For those of us still mentally stuck somewhere around March 2020, the news that we're more than halfway to Halloween 2021 might come as a shock. Not for the Funko team, though! They've already been hard at work preparing for this year's Funkoween festivities, including a live stream that's set to include announcements regarding more than forty new series releases, which will kick off later today.

What is Funkoween?

For four days, running from May 24th until May 28th, the Funko team will announce on social media and via FunTV their plans for forty upcoming new release series, typically in the vein of a spooky theme. We're talking retro scares, horror lines, Nightmare Before Christmas, and more. It's like the perfect combination of a virtual Comic Con and Halloween event - and it takes place in May, proving that for some, the spooky festivities never really have to end.

What's this I hear about masks?!

Yep, you read that right. Among other sneak peaks Funko have posted to their social media pages over the last few days, one such image appears to show a strap clearly labelled as 'Pop Masks.' If, like me, your first thought turned out to be something related to the pandemic that shall not be named, in the hopes that this announcement pertained to a new, practical line of face masks... it seems we're out of luck. Take a look at the preview image yourself.

Doesn't exactly look like it's gonna be a face mask! We at Ozzie can't say we're too disappointed, though. It's true that Funatics come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, and the thought of seeing our littlest collectors running around on All Hallow's Eve with a giant Pop! head mask is pretty darn cute!

Plus, the preview seems to suggest a Jack Skellington mask in our future, which could be a great addition to a Disney collection. What do you think? Does this look like a face mask, or a Halloween mask to you? And which would you prefer?

Check out the seven other sneak peaks Funko have posted so far:

Any guesses?

Let us know in the comments: do you celebrate Funkoween? Are you looking forward to any releases? 

As a general rule, we love to be scared.

Psychology suggests that we love horror so much because we’re always looking to feel as affected as possible from the entertainment we consume. It also seems to appeal to collectors for a multitude of reasons, not limited to aesthetic, character design, and the memorability of classics and franchise refreshers alike.

In essence, we love horror because we love to feel things. Whilst arguably chock full of pacing and SFX that would to today’s audience more likely elicit laughter than screams, it’s important to keep in mind that the horror cannon is teeming with gems, too. For me, nothing will ever trump the unadulterated terror of watching Michael Myers come back to life again for the first time, or of coming face to face with my first Chucky replica doll. Even in terms of modern classics, creatures like Stephen King’s Pennywise and the formidable demon-doll Annabelle are all based on elements of traditional horror, if not on traditional horror films themselves. (Or, in Annabelle’s case, real life events. Brb, crying in the corner.)

[Img source: Variety]

From black and white to technicolour and to the introduction of CGI and special effects, horror creators are constantly reinventing the genre to keep audience members on their toes. If reboots like Halloween (2018) and Netflix adaptation Scream (2017) aren’t enough to convince you that horror is a constantly shifting and morphing art form, then surely you can at least admit that they spark controversial discussion amongst old and new horror fans alike.

It is the age old question: is originality really dead, or are we constantly breathing new life into an age-old art form? Take a look at our timeline and let us know what you think.

1920s Thrills & Chills

Motion picture technology seriously ramped up the scare factor for Hollywood horror. With films like Nosferatu spearheading a generation of American cinema, The Phantom of the Opera, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, it isn’t hard to see why these classics are still being referenced, adapted, and adored today. A handful of decades after the 1896 short The House of the Devil (one of if not the first of all horror films), the Roaring Twenties were all about slow suspense, ghastly character reveals, and putting visuals to beloved literary classics.

German silent horror films like Waxworks (1924) are to blame for the boom in fantasy-horror that no doubt led to later, greater classics. Director Paul Leni would go on to make The Cat and the Canary (1927) in the States, solidifying to audience members of the late 20s the idea of the horror damsel in distress with Laura La Plante’s Annabelle West. The film is often credited for marrying both the ‘haunted house’ and ‘psychopath on the loose’ tropes, and it can’t be faulted as a classic which has gone on to inspire generations of suspense building and visual storytelling. That said, it’s funny to think how a film like The Cat and the Canary might do with modern horror standards. I highly doubt that we as a culture would be just as quick to put up with Annabelle’s shrieking and cowering as we were in 1927.

Although it can’t go unsaid that Nosferatu (1922) is probably the pivotal example of an adaptation that went on to spearhead a trend in monster movies, establishing the vampire as the creature of the night to be feared at all costs. Of course, vampires haven’t stuck it out in media as the monsters they were once intended to be, but there are still plenty of great modern films (like 2008 Swedish novel adaptation Let the Right One In) that are working their butts off to re-establish how audience members receive blood-suckers. What do you guys think?

[Img source: Teleport City]

The Monster Movie Golden Age of the 1930s

Arguably the pivotal era in establishing these archetypal movie monsters, the 1930s was Universal Studios’ time to shine in jumping on the bloodied bandwagon. With classics like Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933) and The Werewolf in London (1935), this was the veritable monster mash of cinema standards.

These films followed a formula that Hollywood was trying not to mess with, and featured early special effects and the first ever zombie movie with White Zombie in 1932.

Nearly 100 years later and filmmakers are still basing horror tropes off of those found in the Golden Age, if not adding much needed refreshers and flipping conventions on their heads with horror/thriller masterpieces like Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water (2017).

[Img source: The Hollywood Revue]

Sequel City: The 1940s

Just like today, audience members do not have endless patience or limitless attention spans, and it became quickly obvious that the Universal Monster Method just wasn’t doing it for them anymore.

With sequels and crossovers galore, Hollywood tried its damn best to keep the formula alive. Unfortunately, they just seemed to be beating a dead horse… although it should be noted that there were some decent flicks to come out of the decade, such as Oscar Wilde adaptation The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) and The Uninvited (1944).

Horror comedy began to take off, although it is still up for debate as to whether films like Abott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) did a good job. Meanwhile, films such as Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), which really should have been classed as horror comedy, tried in earnest not to stale up the genre. To be fair, there was a war going on.

[Img source: Den of Geek]

The 1950s Nuclear Monster Family

The return of monster movies and a Cold War culture’s overwhelming sense of impending doom and invasion fears gave the 1950s the kick it needed to scare the pants off of audience members again. 1951 flick The Thing from Another World was among the first to kick off this trend, with classics such as Godzilla (1954), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1955), and The Blob (1958) following suit.

The 1950s saw a big increase in characterisation and body horror, too, with films like House of Wax (1953) and The Fly (1958) pushing the boundaries on gore and 1954 classic The Creature from the Black Lagoon cementing itself into the horror cannon.

Arguably the end of an era wherein audience members could be lured into movie theatres with promises of haunted houses and creatures that crept in the shadows, the 1950s were a turning point in how much we could stomach as fans of horror and where the genre was destined to go next.

[Img source: We Are Movie Geeks]

“They’re coming to get you, Barbara”: Redefining Horror in the Swinging ‘60s

Definitely the decade of controversy. The 1960s social movements led to increased boundary pushing on films of all manner, not limited to just sex and violence (though audience members began to see a lot of that, too.) The Slasher genre saw its origins in films like Psycho (1960) and Peeping Tom (1960), and The Little Shop of Horrors breathed new life into horror comedy with memorable characters. (Feed us more remakes, Seymour!)

Additionally, the 1960s churned out gems such as 1962’s What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, The Birds (1963), Night of the Living Dead (1968) and Rosemary’s Baby (1968), continuing to play with audience members’ fears reflecting both the social climate and boundaries which had previously gone un-pushed. Directors like Alfred Hitchcock were cashing in big time on what they could get away with both in terms of genre redefining and how they treated their talent, most notably with Tippi Hedren’s real life horror while filming The Birds in ’63. (Little known fact, but the poor girl had live birds tied to her. Nothing will perhaps ever be quite so metal.)

The decade would go on to inspire years and years of boundary pushing, though it is still up for debate as to which films went too far and which changed the face of horror forever. Let us know what you think in the comments.

[Img source: The New York Times]

Pushing the envelope with a healthy dose of nihilism in the 1970s

The decade of “meh, whatever, people will get over it”, the 1970s saw an increase in sex, blood, and violence galore. The Exorcist (1973) is still regarded by many horror fans today as the scariest movie ever made, and possessed Regan will go on to live in our worst nightmares. 1974 Slasher classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre gave the franchise the low-budget, high-response boost it was so badly craving, and the moral debates sparked from graphic films like I Spit on Your Grave (1978) and The Hills Have Eyes (1977) are still going on today.

There are too many other classics to come out of this decade to name in one go, but here are some of the most notable:

• The Wicker Man (1973)— no, not the one with Nicholas Cage in it
• Jaws (1975), a shark movie that’s more thriller than horror but features enough blood and gore in the last thirty minutes that it just tows the line
• The Omen (1976), giving couples everywhere yet another reason not to procreate (lest they raise the literal anti-Christ)
• Dawn of the Dead (1978), another great addition to the zombie franchise
• Halloween (1978), a classic that still scares the pants off of audience members everywhere today and featuring what is arguably the most notorious soundtrack of any horror film
• Alien (1979), a redefiner which— okay, it goes without saying guys, this one is awesome
• The Amityville Horror (1979), credited (by yours truly) as Making Ghosts Scary Again, and
• When a Stranger Calls (1979), sparking babysitter paranoia, decades of Creepypasta, and, yep, another reason not to answer your phone. The call is coming from inside the genre!

[Img source: Captain Howdy]

Slashers Galore in the 1980s

It wasn’t just a time for Bowie, scrunchies, and abhorrent patterns, though lord knows it was that, too. Filmmakers were desperate to keep the franchise alive for the popular culture’s newfound love for soundtracks, notable aesthetics, and stranger danger, with winners such as Fright Night, The Shining, and Friday the 13^th all making their debuts in the first year of this epic era.

It goes without saying that Stephen King ruled this decade. Other than The Shining, filmmakers went on to adapt works of his such as Pet Semetary, too, and his influence over the genre began to make itself apparent even in other works. 1981 films My Bloody Valentine and The Evil Dead made headway for greats like Poltergeist in 1982 and Fright Night in 1985, while family-friendly flicks such as Ghostbusters and Gremlins introduced less frightening elements inspired by the genre to be enjoyed by a wider audience.

We can also hold this decade responsible for Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street and Tom Holland’s 1988 Child’s Play, films which continue to inspire super random phobias in moviegoers everywhere. I saw both of these films more than ten years after their release and I am still to this day terrified of talking dolls and going to sleep. Seriously.

[Img source: Wes Craven]

Teen Screams of the 1990s

Scream (1996) and I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) were among some of the films to ramp up the shriek factor during this decade and inspired a huge cult following. ‘90s movies seemed to be suspiciously self-aware, and horror directors truly did not hold any punches when it came to questioning and reinventing the genre.

Here are our picks for some of the most notable horrors to come out of this decade:

• Arachnophobia (1990)
• Misery (1990)
• It (1990)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
• Candyman (1992)
• Jurassic Park (1993)
• Se7en (1995)
• The Craft (1996)
• Ring (1998)
• The Blair Witch Project (1999)
• The Sixth Sense (1999)

Tell us what you think we’re missing in the comments!

[Img source: Horror Geek Life]

Horror Meets the Twenty First Century: The 2000s

Remakes, remakes, and more remakes. We had The Ring, The Grudge, Friday the 13^th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, and Dawn of the Dead to re-establish horror classics, and there is no faulting the logic that the originals aren’t always better.

The 2000s also introduced horror fans to the “torture porn” genre with originals like Saw and Eli Roth’s Hostel as well as upping the gore on zombie flicks with 28 Days Later. Horror comedy got a makeover with Scary Movie, Zombieland, and, if you want to look at it that way, Final Destination. (Or maybe that’s just me.)

Prom Night, The Strangers, Shutter, and Resident Evil were among many more to squeeze themselves into the horror cannon, and the decade was topped off with greats like Sweeney Todd, Cloverfield, Let the Right One In and Paranormal Activity. Sub-genres such as found footage, horror-comedy, and stylised musicals were among some of the awesome, awesome things that peaked their head out of the first decade of the new millennium.

If you ask fans of general movie-goers or casual horror fans, chances are their favourite horror flick comes from this decade. Tell us yours in the comments!

[Img source: Bloody Disgusting]

2010 to Now: What’s Next?

Kicking off the new decade with Insidious and The Cabin in the Woods, the latest decade has seen plenty of remakes, originals, and redefining modern classics that will surely go on to inspire many more decades of blood, guts, and glory for fans of the genre.

With It, Hereditary, The Conjuring, 10 Cloverfield Lane, The Babdook, Get Out, Halloween, It Follows, Let Me In, The Purge and Sinister, there are countless great things to have come out of the decade so far, and many more to come in 2018 and the future!

[Img source: Vox]

Tell us your picks for the best upcoming horror movies in the comments. What was your favourite decade for this genre?

Happy collecting, horrors.

The past few years have been a blessing in terms of new stuff, including the 2017 reboot of It, much-needed franchise refreshers such as The Purge 4 and Cult of Chucky, and a whole coffin full of impressive originals like Get Out, Raw, A Cure for Wellness, The Blackcoat’s Daughter, and Tragedy Girls.

Of course, the quality of some of these releases (cough, Split and Slenderman) is still up for debate. 2018 looked promising for horror, too, with much anticipated releases such as another (more promising) Halloween remake, and The Nun, which gives fans of The Conjuring a chance to better get to know their favourite demon, Valek. This will no doubt mean a tonne of new Funko Pop! Vinyl releases as certain franchises are renewed in their popularity among fans, as well as a whole bunch of other collectable goodies becoming available, such as action figures, comic books, plushies… there is just way too much out there to keep up to date with as a dedicated fan of horror!

That said, let’s get into the 7 things we think you should know as an aspiring— or seasoned— horror collector.

#1: Fakes. Fakes everywhere.

One thing you need to be wary of as a collector is fake collectable items. There have been numerous dramas among Pop! Vinyl communities regarding fan-made Pop! Vinyls masquerading as the real thing. To be fair, the custom Pop! market is a very real— and very cool— thing. There just needs to be a certain level of vigilance when it comes to buying these exclusive items.

One thing to be on the lookout for is boxes that have obviously been tampered with, including broken holographic seals, factory paint that comes off with a bit of a smudge, and items sold privately with Funko exclusive stickers which have odd colouration or lettering. One way to ensure that you’re always buying the real thing when it comes to horror is to shop exclusively with retailers or trusted Buy Sell Trade groups, rather than with private sellers found in the depths of Gumtree and the random fan groups, but that’s not to say that your experience here will be wholly unsatisfying, either! It’s all a learning curve.

#2: Stay up-to-date.

In a growing society that just doesn’t seem to be scared of anything anymore, horror creators are constantly upping the ante on new releases in terms of reinvention within the genre, added gore, and countless unneeded (or, in the case of gems like It, definitely needed) reboots. This means a load of new releases in horror every year! It can be daunting trying to keep up with all the hype, but if you keep a careful eye and learn to differentiate between which characters will become instant cult classics (like Skarsgård’s Pennywise) and which may tend to fade into the background in terms of fan favouritism (see: What’s-her-name from Happy Death Day) then you’re sure to be on the ready for new releases before they even hit the shelves!

#3: Funko love variants

Blue Batman, Glitter Batman, Batman making heart eyes at the Joker, Batman in every manner of costume: there is definitely a variant for that, and Funko love to cash in on a character whose design varies from scene to scene within movies.

This can be a blessing or a curse for horror fans, as the countless variants of Pennywise rolling in can seem like a lot to keep up with if you’re just starting out and want a complete set! Bundle deals like this one on Ozzie can help to ease the strain on your wallet if you’re looking to complete a collection, but there’s also no faulting a good ol’ use of judgement. Once you’ve been at the gig for a while, differentiating between which characters will have the most variants, and even which variants may go up in value, becomes pretty simple. Like anything, practise makes perfect.

#4: The original is always better than the remake… or is it?

One of the many merits that horror collectors find in adding to their growing collections is to grab an original design at any given opportunity. This is great when you take into consideration things like vaulted Pop! Vinyls and classic horror films which, if we’re being honest, shouldn’t be messed with in terms of reboots. That being said, there are a lot of really awesome remakes, too. It’s definitely worth keeping an eye on both original and re-adapted designs if you want to have the best looking and most diverse horror collection.

#5: They say diamonds are forever, but a good comic book never goes out of style.

Yes, comics! Nature’s solution to books. A saucy love child between film and novel, comics are a fan-favourite amongst collectors for their easy storage and preservation techniques, variety, and rarity. Whilst it is true that super heroes tend to dominate, the horror genre gets a pretty good rap within the comic world, too.

#6: A good villain isn’t always a relatable one.

Yes, we all felt for Jack Torrance’s slow decline from family man to mass murderer in The Shining, and he has definitely become a classic in terms of collectable items. (See: this badass Funko Pop! Vinyl of our fave classic Scream Queen.) But when it comes to horror, it goes unsaid that there is something super appealing about a good, scary movie monster.

Characters like Pennywise, Chucky, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger are all examples of classic horror villains beloved by fans despite having very few redeemable qualities. Lord knows why, but we always seem to root for the demonic little trouble makers nowadays, and maybe it’s because their merchandise makes such a cool looking addition to any horror collector’s stash. Worth a thought.

Finally, #7: Blogs. Are. Your. Friend.

Blogs (like this one!) are a great example of a resource you can use if you want to keep up to date with everything in the horror collectables world. Whether you’re an old hand or just starting out, let’s face it: horror is huge, and keeping up with it is a fulltime job. Fear not, mortal nerd, for there are writers everywhere who literally get paid to ramble about this stuff. All you have to do is check back and leave us comments to keep the conversation flowing, and we’ll do all the heavy lifting in terms of keeping you up to date with what’s happening in the horror world and how you can grow the best collection possible.

What’s your favourite horror franchise to collect from? Let us know in the comments below, or alternatively let us know what #HorrorFriday topic you want to read about next! 

Leave us a comment below, because every week we're choosing one lucky commenter to win a bonus 100 Ozzie Coins. Remember to include the full name on your Ozzie account to have a valid place in the draw. Good luck!

Gruesome collecting, everyone!

Stay at home with your fave scary movies

To be honest, nothing quite beats kicking back in your pajamas and watching Michael Myers stalk babysitters for the umpteenth time in a row. Even though it may be sunny, bright, and altogether un-Halloween-like outside (unless you're living in Melbourne) you can always just draw the curtains and pretend you're living on Elm Street for the night. We recommend starting with The Nightmare Before Christmas and working your way up to Trick 'r Treat. 

[Img source: Dread Central]

Trick or treat... as your favourite character

Okay, hear me out. If you're reading this blog, you're probably too old to go trick or treating. There's always a solution to this if you've found yourself living with young children (siblings totally work too), or better yet if those young children still have bedtimes before 8 pm and wouldn't notice if a couple of treats went missing. The only way to make this experience more enjoyable for yourself is to throw cosplay into the mix. Halloween is all about getting to slip on a wig or a mask and transform into an entirely different person for one night, so why not transform into your favourite character? If you're going to find yourself on the other side of the door this year, that's fine, too. We have it on good authority that most children would love to call out "trick or treat!" and have Captain America answer the door.

[Img source: Pexels]

Hit up a costume party (or throw one!)

If you haven't already been invited to a Halloween party this year, you totally have the wrong kind of friends. Costume parties are the perfect excuse to get together with your fellow nerds and do nerd stuff. If you've got the chops to try throwing your own party, you can't go wrong with a horror style mini-buffet, some themed drinks, and a best costume contest. Get your freak on: literally!

[Img source: Milwaukee365]

Get creative

If you're like us, then Halloween is a month (cough, year) long event full of pumpkin spice, crappy plastic Coles carving tools, and costume shops. There's really no better way to spend the most extra holiday in existence than by decking out your entire home. Go a little nuts with DIY projects, six foot tall animatronics, and a fog machine to turn your home into a proper haunt. Top it all off with a killer costume and you're set to have a uniquely haunting home for the holidays.

[Img source: Martha Stewart]

Throw a Murder Mystery

Costume parties aren't your scene but you still wanna try your hand at getting a little social? Fear not, fair introvert, for we have a solution that is pretty darn cool: a murder mystery party! Because what's cooler than a Holmes-esque mystery full of twists, turns, and betrayals that you can play with all of your friends? There are tonnes of companies that hire out hosts for these sorts of things, or there's always the option of creating your own from scratch!

[Img source: Rezdy]

Go on a local ghost tour

We guarantee that your city has one. If you can't fork over the cash for an official ghost tour, there's really nobody stopping you from checking out a list of your city's most haunted hot spots and taking a day trip there with your Ouija Board and EMF reader. You didn't hear it from us...

[HuffPost UK]

Go see a movie... or ten

Yeah, you could just stay inside and watch Netflix from the comfort of your own couch... but where's the fun in that? Most cinemas will hold either screenings for the latest blockbuster scare, or else some more traditional thrillers if they're feeling in the 'spirit'. (Get it? We'll walk ourselves out.) We suggest hitting up your most niche, hipster local cinema establishment and seeing if they're holding some sort of Rob Zombie or Hitchcock marathon. We're 99% sure that they are.

[Img source: LunchClick]

Stock up on NBX goodies

It's that time of the year where you definitely need to start watching The Nightmare Before Christmas every single day of the week, or else, what are you even doing with your life? Stocking up on some collectable paraphernalia is a fantastic way to tell the rest of the world what a Jack Skellington obsessed nut you are. Are you a big fan? Tell us how big in the comments!

[Img source: Ozzie Collectables]

Settle in with a spooky novel

Anne Rice, Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft and Mary Shelley are our picks if you're in the mood for a classic scare. For something more modern, try the latest release by pop culture horror author Grad Hendrix, 'We Sold Our Souls'. 

[Img source: BookBub]

Try your hand at writing something

Tired of other people trying to scare you with their words? Write something scary yourself! With #NaNoWriMo coming up, Halloween is the best time to brush up on your wordsmith skills, and what better way to practise than with a gruesome short story? Let us know what you're writing about in the comments below!

[Img source: NitWitty Magazine]

Stream your fave TV shows' Halloween specials

Let's be real: you're more likely to stay inside this Halloween if you can help it. Streaming services such as Netflix make life a thousand times easier, and we'd totally rather binge-watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine than leave our houses, too. Check out the Funko blog's list of various TV shows' Halloween specials for a fool proof viewing guide.

[Img source: IndieWire]

Head to your local Halloween festival

Does your city have one? Probably. Google it. There are tonnes of free festivals, spooky events, and pop-up haunts no matter where you are. Our pick for this year's itinerary has got to be Melbourne's Luna Dark. Where are you headed to?

[Img source: Weekend Notes]

Kick back with some good ol' YouTube

Last, but certainly not least, is everybody's best friend: YouTube. Catch up on some scary storytimes, marathon a DIY playlist, or settle in with the lights turned low and watch someone else get freaked out by that horror game you're too scared to play by yourself. The possibilities really are endless.

[Img source: YouTube]

How are you spending Halloween this year? Leave us a comment below, because every week we're choosing one lucky commenter to win a bonus 100 Ozzie Coins. Remember to include the full name on your Ozzie account to have a valid place in the draw. Good luck!

Happy haunting, collectors! 

You can get them here for $18.99 each. We recommend only saying their name max 2 times, though.