Movie props for sale: where to buy?

Movie props for sale connect collectors with the most memorable moments in cinema history. However, finding authentic items can be difficult in a market flooded with reproductions and unauthenticated merchandise.

Without proper verification, collectors risk purchasing items with questionable provenance or no connection to the actual film production. This challenge makes it essential to work with reputable dealers who can provide documented histories for each piece.

Provenance and authentication are central to movie props collecting. Genuine screen-used items carry certificates of authenticity and detailed documentation tracing their use in production. This verification process protects both the value and the history of each prop, costume or artefact.

To help buyers navigate the current marketplace, here is a guide to 7 recommended dealers and auctioneers specialising in movie props for sale.

Movie props for sale: where to buy?

1. Paul Fraser Collectibles (Worldwide)

Paul Fraser Collectibles is a dealer in authenticated movie memorabilia, with a wide selection of screen-used props, signed photographs, original costume pieces and rare production documents. Based in Jersey, they offer a lifetime money-back guarantee of authenticity on all collectibles, with free worldwide delivery. Their stock covers major films and stars, with each item documented for provenance.

• The Shining (1980) Prop Stunt Axe (£125,000): An axe used in Stanley Kubrick’s film, this authenticated prop is part of their movie memorabilia collection.
• Original screen-used carpet from Titanic movie (£3,000): Approximately 22 x 26 inches of rug used in James Cameron’s 1997 film, appearing in the dining room scene where Jack joins Rose and the first class passengers.
• Star Wars Original Props from Episode IV: A New Hope (£1,500): Three pieces of screen-used Krayt Dragon bone from the original 1977 film, mounted with a presentation plaque.

2. Julien’s Auctions (Los Angeles, USA)

Julien’s Auctions specialises in entertainment memorabilia, with a focus on movie props and costumes. Their sales feature props from famous films, with regular auctions in partnership with Turner Classic Movies. They present artefacts from Hollywood history, with detailed documentation for each piece.

• Holy Grail Chalice from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (£36,400): A resin chalice central to the film, this prop exceeded its $2,000-$4,000 estimate to achieve $45,500 at auction.
• Orca II Transom Name Plate from Jaws (Est. £24,000-£40,000): The screen and photo-matched name plate from the stunt boat used in the film sequences.

3. Bonhams (London, New York, Los Angeles)

Bonhams Popular Culture department deals in celebrity memorabilia, offering artefacts from the 20th century’s most prominent actors and entertainers. Their entertainment memorabilia auctions have achieved record prices, with experts working across London, New York and Los Angeles to present items effectively at auction.

• Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet (£4.2 million): This prop achieved $5.3 million at auction and held the world record for film memorabilia from 2017 to 2024.
• Maltese Falcon Statuette (£3.4 million): The lead statuette from the 1941 film, sold for $4.2 million.
• Sam’s Piano from Casablanca (£2.7 million): The piano from Rick’s Café, sold for $3.4 million.

4. Christie’s (London, New York, Paris)

Christie’s Pop Culture department presents objects from contemporary culture across international salerooms and online platforms. Their auctions cover music memorabilia, rare film props, original screen-worn wardrobe and personal artefacts from entertainment figures. They also facilitate private sales of exceptional pop culture memorabilia.

• Marilyn Monroe’s Happy Birthday Dress: A notable piece of Hollywood memorabilia from their auctions.
• Aston Martin DB5 Stunt Car from No Time To Die: A screen-used vehicle from the James Bond film.
• Audrey Hepburn’s Working Script for Breakfast at Tiffany’s: A personal artefact from the actress.

5. Sotheby’s (London, New York)

Sotheby’s Popular Culture department handles high-quality, fully-provenanced objects from film and entertainment. Since 1988, they have offered opportunities to collect music, film, entertainment and celebrity artefacts. Their entertainment memorabilia category includes rare vintage movie posters from well-known films and studios.

• Vintage Movie Posters: Posters from films like James Bond, Star Wars and Disney productions, including works by directors such as Hitchcock and Kubrick.
• Signed Collectible Music Memorabilia: Autographed items from musicians and bands including the Beatles, David Bowie, The Grateful Dead and Queen.

6. Heritage Auctions (Dallas, USA)

Heritage Auctions is a collectibles auctioneer with over $17 billion sold in fine art and collectibles. Their entertainment department handles TV, movie, music and Hollywood memorabilia, including props, autographs, musical instruments and vintage guitars. They provide a platform for buying and selling authenticated entertainment artefacts.

Heritage also handles authenticated props, costumes and production materials from major films and television shows.

Its listings include vintage guitars and other instruments from musicians, alongside its entertainment memorabilia.

7. Omega Auctions (Newton-le-Willows, UK)

Omega Auctions is a music and entertainment memorabilia auctioneer, with film memorabilia auctions held twice a year in May and December. Their TV and film auctions include costumes, awards, autographed scripts, collectible posters and props, with a focus on James Bond, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Star Wars and other major franchises. The team ensures items are accurately priced and described.

• Original artefacts from the James Bond 007 film series, including props, costumes and production materials.
• Items from the Harry Potter film franchise, one of the most collectable series in modern cinema.
• Props and memorabilia from the Star Wars space opera, including items from the original trilogy.

The history of movie props collecting

The market for movie props and memorabilia has changed since the early days of cinema. In 1970, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios sold a large collection of unwanted memorabilia for $1.5 million to auctioneer David Weisz. This sale, which included pieces such as the Cowardly Lion costume from The Wizard of Oz and the original prop from The Time Machine, was one of the first to treat film artefacts as collectable items in their own right.

The 1970 MGM auction attracted major collectors, including actress Debbie Reynolds, who held her own auction in 2011. The Debbie Reynolds sale featured sought-after memorabilia, including multiple pairs of ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. These early auctions showed that film props could achieve high prices, with the Maltese Falcon prop making $398,500 at Christie’s in 1994.

Today, the movie props market continues to grow, with regular auctions achieving record prices. Authentication and provenance are now essential, as collectors demand documentation to verify that props were actually used in production. This emphasis on authenticity has led to sophisticated verification processes that ensure each piece carries its genuine cinematic history.

The appeal of movie props lies in their connection to cinema. Whether it is a prop like the Holy Grail Chalice or a costume like the Cowardly Lion suit, these items are pieces of film history that continue to interest collectors.