The Last of Us Joel & Ellie on Horseback Premium Statue Arrives in March

Collectors awaiting new information about The Last of Us will soon have a tangible addition for their display shelves.

The video game series’ future may remain unclear, but this March brings a new high-end collectible inspired by the original The Last of Us. It offers fans a physical reminder of Joel and Ellie’s journey.

An official Joel and Ellie statue arriving in March

Players are still without a firm announcement for The Last of Us Part III, yet the franchise is far from dormant. An officially licensed premium statue of Joel and Ellie is set to go on sale, aimed squarely at committed fans and figure collectors.

Called “The Last of Us: Joel & Ellie on Horseback Premium Statue”, the collectible depicts Ellie mounted on Callus while Joel walks beside the horse, holding his rifle and watching the distance.

This statue recreates the quiet, reflective scene at Eastern Colorado University, one of the most emotional chapters of the first game.

During this part of the game, Joel and Ellie travel through the abandoned university campus as they discuss the past, the Fireflies and Ellie’s hopes. It represents a key shift in their relationship, as their uneasy alliance begins to resemble a father–daughter connection. Rather than choosing a combat-focused scene, the statue captures that particular mix of stillness and unease.

A highly detailed collectible made for display

Constructed from polystone resin-also known as polystone or polyrésine-the statue uses a dense material widely associated with premium figures. At approximately 33 cm high, it is clearly intended as a display centrepiece rather than a modest desk accessory.

The project comes from Substance Modelworks, a studio recognised among collectors for its work with major entertainment licences. For this release, the company has prioritised intricate sculpting and lifelike surface textures designed to reflect the harsh visual style of Naughty Dog’s game.

The Last of Us details represented in the statue

• Ellie and Callus: Ellie’s position in the saddle, along with the arrangement of her backpack and weapon, mirrors the game models, as does the horse’s defined musculature.
• Joel’s stance: His worn clothing, visible equipment and subtly protective place beside Callus reinforce his role as Ellie’s guardian.
• Environmental base: The base evokes damaged, overgrown terrain, referring to the deserted campus and the broader post-pandemic world.

Every component is intended to convey the slightly battered, lived-in look of The Last of Us, from folds and creases in the clothing to marks on the equipment. This focus on minor wear is often what distinguishes premium statues from mass-market figures.

The piece targets fans who want a snapshot of Joel and Ellie’s bond on their shelf, rather than another generic action pose.

A premium price limits its appeal

There is, however, a significant barrier: the price. The statue will launch at approximately $350, positioning it squarely in the high-end collector market. It is not the type of licensed item typically bought on impulse alongside a new game; it is closer to a limited-edition art piece.

Pre-orders are already available through the manufacturer, and delivery is currently scheduled for between March and May 2026. As is common in the collectibles sector, that timeframe could change according to production capacity and demand.

Product	Material	Height	Price (approx.)	Shipping window
Joel & Ellie on Horseback Premium Statue	Polystone / resin	33 cm	$350	March–May 2026

For plenty of fans, the cost will require careful saving, selling older collectibles or deciding not to buy it at all. For established collectors accustomed to limited-run statues from large franchises, though, the price is broadly comparable with other premium releases of similar size and material.

The Last of Us future is still uncertain

The statue’s arrival is notable because it comes during a relatively quiet time for the video game franchise. Since The Last of Us Part II launched in 2020, fans have been looking for definite signs of a third main instalment.

Creative director Neil Druckmann has confirmed that a story outline exists for a possible Part III, although Naughty Dog has not revealed active development or a launch period. The studio has instead been associated with a new science-fiction project and has moved away from a multiplayer spin-off in the same universe.

Right now, collectibles, remasters and the HBO series carry the franchise’s visibility while players wait for news on a possible Part III.

This absence of a new game can encourage fans to turn to merchandise and statues to maintain their connection with the series. For manufacturers, it presents an unusual opportunity: a globally recognised brand that remains culturally prominent through television, but has no new game competing for attention during the same period.

Why this statue matters to The Last of Us fans

For many players, The Last of Us means more than zombies and stealth mechanics. It recalls particular moments: Joel first taking up his guitar, Ellie’s pun-book jokes, the giraffe sequence and, of course, the peaceful journey through Eastern Colorado University.

By focusing on this more restrained scene, the statue sends a clear message. It is aimed at fans who connected with the story’s emotional impact and want a reminder of character development rather than combat alone. The selected moment is likely to resonate most with those who view Joel and Ellie’s journey as an exploration of difficult parenthood and trauma, not simply a survival story.

Points collectors should consider before pre-ordering

Anyone considering the statue should think about several practical concerns alongside nostalgia:

• Space: Standing 33 cm high and featuring a wide base, it requires a dedicated shelf or display cabinet, preferably protected from dust and direct sunlight.
• Budget: $350 is merely the initial price. Shipping, customs charges and import taxes can raise the final cost considerably, particularly outside the US.
• Edition size: Should the production run be limited, its resale value could hold steady or increase, although obtaining a replacement may be difficult if it arrives damaged.
• Fragility: Polystone can reproduce fine detail sharply, but it is more prone to chipping than PVC and must therefore be handled carefully.

Polystone and premium video game statues explained

For those unfamiliar with the collector market, polystone is a composite produced by combining resin with powdered stone. It is heavier and cooler to the touch than ordinary plastic, giving a statue a more substantial presence. Its weight also means that falls and knocks can cause greater damage.

Premium video game statues generally follow the same formula: a strong licence, a detailed sculpt, polystone construction, a short production run and a price tag running into hundreds of dollars. They occupy a space between consumer merchandise and art sculpture, merging gaming memorabilia with interior display pieces.

Some collectors seek to create a unified collection by matching The Last of Us statues with pieces from other story-led franchises, including God of War, Horizon and Red Dead Redemption. Consistency of material and scale can transform a gaming space into a carefully arranged gallery instead of an assorted collection of figures.

What The Last of Us fans can expect over the next few years

With shipping planned for March–May 2026, the statue could arrive in collectors’ homes well before the next mainline game. The gap reflects a wider change affecting long-running franchises: in the intervals between major releases, brands remain visible through television series, remasters and collector’s products such as this one.

For players who remain emotionally invested in Joel and Ellie’s story, the horseback statue provides a type of anchor. Even if the next game takes the series in another direction, this collectible preserves a shared recollection: the slow ride through an empty campus, when the apocalypse briefly seems calm and almost secure.