It starts with a scratch. Then a knock. If it’s in a word, or it’s in a look, you can’t get rid of the Babadook. Most horror fans remember the chilling nursery rhyme from Jennifer Kent’s 2014 masterpiece, but for collectors, the real horror isn't the monster under the bed. It's the secondary market prices.
When The Babadook first hit theaters, the book featured in the film—a terrifying, hand-crafted pop-up—didn't actually exist for the public. It was a prop. A single, tactile piece of nightmare fuel designed by illustrator Alexander Juhasz. But fans went feral for it. They wanted to hold the red fabric cover. They wanted to pull the tabs and watch the creature rise from the page.
So, the filmmakers did something risky. They launched a crowdfunding campaign to make the Babadook pop up book a reality. It wasn't a cheap cash-in. It was a high-end, artisan project that promised to replicate the film's prop as closely as possible. If you missed that initial window, honestly, you’ve probably been kicking yourself ever since.
The bumpy road from screen to shelf
Making a pop-up book is an absolute logistical nightmare. It isn't like printing a paperback where you just hit "go" on a machine and thousands of copies spit out the other side. Each page has to be hand-assembled. Paper engineers have to ensure the tabs don't tear after three uses. Glue points have to be precise.
Insight Editions was the publisher tasked with bringing Juhasz’s vision to life. The original crowdfunding goal on Indiegogo was set at $30,000. It ended up raising over $200,000. People didn't just want a movie tie-in; they wanted a piece of the movie’s soul. Jennifer Kent was famously protective of the project, insisting that the book had to feel "real."
Because of this obsession with quality, the production took way longer than anyone expected. People were waiting months, then years. Some started to think it was a scam. It wasn't. It was just complicated. When the books finally started arriving in late 2016 and early 2017, they were beautiful. They were also instantly rare.
The first edition was limited. Every copy was numbered. Some were even signed by Kent herself. Since then, there haven't been massive reprints. This isn't Harry Potter. It's a niche horror collectible that requires specialized manufacturing. That’s why when you see a Babadook pop up book on eBay today, the price tag is usually enough to make you lose sleep.
What’s actually inside the pages?
If you’ve only seen the movie, you know the basics. The book tells the story of a monster that haunts a mother and son. But the physical book includes extra pages that weren't fully explored in the film’s runtime.
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The artwork is jarring. Juhasz used a charcoal and ink style that feels scratchy and manic. It’s intentional. The paper is heavy stock. When you turn the pages, there’s a specific weight to it. The "Mister Babadook" figure pops out with a jagged, unsettling silhouette.
One of the coolest features is the interactive elements. You pull a tab, and the Babadook’s long, spindly fingers creep toward the bed. You turn a flap, and his face changes. It captures that specific dread of the film—the idea that the more you acknowledge the trauma (or the monster), the more it manifests.
It’s weirdly meta. In the movie, the book appears mysteriously. In real life, it’s a conversation piece that most people are almost afraid to leave open on a coffee table. It feels "cursed" in the best way possible.
Why collectors are obsessed with the 2016 "Red Edition"
There are a few versions out there, but the "Red Edition" is the holy grail. This was the original crowdfunded run. It features a red cloth-bound cover that feels like an old Victorian relic.
- The first 2,000 copies were signed by Jennifer Kent.
- It includes a "secret" pop-up page not seen in the theatrical cut.
- The construction used higher-grade cardstock than later, cheaper "tributes" found on shady websites.
Many people get scammed by "replica" versions. You’ll see them on Amazon or random Facebook ads for $30. Stay away. Those are almost always flat, 2D printed books that don't actually pop up. Or, they’re flimsy knock-offs that fall apart the second you open them. A genuine Babadook pop up book from the original run is a thick, heavy object.
If the deal looks too good to be true, it’s because it’s a scam. Real copies currently trade for anywhere between $500 and $1,500 depending on the condition and whether or not it's signed.
The psychological weight of the prop
Why does a book matter this much? It’s just paper, right?
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Not really. The Babadook is a movie about grief. It’s about the things we suppress and how they eventually grow teeth and claws. The book is the physical manifestation of that grief. In the film, Amelia tries to burn the book. It comes back. She tries to throw it away. It appears on her doorstep, repaired.
Owning the book feels like owning a piece of that metaphor. It’s one of the few horror movie props that actually functions exactly the same way in the real world as it does in the story. It’s an artifact.
Interestingly, Jennifer Kent has been hesitant to over-commercialize the film. There aren't Babadook lunchboxes or action figures. The book was the one thing she felt was essential. That integrity is part of why the value has stayed so high. It wasn't a "limited edition" designed to create artificial scarcity; it was a limited edition because it was incredibly hard to make.
Identifying a real Babadook pop up book vs. a fake
If you're hunting for one of these, you have to be a bit of a detective. The market is flooded with "fan-made" versions that are basically just stapled pamphlets.
Check the spine. The authentic book has a very thick, reinforced spine to accommodate the layers of pop-up mechanics. If it looks thin like a standard children's book, walk away.
Look at the "pop" height. The real Babadook stands several inches off the page. The engineering is complex, involving multiple pivot points. Cheap fakes usually just have one fold in the middle.
Verify the publisher. You’re looking for "Insight Editions" and mentions of the "Causeway Films" production.
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Lastly, check the smell. This sounds weird, but high-quality ink and cloth binding have a specific scent. The original books were stored in climate-controlled environments by most collectors, so they shouldn't smell like a musty basement, despite how the movie looks.
Is it still possible to buy one?
Yes, but you need patience. And a lot of money.
The secondary market is your only real option in 2026. Sites like eBay, Heritage Auctions, and high-end horror collector groups on Facebook are the main hubs. Occasionally, a copy will pop up on AbeBooks or through a rare book dealer who doesn't quite realize it's a "movie" book and lists it under "modern illustrators." That’s where the bargains are.
There have been rumors of a 10th-anniversary reprint, but nothing has been solidified. Given the complexity of the assembly, a new run would likely cost significantly more than the original $80 price tag from the Indiegogo days.
Practical steps for the serious collector
If you’ve decided you absolutely need this book in your life, don't just go and hit "Buy It Now" on the first listing you see. You'll get burned.
- Ask for a video. Any legitimate seller of a $800 book will be happy to send you a video of the pop-up mechanisms working. If the tabs are sticky or the paper is creased, the value drops by half.
- Check the signatures. If it’s a signed copy, compare the signature to verified Jennifer Kent autographs online. There are plenty of fakes.
- Join the forums. Groups like the "Limited Edition Book Collectors" or specific horror prop communities often have members looking to offload copies at "bro prices" rather than the inflated eBay rates.
- Invest in a display case. This isn't a book you just slide onto a shelf between two novels. The pressure of other books can damage the pop-up elements inside. It needs to breathe.
Owning a Babadook pop up book is a commitment. It’s a piece of cinema history that requires maintenance and care. But every time you open that first page and hear the paper crinkle, it’s worth it. Just don't let it in. Or do. It's your house.
Actionable Insights for Buyers:
To ensure you are getting a genuine item, always verify the ISBN-13: 978-1608879533. This is the specific identifier for the Insight Editions release. If a seller cannot provide this or the number leads to a different title, it is a counterfeit. Additionally, check the back cover for the "Causeway Films" logo. Genuine copies will also have a "First Edition" marking on the copyright page unless they are part of the very small secondary "Green Edition" or "Black Edition" promotional runs. Prioritize listings that include the original cardboard shipping box, as this significantly increases the long-term resale value for high-end horror memorabilia.