15+ Funko Pop Facts to Funk Up Your Toy Collection in 2023

If you’ve ever felt stuck picking a gift for a fanatical Fortnite fan or a Trekkie zealot, you’ve probably ended up going with, or at least considered Funko Pops.

The adorable vinyl figures with excessively large heads, slim bodies, and black button eyes have riveted the public’s imagination for decades now. If you’re curious to know more about the delightful collectibles that your best friend won’t let you even touch, scroll down to our stack of most memorable Funko Pop facts.

At the very least, they might give you a pretty good idea why your BFF is so overprotective of his miniature pets.

Funky Funko Facts (Editor’s Choice)

• Funko founder Mike Becker started his family-run project in a toy-filled garage.
• The first Funko Pop ever made was technically the Big Boy bobblehead.
• The company CEO spent $20 million to decorate his “dream home,” which included a home theater lined with “Star Wars” life-size figures.
• Sadly, a Super Mario bros funko pop line might never hit the shelves.
• Funko Pops can stretch your budget by $1,000 or even $120,000.
• It’s hard to beat the Guinness record for most Funko Pops figures owned—6,400 so far.
• Chase Funko Pops are the rarest among them all.
• Funko Inc. might soon turn into a billion-dollar business.

Funko Pop History

The nu-treasures known as Funko Pops used to only be found in one man’s garage. Now, however, they’re popping up everywhere. Let’s see what lead them from there to here!

1. Like most thriving start-ups, Funko was born in a garage.

(Source: Rolling Stone)

Mike Becker, the man who created Funko Pops, likely didn’t envision the overnight success his home project would become. His initial inspiration was steeped in nostalgic enthusiasm for pop favorites like Popeye, Count Chocula, and Big Boy.

Funnily enough, Becker was cruising eBay for a coin bank with Big Boy’s face when he stumbled upon an offer ranging in hundreds of dollars. Inspiration struck and he decided to launch a competitive (and more price-accessible) line of bobbleheads, and pop paraphernalia. 

2. The first ever Funko Pop was created in 1998.

(Source: Entertainment Earth)

This one is definitely a no-brainer, knowing Becker’s propensity for American pop culture (and hamburgers, it would seem). The first Funko figurine in history was a Big Boy bobblehead.

3. Who owns Funko Pop?

(Source: Entertainment Earth)

Funko Pops really took off after Brian Mariotti bought the company and became CEO in 2005. It then launched a hugely popular new line called Fantastik Plastik, which featured Wacky Races and Mad Monster Party characters.

4. The Funko Pops HQ are as fun and funky as their figurines.

(Source: The Gamer)

If you’re idling about Washington City, why not give the Funko office a try? You can sign up for a tour around the different areas of the HQ, getting lost in the worlds of Harry Potter, Marvel, DC, and more!

Popular Funko Pops

Funko Pop has it all—everything from fast-food mascots, through animation icons, to celebrity idols.

5. If you’re not one for petitions, you might want to reconsider.

(Source: The Arcade)

Funko Pop facts are often as weird as some Funko figures. 

For instance, close to 16,000 eager fans signed a petition for Funko to craft new chibis modeled after famous YouTubers. After all, who wouldn’t want a Markiplier Funko Pop while scrolling through the YouTube star’s gameplay sessions?

6. Not all franchises have been Funko-ed.

(Source: daily dot)

If you bump into a Luigi or Mario Funko Pop chibi, beware. These are most definitely fake, fan-art renditions of the real deal (or the real deal as it might have been).

Nintendo has so far rejected any advances made by Funko towards its appetizing Mario Bros. franchise. The company has kept a close grip on its licensing rights and doesn’t look like it will change its stance in the future. That’s Nintendo for you.

7. Some of the funniest Funko Pops are… well, funky.

(Source: The Gamer)

The Pikachu vinyl resembles the world-famous Pokemon only if it went on an extreme keto diet and had a neck-elongation operation… so not that much.

Though, it can get worse—the Roger Rabbit vinyl figurine is definitely more creepy than cute with its black button eyes. And don’t get us started on the Jabba the Hutt replica. That one looks like a tongue-lolling frog gone bananas.

8. Funko has revolutionized the meaning of “cute.”

(Source: BuzzFeed)

Among the cute Funko Pops ranks, you can find Monika and Phoebe from “Friends,” Chewbacca (it’s probably pretty obvious we’re quite partial to “Star Wars”), E.T. calling home and Harry Potter’s very own lovable Dobby.

9. The most obscure Funko Pop ever depicts Conan O’Brien as a White Walker.

(Source: CBR)

Sure, some figurines look outrageous when shrunk to a petite size, but there are also some obscure Funko Pop that are quite beloved out there. 

Star Wars’ Jar Jar Binks definitely ranks high here, shouldered by a cutesy Cthulhu (Lovecraft’s Dead Dreamer), and Rob Ross handling an artist’s palette.

10. Do you dare buy the Junji Ito Funko Pops?

(Source: comicbook)

If you want to get inside Ito’s head, think spirals, snails, and scary eyes. The manga artist has mastered the macabre and grotesque… and the Funko Pops inspired from his line of work are no exception.

A face growing out of a face, slugs coming out of poor Yuuko’s mouth, and horror galore await you.

Funko Revenue

In the past, Funko was on the brink of bankruptcy as distributors did not pay its original creator. Now, however, it’s reaping millions. What changed? 

11. Funko’s net worth might hit the $1 billion mark soon.

(Source: macrotrends)

Right now it stands exactly at $0.88 billion. Pretty impressive for a company that sold chibis for $800,000 before 2005. Once Mariotti bought off the company, it skyrocketed to $400 million in less than 10 years.

12. Funko sales have more than survived COVID-19.

(Source: Nasdaq)

At a time when whole industries were hit hard from lockdowns and restrictions, the vinyl pop company was booming and thriving. 

Following the closing of Q3 earnings in 2021, Funko’s revenue notched up 40% to $267.7 million. 

Interesting Funko Pop statistics to be aware of: Funko’s stock price has soared by 187% over the past year.

Funko Pop Info

Can you afford the most expensive Funko Pops? What makes Funkos so special and adorable? If you’re itching to know, wait no further.

13. There’s more than what meets the eye.

(Source: Love to Know)

If you haven’t stashed away an ample assortment of paraphernalia, you’re probably wondering why do people even collect Funko Pops? 

For some, it’s the affordability and availability of hundreds of darling characters and icons from their childhood or favorite franchise. For others, it’s the limited edition figurines they can stumble upon by luck or the pleasure of getting their hands on an exclusive one that was never commercially released.

Fun Funko Pop facts you should know: Some Chase Funko lines include only 10 copies of a beloved character. Talk about rare!

14. The science of “cuteness overload.”

(Source: MoviesMatrix)

Why do people like Funko Pops? The answer is quite simple, if you ask us. Do the figures have…

A disproportionately big head? Check. Black button eyes? Check. A tiny nose close to the eyes? Check.

According to some unquestionable science facts, these elements are sufficient for our brain to label something as “cute” and induce some awe-inspiring emotions in our heads.

15. What do you do with all the Funko Pops lying around?

(Source: Planet Express)

Well, you can showcase them as the treasure they are (some quite literally) or arrange them neatly on a shelf,in a glass cabinet, or even on your desk.

Of course, you can give them as gifts to adults and children alike, but some hard-core fans might consider playing with Funko Pops as mere toys as unpardonable sacrilege. 

Keep in mind these simple Funko Pop facts in case you’re intent on trading them. 1. Don’t throw away the retail box. 2. Keep the box in a pristine condition. The price tag will be worth it.

16. Your Funko Pops might easily outlive you.

(Source: PSC)

By now you’re probably wondering what exactly are Funko Pops made of? 

Popularly known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or simply as “vinyl,” the base material for Funko Pops is the most common plastic out there. Not the most eco-friendly option, for sure, but thankfully, most collectors keep their pet Pops for decades.

17. How many Funko Pops are there?

(Source: TechUnwrapped)

Even Funko Inc. has not released an official answer to this.

Some sources claim there might be around 20,000 separate Pop products (including changes in hair color, accessories, or pose of a single character).

More on “Funko Pop facts you can’t get enough of”: The Guinness record-holder with the largest collection is called Paul Scardino, the “POPthusiast” who boasts more than 6,400 different chibis.

18. A Chase sticker means you’ve hit the Funko jackpot.

(Source: Love to Know)

Okay, so you want to become a Funko Pop collector. But how to get rare Funko Pops?

If you’re in the market for valuable Pops, you might want to look out for the Chase sticker on the lower right side of the retail box. Chase chibis can be as low as 48 in total production compared to regular Funko versions ranging around the thousands at the least.

19. The most expensive Funko Pop will set you back $120,000.

(Source: Nerdable)

It’s just vinyl, right? Wrong. After Marvel comic creator Stan Lee passed away, his metallic Funko Pop renditions have been fetching prices ranging between $100,000 and $120,000. 

Other popular (and pricey) Funkos include a mix of Freddy (Funko’s mascot) and Jaime Lannister (“Game of Thrones”) as well as a glow-in-the dark Alex DeLarge (“A Clockwork Orange”) and a clown-attired Dumbo.

Do Funko Pops Have Brains?

20. Is there stuff in Funko Pop heads?

(Source: Nerd Life)

You can blame TikTok for this one…

A fad started on the popular social media showed Funko figures having their heads popped off (get it?). The things that people have “found” in Funko Pops include vinyl brains, random plastic parts, and even… erm, sushi? 

All we can say is: “Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.” These videos are fake and your Funko Pop does not have a brain.

Wrap Up

Funko Pops have seized the “toys for adults” market and are here to stay. They have offered a sturdy competition to action figure retailers, with most fans choosing them for their rather accessible prices. Do not be fooled, though, some of the bug-eyed cuties can be as high-end as the pricier dolls and action figures on the market.

We’d wager you have at least laid your eyes upon Funko Pops, digitally or in real life, but we expect that some of our Funko Pop facts might have taken you by surprise? So do you have a love-to-hate attitude towards Funkos or are you a devout collector of the all-too-cute chibis?