You remember the first time you saw The Book of Life? That 2014 masterpiece from Jorge R. Gutierrez and Guillermo del Toro wasn't just another animated flick. It was a visual explosion. A love letter to Mexican culture. The character designs were insane—blocky, wooden, intricate, and dripping with Day of the Dead aesthetics. Naturally, people wanted the toys. But if you've ever tried to build a full collection of The Book of Life toys, you know it’s kinda like trying to find a specific petal in a field of cempasúchil. It’s tricky.
Funko got the license early on. They released a line of Pop! Vinyls and some Legacy Collection action figures. Then, things just... stopped.
The movie was a hit, but it didn't get that massive Disney-level merchandising push. This left fans in a weird spot. You have these beautiful, artistic designs that are begging to be on a shelf, yet the actual retail options are limited. Most of what you find today is on the secondary market, and honestly, the prices will make your eyes water. We're talking hundreds of dollars for a piece of molded plastic that originally cost twenty bucks. It’s wild.
The Funko Legacy Collection: The Holy Grail for Collectors
Let’s talk about the heavy hitters. When most people search for The Book of Life toys, they’re looking for the 6-inch Legacy Collection figures. Funko really outdid themselves here. They didn't just make cheap toys; they made "collector" figures with actual points of articulation.
The Manolo Sanchez figure is a standout. He’s got his guitar. He’s got his swords. The detail on his matador outfit is surprisingly crisp for a mass-produced item. Then you have Maria. Her dress is huge, which makes her a bit of a "statue" in terms of playability, but she looks gorgeous. Xibalba is the one everyone wants, though. His wingspan is massive, and those green transparent details? Chef’s kiss.
But there’s a catch. These figures were notorious for "QC" issues—quality control. Because the designs are so spindly and top-heavy, the joints were prone to snapping right out of the box. If you find a Mint-in-Box (MIB) Xibalba today, you’re looking at a serious investment. Many collectors won't even take them out of the packaging because they're scared the legs will crumble. It's a tragedy, really. You want to pose them, but the plastic says "no."
The Pop! Vinyl Invasion
If the Legacy figures are the "pro" option, the Funko Pop! versions are the "everyone" option. Well, they were.
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- Manolo
- Maria
- Xibalba
- La Muerte
La Muerte is easily the most sought-after Pop! in the entire set. Her hat is covered in tiny candles and marigolds. It’s one of the most detailed Pops Funko ever produced. Because of that detail, she became an instant "vaulted" classic. If you didn't grab her in 2014 or 2015, you're basically paying "rent money" prices on eBay now. It’s not uncommon to see her listed for $150 or more.
Why are these toys so rare now?
It’s basically a supply and demand nightmare. 20th Century Fox (now under Disney) didn't realize the cult following this movie would maintain. The Book of Life has legs. It stays relevant every October because of Dia de los Muertos. But the toy production runs were relatively short. Funko moved on to the next big thing, and since there wasn't a direct sequel (though Gutierrez has teased The Book of Life 2 for years), there was no reason for a "re-release."
Then Coco happened. When Disney’s Coco dropped in 2017, it reignited interest in The Book of Life. People started comparing them—unfairly, in my opinion—and a whole new generation discovered Manolo and Joaquin. Suddenly, everyone wanted The Book of Life toys again. But the shelves were empty.
There were some smaller releases, too. McDonald's did a Happy Meal run. Don't sleep on these. While they're "cheap" plastic, the sculpts are actually quite charming. They captured the "wooden puppet" vibe of the movie better than some of the more expensive toys did. You can usually find the whole set of eight for a reasonable price if you look in the right corners of the internet.
The DIY and Custom Scene
Since official merch is so scarce, the community has stepped up. 3D printing has changed the game for fans of Jorge Gutierrez’s style. You can find STL files online that allow you to print your own Chakal or even the Cave of Souls dioramas.
Artisans on sites like Etsy often create custom hand-painted wooden dolls that mimic the film's aesthetic. Honestly? Some of these look more "authentic" than the plastic Funko stuff. The movie's art style is based on folk art, so it makes sense that actual folk art versions of the characters feel so right.
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I’ve seen some incredible custom "Munny" figures painted to look like the Sanchez family ancestors. It’s a testament to the character design. You can’t kill a good design. Even without a corporate giant pumping out plastic, the fans keep the world alive.
What about the "Mini" figures?
Funko also did a "Mystery Mini" line. These were blind boxes. You didn't know who you were getting.
- Manolo (Matador version)
- Manolo (Guitar version)
- The Candlemaker
- Joaquin (with those ridiculous medals)
- Chuy the Pig (the real MVP)
The Candlemaker is particularly hard to find. His "cloud" body doesn't translate easily to a small figure, but they pulled it off. If you’re a completionist, the Mystery Minis are a cheaper way to get a wide variety of characters without spending $500 on a single La Muerte figure. Just be prepared to buy a lot of duplicates of the "common" Manolo.
Tips for Savvy Collectors
If you're serious about hunting down The Book of Life toys in 2026, you need a strategy. Don't just hit the "Buy It Now" button on the first thing you see.
First, check Mercari and local Facebook Marketplace groups. Often, parents are cleaning out closets and have no idea that the "skeleton guy with the big hat" is worth a fortune. You can score "out of box" (OOB) bundles for a fraction of the collector price.
Second, look for the "damaged" Legacy figures. If you're handy with a bit of superglue and a steady hand, you can fix those snapped joints. A repaired Xibalba looks just as good on a shelf as a broken one in a box.
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Third, verify the authenticity of Pops. Because these figures became so valuable, "fakes" or "knock-offs" started appearing on certain international marketplaces. Check the "M" number on the bottom of the feet and the quality of the box printing. If the deal seems too good to be true, it’s probably a bootleg.
The Future of Book of Life Merch
Will we ever see new toys? Jorge Gutierrez is a powerhouse. He recently did Maya and the Three on Netflix, and the style is very similar. There's always a chance of a "10th Anniversary" or "15th Anniversary" boutique release from a company like NECA or Super7. They specialize in high-end figures for niche movies.
Until then, we’re left with the secondary market and our own creativity. The beauty of these designs is that they don't look "dated." They’re timeless. Whether it's a $200 Funko or a $2 McDonald's toy, they capture a very specific spirit.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Set up eBay alerts: Use specific terms like "Book of Life Funko Vaulted" or "Legacy Collection Xibalba" to get notified the second one is listed.
- Support independent artists: Look for "Book of Life inspired" folk art. It often captures the movie's soul better than mass-market plastic.
- Inspect the joints: If buying Legacy figures, always ask the seller for photos of the knees and elbows to ensure they aren't already fractured.
- Consider the Mystery Minis: If space and budget are tight, these provide the best "bang for your buck" in terms of character variety.
Collecting these pieces isn't just about owning plastic. It's about holding a piece of that "Everlasting" story. Just... maybe don't play too rough with the Legacy figures. They’re fragile, just like a guitar string in the middle of a bullfight.