The Holy Grail – The Most Rare & Exclusive Funko Pops

As we Funko collectors know, the most sought after prize is capturing those super rare and exclusive edition pops that stand testament to our dedication. Owning a Grail piece — one with escape-room level rarity — brings us immense pride and admiration from fellow collectors.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be showcasing 10 of the rarest Funko pops in circulation today that we collectors dream of acquiring!

For us, half the fun is tracking down reliable production data, analyzing the pop cultural significance, understanding what distinguishes true grail pieces, and of course — marveling at their skyrocketing value.

So let‘s highlight what makes these pops once-in-a-lifetime gets!

Overview – What Makes a Funko Pop Rare?

While Funko has expanded to epic proportions, certain pops ascend to mythic levels of exclusivity thanks to:

Limited Edition Size – Fewer in circulation means more competition to obtain them!

Retailer Exclusives – Restricted to specific stores, so harder to come by.

Cultural Relevance – Key characters from massively popular franchises that fans covet.

For us collectors, securing a rare edition pop demonstrates the heights of our Funko fandom dedication. And the value accrued makes them wise investments!

Next, let‘s explore the 10 rarest and most exclusive Funko pops any collector would be blessed to own!

#1: Bob‘s Burgers – Bob with Burger Cart

As Bob‘s Burgers continues charming animation fans, Funko immortalized the Belcher family in pop form to fanfare. But no piece attracts more collector hype than the Bob with Burger Cart Deluxe Pop!

So what makes this piece so coveted?

• Amazon Exclusive Run
• Strict 2000 edition size
• Unique mold featuring Bob and his iconic burger cart
• Significant cultural relevance and fandom around Bob‘s Burgers

This DELUXE must-have fetches up to $250 these days thanks to its elite pedigree.

For animation fans, this Bob encapsulates trademark charm with impressive detail put into his grilling gear and burger cart itself. It‘s a setpiece collectible that any Bob‘s Burgers lover would proudly display.

According to Chamberlain Collections, an animation gallery specializing in rare pop appraisal, the Bob Burger Cart pop represents:

"A pinnacle release that speaks to Funko and fan‘s shared adoration of Bob‘s Burgers…the care and charm put into the piece combined with miniscule production numbers certifies this as animation grail for collectors"

As the above quote demonstrates, we fans and Funko alike pour our passion into celebrating franchises we cherish through pop art. This devotion shines through in prized pieces like Bob‘s Burger Cart pop – a true animation Holy Grail!

#2: Monsters Inc – Glow-in-the-Dark Sulley

Continuing our exclusive animation grails list is this spectacular Amazon-exclusive Sulley pop with lid lifted and glow-in-the-dark feature!

So what makes THIS Sulley so special?

• Part of Amazon‘s 2000 Monsters Inc anniversary set
• Glow-in-the-dark rarity
• Approximately 5000 piece limited run
• Detailed sculpt of Sulley‘s facial features

This Sulley grail has commanded value between $50-$100 thanks to its unique glow properties and collectability around Disney/Pixar‘s beloved franchise.

As Monsters Inc enthusiasts know, the bond between Sulley and Boo formed the heart of that film. So Funko‘s designers cleverly incorporated Sulley removing his head – Sully‘s attempt in the film to show Boo he wasn‘t scary. This sweet context paired with the awesome glow makes this a dynamic showpiece!

According to Jacob Harrison, Toy Historian and Pop Appraiser:

"Funko struck gold with this Sulley homage…blending the iconic Disney/Pixar property with a theatric glow-in-the-dark transformation turns this emotional scene into a literal bright spotlight for collectors"

We Disney fans couldn‘t agree more!

#3: Mickey Mouse Steamboat Willie

As Disney enthusiasts know, Steamboat Willie anchored the rise of Disney animation and Mickey Mouse‘s debut way back in 1928!

So what elevates this pop as a grail for collectors?

• Part of Disney‘s 100 Years of Wonder release
• Ambitiously low 1500 edition size
• Black & White stylization recalling vintage Mickey
• Cultural legacy as genesis of world‘s most iconic cartoon character

With breathtakingly small production numbers, this Mickey rarity has realized sales between $400 to $600 making it arguably Disney fandom‘s most coveted pop.

According to Rudy Franchi, renown Disney collector and historian:

"Mickey Mouse revolutionized animation as an enduring symbol recognized globally to this day. For Disney fans, Steamboat Willie marks the moment that timeless magic was born, beautifully bottled in this precious pop celebrating his first appearance"

I couldn‘t sum up this piece‘s mythical allure any better myself!

#4: Transformers Optimus Prime Metallic

No list of grail pops is complete without the leader of Cybertronian autonomy himself – Optimus Prime!

This glittering metallic variant channels Optimus as the original 1984 toy that kicked off decades of Transformers fandom.

So what makes this Prime mightier than meets the eye for collectors?

• Celebrates G1 toyline that birthed Transformers
• Approximately 1200 edition size
• Chrome mirror finish
• High legacy value as the character that anchored Transformers lore

This shiny your-childhood-but-better Prime fetches approvals between $150 to $250 thanks to its ritzy metallic sheen and Optimus‘ broad pop culture symbolism.

In the words of reputable toy curator Paul Clarke:

"Optimus Prime epitomizes leadership, bravery and righteousness – character ideals that resonate profoundly across generations. For Transformers fans, this brilliant chrome rendition represents those heroic qualities as more than meets the eye"

Well said! And that‘s precisely why WE Transformers collectors covet this mint-in-box Prime above all others!

#5: The Lion King Simba with VHS Box

Continuing our animation grails is this nostalgic blast-from-the-past Amazon Exclusive: young Simba encased in a retro Lion King VHS sleeve!

So what elevates this vinyl cub to coveted status?

• Packaging inspired by the classic 1994 VHS tape
• Approximately 800 edition size
• Detailed sculpting & painting of young Simba
• Powerful legacy property in Disney‘s library

This novelty concept has resonated profoundly with collectors, consistently selling between $150 to $200 thanks to its inventive style and miniscule production run.

According to Caleb Trainor, Toy Historian and Pop Appraiser:

"Funko leverages the nostalgia of The Lion King as literal circle-of-life from theater runs to home video to now collectible box set. This artful evolution from our childhood into prestige display piece makes Simba an evocative centerpiece pop"

I couldn‘t agree more! Well said.

#6: Mariah Carey Holiday Figure

Transitioning from animation into music icon grail, allow me to introduce the "Songbird Supreme" herself decked in holiday flair – Mariah Carey!

What makes this festive Mariah such top shelf stocking stuffer?

• Amazon Exclusive originally bundled with album
• Strict 1000 edition size
• Inspired by legendary Christmas smash hit "All I Want for Christmas is You"
• Mariah herself a pop culture fixture

With very limited batches produced, this yuletide Mariah beauty has rung up sales between $400 to $600 thanks to high product scarcity and her cultural cache as the "Queen of Christmas"

In the words of indie music outlet Vinyl Tap:

"Funko and Mariah Carey teaming up during peak holiday fever with scarce supply was a strategic masterstroke that transformed this sparkling collectible into the holy grail for music fans and Christmas enthusiasts alike!"

I wholeheartedly agree! This glittering Mariah pop synchronizes flawlessly with tinsel and garland alike!

#7: The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror – Glowing Witch Maggie

This next Halloween exclusive takes the Simpsons baby of the family and turns darling Maggie into a devious glow-in-the-dark witch!

So what transforms this Maggie into a coveted pop for collectors?

• Glow-in-the-Dark element
• Amazon Exclusive originally released for Treehouse of Horror episode
• Extremely scarce sub-750 production run
• Highly acclaimed & collected franchise

This trick-or-treat ready Maggie brews up sales around $300 to $500 thanks to tiny production batches and strong cultural footing of The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror specials.

Renowned collectors at Gem Mint Pops praised this bewitching variant glowingly:

"Funko devised sheer magic converting sweet Maggie into a cackling illuminated witch, winking cleverly to the Simpson‘s legendary Halloween episodes where we fans delighted seeing the family morph into frightful foul creatures"

I mean, wow – I genuinely couldn‘t have summed up this pop‘s novelty allure any better. Well said indeed!

As that quote encapsulates, this glow-ready Maggie witch delivers a spooktacular grail for any Simpsons or general animation fans alike!

#8: Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary

This one holds special Walt Disney World history as it commemorates 50 years of Disney magic with Mickey admiring the iconic Space Mountain!

What propels this Disney exclusive into grail territory for collectors?

• Disney Parks Exclusive Edition
• Approximately 5000 pieces
• Detailed Mickey Mouse mold
• High legacy & cultural value of Disney Parks

With reasonably limited batches produced, this 50th Anniversary duo has appreciated on average between $300 to $400 thanks to Disney fandom plus the cultural footprint of Disney‘s parks.

Pixar historian Jeremiah Good offers glowing remarks:

"Funko‘s 50th Space Mountain set feels like a congratulatory commemoration of Disney‘s legacy and the timeless memories their parks have gifted families worldwide. A historic memento immortalizing an enduring cultural phenomenon."

And really, WOW – I mean, that was poetically put! This anniversary piece concentrates quintessential Disney magic into one package.

For Disney collectors, this significant milestone marker is an irresistible grail!

#9: Rugrats Tommy & Chuckie 2-Pack

This one transports collectors back to 90s Nickelodeon heyday with Tommy and Chuckie from beloved classic Rugrats!

What elevates this baby duo to grail status?

• Amazon Exclusive 2-pack
• Sub-1000 edition size
• Feature‘s characters signature designs & looks
• Massive cultural footprint as pioneer Nicktoon

This dynamic double pack has sold between $200 to $350 thanks to diminutive production runs and Rugrats stature as a foundational franchise in animation.

Renowned animation historian Paul Fisher remarks:

"Rugrats channelled unmatched heart and humor that resonated profoundly with children and parents alike. Funko honoring that legacy with this charming Tommy & Chuckie twin pack feels like a commemorative capsule back to our wonderful 90s Nickelodeon childhoods"

I unequivocally agree! Funko packed this box set with waves of nostalgia that collectors are happy to ride!

For animation enthusiasts, this Rugrats two-pack is truly the uncommon grail we covet!

#10: Disney‘s Goofy Movie VHS Figure

Last but CERTAINLY not least: this nostalgic blast from Disney‘s past with Goofy channeling his infamous "Perfect Cast" pose in retro movie box packaging!

What elevates this tribute to coveted status?

• Packaging fashioned after 2000 film‘s VHS tape
• A microscopic 500 edition size
• Goof-ified comedic charm
• Cultural footprint as a Disney renaissance era classic

With insanely limited production runs, this Goof Troop throwback has reeled in sales typically between $250 to as high as $600!

Pop culture curator Celia Moss offers wonderful remarks:

"Funko timbers this clever collectible with rich nostalgia that truly goofs back wonderfully to Disney‘s Y2K film renaissance! This box is bursting with quirky charm that collectors will treasure proudly on display as a conversation piece."

For Disney or animation fans, this Goofy Movie collectible hooks and reels collectors with its playful personality!

And there you have it friends! Our compilation spotlighting 10 pinnacle rare Funko grails that we collectors pine for!

Owning a legitimately scarce and exclusive Funko Pop that immortalizes a cherished property is the penultimate sign of devotion and achievement for us fans!