When it comes to high-end collectible action figures from comic books, movies, video games and pop culture, there are few names bigger than Hot Toys. Yet many new to these amazing collectibles can be overwhelmed by the selection, availability and price.
With that in mind, we’ve created this Hot Toys Collectibles Guide to walk new and experienced collector alike through some of the commonly asked questions when it comes to these unique toys.
Table of Contents
- What Are Hot Toys
- Where to Buy Hot Toys
- Why Are Hot Toys So Expensive
- Do Hot Toys Go Up in Value
- How Are Hot Toys Made
- How Much Do Hot Toys Cost
- Are Hot Toys and Sideshow the Same
- How to Display Hot Toys Figures
- Best Display Cabinets for Hot Toys
- Best Display Cases for Hot Toys
- How to Spot Fake Hot Toys
- How to Clean Hot Toys Figures
- What Are Hot Toys Made Of
- Hot Toys Reviews
- Hot Toys News
What are Hot Toys?
Not quite action figures and not quite statues, Hot Toys are something else entirely and have exploded in popularity among collectors over the past few years. Currently available in over 30 countries they’re primarily distributed by Sideshow Collectibles, the company best known for their own high-end collectible pop culture statues.
Renowned for their high-quality and incredibly realistic 1:6 scale figures based on some of the most beloved characters of all time, including Spider-Man, Batman, Venom, Captain America and more. The figures themselves often feature multiple articulated joints, body parts and accessories, allowing them to be posed and displayed in a variety of ways.
Learn more about the company and it’s history on our blog What are Hot Toys.
Where to Buy Hot Toys
While Hot Toys are incredibly popular, the fact is they can sometimes be a little tricky to track down and often sell out quickly. Below, we break down a few options where you can snag the latest Hot Toys figures both online and in person.
- Sideshow Collectibles
- Amazon
- Wal-Mart
- Your Local Comic Shop
Bear in mind that inventory selection and shipping costs can vary dramatically based on where you are in the world.
Learn more on our blog Where to Buy Hot Toys.
Why Are Hot Toys So Expensive?
There’s no doubt that Hot Toys can be incredibly expensive, with most figures running you several hundred dollars and in some cases even several thousand dollars for rarer versions.
There are, however, a few key reasons for these hefty price tags:
- They’re extremely high quality
- They’re highly sought after by collectors
- They’re handmade and hand painted
- They have limited production runs
- They take a significant amount of time to produce
- They’re based on highly popular IPs
Learn more on our blog Why are Hot Toys So Expensive.
Do Hot Toys Go Up in Value?
For the most part, Hot Toys will increase in value or at the very least are likely to maintain their value. In fact, some figures can even double or triple their value on the secondary market, particularly if they’re limited edition or based around a character from a film or television property that’s gaining attention.
In fact, there’s currently a vibrant secondary market of users who flip or resell valuable Hot Toys action figures and often speculate on new and upcoming figures. Of course, for most collectors the real value of Hot Toys isn’t measured in monetary gains. It’s the enjoyment that comes from owning an amazing, high-end action figure featuring some of the greatest and most beloved characters in pop culture history.
Learn more on our blog Do Hot Toys Go Up in Value?
How Are Hot Toys Made
Unlike traditional toys and action figures which are often created using assembly line machinery, Hot Toys are painstakingly sculpted and painted by hand. In fact, a single product can take anywhere from 3 months to a year to complete which is why Hot Toys have limited production runs.
The process of creating a Hot Toys action figure, however, involves the following five steps:
- Step 1: Character Selection
- Step 2: Licensor Approval
- Step 3: Sculpting
- Step 4: Painting
- Step 5: Assembly & Approval
Ultimately, creating these incredible figures require a significant amount of time and skill to produce, which is why they continue to remain some of the most beloved and sought after collectibles of all time.
Learn more on our blog How Are Hot Toys Made?
How Much Do Hot Toys Cost?
There’s no doubt that Hot Toys can be extremely expensive, which can be offputting to both new and existing collectors. In fact, the average Hot Toys action figure can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 USD, depending on which character you choose to get. Larger figures and limited editions offerings can be even more expensive and top the $1,000 USD range.
Bear in mind that the cost of a Hot Toys figure can also be significantly more if you live outside the United States due to additional import fees and taxes. It’s also important to note that if you purchase a Hot Toys figure online there are additional shipping costs to consider.
Learn more about pricing in our blog How Much Do Hot Toys Cost?
Are Hot Toys & Sideshow the Same?
Many collectors mistakenly believe that Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles are the same company. In reality, they are in fact two distinct and separate businesses. Sideshow is based in California and primarily manufacturers and distributes statues. Hot Toys is based in Hong Kong and manufactures high-end action figures. Sideshow, however, is also the official distributor of Hot Toys for North America, Europe and much of Asia.
It’s interesting to note that many people often compare these two companies together asking which one is better, when in fact they produce completely different products and work closely together as business and brand partners.
Learn more about the two companies on our blog Are Hot Toys and Sideshow the same?
How to Display Hot Toys Figures
Nothing beats unboxing a new Hot Toys action figure for the first time but for many collectors figuring out the perfect way to display your 1:6 scale figures can be a challenge. Below are a few different options, ranging from low budget and high budget, on how to display your collection
- Household shelves
- IKEA shelves (i.e. DETOLF & BILLY)
- Specialty Shelving (i.e. Wicked Brick, iDisplayIt and Sideshow)
- Custom shelving (i.e. Moducase Cabinets)
Below are also a few additional tips to help ensure your figures look great.
- Avoid Overcrowding
- Use Accent Lighting
- Keep the Display Area Clean
- Add Background Details
Learn more in our blog How to Display Hot Toys Figures.
Best Display Cabinets for Hot Toys Figures
Finding the right display cabinet for your collection can something be as difficult as acquiring your collection. There are, however, a few things to consider when looking at shelving.
- Budget
- Size of Collection
- Scale of Figures
- Size of Display Area
With that in mind
- IKEA DETOLF
- IKEA KLINGSBO
- IKEA RUDSTA
- IKEA BILLY / OXBERG
- IKEA FABRIKOR
- IKEA BRIMNES
- IKEA BILLY
- IKEA MILSBO
- ModuCase
Learn more in our blog The 9 Best Display Cabinets for Hot Toys figures.
Best Display Cases for Hot Toys
In addition to display cabinets and simply keeping Hot Toys on desks and mantles, many fans also often end up purchasing a specialty Hot Toys display case that are designed specifically for one-sixth scale figures. These are usually small glass enclosures that can hold a single figure, and a particularly useful for protection and avoiding any risk of a figure falling over and potentially getting damaged. Below are four of our favorite brands of display cases:
- Wicked Brick
- iDisplayIt
- Perfect Cases
- Sideshow Collectibles
There are also numerous other options (both online and in person) where you can Hot Toys display cases, including
- Amazon
- eBay
- Wal-Mart
- Etsy
Learn more in our blog The 4 Best Hot Toys Display Case Options.
How to Spot Fake Hot Toys
Given that Hot Toys figures can be incredibly expensive it was perhaps inevitable that cheap knock offs would become available. Fortunately, they’re relatively rare few and far between. Below are a few tips on how to determine if a Hot Toys figure is indeed a fake.
- Check the Packaging
- Check the Paintwork
- Check the Quantity
- Check the Price
- Check the Official Sideshow Website
Additionally, here are a few tips on how to avoid fake Hot Toys in the first place:
- Only Buy from Reputable Sellers
- Be Cautious Buying from China
- Be Cautious Buying from eBay
- Ask the Collector Community
Remember the old adage of buyer beware and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Learn more about knock offs in our blog How to Spot Fake Hot Toys.
How to Clean Hot Toys Figures
Given that Hot Toys can be incredibly expensive and fragile, many collectors often wonder what’s the best way to clean and protect their action figures. Below are a few good options for cleaning:
- Compressed Air
- Swiffer Duster Clothes
- Cosmetic Brushes
It’s also important to be aware of a few different things that could potentially damage your figure. Below are a few tips to avoid damaging or dirtying your figure.
- Avoid Using Lint Rollers
- Don’t Use Cleaning Products
- Don’t Use Soap & Water
- Keep Your Figure Out of Sunlight
Learn more about these tips in our blog How to Clean Hot Toys figures.
What Are Hot Toys Made Of
Unlike traditional action figures, Hot Toys are made of a wide range of high quality materials to achieve their hyper-realistic appearance. That being said, most figures are constructed out of the following materials.
- Base Figure
- Modelling Clay
- Diecast Metal
- Fabric
- Paint
- Plastic
Learn more about figure components in our blog What are Hot Toys made of.
Hot Toys Reviews
Check out our coverage of the latest action figures below or visit our Hot Toys reviews page.
Hot Toys News & Rumors
Get the latest news, updates, rumors and release dates from the world’s greatest creator of sixth-scale action figures. Visit our Hot Toys News & Rumors page.
Learn More About Sideshow Collectibles
Get answers to your questions by visiting our Sideshow Collectors Guide.
See Our Latest Sideshow Reviews
See our latest coverage of new products on our Sideshow Reviews page.