If you’ve ever visited an Alamo Drafthouse theater or have been in the market for movie soundtracks on vinyl, you’re probably familiar with Mondo. The pop-culture merch maker-slash-retailer has been an arm of Alamo Drafthouse for two decades, starting in a (literal) closet at the original Alamo Drafthouse movie theater and since expanding to offer a wide variety of vinyl, posters, collectibles, games, and other merch for movie lovers.
Today, Alamo Drafthouse and Funko announced that the latter is acquiring Mondo. The companies did not disclose the deal’s financial terms, but the Texas-based Mondo team will stay together as they begin to operate under their new parent company.
According to a statement from Alamo Drafthouse Founder and Executive Chairman Tim League, who also co-founded Mondo, the company had been searching for a partner that could elevate and grow the Mondo brand as Alamo focuses on growing its theater chain. “Funko is exactly that unicorn,” League says.
The Mondo team also released a statement following the news of the acquisition. It reads, in part:
“We have always loved following our passions and doing things our own way, and we’ll be forever thankful to the Alamo Drafthouse for supporting those passions and helping us grow into what we are today. But we needed a bigger boat… and that’s where Funko comes in. They understand what Mondo is today and are eager to help us become the company we want to be.
From the outside, Mondo might seem like it is changing… but on the inside much is staying the same. We remain the same team, and our goals remain unchanged. We are still the same bunch of weirdos who share an undying obsession with popular (and maybe less popular) culture, and a craving to make cool stuff with the best artists in the world.”
This acquisition is the latest for Funko, the Washington-based collectibles company best known for its collectible Pop! vinyl figures. Funko previously acquired accessories brand Loungefly in 2017 and board game design studio Forrest-Pruzan Creative in 2019 (which became Funko Games).
Bringing Mondo into its fold will take Funko into a few new merchandise categories, including music, puzzles, and posters.
Fans can check out Mondo’s current offerings by visiting shopmondo.com.
