Quick Answer
The best action figures for beginners are Marvel Legends and Star Wars Black Series (about $25, huge character choice), McFarlane DC Multiverse (about $20), and Bandai Dragon Stars (about $13). Start with one character you love in 6-inch scale, buy from major retailers to avoid fakes, and don’t chase exclusives until you know you enjoy the hobby.
Action figure collecting is one of the most rewarding hobbies in the world. But if you’re new to it, the sheer volume of brands, scales, lines, and terminology can feel overwhelming. Where do you even start? Which figures are worth buying? What do BAF, MIB, and MSRP mean? Why does the same Spider-Man appear to exist in 47 different versions?
Start Collecting — Forbidden Planet
We may earn a commission from purchases — at no extra cost to you.
Relax. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to start your collection, what to buy first, how to avoid overpaying, and how to set yourself up to enjoy this hobby for decades. Let’s go.
Step 1: Define What You Love
The most important thing about collecting action figures is that it should reflect your passion, not someone else’s. The collectors who have the most fun — and spend the most wisely — are the ones who started by answering one simple question: What do I love?
Ask yourself:
- Do you love a specific franchise? (Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Transformers, He-Man, Gundam?)
- Do you love a specific era? (80s cartoons, 90s toys, modern movie characters?)
- Do you love a specific character above all others? (Wolverine, Batman, Darth Vader?)
- Are you drawn to hyper-realistic premium figures or classic retro-style toys?
There’s no wrong answer. Some collectors focus exclusively on one character from one line — and their collection is a masterpiece. Others collect one of everything across every line — and love the chaos. The hobby is big enough for both.
Step 2: Learn the Major Lines and Brands
Before you buy anything, you need to know who makes what. Here’s the landscape of the major action figure manufacturers and their flagship lines:
Hasbro
The biggest name in American action figures. Hasbro produces several major lines:
- Marvel Legends (6″ scale) — The definitive Marvel superhero line. Excellent articulation, massive character roster, regular new releases.
- Star Wars Black Series (6″ scale) — Premium Star Wars figures. Uses PhotoReal face technology for incredible likeness accuracy.
- G.I. Joe Classified Series (6″ scale) — Modern reinterpretation of classic characters with excellent articulation and accessories.
- Transformers Generations — Transforming robot figures at various price points.
McFarlane Toys
Founded by comic artist Todd McFarlane, known for incredible sculpt detail at low prices:
- DC Multiverse (7″ scale) — Best-looking DC figures at budget prices. Every wave includes a Build-A-Figure piece.
- Spawn (7″ scale) — McFarlane’s iconic original character, incredibly detailed.
- Warhammer 40,000 — For the gaming crowd; striking figures based on the iconic tabletop universe.
NECA
National Entertainment Collectibles Association — specialists in horror, sci-fi, and cult properties:
- Ultimate series — Each figure in a retro-styled window box packed with accessories
- TMNT, Alien, Predator, IT, Halloween, Terminator — NECA’s specialties
Bandai / S.H.Figuarts
Japanese precision engineering. Premium price ($50–$100), premium quality:
- S.H.Figuarts — Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Marvel, Power Rangers, Street Fighter. Exceptional articulation and detail.
- S.H.MonsterArts — Kaiju figures (Godzilla, King Kong, etc.)
Medicom / MAFEX
Ultra-premium Japanese figures. Often the most articulated, most accurately detailed figures available for any given character. Expensive but worth it for serious collectors.
Hot Toys
The absolute pinnacle of 1/6 scale ($200–$400+) hyper-realistic movie figures. Not for casual collectors, but if you’ve seen them and fallen in love, no other figure compares.
Step 3: Choose Your Scale
Scale refers to the size of the figure relative to a real human. This matters a lot because figures from different scales don’t display well together.
| Scale | Size | Major Lines | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.75″ (1:18) | ~3.75 inches | Star Wars Vintage Collection, G.I. Joe vintage | $15–$25 |
| 6″ (1:12) | ~6 inches | Marvel Legends, Black Series, G.I. Joe Classified | $20–$30 |
| 7″ (1:10) | ~7 inches | DC Multiverse, NECA, MAFEX | $20–$100 |
| 1/6 (12″) | ~12 inches | Hot Toys, Sideshow, Medicom RAH | $200–$500+ |
Our recommendation for beginners: Start with 6″ scale. It’s the most populated scale with the most options, the most accessories, the best value, and the easiest to display. If you fall in love with a specific line in a different scale later, you can always expand.
Step 4: Learn the Terminology
Collector culture has its own language. You’ll need to know these terms to navigate online marketplaces, forums, and stores:
- BAF (Build-A-Figure) — Each figure in a wave comes with a piece of a larger bonus figure. Collect the whole wave, build the bonus figure.
- MIB (Mint in Box) — Figure is still in original, unopened packaging in perfect condition
- MOC (Mint on Card) — Carded figure (bubble-pack style) in perfect condition
- Loose — Figure removed from packaging; typically sells for 30-60% less than MIB
- MSRP — Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. The “official” price before markups or discounts.
- Scalper — Someone who buys figures in bulk at MSRP to resell at inflated prices
- Exclusive — A variant only available at one specific retailer (Target Exclusive, SDCC Exclusive, etc.)
- Variant — An alternate version of a figure (different color, unmasked head, different costume)
- Pre-order — Paying in advance for a figure before it ships from the factory
- Wave — A batch of figures released together as part of the same production run
- Kitbash — Combining parts from multiple figures to create a custom figure
Step 5: Your First 5 Purchases
Here’s a beginner starter kit that covers the major lines, won’t break the bank, and will immediately show you what this hobby is all about:
- Marvel Legends Spider-Man (~$25) — Learn what a great 6″ figure feels like
- McFarlane DC Multiverse Batman (~$20) — Learn what incredible sculpt quality at low cost looks like
- NECA Ultimate Michaelangelo (~$35) — Learn what “packed with accessories” means
- Star Wars Black Series Luke Skywalker (~$25) — Learn what PhotoReal face printing looks like
- G.I. Joe Classified Snake Eyes (~$24) — Learn what a figure that does everything right looks like
Total spend: ~$130. Five figures across five major lines. You’ll immediately have a clear sense of which direction you want to take your collection.
Step 6: Set a Budget and Buying Strategy
The number one mistake new collectors make is buying impulsively. A clear strategy keeps the hobby fun instead of stressful:
Set a monthly budget
Decide how much you’re comfortable spending each month. Even $30–$50/month builds an impressive collection over time. The hobby rewards patience.
Pre-order to avoid scalper tax
When a highly anticipated figure is announced, pre-order it immediately from BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, or Amazon. This locks in MSRP before scalpers buy out stock and resell at 2-3x the price.
Buy from trusted sources
- BigBadToyStore — Industry standard for pre-orders; only charges when items ship
- Entertainment Earth — Great for case orders and exclusives
- Amazon — Convenience and competitive pricing
- Target / Walmart — Check clearance aisles regularly for 50-70% discounts
- eBay — Secondary market for discontinued figures; know your prices before buying
Step 7: Display Your Collection Properly
A collection worth building is a collection worth displaying. Here’s how to do it right from day one:
- IKEA Detolf cabinet — The unofficial official display case of action figure collectors worldwide. Glass doors keep dust out; LED strip lights inside make everything pop.
- Floating shelves — Great for showcasing individual figures or small dioramas. Keep them at eye level.
- Display risers — Acrylic steps that let you see figures in the back row. Essential for deep shelves.
- Display stands — If a figure’s balance is questionable, use a stand. Better than watching an expensive figure topple and chip its paint.
Step 8: Join the Community
Action figure collecting is infinitely more fun when you’re connected to other collectors. The community is friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to help a newcomer.
- Reddit — r/ActionFigures, r/MarvelLegends, r/starwarscollecting, r/NECA
- Facebook Groups — Huge active groups for buying, selling, trading, and discussing figures
- YouTube — Review channels like Dan Curto, Red Panda Toys, and The Fwoosh provide excellent figure reviews and collecting advice
- Instagram / TikTok — Incredible photography communities; great for display inspiration
Frequently Asked Questions for New Collectors
How much should I spend to start collecting action figures?
You can start a solid collection for under $100-$150. Focus on the 6″ scale lines (Marvel Legends, Black Series, G.I. Joe Classified) and buy figures you genuinely love. Quality over quantity always wins.
Should I open my action figures or keep them in the box?
This is entirely personal. Most figures appreciate very slowly in value even sealed, so unless you’re specifically collecting as a financial investment, open them and enjoy them. Figures are meant to be posed.
What is the best beginner action figure line?
Marvel Legends is the single best starting point for most collectors. Massive character roster, excellent quality, wide availability, and a welcoming community. If you love Marvel, start there and never look back.
How do I prevent my figures from getting dusty?
Display cabinets with doors (IKEA Detolf is the community favorite) are the best solution. If displaying on open shelves, a light dusting with a soft brush every few weeks keeps them looking sharp.
What do I do with figures I no longer want?
Sell them on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or in collector Facebook groups. The secondary market is active and fair. You’ll usually recoup 50-80% of what you paid, sometimes more for rarer figures.
You’re Ready to Start
Here’s the truth about action figure collecting: there’s no perfect time to start, no perfect figure to start with, and no perfect strategy. The perfect collection is the one that makes you happy every time you look at it.
Pick the characters you love. Start with one or two figures. Put them somewhere you’ll see them every day. Watch what happens.
Welcome to the hobby. It’s going to be a great ride.
