Indy’s Hat - Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
With four Indiana Jones movies under his belt,Harrison Fordand his iconic adventurer have survived many a scrape – often reaching for and snatching the character’s signature fedora out of harm’s way just in time. Given how important Dr. Jones is to movie fans, it is no surprise that his hat is to them what the Ark is to the archaeologist.
One of Ford’s hats from his first Indiana Jones adventure,Raiders of the Lost Ark, recently sold in 2018 at auction for $424,000. Other popular props from Indy’s ensemble obviously include his whip, gun holster, leather jacket, and Sankara stones fromTemple of Doom.
White Dress - The Seven Year Itch (1955)
That shot ofMarilyn MonroeinThe Seven Year Itchstanding above a subway grate is *chef’s kiss. One of the most iconic images in cinema history, with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars sporting one of its most unforgettable costumes.
That very white dress, with a very deep V-neck cut, also has the distinguishment of being the most expensive costume from a movie ever sold at auction. Previously owned by actressDebbie Reynolds(Singing In the Rain), Monroe’s dress sold in 2011 for more than a million bucks.
Aston Martin DB5 - Goldfinger (1964)
Marilyn Monroe holds the record for most expensive costume ever auctioned off, but when it comes to the most expensive piece of movie memorabilia? That belongs to (shocker) Bond. James Bond. And of 007’s many spy gadgets, his most coveted was his Aston Martin DB5 fromGoldfinger(1964).
Sean Connerydrove the car in his best Bond movie, and two DB5s were used in the making ofGoldfinger. The “Effects Car” was the one rigged with the machine gun tail lights and revolving license plates. The “Road Car” was used for regular driving. One sold in 2010 for $4.6 million.
Racing Suit - Le Mans (1971)
When movie fans think ofSteve McQueen, they likely picture him either rocking his black turtleneck and Mustang fromBullittor his famous race-car driving suit from 1971’sLe Mans.For fan Timothy Davies in the UK, the latter was his favorite and a highly-priced collectible.
Only three suits survived the making ofLe Mans, with one finding its way into Davies’ hands when he won it at age 12 via a competition in the local newspaper. While we’d be hard-pressed to part with movie history like this, the $984,000 it went for at a 2011 election would soften the blow.
Velociraptor - Jurassic Park (1993)
You can’t think of dinosaurs without simultaneously thinking ofJurassic Park.Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster adaptation ofMichael Crichton’s sci-fi bestseller came out as CG was in its early days, so the production had to create its fare share of physical dino props to have on set.
One of its most popular creations out ofStan Winston’s special effects shop was the Velociraptor. One of the dinos clever enough to open doors and outsmart the electronic fences around its paddock scored an impressive $77,000 at a 2009 auction.
Robby the Robot - Forbidden Planet (1956)
The Tempestin space,Forbidden Planetis a dated but solid 1950s sci-fi outing starringLeslie Nielsenopposite one of cinema’s most instantly recognizable robots ever: Robby. The original seven-foot tall creation, pre-CGI obviously, is catnip for movie collectors.
It sold for – are you sitting down? – $5.3 million at Bonhams New York in 2017. Whomever the buyer was (their name was never disclosed), they sure hit paydirt with their winning bid. The lot Robby was in also included the jeep he drives and his original MGM packing crates.
Charlie Chaplin’s Cane - Modern Times (1936)
For audiences, silent cinema star and silver screen legendCharlie Chaplinwas inseparable from his on-screen persona dubbed “The Tramp.” His signature top hat and cane helped forged a look whose silhouette alone is instantly recognizable.
That kind of notoriety is priceless, but the cane Chaplin used in his 1936 classicModern Timescame with a price tag. The iconic actor’s iconic prp went up for auction in 2013 and one lucky buyer was able to add it to their collection for $350,000.
Han Solo Carbonite - Return of the Jedi(1983)
Sideshow Collectibles have been making fans drool and lament their bank accounts’ low balances ever since they launched their line of high-end movie collectibles. One of their most coveted – and costly – pieces is a life-sizedHan Solo frozen in carbonite figure. It will really tie your Hutt-esque lair together.
Star Warsfans know how Han got turned into a frozen, scruffy-looking nerfherder (thanks, Lando!). And they wish they had the almost $7500 to afford owning this replica. Maybe if they pull a Lando and make a deal with Vader they can swing a few extra bucks.
Black Dress - Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
If you haven’t seenBreakfast at Tiffany’s yet, you’re living life wrong. The iconic film, starringAudrey Hepburn, features one of the most iconic dresses to ever appear on the silver screen. It’s Hepburn’s legendary black dress that she wore while window shopping at Tiffany’s in 1961. It’s as unforgettable as Hepburn’s performance.
It hit auction in London, expecting to fetch at least $138,000 from prospective bidders. But auctioneers and attendees’ jaws figuratively hit the floor when the dress managed to sell for over $800,000 in 2006.
The Maltese Falcon is amongst the most must-have of movie collectibles. It first appeared in the classic 1941 movie of the same name, starringHumphrey Bogartas intrepid detective Sam Spade, on the trail of this coveted object.
A number of plaster variants of the prop were used in the movie and have emerged among collectors who think it wasthehero prop used in the movie. But a lead falcon – clocking in at 45 pounds – sold at auction in 2013 for (clutch the pearls!) $4.1 million. After almost 80 years, fans may never know which falcon is the OG one.
