Top Action Figure Brands That Rule the Collector's Universe

Action figures have been a beloved staple in the world of collectibles, offering fans a tangible piece of their favorite characters and stories. With a vast array of brands specializing in these detailed models, enthusiasts often seek the cream of the crop when expanding their collections. Companies like Bandai, Hasbro, NECA, and McFarlane Toys are renowned for their high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, capturing characters from popular franchises with remarkable fidelity. For an in-depth look at what makes each of these brands stand out, take a closer look at the list below.

Illustration of action figures

Best brands of action figures in 2025

Hasbro

Hasbro, a leading producer of action figures since creating the first G.I. Joe line in 1964, holds a significant market share, with approximately 18.71% overall in Q3 2024, and about 18% of the action figure market in 2012, selling over $1.1 billion in that year. Despite a 14% decline in sales in 2012, they remain a major player with lines like G.I. Joe Classified as a popular choice, offering highly detailed figures with numerous accessories. You can explore their wide range of products at hasbropulse.com.

Mattel

Mattel, a leading toy manufacturer, has a strong presence in the action figure market, demonstrated by their 2023 sales of $1.065 billion in the "Action figures, building sets, and games" category, despite a slight decline in action figures due to fewer theatrical releases; while the global action figure market is expected to reach $18.4 billion by 2032, with an annual growth rate of 8.3%, Mattel continues to be a key player with popular lines like WWE figures and Jurassic World, along with a variety of other collectibles, including collaborations with SpaceX; although Mattel experienced a decrease in action figure sales in the first quarter of 2023, they still hold a significant position in the overall market. You can explore their diverse range of action figures on their official website.

NECA

NECA, the National Entertainment Collectibles Association, founded in 1996 and beginning toy production in 2002, is a leading producer of highly detailed action figures, focusing on collector-oriented figures, particularly within the horror genre, and expanding to other popular franchises. While the global action figure market is expected to reach USD 18.5 billion by 2033, NECA stands out for its quality and accuracy in sculpting, though some have noted issues with articulation and tolerance. NECA's figures often include numerous accessories and are based on licenses that other companies may not pursue, catering to a niche market of adult collectors.

Bandai

Bandai, established in 1950, is a leading Japanese toy manufacturer, achieving a record net sales of ¥1.05 trillion ($6.7 billion) in fiscal year 2024, with 73.6% of their sales coming from character goods such as action figures, and holding a significant 88% of the character model market share in 2004. They are renowned for their high-quality figures, particularly from franchises like Gundam and Ultraman, with the popular "Tamashii Nations" brand for mature collectors launched in 2008, and they also hold 65% of the capsule toy dispenser market share. The company's dedication to quality and innovation has solidified its position as a dominant player in the action figure industry and the broader toy market. You can explore their products at: Bandai's official website.

Hot Toys

Hot Toys, established in 2000 in Hong Kong, has become a leading producer of high-end 1/6th scale action figures, known for their meticulous hand-sculpted and painted detail, with some figures having 50-100 points of articulation and numerous accessories. Often based on popular franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, the company initially produced military figures before transitioning to licensed media properties. Hot Toys is considered the number-one manufacturer of figures with a worldwide reach through various distributors; the action figure market is anticipated to reach $15.3 billion by 2031, showing the popularity of such collectible figures.

McFarlane Toys

Founded in 1994 by Todd McFarlane, McFarlane Toys has become a leading producer of highly detailed and articulated action figures, known for its quality and innovative designs, especially with the Spawn series, which has sold hundreds of millions of copies globally since 1992. The company has secured licenses with major brands like DC Comics, demonstrating its influence in the market, which is projected to reach $18.5 billion by 2033 with a compound annual growth rate of 6.87%. McFarlane Toys caters to a wide range of collectors, offering figures from various franchises, including movies, video games, and comics. You can explore their diverse product line at the official website.

Funko

Funko, founded in 1998, has become a leading producer of pop culture collectibles, especially action figures, with their iconic Funko Pop! line launching in 2010; they are currently the number one manufacturer in action figures, achieving a 16% year-over-year growth in sales while the overall category is down 5% in the EU5 market. Despite facing challenges in 2023, Funko's Q3 2024 earnings show a gross margin of 40.9%, improving from 33.2% in Q3 2023, and they anticipate net sales of around $1.037 to $1.050 billion in 2024. You can explore their vast collection of figures and more on their website.

Sideshow Collectibles

Sideshow Collectibles, established in 1994, is a leading American manufacturer specializing in high-end collectible action figures and statues. They partner with major brands like Marvel, DC, and Star Wars, and are considered one of the best in the industry. Their products are known for their exceptional detail and accuracy, appealing to a global community of over 400,000 passionate collectors across 123 countries, contributing to the 9.7 billion USD action figures market in 2024, which is projected to grow to 18.5 billion USD by 2033. Visit their official website to explore their exquisite range of collectibles.

Mezco Toyz

Established in 2000, Mezco Toyz has become a leading producer of highly detailed and unique action figures, with their popular One:12 Collective line featuring licensed characters from Marvel and DC, alongside their original creations like the Living Dead Dolls, which gained significant attention since its launch; known for their blend of creativity and craftsmanship, Mezco's figures attract collectors globally with their detailed designs and numerous accessories, cementing their place as a top name in the action figure market, with over 100 products currently available in their catalog.

LEGO

LEGO, a leading toy manufacturer, first introduced their iconic minifigures in 1978, which have since become recognized as a popular action figure option, with over 4 billion produced by 2020. Despite a challenging toy market in 2023, LEGO experienced a 4% growth in sales, outpacing the industry and expanding their market share, particularly in building sets, where LEGO Icons, Disney Classic, and Speed Champions dominated the category. The action figures market is expected to reach $15.3 billion by 2030, with LEGO's building sets experiencing significant growth. You can explore a wide variety of LEGO action figures on the official LEGO website.