Best Action Figures UK
Action figures in the UK span from simple 5-point articulation toys for young children to highly articulated collectibles for adult fans. The UK collector market is strong, with specialist retailers like Forbidden Planet and Smyths stocking premium lines alongside Amazon UK's wide catalogue. All action figures sold in the UK for children must carry CE/UKCA safety marking. We cross-referenced UK collector communities on Reddit (r/ActionFigures UK) and Amazon UK reviews across the key licensed categories.
What to Look For
- 1For children under 6, choose large-figure lines (30cm+) without small removable accessories — small parts from action figures are a choking hazard.
- 2UK collector action figures at 6-inch scale (Marvel Legends, Star Wars Black Series, DC Multiverse) offer the best detail-to-price ratio and have the widest UK availability.
- 3Forbidden Planet UK is the best specialist retailer for UK collector action figures — they stock exclusive and imported figures not available in mainstream UK retail.
- 4Check UKCA/CE certification on imported figures — some collector market imports from US or Japan do not meet UK toy safety standards and are sold as collectibles for adults only.
- 5Storage matters for UK collectors — UV-stable acrylic display cases prevent figure yellowing and dust accumulation. Companies like Premium Guard (UK supplier) specialise in UK-sized display cases.
Our Top Picks
Hasbro Marvel Legends Series 6" Action Figure
Pros
- 20+ points of articulation at 6-inch scale
- Build-A-Figure pieces included for extra value
- Wide UK availability at Forbidden Planet and Amazon
- Excellent paint detail and accessories
Cons
- £20–£30 per figure
- Character selection varies by wave — sometimes hard to find UK-exclusive characters
UK's best-selling collector action figure line — 6-inch scale with high articulation and comic-accurate detail.
McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse 7" Figure
Pros
- 22+ articulation points — more than Marvel Legends
- 7-inch scale with impressive sculpt detail
- Collector card included
- Competitive UK pricing vs Marvel Legends
Cons
- DC licence limits character range vs Marvel
- Some McFarlane figures have stiff joints out of box
Superior articulation to Marvel Legends — 22+ points and realistic sculpting from Todd McFarlane's team.
Star Wars Black Series 6" Action Figure
Pros
- Film-accurate paint and sculpt
- 6-inch scale with 20+ articulation points
- Stocked by multiple UK retailers
- Strong UK secondary market value on eBay
Cons
- £20–£30 per figure
- Premium characters sell out quickly in UK
The UK Star Wars collector standard — premium 6-inch figures with film-accurate detail and UK-wide availability.
WWE Basic 6" Action Figures
Pros
- Under £15 at Smyths Toys UK
- Full WWE roster of current and classic wrestlers
- 5-point articulation suits 5–10 year olds
- CE/UKCA certified for children ages 6+
Cons
- Simple 5-point articulation — limited pose variety
- Some children find wrestling theme violence-adjacent
The best UK value children's action figure — wide WWE roster at under £15 each from Smyths Toys.
Schleich Eldrador Creatures Action Figures
Pros
- Hand-painted detail in Germany
- Fantasy theme popular with UK children 5–12
- No sharp edges — safe for young UK children
- Non-licensed — characters are original, not film-tied
Cons
- Limited articulation — static poses only
- £10–£15 per single figure
Premium hand-painted fantasy figures — popular in UK primary schools for imaginative narrative play.
Funko POP! Vinyl Figure UK (Various Licences)
Pros
- UK's most popular collectible format by volume
- Available for virtually every major UK TV/film/game/sport franchise
- Under £15 for standard figures
- Highly giftable — suitable for UK adults and children 5+
Cons
- Low articulation (none) — display only
- Quality consistency varies by production batch
UK's most collected vinyl figure format — stylised big-head design with near-unlimited licence variety.
Honourable Mentions
Editor's Note
The UK action figure collector market is increasingly active on secondary platforms like eBay UK, Vinted and Mercari UK. Hasbro's Marvel Legends and Star Wars Black Series are the dominant 6-inch collector lines in the UK. McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse is the challenger brand with superior articulation at similar UK pricing. For younger children, the Schleich range of fantasy and farm animal figures are popular in UK early years settings.
Our Take
For UK children 5–10, WWE Basic figures (under £15, widely stocked at Smyths) offer more play value per pound than premium collector lines. For UK adult collectors, the Marvel Legends Build-A-Figure series delivers the best quality and UK availability. The Star Wars Vintage Collection (smaller 3.75 inch) remains popular with UK nostalgic collectors who grew up with the original Kenner range.