Action figures may be small, but they are a big deal for movie and TV fans. This year has seen the release of an impressive number of figures based on the heroes and villains of screens, both big and small. Among the waves of new merchandise ready to be snapped up by eager collectors are figures that honor classic screen icons as much as the latest premieres.
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The action figure market grows annually and is expected to increase at just under 10 percent every year until at least 2030, which is excellent news for anyone waiting for the definitive recreation of their favorite character. They may find them in 2023’s diverse selection, with new ranges that dig into cinematic history, including one of film’s most iconic adventurers.
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NECA The Thing MacReady Action Figure
$35 $41 Save $6NECA has a great record producing stunning horror figures, and this model of Kurt Russell from John Carpenter’s claustrophobic 1981 classic doesn’t disappoint. MacReady comes packed with accessories, including a hat, goggles, rifle, lantern, bottle, and tumbler, as well as interchangeable heads and hands.
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Marvel Legends The Marvels Photon Action Figure
The Marvels is set to be the MCU’s last major release of 2023, uniting Captain Marvel, Miss Marvel, and Monica Rambeau’s Photon on the big screen. Although she first appeared in Captain Marvel, Rambeau’s electromagnetic powers developed in Disney Plus’s Wandavision. This 6-inch Legends model from Hasbro features a typically authentic sculpt and interchangeable hands.
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McFarlane Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom figure (Stealth Suit)
$20 $23 Save $3Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to close the DC Extended Universe in late 2023. As usual, McFarlane Toys is on hand to produce some impressive action figures inspired by the blockbuster, including this model, which captures Jason Momoa’s hero in the stealth suit first glimpsed in early promotional shots. Fans will be particularly interested in snapping up the final merch of the DCEU era.
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Bandai Godzilla Movie Monster Action Figure
$53 $58 Save $5Bandai’s Monster Movie Series has been delivering some legendary screen kaiju to collectors for years. In 2023, it’s the turn of the king of Kaiju’s latest form, taken from the 2023 film Godzilla Minus One. It’s as imposing as a 6-inch soft vinyl figure can be.
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Indiana Jones Adventure Series Raiders of The Lost Ark Toy
Hasbro has revealed a new range of hugely collectible Indiana Jones figures this year, covering all five films in the franchise. They don’t come much more iconic than this whip-cracking pose taken from the first movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Dial of Destiny may have brought a shutter down on the franchise in 2023, but this 6-inch figure should keep Indy’s exploits alive in fans’ minds.
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Star Wars Vintage Collection Grand Admiral Thrawn
Before Ahsoka, Grand Admiral Thrawn’s great entrance to TV came in the animated series Star Wars: Rebels. This vintage figure models the self-styled Heir to the Empire in the form of the space saga’s legendary original 3.75-inch figures. One of the franchise’s greatest villains will make a chilling addition to any fan’s collection.
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The Nun Valak Action Figure
A whole lot of horror is packed into this 7-inch poseable action figure. A distinctive model of the sinister presence at the heart of The Nun films comes with a display base ready to take pride of place on a fan’s shelf of horrors, especially next to other figures inspired by New Line’s Conjuring Universe.
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McFarlane Gold Label Batman & Batmobile (1989)
The Flash may have underwhelmed at the box office, but it did complete a trilogy of sorts for a popular incarnation of the Dark Knights. This set includes a 22-inch Batmobile and a 7-inch figure of Michael Keaton’s Batman, as both first appeared in 1989’s Batman. As usual, these are stunningly realistic models from McFarlane Toys that will hit the nostalgia nerve of many Bat-fans.
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Transformers Optimus Primal Non-Converting Action Figure
Any fan who thinks a Transformer has to transform should look at this stunning figure inspired by 2023’s Rise of the Beasts. This nearly 8-inch poseable model of the Maximal leader is a pre-built set with 25 pieces, including a dual-bladed spear, that will keep fans busy. Primal’s robot form may not transform into a gorilla, but it’s the ape details that make it a particularly stunning piece of Transformers merch.
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McFarlane Dune: Part Two Paul Atreides Action Figure
Dune: Part Two may have been delayed to 2024, but that hasn’t stopped this legendary survivor of House Atreides from making it out in 2023. The 7-inch model sees Paul in a stillsuit paired with a sword, soft cloak, and desert-sculpted base. Fans will note the character’s Spice-infused blue eyes.
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Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Rocket Action Figure
$18 $28 Save $10Volume 3 brought an era of The Guardians of the Galaxy to a close, and to no one’s surprise, Rocket Raccoon was the team’s heart. This surprisingly large 8-inch model comes with some impressive abilities. Fans can squeeze Rocket’s legs to push him into attack mode, raising his arms and blaster from his holster while his ears swivel and jaw drops into an expression familiar from the film's action scenes.
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Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves Displacer Beast Collectible Figure,
Honor Among Thieves was an entertaining trip to the famous fantasy land, and that can continue thanks to this scale figure of the fearsome six-legged panther seen in the film’s gladiatorial games. It’s an impressive model with articulated limbs and fully poseable tentacles that reach 12 inches tall. It’s a must-have for fans of the film and avid players of the Forgotten Realms game campaign.
Classic blockbuster fans will be thrilled to see the new range of figures devoted to Indiana Jones. After all, fellow Lucasfilm property Star Wars practically launched action figures as we know them. Indy’s new merch comes as the book closes on the action adventurer’s story, just as the latest Rocket figure ends an era for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Benchmarks like those only increase the figures’ collectability.
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One of the most impressive runs in action figure tie-ins continues with Bandai’s latest Godzilla model. The Movie Monster line has seen hundreds of models released across the Godzilla, Shin, and Gamera franchises, and the star of Godzilla Minus One doesn’t disappoint.
Non-Prime members eager to pick up these top action figures at Amazon can take advantage of a free 30-day free trial of Prime to ensure the best available price and delivery. Game ZXC readers shopping at Entertainment Earth can take advantage of free domestic shipping over $79 and 10% off on any in-stock items.
FAQs
Do movie delay dates mean the action figures are coming out later?
Every movie fan knows that release dates can change, especially following the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild strikes of 2023. However, as Paul Atreides proves, that doesn’t have to affect the merch. While the release of Dune: Part Two has moved back to March 2024, the McFarlane models based on the movie are out and ready to promote the next epic installment.
Why do action figures come in different sizes?
Action figures come in various sizes, defined by the action figure scale. Broadly, this runs from 1:18 to 1:4 scale (approximately 3.75 to 18 inches). The popularity of these sizes has varied over the decades, meaning they are all still used today. But collectors worried about shelf space should be reassured that the smaller scales are consistently the best-selling. The 3.75-inch figures popularized by Star Wars in the 1970s and 1980s were almost dwarfed by 6-inch figures frequently issued in the 1990s, but both sizes remain immensely popular.