Monster High Dolls were first introduced in 2010 by American Multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company Mattel. It was conceptualized and designed by Garrett Sander and his twin brother Darren. Garrett was a packaging designer at Mattel.
The idea of creating non-conventional monster dolls came when the duo observed young girls were interested in goth fashion. Garrett pitched the idea to the company, and it was accepted immediately. In 2007, Mattel filed for a trademark of the name “Monster High”.
The target demography of Monster High was the girls in their pre-teens (aged between 8 to 12) who were no more interested in Barbies. Mattel wanted to create something that was in line with the taste and aspirations of tween girls.
The dolls were an immediate success and sold faster than Mattle could supply. While the dolls were originally made for the kids, the unconventional design also attracted the attention of the collectors worldwide. To tap this market, Mattle produced some collector’s edition dolls on different occasions targeted to older audiences.
Mattel continued to produce Monster High Dolls for eight years. In 2018, the production was suddenly suspended by the company. However, in 2020, the franchise made a comeback with premium collector’s dolls.
Here we have gathered a list of 8 rarest Monster High Dolls that are now considered collectibles. They are mostly the dolls released in the early days or the limited-edition dolls launched on various occasions.
8. Djinni “Whisp” Grant
Release date: July 9, 2015
Event: San Diego Comic Con 2015
Model Number: BHN07
photo source: amazon.com
The character of Djinni “Whisp” Grant was created as a shadow of Gigi Grant as she wanted a friend to keep her company. Djinni was first introduced as a Shadow Genie but later turned into a true Genie and took over the responsibilities of Gigi.
She is clever, mischievous, and funny, full of new innovative ideas. Whisp is a jealous person. She allows her hatred and despair to grow without opening up to others.
A limited number of Djinni “Whisp” dolls were released in 2015 at San Diego Comic-Con. Here, Whisp wears blackish-purple lipstick and fading pink eyeshadow. Her hair has light blue, purple, and black streaks.
The doll was only available at the Comic-Con in a 2-pack. The other doll in the set was another villain Kieran Valentine.
Did you know?
2015 was one of the biggest release years for Monster High dolls. That year Mattel released 158 merchandise for the franchise.
7. Skelita Calaveras
Release date: Mid-August, 2016
Event: NA
Model Number: DPH48
photo source: pinimg.com
The character of Skelita Calaveras was first introduced in 2012. She is a skeleton who has a warm and supportive family. She is kind, soft-spoken, and friendly. Sometimes, Skelita is a little shy and insecure. She is creative and passionate about art. She draws her strength from her passion and her family.
In 2016, Mettle released a collector’s edition doll of Skelita Calaveras. Here she wears her signature Día de Los Muertos makeup, but a little differently. Her dress is inspired by the culture of the Oaxaca region of Mexico. Lots of floral motifs, lace, and swirls were added to her dress to represent Mexican culture.
Did you know?
When Skelita Calaveras dolls were first launched in 2012 as part of Scaris: City of Frights, a handful of them were packaged in a box specially designed by Natalie Villegas. Natalie was the main designer of this doll. She designed it based on her own cultural heritage. The specially packaged dolls were sent out to the doll reviewers as part of the promotion.
6. Zomby Gaga
Release date: July 2016
Event: New York Toy Fair 2016
Model Number: FCD09
photo source: shopify.com
The Zomby Gaga doll was a limited edit-edition collector’s piece launched at the New York Toy Fair in 2016. This doll was online exclusive to multiple retailers.
The doll’s appearance was inspired by Gaga’s Born This Way music video and Rick Genest (also known as the Zombie Boy), an artist featured in the video. The doll was created to celebrate Gaga’s unapologetic spirit.
Zomby Gaga is a free-spirited character who loves bravery, kindness, and acceptance. She is loved by the monsters worldwide for her ‘clawesome’ talent and warm personality. She wants to spread love across the world and invites all monsters to join her in this mission.
The face of the doll looks like a skull with brown eyes and dark patches. She has tattoos on her neck and hands of bones. The LADY GAGA is written on her knuckles. The doll is blowing a bubblegum bubble and wearing a black tuxedo.
Did you know?
The doll was designed by Lady Gaga’s sister Natali Germanotta in collaboration with Mattel’s designers.
5. Wydowna Spider (Webarella)
Release date: July 17, 2013
Event: San Diego Comic Con 2013
Model Number: Y7307
photo source: blogspot.com
The debut doll of Wydowna was released as the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive. At Comic-Con 2011, Mattel conducted a vote on-site and online. The fans were asked to choose which of three dolls they wanted to be produced. The three options were Scarah Screams, Daughter of Arachne, and Headless Headmistress Bloodgood.
Daughter of Arachne was the runner-up in that vote. Mattel decided to bring out the doll next-to-next year’s Com-Con.
The doll became available for pre-order on June 4th. Both pre-order and on-site purchases were restricted. Each household/attendee could buy a maximum of six Wydowna dolls. On Saturday, the limit was reduced to two dolls per attendee.
The doll was made available for a short period for online purchase. Each household could order only one doll during this aftersale.
Did you know?
This same doll was reused as the New York Comic-Con exclusive that year. It was the first time Monster High participated in the New York Comic-Con.
4. Scarah Screams
Release date: July 12, 2012
Event: 2012 San Diego Comic Con
Model Number: X0590
photo source: www.dreadcentral.com
Scarah Screams won the vote mentioned earlier. As a result, it became the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive. However, the doll was not a single pack. It was launched as a 2-pack with Hoodude Voodoo as the other doll.
The design of the doll was revealed on May 25, 2012. The pre-order started on May 30. Same as next year’s Comic-Con exclusive, each household/attendee could obtain only six sets. On July 23, this pack was made available for the aftersale. Each household could order only two packs during the aftersale.
Did you know?
The doll logs mention that this pack was a homage to backgrounders. In Monster High, the backgrounders are models created to fill up the classrooms, halls, and other areas of the school.
3. Ghoulia Yelps
Release date: July 21, 2011
Event: 2011 San Diego Comic-Con
Model Number: V7964
photo source: mhcollector.com
Ghoulia Yelps was among the first dolls released in Monster High. The Comic-Con exclusive Ghoulia Yelps was the sixth version of this doll.
In this version, Ghoulia is dressed like Ms. Dead Fast. The look was revealed on April 29, 2011, on Facebook. The doll was made available for pre-order starting July 11.
At the beginning of the convention on July 21, five exclusive Ghoulia Yelps were distributed among the winners of a contest held by Mattel in collaboration with Just Jared Jr.
1000 copies of this exclusive doll were made available for the aftersale, held on August 1.
Did you know?
After the release of the first batch of Monster High dolls, Mattel faced harsh criticism for being ‘hyper-sexualized’. The critics argued that the dolls’ unrealistic bodies and revealing outfits would negatively influence young girls.
2. Frankie Stein (Gray Scale)
Release date: July 2010
Event: San Diego Comic-Con
Model Number:
photo source: wikia.nocookie.net
Black & white Frankie Stein is one of the rarest Monster High dolls. It is so rare because it was the first exclusive Monster High doll ever released by Mattel. Back then, Monster High dolls were yet to become collectors’ items, and most owners didn’t care enough to preserve them.
Frankie Stein doll was one of the first few releases by Mattel. The first edition of the doll was released in early July 2010 as part of the Basic series. The doll came with a colorful dress and make-up.
On July 22, 2010, Mattel re-released the doll in gray-scale as San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.
This version of the doll puts on dark gray lipstick and eye makeup. Her skin color is gray, and she wears a black, gray, and white plaid dress.
Only 5000 copies of this doll were produced. The doll could only be obtained at the convention. Later, the grayscale Frankie Stein dolls were briefly made available at Justice and online channels.
Did you know?
A total of 114 versions of Frankie Stein dolls have been released so far.
1. Sloman “Slo Mo” Mortavirch (Ghoul Spirit)
Release date: Early December 2013
Event: NA
Model Number: BGD87
photo source: goods.kaypu.com
Factory error version of the Sloman “Slo Mo” Mortavirch doll from Ghoul Spirit is the rarest Monster High Doll. The doll was released in early July 2013. It was the first Sloman doll ever released. Soon after the release, designers realized the hand of the doll was made with werewolf hand molds.
The error was quickly reversed, and in late January 2014, Sloman dolls with correct hand mold were sent out to the stores. Most of the dolls with wrong hand mold were withdrawn from the market. However, only a few found their way to the customers. Getting hold of one of them is extremely hard, and they are crazy expensive.
Did you know?
The character of Sloman is a zombie archetype. He keeps staring at blank spaces and occasionally moans and groans.
