Funko Pop! And The Rise Of Bitty Pop!: A Tiny Twist On A Pop Culture Giant
Full disclosure: I've lost track of how many Funko Pop! figurines I currently own. My collection spans everything from I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island, and The Golden Girls to animated classics like The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Top Cat. Add in characters from DC and Marvel, plus more recent fan favorites like The Sopranos, The Office and Stranger Things, and… well, I could go on and on. And I am far from alone in my obsession.
Of course, Funko Pops! are instantly recognizable: oversized heads, small bodies, and those signature large, round black eyes. Few collectibles have left as lasting a mark on pop culture as these beloved vinyl figures.
With over 10,000 unique figures covering a vast range of genres - from TV and film to video games, anime, comics, sports, and music - Funko has cemented itself as a cornerstone of modern fandom. Being turned into a Funko Pop! isn't just a novelty; it's a badge of honor, signaling a character's cultural impact and devoted following.
From Bobbleheads to Pop!
What began in 1998 as a humble line of bobbleheads called Wacky Wobblers evolved into the now-iconic Funko Pop! brand. The transformation took off in 2010, when Funko unveiled its first line of Pop! figures - featuring DC Comics characters - at San Diego Comic-Con. Now, in a nostalgic nod to its origins, Funko is offering fans at this year's convention to a limited run of exclusive collectibles inspired by those early designs. Limited to just 2,010 pieces each, collectors can grab exclusive Pop! Batman, Pop! Robin, and Pop! Penguin figures - packaged in their original 2010 clamshell cases while supplies last.
The brand has exploded in popularity, offering something for nearly every fandom under the sun. Plus, with 'Pop! Yourself," Funko lets fans personalize figures to resemble themselves, their friends, or loved ones — a feature that further fuels its mass appeal. Today, owning a Funko Pop! isn't just about collecting; it's about identity, nostalgia, and belonging. And for any event with 'Con' in the title, picking one up feels less like a choice and more like a rite of passage.
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So, what's driving the craze? The sheer range allows fans to connect with their favorite franchises and characters — tapping into deep nostalgia for childhood favorites and iconic pop culture moments.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 25: Funko POP! figures are displayed during WonderCon 2016 at the Los ... More Angeles Convention Center on March 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by)
'We don't just consume pop culture, we collect it, we savor it, and we dream of being a part of it. Funko lets us do it all in a way that is accepted, respected and very much coveted,' noted Mike Tankel, partner/optimist at the marketing and development firm To Be Continued. 'This is far more than a rite of passage, it's a modern family heirloom.'
Who's Buying?
Fans of all ages (this senior writer included!) have eagerly hopped aboard the speeding Pop! bandwagon. But Funko's success goes beyond nostalgia or trend-chasing. At its core is a rare, cross-generational appeal - particularly among what the company calls 'tweens' and 'kidults.'
Tweens, caught in that in-between stage of childhood and adolescence, are naturally drawn to the playful, approachable mini format. Meanwhile, kidults - adults who unapologetically enjoy hobbies and interests traditionally labeled 'for kids' - see Funko Pops! as fun, expressive, and highly collectible pieces of pop culture. Whether displayed on a shelf, desk, or dashboard, these figures become a personal statement, a conversation starter, and a nostalgic nod all at once.
It's a collectible that truly spans generations. And it continues to evolve.
Enter Bitty Pop!
Bitty Pop! Towns Beetlejuice and Dante's Inferno Room.
Launched in March 2023, Bitty Pops! are micro-scale versions of Funko Pop! figures — standing just about one inch tall. Each four-pack includes three visible characters and one mystery figure, adding an element of surprise. The first wave featured beloved icons from Harry Potter, Disney Classics, Beetlejuice, and Star Wars. With the introduction of the Bittyverse, the line has expanded to include Bitty Pop! Towns, Rides, and Displays — setting the stage for a bite-sized collectible universe.
Sitcom "The Office" is one of the many TV shows - and characters - now represented in the new Bitty ... More Pop! Funko line.
'We saw a clear opportunity to tap into a trend while offering something no one else could: a true micro-scale Pop! that still feels premium and displayable,' said Doug Oglesby, SVP of Product Strategy, Planning & Marketing. 'The idea came from our creative team as they explored how to bring the Funko aesthetic into the fast-growing micro collectibles space.'
What's the secret to Bitty Pop!'s appeal? According to Oglesby, 'It's that thoughtful mix of familiarity, fandom, and fun. We took a form fans already love and gave them a new way to experience it — in a format that encourages collecting, trading, and imaginative play.'
'We knew we had the brand recognition, which gave us the opportunity to engage with new consumers and reach additional retail placements, including areas like the toy aisle through a new Funko product line,' he said.
With the introduction of the Bittyverse, the line has expanded to include Bitty Pop! Towns, Rides, ... More and Displays
So how does a character make it into the Bitty Pop! lineup?
'It's all about staying in tune with our fans and the pulse of pop culture,' noted Oglesby. 'At the same time, we rely on market insights, license performance, retail strategy, and how characters translate to the one-inch format.'
What's next for the Bitty brand?
'We've already introduced new formats like Bitty Bots, Bitty Arcades, and Bitty Boxes. This summer, we're soft-launching Bitty City, which takes the idea of world-building to the next level,' said Oglesby. 'Further ahead, we're expanding into music with Bitty Stages and preparing Countdown Calendars for the holiday season. And in 2026, we'll roll out Bitty Sports, a targeted expansion into the world of athletics.'
Funko is launching Bitty City this summer to build on its Bitty Pop! brand.
Final Thoughts
Funko Pop! revolutionized the world of collectibles, turning fandom into a fun, accessible, and deeply personal experience for people of all ages. Now, with Bitty Pop!, the brand is redefining small-scale collecting—making it even more playful, collectible, and immersive.
Whether you're a seasoned collector, a casual fan or just starting your Pop! journey, one thing's for sure: there's always another figure to add, another fandom to celebrate, and another shelf waiting to be filled. Just don't ask me how many I own - I've lost count a long time ago!
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Business Insider
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Buzz Feed
an hour ago
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60 Pop Culture Photos That You Probably Have Never Seen
Titanic was originally supposed to open in the summer of 1997, but the movie went over schedule and was delayed until December of '97. This advance poster, which was created for its summer release date, marketed the film more in the style of an action summer blockbuster: James Cameron had a 2/3 scale of the Titanic built for the movie in Mexico. These images show just how huge the ship set was: Coincidentally, CBS aired a two-part made-for-TV movie titled Titanic a little bit over a year earlier, in November of '96. 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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Dreaming of a Disney Christmas? What to know about the parks' holiday plans
It's Christmas in July. Disneyland unwrapped its 2025 holiday plans on July 23 amid the resort's ongoing 70th anniversary celebration. That may seem early, but fans plan well in advance because the holidays are among the most popular times to visit both resorts. Walt Disney World shared its holiday plans earlier in the month. Ticket sales for its seasonal after-hours events went on sale this week. Here's what to know about spending the holidays at the Happiest and Most Magical Places on Earth. Holidays at Disneyland Disneyland's holiday celebrations will run from Nov. 14 through Jan. 7 and are included with standard theme park admission. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their friends will don new 70th-anniversary inspired holiday looks, but most resort experiences are returning favorites. At Disneyland Park, more than 80,000 lights will once again cloak Sleeping Beauty Castle in twinkling icicles. Meanwhile, Holiday Fun with Santa & Friends will return to Fantasyland Theatre. Both "it's a small world" and Haunted Mansion will get their annual holiday overlays — Haunted Mansion Holiday debuts during Halloween time. A Christmas Fantasy Parade and the Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular will also return. At Disney California Adventure, CarsLand will be decked out as usual, with Mater's Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi's Rollickin Roadsters getting holiday overlays. Disney Festival of the Holidays and Disney ¡Viva Navidad! will also return with festive multicultural performances and foods. Highlights include Mickey's Happy Holidays cavalcade and, on select days, the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party, Mirabel's Gifts of the Season, and A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel! Downtown Disney District will offer seasonal entertainment and foods along with nightly "snow." Disneyland's resort hotels will get in the spirit with special dining and decor. Through the holiday season, the California resort will continue to celebrate its 70th anniversary with World of Color Happiness! at Disney California Adventure and Tapestry of Happiness projections at Disneyland Park on select nights. But the Paint the Night parade and other anniversary entertainment will take a holiday pause. The original: If you like theme parks, thank Disneyland Holidays at Disney World Two of Disney World's biggest holiday events are not included with standard park admission – Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights – but there are plenty of other ways to celebrate across the Florida resort. Guests can take the holiday-themed Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom or glide along Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses at EPCOT. They could also watch Sunset Seasons Greetings projections at Disney's Hollywood Studios or Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition in Disney's Animal Kingdom, interact with snowy animal puppets in Animal Kingdom's Merry Menagerie, see ornate gingerbread displays at select resort hotels, or take the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs, among other activities. EPCOT has a whole holiday festival. Most of Disney World's holiday celebrations will run from Nov. 14 through Dec. 31, 2025, but EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays starts later. How long does the Festival of the Holidays last at EPCOT? EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs from Nov. 28 through Dec. 30 this year. The multicultural festival honors holiday traditions from around the world with storytelling and live performances, including JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season and the fan-favorite Candlelight Processional, which is narrated by different celebrities. Guests pay for festive foods and drinks from the event's Holiday Kitchens, but the rest of the festival is included with park admission. What are the dates for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2025? This year, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will be held at Magic Kingdom: The specially ticketed, after-hours event is not included with standard admission, and guests with standard tickets must leave Magic Kingdom before the party begins. The event officially runs from 7 p.m. until midnight, but Party guests may enter the park as early as 4 p.m. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party tickets start at $169, the same as last year. The most expensive dates top out at $229 this year, compared to $219 last year. Event-exclusive offerings include Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration show, Disney Jr. Jingle Jam and Club Tinsel dance parties, special character greetings, free cookie and drink stations, and shorter-than-usual waits for rides due to the event's limited capacity. Is Jollywood Nights coming back in 2025? Yes. Disney Jollywood Nights will be held at Disney's Hollywood Studios: The specially ticketed, after-hours event officially runs from 7:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., but Jollywood guests may enter Hollywood Studios as early as 5:30 p.m. Guests with standard park tickets have to leave the park before the event begins. Jollywood Nights tickets range from $159 to $199, depending on the date. Last year's tickets ranged from $159 to $179. Event-exclusive experiences include the Disney Holidays in Hollywood show hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, the "What's This?" Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along. Additional offerings include the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular, Glisten! ice-skating performances, a Pixar Disco dance party, special character greetings, and shorter-than-usual waits for rides.
