The end of the year is a time for looking back on all the great (or awful) things that happened throughout the course of that year, and 2014 was a pretty damn solid one on the horror front. The movies, at least the independent ones, were exceptional, and the toys were just as awesome.
We’ve already talked about 2014’s best and worst horror movies so today, on the eve of New Year’s, we look back on the 10 coolest horror toys that this year brought into our lives. So let’s get on with the list because we know you’re itching to get the hell off the computer and start drowning out the year’s hardships with way too much booze!
1) NECA – SUPER FREDDY
It was almost impossible for NECA to top 2013’s San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, which was the very first action figure of Nintendo-style Jason Voorhees. But they damn sure tried with this past summer’s exclusive, bringing Elm Street 5: Dream Child‘s “Super Freddy” into their popular retro-inspired line. Measuring 8″ tall and with real fabric clothing, Super Freddy’s toy debut was limited to only 5,000 pieces worldwide, and the figures can still be purchased for decent prices over on eBay.
2) NECA – 30TH ANNIVERSARY ULTIMATE FREDDY
NECA also released this self-proclaimed “Ultimate Freddy” action figure this year in celebration of A Nightmare on Elm Street‘s 30th anniversary. The idea was that the figure would be the definitive Freddy Krueger toy, and I must say that NECA more than delivered on that promise. Measuring 7″ tall and featuring an alternate head as well as Tina’s skinned face and the infamous tongue phone, this is indeed the ultimate Freddy action figure, worthy of being called the best of all time.
2014 was the year that 8-bit Jason Voorhees had his moment in the sun with last year’s San Diego Comic-Con exclusive from NECA kick-starting a massive resurgence of interest in the slasher icon’s most oddball incarnation. One-upping themselves, the company gave NES Jason the retro treatment earlier this year with this Toys R Us exclusive, which became one of the most sought-after horror toys of the year. These were incredibly hard to find in stores, which made the desire for them that much stronger. You’ll have to head over to eBay to grab one if you couldn’t find one in your local store.
MORE AWESOME TOYS ON THE NEXT PAGE!
4) NECA – DELUXE QUEEN ALIEN
Quite frankly, this list could be filled entirely with toys released by NECA, as the company once again did a hell of a job this year at pleasing us horror folk. Perhaps their most impressive offering of 2014 was this “Ultra Deluxe” Queen Alien from 1986’s Aliens in celebration of the action-packed sequel’s 35th anniversary. Standing a staggering 15″ tall and measuring 30″ long with over 30 points of articulation, the incredible figure is in scale with all of NECA’s previous Alien toys, fittingly towering over them. Alien collectibles don’t get much more must-own than this.
5) FUNKO – HEADLESS HERSHEL POP! VINYL
As they seem to do every year, Funko grew their adorable POP! Vinyl line at an exponential rate in 2014, adding countless new horror icons to the mix. It’s hard to pick a favorite of the bunch, but I simply must give a special shout-out to this San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, which is a variant of the company’s Hershel Greene vinyl figure. The bloody variant is of course based on Hershel’s utterly depressing Season 4 death scene, and the toy features a removable head. These often sell on eBay for around $30-$40.
6) FUNKO – SAM REACTION FIGURE
Funko doesn’t mess around when they come up with a line that works, and in 2014 their “ReAction” line of retro-style toys became one of the year’s biggest hits. What started as a series of Alien figures grew to include a massive list of horror icons, ranging from Freddy to Jason, Michael Myers to Pinhead. Though I love them all, my favorite of the bunch was Trick ‘r Treat‘s Sam, who just fits that retro style so well. Plus, I just love that Sam has become a bona fide horror icon, hanging with the best of them. Expect the ReAction line to get bigger and better than ever in 2015.
7) MCFARLANE TOYS – 10″ RICK GRIMES
As much as I love McFarlane’s ever-expanding line of “The Walking Dead” toys, both from the comic series and TV show, I must admit that the figures are a bit too small for my liking. Due to the small size, the detail often isn’t that great, nor are the likenesses. But McFarlane made up for that this year with this 10″ Rick Grimes figure, which is their most impressive “Walking Dead” collectible to date. Featuring alternate arms so that he can hold different guns, this Grimes figure is the sort of toy we’ve come to expect from McFarlane over the years, absolutely nailing the likeness of actor Andrew Lincoln. If you buy one McFarlane toy this year, make it this one.
MORE AWESOME TOYS ON THE NEXT PAGE!
8) GREEN LIGHT COLLECTIBLES – FRIDAY THE 13TH POLICE CAR
The year’s most unique horror toy is hands down Green Light Collectibles’ limited edition tribute to Friday the 13th, which saw them turning the film’s 1977 Dodge police vehicle into a die-cast collectible car. That the police car isn’t even the most recognizable vehicle from the film is what makes this oddball toy so special, as you simply must appreciate the totally outside-the-box approach. The car comes complete with a mini Mrs. Voorhees figure, sealing the deal on this being a must-own 2014 toy. You can grab one of these for around $10.
9) BANDAI JAPAN – THE RING’S SADAKO YAMAMURA
After many years of Sadako/Samara action figures being teased and then never coming out, Bandai Japan finally brought The Ring to the toy shelf this year with this highly articulated Sadako toy, part of the S.H. Figuarts collection. Included with the main figure are a handful of alternate body parts as well as a TV base, allowing you to display Sadako in all the iconic poses she strikes in the terrifying original film. Also included is an alternate head with that one horrifying eyeball visible. The Japanese toy can be imported for around $50.
Though NECA had previously given Dawn of the Dead‘s “Flyboy” the toy treatment, Max Factory brought the ultimate action figure of the iconic zombie to the table this year, thanks to this highly poseable figure done in the popular “Figma” style. The figure comes packaged with a wealth of accessories, including molded blood splats that can be attached to various parts on his body, and the coolest thing of all about the toy is that it comes with an alternate “Machete Zombie” head – making this two zombie figures in one. The 6″ figure sells for around $60.
What was your favorite horror toy of 2014? Comment below and let us know!
