Why Are Sideshow Collectibles So Expensive? Bargain or Ripoff?

If you are looking to purchase a Sideshow collectible, you may wonder why some of the prices for their products fluctuate. You can pick up a Sideshow collectible from as little as $50 to over $1000. Let’s see why this is so.

Sideshow collectibles are expensive due to many factors which include, their realism, how they are made, the quality of their collectibles, and because they are a recognized brand name in the industry of toy collectibles. Other factors that make some of their collectibles cheaper are their lack of realism and articulation compared to other companies such as Hot Toys.

Let’s take a look at what factors could play a role in making Sideshow Collectibles pricey or inexpensive, and then let’s also compare some characteristics with other industry leaders who make toy collectibles such as Hot Toys.

Sideshow Collectibles overview

Suppose you are deciding on purchasing a scale collectible of your favorite character from film, television, comic books, video games, and such, as either your first collectible or adding to your collection. In that case, you might be deciding on purchasing a Sideshow collectible.

Not to be confused with Hot Toys collectibles because Sideshow collectibles are their sole distributor for The United States, North and South America, Europe, and many Asian countries, these collectibles are made by Sideshow.

They specialize in making 1/6 scale collectibles and statues as well as other high-end pieces. Founded in 1993, this company also has a highly regarded name for producing high-end collectibles such as the ones made by Hot Toys (although Hot Toys is considered the leader in the toy collectible industry).

Price may very well be a factor when considering your purchase, and Hot Toys compared to Sideshow collectibles and compared to some Hot Toys of the same type (similar models), the Sideshow collectibles are somewhat cheaper.

Even overall, their collectible range is slightly cheaper than Hot Toys, even though they have been a leader in the industry for a somewhat more extended period of time than Hot Toys (over 25 years).

Why are Sideshow collectibles expensive

Let’s consider a few factors regarding Sideshow collectibles that could possibly make them expensive or inexpensive.

Lifelike Realism

You may be wondering why Sideshow’s range of collectibles is somewhat expensive when in some circumstances, and compared to Hot Toys collectibles, they fall short in detail and articulation.

However, this is not accurately correct. If you notice and compare a recent release from both Hot Toys and Sideshow called The Child from Star Wars the Mandalorian, you may notice that the Sideshow variant is, in fact, a little more lifelike.

Hence one factor why Sideshow collectibles are expensive is because of the quality of the collectibles and other high-end pieces they release. They are on the same level as Hot Toys; however, they are still somewhat cheaper because they are not the industry’s market leader.

One reason why they are cheaper in some regards, as we mentioned before, is that sometimes their collectibles do not replicate lifelike realism, and they fall short in comparison to other companies. Due to this factor, some of their collectibles are of a lower price.

How Sideshow Collectibles are made

Unlike Hot Toys and NECA, Sideshow mainly produces toys made from modeling clay and not making collectibles from diecast. This means that because of the prices of the material used, they can charge less for their product compared to collectibles made from diecast metal. In this instance, they are cost-effective to produce.

However, on the other hand, the process by which Sideshow collectibles are made is a very detailed and intricate one. From conceptual art to digital programming, hand sculpting, hand painting, and accessory design and manufacturing, all these processes take time, money, and tremendous skill. Hence you pay for the R&D (research and development), and you pay a premium price for a collectible that is hand-made of the highest quality.

Sideshow Collectibles range in price

Take a look at the Sideshow collectibles on eBay. You will notice that just like other manufacturers (we have kept mentioning Hot Toys because they are the industry leader, there are others), their collectibles range from relatively reasonable and then into the thousands of dollars.

Even if you consider the collectibles they have for purchase on their official website, you will find collectibles ranging from under $50 to over $1000.

Conclusion

We find that Sideshow collectibles are relatively expensive but can also range from the mildly cheap to the very expensive. This is why some collectors say that they are not costly, and some say they are. Furthermore, when compared with Hot Toys, they are on the cheaper side; however, they are still quite expensive when considering they are just a 1/6 scale collectible or statue.

In any event, Their price ranges due to the material they are made from, the level of detail and articulation some collectibles feature and some do not, as well as how they are made and because they are a brand name in the industry of toy collectibles.