Funko POP gift guide: how to pick one they will actually love

Funko POP figures are one of the few gifts that work for a ten-year-old, a college student and a grandparent with a curio cabinet. They are small, recognizable and easy to wrap. The catch is choice. There are thousands of them, and the difference between a figure that gets a place of honor and one that ends up in a drawer usually comes down to a few small decisions. This guide is for anyone shopping for a POP fan, whether you know the hobby well or just know that the person you are buying for has a row of big-headed vinyl figures on a shelf.

01Start with the fandom, not the figure

The best POP gifts feel personal because they connect to something the person already loves. Before you look at a single box, write down two or three things they talk about: a movie series, a game, a comic character, a show they rewatch every year. Then look for figures from that world.

A few ways to narrow it down:

• Main character or deep cut. A casual fan usually enjoys the hero they recognize. A long-time fan may already own the hero and would rather have a side character, a droid or a creature that only true fans know.
• Favorite moment. If they quote one scene constantly, a figure from that scene says you were listening.
• Crossover appeal. Some characters bridge two fandoms. A Pokemon POP, for example, can please a card collector and a video game player in the same house.

If you are not sure which fandom wins, look at what is already on their shelf. The figures they have are the best clue to the figures they want.

02Box or no box: know which kind of collector they are

POP collectors tend to fall into two camps. Some keep every figure in its box and display the box itself, window out. Others pop the figure free the day it arrives and line them up loose. Neither is wrong, but it changes what you should look for.

For in-box collectors

Box condition matters a great deal to this group. Look for:

• Corners that are sharp rather than crushed or rounded.
• A clear window without deep scratches, dents or yellowing.
• No price stickers or tape on the front panel.
• Any special stickers (such as exclusive or convention stickers) still in place, if the figure came with one.

Read each listing description closely and look at every photo. If something about the box matters to your recipient and you cannot tell from the listing, it is worth asking before you buy. You can reach us through the contact page.

For out-of-box collectors

Loose displayers care about the figure, not the cardboard. Paint quality, a clean finish and the character itself matter more. A small box ding will not bother them, so you can focus on the character choice.

03Pick the right size and style

Not every POP is the standard figure in a window box. A few formats are worth knowing about:

• Standard POPs are the classic size and the easiest to add to an existing row.
• Larger POPs, like 10 inch figures, are built to be a centerpiece. They are a good choice when you want the gift to stand out rather than blend in.
• Movie Moments recreate a scene rather than a single character, so they take up more room and tell a small story on the shelf.

If the person already has a crowded shelf, a single larger piece or a scene can feel more special than one more standard figure in the line.

04Funko pieces available now

Here is what is on the Funko POP shelf at the moment. Our stock is a handful of pieces at a time, so the shelf below always shows what is available first.

• Babu Frik #435 (10 inch): the pint-sized droidsmith from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in the larger 10 inch format. A small character with a big presence, and a natural centerpiece for a Star Wars shelf.
• Escape Pod Landing, Movie Moments #222: a Star Wars scene rather than a single figure, which gives it extra presence next to other pieces.
• Spider-Woman #1228: from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. A good pick for a fan building a full multiverse lineup.
• Teddiursa #985: the little bear Pokemon from the Funko POP Games line, an easy add for a Pokemon fan’s desk or bookshelf.

Funko POP! Funko Pop! Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – 10″ Babu Frik #435 $59.99

Funko POP! Funko Pop! Marvel: Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse – Spider-Woman #1228 $13.99

Funko POP! Funko Pop! Games Pokemon – Teddiursa #985 $13.99

Funko POP! Funko POP! Escape Pod Landing, Movie Moments #222 $29.99

If your recipient is a Star Wars fan first and a POP fan second, it is also worth browsing the wider Star Wars collection, which includes vintage figures and other pieces alongside the POPs.

05How to display a POP so it feels like a gift

Part of what makes a POP feel special is where it ends up. A few simple ideas you can pass along, or set up yourself if the gift is for a child:

• Group by fandom. A row of Star Wars figures, then a row of Marvel, reads better than a random mix.
• Use height. Small risers or a stepped shelf let the back row show over the front row.
• Keep them out of strong sun. Direct sunlight can fade boxes and paint over time, so a shelf away from a bright window is kinder to the collection.
• Clear box protectors. In-box collectors often slip each box into a clear plastic protector to keep corners sharp and dust off.
• Give the big pieces room. A 10 inch POP or a Movie Moments scene looks best with a little space on either side.

06Quick picks checklist

Run through this before you check out:

1. Do I know their top one or two fandoms?
2. Do they keep figures boxed or display them loose?
3. Do they already own this character? (A quick look at their shelf or a family member can answer this.)
4. Does the size fit where it will live: standard, 10 inch or a scene?
5. Have I read the full listing and looked at every photo of the box?
6. If it is for a young child, have I checked the age guidance on the box?

If the exact figure they want is not here right now, add it to your Want List so we know what people are looking for.

07Funko POP gift FAQ

Are Funko POPs a good gift for kids?

They can be, especially for kids who love a particular movie, game or show. They are display figures more than play toys, though, so think about whether the child will enjoy having it on a shelf. For younger children, check the age guidance on the box.

Should I buy a POP in the box or loose?

Match the collector. If they keep everything boxed, box condition matters and you should look closely at the photos. If they display loose, focus on the character and the figure itself.

What does the number on a Funko POP mean?

Each POP carries a number within its line, such as #435 or #1228. Collectors use the numbers to identify figures and keep track of what they have, which also makes it easier for you to check a want list against what you are buying.

What if they already have the one I pick?

That is the most common gift problem with POPs. A quick check with a family member or a look at their shelf usually solves it. All sales are final here, so it is worth confirming before you buy.

08Find the one that fits

The right POP is the one that makes someone say “how did you know.” Start with the fandom, match their collecting style and give it a good spot on the shelf. Browse what is available now, or add a figure you are hunting for to the Want List.