NECA has gone back to one of its most enduring horror figures with Ultimate Ghost Face Returns, a reworked take on the Scream killer originally unveiled at Toy Fair earlier this year and now shipping. The figure builds on the classic Fun World costume look with new masks and refreshed articulation.
This is not a brand new character reveal, it is a refresh of an existing NECA staple, which means the interesting story here is what actually changed compared to the earlier Ultimate Ghost Face release.
Here is a rundown of what is different, what is included, and what to think about for display once it lands on your shelf.
The headline change is the mask lineup. Ultimate Ghost Face Returns ships with five interchangeable faceplate masks: classic, bloody, green, a 'Whassup?' variant, and a new bling mask that nods directly to Scary Movie's parody take on the character. That bling mask is the most talked-about addition among fans following the release.
NECA has also updated the figure's soft-goods robe and expanded its articulation compared to the earlier Ultimate release, giving it a wider range of dynamic horror-movie poses.
The figure comes loaded with weapon options: a chrome knife, a rusted knife, a bone saw, and an axe, alongside a new voice changer prop. Hand options include the now-iconic knife-wipe hand and the call-me phone-holding hand that fans specifically request in NECA horror releases.
Interchangeable heads round out the accessory set, letting collectors match a specific mask expression to whichever pose or scene they are trying to recreate on a shelf. Keeping the smaller loose parts in a labeled tray or bag once out of the box helps avoid the common problem of misplacing a favorite mask months later.
Ultimate Ghost Face Returns carries a pre-order price of $39.99, with the figure's release timed for August 2026 following a pre-order opening that coincided with the Scream 7 theatrical release earlier this year.
That pricing sits in line with NECA's typical Ultimate-tier figures, which have historically launched in the high $30s to low $40s range depending on accessory count. Given the expanded mask count on this release compared to the original Ultimate Ghost Face, the price-per-accessory value looks reasonable next to comparable horror releases from the same period.
NECA has confirmed this figure is designed to mix and match with the Ultimate Ghost Face Inferno release sold separately, meaning collectors who already own that figure can swap masks, hands, and weapons between the two for expanded pose and expression combinations.
That cross-compatibility is a deliberate design choice on NECA's part, giving collectors a reason to pick up multiple Ghost Face releases rather than treating each one as a standalone purchase. It also means a partial accessory loss on one figure is less painful, since a spare part from the companion release can sometimes fill the gap.
NECA has used this same shared-parts approach on a handful of other horror lines in recent years, so fans of the strategy may see it extended further within the Scream catalog if this release performs well.
Since Ultimate Ghost Face Returns is a loose, out-of-package figure once opened rather than a card or slab, display is more about presentation than protection. The EVORETRO 4-step acrylic display stand for action figures works well here as a shelf-display accessory that gives the figure some visual height and separation, rather than a fitted case built to any specific box dimensions.
Because the figure ships with five swappable masks, some collectors are choosing to display Ultimate Ghost Face Returns on a small riser or stand and periodically swap the faceplate to keep a static shelf display feeling fresh without buying a second figure.
A tiered stand also helps when displaying the figure next to its Inferno counterpart, since the added height lets both pieces sit side by side without one blocking the other's mask detail from the front.
Rotating the displayed mask every few weeks is a low-effort way to keep a horror shelf visually interesting for repeat visitors, and it doubles as a gentle reminder to inspect the figure's joints and soft goods for any wear before it becomes a bigger problem.
It includes five masks: classic, bloody, green, Whassup, and a new bling mask.
Pre-order pricing is listed at $39.99.
NECA has targeted an August 2026 release window.
Yes, NECA has confirmed the two figures are designed to mix and match parts.
Once Ultimate Ghost Face Returns arrives, set it up right with the EVORETRO 4-step acrylic display stand to give it the shelf presence a figure this detailed deserves.
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