The Most Popular Action Figure, Ranked

Choose the action figure you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 17, 2024 06:28
Collectors and enthusiasts often face the challenge of determining which action figures are most esteemed by the community. To help provide clarity, a system where fans can vote on their favorites has been developed. This process not only aids in acknowledging the top picks but also assists new collectors in understanding the market trends. By participating in this voting process, users contribute to a dynamic ranking that reflects current preferences and opinions within the collector community. This continuous input ensures that the list remains relevant and insightful, offering a valuable resource for both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike. Your vote matters in shaping this exciting collection of cherished figures.

What Is the Most Popular Action Figure?

  1. 1
    66
    votes

    Star Wars figures

    Kenner, Hasbro
    These figures have been popular for decades and continue to be a top seller. They have a huge fan base and their popularity only continues to grow.
    Star Wars figures are a collection of action figures based on the characters from the Star Wars franchise. They are highly sought after by collectors and fans alike for their attention to detail and iconic status.
    • Scale: 1:18
    • Materials: Plastic, Metal
    • Height Range: Approximately 4-6 inches
    • Articulation: Multiple points of articulation
    • Accessories: Varies per figure, including weapons, vehicles, and interchangeable parts
  2. 2
    40
    votes
    The Marvel Universe has become a huge success in recent years with blockbuster movies and TV shows. The figures are highly detailed and collectible.
    Marvel Superheroes is a popular action figure line that features characters from the Marvel Comics universe. These highly detailed and articulated figures allow fans to recreate their favorite superhero adventures and battles. Each figure is meticulously designed to resemble their comic book counterparts, with attention given to their costumes, weapons, and unique characteristics. The Marvel Superheroes action figures have gained a massive following among collectors, comic book enthusiasts, and fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
    • Figure Height: Around 6 to 7 inches
    • Articulation Points: Multiple points of articulation for dynamic posing
    • Character Selection: Features a wide variety of Marvel superheroes and villains
    • Accessories: Includes character-specific weapons, props, and interchangeable parts
    • Materials: Made from durable plastic and high-quality materials
  3. 3
    14
    votes

    G.I. Joe

    Stan Weston
    These figures have been popular since their debut in the 1960s. They are highly detailed and have a strong fan base.
    G.I. Joe is a popular action figure that was first introduced in the 1960s. It has since become an iconic toy in the field of action figures. G.I. Joe is known for its military-themed characters and accessories, providing children with a platform for imaginative play and storytelling. The action figure has gone through various iterations and reboots over the years, keeping the brand relevant and appealing to new generations of children and collectors alike.
    • Year of Introduction: 1964
    • Scale: 1:6
    • Height: 12 inches (30 cm)
    • Materials: Plastic, cloth
    • Accessories: Weapons, vehicles, clothing, gear
    G.I. Joe in other rankings
  4. 4
    17
    votes
    These figures are popular with both children and adults. They are highly detailed and transformable.
    Transformers is a popular action figure franchise that originated in the 1980s. It features a fictional universe where sentient robots, known as Transformers, can transform from humanoid robots to various vehicles or objects. The franchise encompasses various media including animated TV series, comic books, movies, and toys. The concept of Transformers revolves around the eternal struggle between two factions, the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons.
    • First Release Year: 1984
    • Number of Generations: 13
    • Number of Characters: Over 10,000
    • Varying Sizes: From 1 inch to over 2 feet in height
    • Toy Materials: Plastic, Die-cast Metal
  5. 5
    20
    votes
    Batman figures have been popular for decades and continue to be a top seller. They are highly detailed and collectible.
    Batman is a fictional superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. He was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Batman is widely regarded as one of the greatest comic book superheroes of all time.
    • Alter Ego: Bruce Wayne
    • First Appearance: Detective Comics #27 (1939)
    • Abilities: Peak physical and mental conditioning, expert detective skills, martial arts and combat expertise, advanced gadgets and technology, highly skilled strategist
    • Secret Identity: Known to very few individuals, including trusted allies
    • Base of Operations: Gotham City
  6. 6
    12
    votes
    These figures have been popular since the 1980s and continue to be a top seller. They are highly detailed and collectible.
    The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a popular animated franchise that revolves around the adventures of four anthropomorphic turtles named Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Splinter, the turtles emerge from their sewer lair to protect the city from various criminals, mutant creatures, and other threats.
    • First Appearance: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (May 1984)
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
    • Primary Medium: Comics
    • TV Series: Several animated series adaptations have been made, including the popular 1987 animated series and the 2012 CGI series.
    • Movies: Multiple movies have been released, including the live-action films in the 1990s and the 2014 reboot.
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in other rankings
  7. 7
    6
    votes

    Power Rangers

    Haim Saban
    These figures have been popular since the 1990s and continue to be a top seller. They are highly detailed and collectible.
    Power Rangers is a popular action figure franchise that originated from a Japanese television series called Super Sentai. It features a team of color-coded heroes who possess unique powers and pilot giant robots known as Zords to fight against evil forces. The Power Rangers concept was adapted into various seasons and has gained a massive following worldwide.
    • First Appearance: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993)
    • Number of Seasons: 27
    • Number of Episodes: 902
    • Teams: Multiple teams of Power Rangers throughout the series
    • Main Villain: Rita Repulsa
  8. 8
    11
    votes

    WWE wrestlers

    Mattel
    These figures have been popular with wrestling fans for decades. They are highly detailed and collectible.
    WWE wrestlers are action figures based on professional wrestlers from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a globally recognized sports entertainment company. These action figures allow fans to recreate their favorite wrestling matches and create new storylines.
    • Size: Approximately 6-7 inches tall
    • Material: Durable plastic
    • Articulation: Multiple points of articulation for dynamic posing
    • Detailing: Realistic facial features and attire inspired by the wrestlers' on-screen appearances
    • Accessories: Includes various props and signature weapons
  9. 9
    3
    votes
    These figures were popular in the 1980s and have recently made a comeback. They are highly detailed and collectible.
    He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a popular action figure and multimedia franchise that originated in the 1980s. It follows the adventures of He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe, and his allies as they battle against the evil Skeletor. The franchise has expanded to include animated TV series, comic books, video games, and a live-action film.
    • Release Year: 1982
    • Action Figure Size: Around 5.5 inches tall
    • Characters: He-Man, Skeletor, Man-At-Arms, Teela, etc.
    • Unique Feature: Most figures had an action feature like battle armor or spring-loaded power punch
    • Playsets: Castle Grayskull and Snake Mountain
  10. 10
    2
    votes

    Jurassic Park

    Various manufacturers
    These figures are based on the popular movie franchise and are highly detailed and collectible.
    Jurassic Park action figure is a popular collectible inspired by the Jurassic Park film franchise. It is a highly detailed and articulated action figure that resembles various characters from the movies. The figure is made of high-quality materials and features accurate sculpting, paintwork, and accessories. It allows fans to recreate thrilling dinosaur adventures and relive the excitement of the iconic movie series.
    • Material: High-quality plastic
    • Size: Approximately 6-7 inches tall
    • Articulation: Multiple points of articulation
    • Authenticity: Officially licensed product
    • Detailing: Highly detailed sculpting and paintwork

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular action figure

  1. Sales figures
    The number of units sold is a strong indicator of popularity. Action figures that consistently sell well or break sales records are likely popular amongst consumers.
  2. Brand recognition
    Action figures connected to well-known franchises, characters, or brands tend to be more popular than lesser-known properties or characters. For example, action figures from Marvel, Star Wars, or DC Comics tend to have widespread appeal.
  3. Cultural impact
    The significance of the character or franchise in popular culture can contribute to the action figure's popularity. Characters that have made a significant impact on pop culture or have strong fan followings are likely to have more popular action figures.
  4. Quality and craftsmanship
    High-quality and well-designed action figures are likely to be more popular. Attention to detail, materials used, and overall design can affect both the collectability and playability of an action figure.
  5. Accessibility
    Action figures that are widely available through mainstream retail channels or online stores are more likely to be popular, as more consumers have the opportunity to purchase them.
  6. Price point
    Affordability plays a role in popularity. While some collectors may be willing to pay top dollar for limited edition or premium action figures, the majority of consumers prefer affordable options. Action figures that offer a good balance between quality and price are more likely to be popular.
  7. Play value
    Action figures that offer interesting play features or accessories are likely to be more popular, especially among younger fans. Features such as articulation, interchangeable parts, or playsets can enhance the play value and appeal of an action figure.
  8. Marketing and promotion
    How well an action figure is promoted through advertising, social media, and other marketing channels can have a significant impact on its popularity. Action figures that receive substantial marketing support and are prominently displayed in stores may be more attractive to consumers.
  9. Awards and recognition
    Action figures that receive industry awards or accolades are likely to be popular due to their enhanced visibility and perceived quality.
  10. Collector appeal
    For collectors, factors such as rarity, exclusivity, or potential for appreciation in value can contribute to an action figure's popularity. Limited edition releases, special variants, or figures that are part of long-running series are more likely to be sought after by collectors.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular action figure. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or action figure is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2007 views
  • 192 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each action figure once every 24 hours. The rank of each action figure is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular action figure

Action figures have been around for decades, captivating the hearts and minds of children and adults alike. These miniature figurines are modeled after characters from popular movies, TV shows, and comic books. From heroic superheroes to ferocious monsters, action figures have become a staple in the toy industry. The popularity of action figures soared in the 1980s with the creation of iconic franchises such as Star Wars, Transformers, and G.I. Joe. These toys captured the imaginations of countless children and helped to cement the action figure as a beloved toy for generations. In recent years, the action figure market has continued to expand with the rise of comic book movies and superhero franchises. Collectors now seek out rare and exclusive figures, driving up prices and creating a thriving secondary market. So, what is the most popular action figure? With so many options to choose from, it's hard to say. However, through our extensive polling and ranking system, we're confident that we can help you discover the fan-favorite action figures of all time.

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