The Hottest Upcoming Figures This Holiday Season

The Hottest Upcoming Figures This Holiday Season

The holiday season is almost here, and that means new action figures hitting store shelves just in time for gift giving. This year brings exciting releases spanning beloved movies, comics, games, and more. Whether you’re a collector yourself or shopping for the fan in your life, these are the hottest upcoming figures you’ll want to get your hands on.

The most anticipated upcoming figures for holiday 2023 gifting and collecting draw from highly popular franchises like Star Wars and DC, as well as the concluding films in IPs like Indiana Jones and the MCU's Guardians of the Galaxy.

1. NECA The Thing MacReady Action Figure

Horror fans are sure to appreciate this impressively detailed figure of Kurt Russell’s MacReady from John Carpenter’s iconic 1982 film The Thing. The NECA figure captures MacReady’s rugged appearance with a great likeness to Russell himself. It also comes with a range of character-appropriate accessories any fan will enjoy displaying including a hat, goggles, rifle, lantern, bottle, and tumbler.

With interchangeable heads and hands, collectors can pose MacReady ready to battle the shapeshifting alien or relaxing after surviving the longest, coldest night. This is a must-have piece for devotees of The Thing and Kurt Russell alike. The intricacy and poseability make it a clear standout figure for horror enthusiasts this holiday season.

2. Marvel Legends The Marvels Photon Action Figure

2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness first introduced Monica Rambeau’s superhero alter ego Photon. Next February, Rambeau will join Carol Danvers and Kamala Khan in The Marvels. As one of the film’s main stars, it’s no surprise that Hasbro is releasing a Marvel Legends 6-inch figure of Rambeau ahead of the movie.

The sculpting captures the sleek blue and red costume comics fans will recognize. Like others in the Legends series, the figure has intricate detailing true to the MCU aesthetic.

Interchangeable hands allow for varied posing. The Marvels is set to be a major MCU release to close 2023, which guarantees interest in Photon and the whole Marvels line of toys.

3. McFarlane Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Figure (Stealth Suit)

The DC Extended Universe is closing with the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom this December, making collectibles like this Stealth Suit Aquaman especially enticing for fans. Jason Momoa’s Aquaman is pictured in a sleek black suit revealed in initial film promotions.

Known for accurate sculpts, McFarlane’s 7-inch figure highlights the muscular physique that makes Momoa’s Aquaman so iconic. It also features the extreme attention to detail McFarlane Toys has become known for. The Aquaman sequel caps off the interconnected DCEU franchise, so this cool collectible is sure to gain value in years to come.

4. Bandai Godzilla Movie Monster Action Figure

You can’t go wrong gifting the King of Monsters, especially the legendary kaiju’s brand new 2023 design debuting in Godzilla Minus One. Bandai’s Vinyl Monster series has always balanced accuracy, articulation, and solid construction with Godzilla figures, making them popular for collectors and kids alike.

At 6-inches, this soft vinyl Godzilla is in scale with Bandai’s existing vinyl monsters for classic matchups. It replicates the new look just revealed for Godzilla’s 2023 cinematic outing down to the texture of the scales. For longtime Godzilla fans adding to their collections or young monster lovers discovering their first kaiju toy, this new Godzilla figure hits the sweet spot.

5. Indiana Jones Adventure Series Raiders of The Lost Ark Toy

Indiana Jones made his triumphant return to theaters in 2022’s Indiana Jones 5: The Dial of Destiny. Now fans can revisit where the adventuring archeologist’s cinematic journeys began with this Raiders of the Lost Ark figure from Hasbro’s new Indiana Jones Adventure series.

The 6-inch figure captures Indy cracking his signature whip, his hat tipped down and pistol at the ready. Hasbro’s realistic modeling recreates Harrison Ford’s likeness in incredible detail. The high quality and articulation make it a wonderful centerpiece for any Indy collection.

With the franchise seeming to conclude on the big screen, items like this Raiders throwback figure let fans celebrate the character’s lasting legacy. It will make the perfect gift this holiday for longtime Jones devotees.

6. Star Wars Vintage Collection Grand Admiral Thrawn

Star Wars collecting remains as popular as ever with exciting releases timed for holiday sales. This Vintage Collection version of sinister Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn satisfies fans wanting that classic Kenner toy nostalgia. The 3.75-inch scale matches the size of the original late ‘70s and ‘80s Star Wars action figure releases.

Like Thrawn himself, known for his cold calculation, the figure’s detail is precisely executed from its spot-on facial sculpt to the medals adorning his uniform. The Vintage Collection lives up to its name by evoking the era of Star Wars toys kids grew up with. Getting to add a fan-favorite character like Thrawn to their collections makes this a fantastic Star Wars figure gift this holiday season.

7. The Nun Valak Action Figure

Hit horror franchise The Conjuring Universe expands in 2023 with a third spine-chilling film focused on the demonic nun Valak. Playmates Toys has the perfect companion piece in this 7-inch clothed action figure of Valak’s unholy form.

From the realistic portraiture recreating the unsettling face that terrified moviegoers to the accurate habit and posable limbs, collecting a character right out of nightmares has never looked so good. The premium figure also includes a display base, so fans can exhibit it as the showpiece of their horror collections. It’s bound to cast a creepy spell over Conjuring fans this holiday!

8. McFarlane Gold Label Batman & Batmobile (1989 Set)

McFarlane Toys makes exquisitely crafted, limited edition collectibles that any true hobbyist will appreciate. Case in point is this Gold Label 22-inch 1989 Batmobile with 7-inch Batman figure. It brings to gorgeous life Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight era with supreme attention to detail applied to both figure and vehicle.

The Batmobile model functions as a display piece recreating Batman’s famous ride down to working lights and interior details visible through darkly tinted windows. Meanwhile, Keaton’s costume is tailored precisely, from the textures of gloves and boots to the intricate bat emblem and flowing scalloped cape.

As a deluxe set worthy of the “Gold Label” designation, this Batmobile and Batman pair is sure to become the crown jewel of any DC collection it enters. It’s a beautiful tribute befitting Keaton and Burton's definitive big screen take on the Caped Crusader.

9. Transformers Optimus Primal Non-Converting Action Figure

Transformers collecting tends to lean kid-friendly, but this ultra-detailed Optimus Primal figure may find broader age appeal. Despite the Transformers name, this Maximal leader doesn't convert from beast to robot mode. Instead, the nearly 8-inch figure comes pre-built with 25 intricate components including armor, weaponry, and a removable helmet.

The figure realistically renders beast form details that would be lost in typically simplified conversions. Fans of Optimus Primal's original appearances across Transformers animated series will appreciate the accuracy. With posable limbs and included accessories like a bladed spear, this complex build also simply makes for imaginative Optimus Primal display.

10. McFarlane Dune: Part Two Paul Atreides Action Figure

Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi novel began with last year’s celebrated epic Dune, while fans eagerly await the concluding chapter Dune: Part Two. McFarlane Toys is already priming audiences for the 2024 release with this first look action figure of Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides as he’ll appear in the next film.

Paul stands 7-inches tall outfitted in a soft cloak and stillsuit, his form obscured much as it was at the close of the first movie. To recreate the harsh Arrakis environment, the incredibly detailed figure also includes a desert-textured base along with a crysknife blade. Fans will surely take note of the telling blue hue added to Paul’s eyes as well, hinting at the continued evolution of his character.

It’s an atmospheric and film-accurate depiction that will appeal to Dune fans during the wait for the concluding cinematic chapter.

11. Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Rocket Action Figure

The third Guardians of the Galaxy marked the end of an era for Marvel’s cosmic misfits, making collectibles based on the movie instant mementos for fans. Appropriately, the 8-inch Hasbro Marvel Legends series figure immortalizing Rocket Raccoon has extra playability built-in with squeezable legs that send him into a battle-ready pose.

As Rocket draws his gun with a signature scowl, his ears also amusingly wiggle while his jaw drops. It’s a great reflection of Rocket’s spitfire personality familiar to viewers. The impressively sized sculpture also doesn’t skimp on detailing, staying faithful to Rocket’s on-screen look.

For Marvel collectors and younger Guardians fans alike, it’s both an interactive and display-worthy embodiment of one of Marvel’s most beloved characters.

12. Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves Displacer Beast

Gifting the recipient a monstrous 12-inch Displacer Beast may not seem holiday-appropriate at first glance - until you know it’s from the recent big screen fantasy adventure Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The towering mythical creature appeared in the film’s underground gladiator sequence.

This plastic model tangibly recreates every detail down to glowing tentacles and the writable tag on the displacer collar seen in the movie. Fully poseable limbs mean you can depict it mid-prowl or attack. It's a screen-accurate tribute sure to appeal to fans of the D&D franchise.

While impressive enough as a Dungeons & Dragons display piece, it could also delight kids looking for imaginative new additions to fantasy play.

Well, there you have it - the inside scoop on all the coolest and most sought-after action figures hitting shelves in time for the holidays this year! From returning legends like Indiana Jones to fresh faces like Photon from the new Marvel movie, there's something sure to delight the collector or pop culture fanatic in your life.

I don't know about you, but as a longtime action figure enthusiast myself, I'm already making up my Christmas list! The 1989 Batmobile set and Rocket Raccoon alone have me eager to clear a space on my shelves. And I can only imagine how impressive that Displacer Beast will look chasing down some of my other figures.

Whatever awesome upcoming releases you have your eye on, I hope this guide gave you a helpful head start on snatching them up. Just try not to let the holiday stress dampen your inner childlike wonder when you unwrap these playtime treasures, my friend! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to start rearranging my display case to prepare for new additions...

• #action figures
• #Christmas toys
• #collectables
• #collectibles
• #holiday toys
• #neca
• #toys
• #toystore