Ranked: The Top 7 Best Action Figure Brands for Collectors

Nov 13, 2023

Ranked: The Top 7 Best Action Figure Brands for Collectors

Action figures have been a pop culture hit for decades, and they don't plan on slowing down. In fact, the market is expected to keep growing by around 8.5% per year. With more children entering their formative years and more entertainment channels that offer toys as merch or promote toys, more and more people are collecting these cool products.

Whether you love action figures for their nostalgic value or collectible nature, it's essential to buy from reputable brands. These companies offer a unique blend of quality, attention to detail, and loyalty programs to keep you coming back for more.

In this article, we'll give you a rundown of the best action figure brands on the market.

7 Top Action Figure Companies You Should Know

The toy industry is so vast that you can find action figures on pretty much any corner. But if you want to ensure the right buy, your figures should come from the following brands:

1. Hot Toys

If realism is the key feature you look for in cool collectibles, Hot Toys can be an excellent choice. Its action figure collection focuses on lifelike models of characters in comic books, TV shows, and movies. Their facial expressions are accurate, and their postures with dozens of degrees of articulation allow you to picture your favorite hero on a mission.

Another notable aspect is the 1:6 scale. Most of their figures are made on this scale (e.g., a six-foot action hero is a one-foot action figure). Some of these include Luke Skywalker, Iron Man, and Wonder Woman.

2. Hasbro

Hasbro is a major player in the action figure realm, and for a good reason. The company has a wide range of products, mostly based on globally popular TV series, games, and movies, but the highlight is the iconic Transformers and G.I. Joe lines.

When it comes to the Transformers collection, the company heavily emphasizes on accuracy and details. They imbue their models with a large number of mobile parts to streamline the transformation and mimic the movie experience.

G.I. Joe action figures aren't too shabby either. They're the favorite of collectors who enjoy precise portrayals of their most beloved action heroes. Each G.I. Joe figure looks almost exactly like the real deal, thanks to compelling facial expressions, poses, and accessories (e.g., helmets, glasses, and weapons).

3. Mattel

There are many versatile action figure brands, but it hardly gets any more diverse than Mattel. While Barbie or Hot Wheels might first come to mind, the company offers a vast range of action figures from pretty much any franchise imaginable. Jurassic Park, Toy Story, Minecraft, and Masters of the Universe are just some of the movies/games Mattel draws inspiration from.

That's not all, as Mattel also specializes in WWE-themed figures. If you're a fan of WWE wrestling, you'll be able to choose from numerous performers, including Batista, Shawn Michaels, and Brock Lesnar. There are even a few accessories, such as the iconic WWE ring, ambulance, forklifts, and trucks.

4. Bandai

Bandai is a Japanese toy company that dominates this market. And it's easy to see why, considering all the high-quality action figures in its collection. For example, you can rely on Bandai for premium SH Figuarts (from Simple Style Heroic Action Figures and Arts), all of which are durable, detailed, and feature many moving parts and articulation joints that let your favorite characters assume different positions.

Other than SH Figuarts, Bandai also provides a whole host of anime/manga figures. Whether you're a fan of Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist, or Dragon Ball Z, you'll receive fantastic quality and realism if you buy their products.

5. McFarlane Toys

Based in the U.S., McFarlane Toys is big on realism and accurate detailing. This especially holds for its pop culture figures, such as Don Vito Corleone and Sheriff Jim Hopper. The brand sculpts each figure to ensure maximum likeness to the source material.

McFarlane Toys also equips models with appropriate accessories to make the products more immersive. For instance, their Bane action figure features the iconic mask that's hard to distinguish from the original piece. This villain even comes with a jaw-dropping gold coat and brown vest. Combined, all these items strike fear into the hearts of his enemies.

6. NECA

NECA makes top-grade collectible action figures for all ages. It specializes in recreating toys from a variety of franchises, especially famous movies.

For example, one of the company's most recent releases is Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin. All the details work brilliantly well with one another, from the nunchaku and gloves to the black cape and mask. Other popular characters include Superman from DC Comics-inspired movies, Goliath from Gargoyles, and Chucky Doll from Bride of Chucky.

Lastly, if you want a popular figure from a renowned video game franchise, NECA can be your go-to pick. Batman: Arkham Knight and The Last of Us are just some of the worlds that inspire this toy company.

7. Funko

Funko is known for the eye-catching Funko POP! collection. While the toys don't have the playability factor of standard action figure toys, their value as collectibles and showpieces gives the company a rightful place in the list. Many Funko Pops end up being among the best action figures to collect.

Funko owns licenses to make character figurines from different movie and video game franchises, allowing them to come up with realistic models. Figures from Five Nights at Freddy's, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Avatar, and the Marvel Universe are all available at Funko.

Factors Considered in Ranking

Whether you're looking for the best anime action figure brands or the best Marvel action figure brands, now you know which companies provide the ultimate value for the money. But how did we rank these manufacturers? Several factors were considered:

Craftsmanship and Detail

A brand's level of craftsmanship is the most important consideration. All the above companies use durable materials and paint jobs to increase the value of their products.

Their attention to detail is also admirable. Each brand ensures its products have multiple articulation points and accessories to make them more realistic.

Brand Legacy and Reputation

Well-established brands have been in the game for decades. Over the years, they've set the bar high in terms of action figure quality. As a result, the moment you see "Hot Toys" or "Mattel" on the label, you immediately know it's a first-class product.

Diversity of Offerings

While each brand specializes in a particular toy, it doesn't offer just one or two products. What sets the above companies apart from the rest is their diversity of offerings. They have countless figures modeled on many movie and video game characters.

Price and Accessibility

Whenever you're shopping for toys, you could use a detailed price guide. For instance, this Star Wars price guide lists the average costs of some of the most popular action figures from this franchise to help you avoid scams.

Price was also a big factor when coming up with these rankings. It's especially important if you need toys for investment, in which case you want a manufacturer to offer the highest value for the money. The seven best action figure brands definitely have some products that fall into this category.

At the same time, their products aren't too expensive, making them more accessible.

Start Your Adventure: Build a Remarkable Collection With ToyShnip

While there are many differences between the best action figure brands, they have one thing in common - reliability. You can be certain that their products will last long.

The only question is, where do you get the toys from these brands at a reasonable price? Look no further than ToyShnip.

Our shop features a curated collection of some of the best brands in the action figure industry. Hunting for top-rated and intricately designed collectible statues? How about legendary Transformer toys? Whatever you need, ToyShnip won't let you down. Head to our online toy store and dive into our endless selection of high-end action figures.

FAQs

What is the most popular action figure brand?

The most popular action figure brand is Hasbro, followed by Bandai, McFarlane Toys, and Funko.

Which company makes the best figurines?

Hasbro, Hot Toys, and Mattel make excellent-quality figurines. Other dependable manufacturers include Funko, NECA, McFarlane Toys, and Bandai.

What's the best action figure?

The best action figure depends on your needs. For instance, if you're interested in the best Star Wars action figure brands, Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker might be your #1 choice.