sales and pay attention to condition, since a mint box and a beat-up box can sell for very different prices.

Our honest take

Buy Pops you like. Values go up and down, and nothing is guaranteed. If you collect what you enjoy and keep it in good shape, you'll be happy with your collection either way, and if some of it goes up in value, that's a bonus.

If you're hunting for the limited stuff, start with our Exclusives and Chase sections.