The Psychology of Funko Collecting: Why Are We So Obsessed?
More Than Just Toys—They’re Collectibles!
“Why do we keep buying Funko Pops, even when our shelves are full?”
Funko’s global popularity has been going strong for over a decade. Some collectors own thousands of figures—but why?
Is it an obsession? A form of retail therapy? A psychological addiction?
We remember when we first started collecting Funko. We loved it. We loved the characters, the nostalgia, and the way certain Pops reminded us of different eras in our lives. Some figures in our personal collection bring back memories of our parents, families, friends, special places we visited, or even the excitement of seeing a movie for the first time—not just the film itself, but who we shared that experience with. Funko Pops tap into our favorite cartoons, shows, and films, and as we’ve grown older, they’ve become a way to relive and remember those wonderful memories.
Beyond nostalgia, we’ve always enjoyed the hunt. There’s something incredibly satisfying about being the first to get a particular Pop, especially a Chase or an exclusive. I personally love Funko Pop hunting with my brother and friend—it’s slightly competitive, a thrill, and an experience we share. Sometimes, we get FOMO (fear of missing out), which makes the hunt even more exciting. It strengthens our bonds and gives us an excuse to spend time together doing something we’re passionate about.
Another major reason we love collecting is the community. We’ve met so many amazing people through Funko, and it’s great to connect with others who share the same interests. There’s also something psychological about wanting to complete a set. The human brain craves closure, which makes finishing an entire Funko line feel incredibly rewarding. However, We have never considered ourselves completionists. We are older collectors and have been since 2010. We personally own around 900 Pops in our personal collection, but have never felt the need to collect full sets—we just buy what we love. When the urge to complete a line arises, we try to balance emotion with logic. This is due to space, time and sometimes cost.
For newer collectors, the appeal might be their love for the Funko brand itself. Others see collecting as an investment. In the long run, we believe certain pieces will hold their value—especially older Funko Pops, which have already proven their worth. Meanwhile, newer collectors benefit from the fact that many Pops are being reproduced, making it easier to obtain figures without overpaying.
So, why do you collect? What’s your experience?
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