Checking the toy aisle at Target for a specific animatronic can feel exactly like a night at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza—stressful, slightly chaotic, and you’re pretty much always looking over your shoulder to see if someone else is grabbing the last one. If you've been hunting for a Target Five Nights at Freddy's plush, you already know the drill. These things move fast. One minute the shelf is packed with Freddy, Bonnie, and Foxy, and the next, it’s just a lonely display hook and a handful of price tags.
It's weirdly intense.
Collectors and parents are both in the same boat here. You want the real deal, not some knockoff with lopsided eyes and weird stitching that smells like a chemical factory. Target has become the go-to because they have a longstanding relationship with Funko, the primary manufacturer behind the most coveted FNAF merch. But honestly, just walking into a store and hoping for the best is a losing strategy in 2026.
Why Everyone Wants the Target Five Nights at Freddy's Plush Specifically
Target isn't just a random retailer in the FNAF world; they often get the "Target Exclusive" stickers that drive collectors absolutely wild. When Scott Cawthon’s franchise exploded, Funko realized that scarcity sells. By giving Target specific variants—think Glow-in-the-Dark figures or the "Tie-Dye" series—they created a secondary market that refuses to cool down.
If you’re looking for a Target Five Nights at Freddy's plush, you're usually looking for quality. The Funko versions are generally considered the gold standard. They have that specific 7-inch scale. The fabric is a soft, brushed velboa. They actually look like the characters from the game. Compare that to the "bootleg" plushies found on some third-party marketplaces where Springtrap looks like a green blob with a mid-life crisis.
The demand is driven by the lore, too. Kids don't just want "a bear." They want Glamrock Freddy because he’s the protector in Security Breach. They want the "Circus" series because of the aesthetic shift in the later games. Target's inventory usually reflects the latest releases from Steel Wool Studios, making it the frontline for the newest waves of merch.
The Problem With Inventory Accuracy
Target’s app is great, but it lies.
Well, it doesn't "lie" on purpose, but the inventory lag is real. You might see "Limited Stock" for a Sun or Moon plushie, drive twenty minutes, and find out a reseller cleared the shelf ten minutes before you arrived. It happens. Employees sometimes find boxes in the back that haven't been scanned into the floor inventory yet, or items are sitting in a "returns" bin waiting to be processed.
If you really want to snag a Target Five Nights at Freddy's plush, you have to be smarter than the algorithm. Talk to the employees in the electronics or toy sections. They usually know when the trucks arrive. At most locations, Tuesday and Thursday mornings are the "sweet spot" for restocks.
Identifying the Real Deal vs. The Fakes
How can you tell if that plushie in the bin is legit? First, look at the tush tag. A real Funko plush will have a white tag with the Funko logo and a manufacturing date code. The embroidery on the eyes should be tight. If you see loose threads or if the pupils are pointing in two different directions, it might be a factory error, or worse, a return of a counterfeit item.
People actually do that. They buy a real one, return a fake one in its place, and the overworked staff puts the fake back on the shelf. It’s a mess.
Popular Waves Found at Target
- The Classic Crew: Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. These are the perennials.
- The Security Breach Set: Glamrock Freddy, Montgomery Gator, Roxanne Wolf, and Glamrock Chica.
- Holiday Exclusives: Target often carries the Easter or Halloween themed variants that look like peppermint or pumpkins.
- The Snaps! Line: While not technically "plush," Target has heavily leaned into the Snaps! vinyl figures which sit right next to the plushies.
Actually, the "Tie-Dye" wave was one of the most polarizing releases Target ever carried. Some fans loved the psychedelic colors; others felt it moved too far away from the horror roots of the game. Regardless of where you stand, those are now some of the hardest to find at retail prices.
The Reseller Nightmare and Price Gouging
The MSRP for a standard Target Five Nights at Freddy's plush is usually around $10 to $15. That’s a fair price for what you’re getting. However, if you miss the retail window, you’re looking at eBay or Mercari prices that hit $40, $60, or even $100 for "vaulted" items.
Don’t pay $50 for a plushie that is currently in production.
Patience is a literal virtue here. Funko tends to do "re-runs" of popular characters. If the Target app says "Out of Stock" across the country, check back in three months. Often, a new shipping container arrives, and suddenly everyone has a Golden Freddy again. The only things that truly stay gone are the specific "Event" exclusives, like those tied to a specific convention or a limited-run seasonal event.
Navigating the Target Electronics Section
Pro tip: FNAF plushies aren't always in the toy aisle.
Often, Target stocks the "collectible" plushies in the electronics section, near the video games and Funko Pops. This is where the higher-end or more niche items live. If the toy aisle is just a sea of Barbie and LEGO, head to the back of the store. Look for the "Boutique" shelves. You’ll find the Target Five Nights at Freddy's plush tucked between the anime figures and the gaming headsets.
This is also where the "Mystery Minis" and the "Action Figures" live. If you’re a completionist, this section is your graveyard of productivity.
Why the Movie Changed Everything
When the Five Nights at Freddy's movie dropped, the demand for merch didn't just grow—it exploded. People who had never even played the games were suddenly looking for a Mike Schmidt-adjacent souvenir. This led to a massive influx of "New Old Stock" at Target. They started re-releasing the original Wave 1 characters to satisfy the new fans.
If you're looking for the original 2016-style Freddy, 2026 is actually a great time to be alive. The "Classic" line has seen several refreshes lately, meaning you don't have to pay 2017 collector prices for a standard Bonnie.
How to Guarantee a Win
If you're tired of the "Drive and Disappointment" cycle, use the "Pick Up" or "Drive Up" feature in the Target app.
- Set your location to "My Store."
- Search for "Five Nights at Freddy's plush."
- Filter by "In stock at my store."
- If it appears, buy it immediately for pickup.
Once that order is placed, a Target employee (a "Team Member") has to go find it and put it in a bag for you. This "locks" the item. It’s the only way to beat the person who is currently walking through the front doors with the same goal as you. Just be aware that if they can't find it on the shelf, they will cancel your order. It's not a 100% guarantee, but it's about as close as you can get in the world of high-demand collectibles.
Checking Other "Target-Like" Spots
If your local Target is a total desert, check the "Collectors Row" at the front of the store or the "Checklane Blisters." Sometimes they put small plush hangers right by the registers. These are often missed by the big-game hunters looking for the 7-inch versions.
Taking Care of Your Collection
Once you actually get your hands on a Target Five Nights at Freddy's plush, don't just throw it in a box. If you're a collector, keep the tags on. Use a plastic tag protector if you're really serious. If it's for a kid, just know that the felt teeth on characters like Nightmare Chica can get bent or peeled if they go through the washing machine.
Hand wash only. Seriously. The heat from a dryer can melt the synthetic fibers or ruin the glue on the eyes. Use a damp cloth and some mild soap. It takes longer, but you won't end up with a "Withered" Freddy that wasn't supposed to be withered.
What to Watch Out For in 2026
The rumor mill suggests that more "interactive" plushies might be hitting Target shelves soon—ones with sound chips or haptic feedback. These will likely be priced higher, around $25 to $30. Keep an eye on the endcaps (the displays at the end of the aisles). Target loves putting new FNAF launches on endcaps to catch the eye of casual shoppers.
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Also, watch for the "RedCard" exclusives. Occasionally, Target will lock certain high-demand items behind their RedCard membership for the first 24 hours of a release. It’s frustrating if you don't have one, but it's a very effective way they use to stop bot-assisted resellers from buying the entire stock in three seconds.
Next Steps for the Savvy Hunter
- Check the DPCI: Every item at Target has a "Department-Parent-Class-Item" number. If you find the DPCI for the specific plush you want (usually found in the "Specifications" section on the Target website), an employee can tell you exactly how many are in the back or when the next shipment is due.
- Join Local Groups: Facebook groups or Discord servers dedicated to local toy hunting are gold mines. People will often post "FNAF plushies spotted at the [Your City] Target" in real-time.
- Scan the Barcode: If you find an empty shelf, scan the shelf tag with the Target app. It will often tell you if there are more in the back or if a nearby store has them in stock. This saves you a useless trip across town.
- Audit Your Tags: Check your current collection for the "Funko" and "Target" branding. If you have older ones from 2016-2018, they might actually be worth more than you think, especially if they are the original non-glow versions.
The hunt is half the fun, even if it feels like you're being hunted by a giant mechanical rabbit. Stay persistent, use the app's "Notify Me" feature for out-of-stock items, and never settle for a bootleg that looks like it was made in a dark basement. The real Target versions are out there; you just have to be faster than the next night guard.