Whether it’s fantasizing about the life of a movie star or wishing you lived in a galaxy far, far, away, movie memorabilia resonates for millions of people regardless of their position and place in society. Some are drawn to horror movies, others prefer film noir, and who doesn’t like a classic cartoon?

You can collect based on the artifacts associated with a favorite star—Marilyn Monroe memorabilia is perennially popular—or items aligned with a particular film, although fans of “The Wizard of Oz” are forced to obsess about things other than those fabled ruby slippers, since the originals reside in the Smithsonian.

Like the films themselves, movie memorabilia comes in all shapes and sizes. Vintage animation cels, movie posters (one-sheet and two-sheet), and movie photos are some of the most popular film collectibles. Original vintage movie posters are relatively scarce because they were often destroyed by the movie theaters at the end of a film’s run, but rarity is not the only reason for the high demand—vintage movie posters from the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s commonly depict some of the most beloved stars...

Movie photos, which were designed to appear as though they were taken in the course of filming but were normally posed, show stars in exquisite detail. Naturally, the oldest of these sorts of photos are generally the most prized, as are autographed movie photos.

Lobby cards (also called window cards) are another collectible category. Unlike movie photos, which were printed in limited editions, and movie posters, which were often too large to be properly stored, lobby cards were printed in relatively large numbers, so there are plenty of them around. Despite the fact that they aren’t in short supply, some individual lobby cards and especially certain sets still fetch quite a price, especially for classics like “King Kong.”

Movie props and costumes are also highly collectible. Props are most often available as authorized replicas, but sometimes prop masters will unload their personal collections, which gets original items out into the market. Costumes are often considered museum pieces or the sorts of things that raise eyebrows at auction, the most expensive example being Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress, which she wore as Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Fans of particular stars, cult films, or popular series such as “Star Wars” accumulate movie memorabilia, as do people who are infatuated with Hollywood power couples—Bogart and Bacall back in the day, Pitt and Jolie more recently. When it comes to the movies themselves, some of the films with the most devoted followings include “Gone With the Wind,” “Casablanca,” and “Lord of the Rings.”

Sometimes the clamor is simply a question of supply and demand. For example, James Dean memorabilia is extremely popular, even though he only appeared in three films before his untimely death. Because his career was so short, there is only a limited amount of Dean memorabilia. Conversely, Greta Garbo was extraordinarily popular, appeared in numerous films, and lived a good long life, but Garbo almost never signed autographs, which makes her scrawl a rare prize, indeed.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

Sex! Gore! Scary Monsters! Attack of the Mexican B-Movie Ads

John Cozzoli's collection is frightening. Not because of its sheer size (though he does have over 500 film artifacts), but because… [more]

Dawn of the Flick: The Doctors, Physicists, and Mathematicians Who Made the Movies

Early optical toys from the 19th century are expressions of our almost primal urge to animate the inanimate. Or so believes Richar… [more]

Hidden Gems: Lost Hollywood Jewelry Trove Uncovered in Burbank Warehouse

Oh. My. God. I've just been given the location of the largest stash of Golden Age Hollywood jewelry in the world. Worn by stars li… [more]

Letter from Jack Kerouac to Marlon Brando

In 2005, I moved to New York to head up the Entertainment Memorabilia department at Christie’s, New York. One of my first assignme… [more]

'Mad Men' Prop Master Scott Buckwald Explains How He Re-Creates the '60s

I always wanted to work in film, but I didn’t have anybody in my family who worked in the film business. I’ve been a major movie b… [more]

Before Sesame Street and Electric Mayhem, a Crude Kermit Lip Synced Pop Standards

When "The Muppets" storms the world’s multiplexes this holiday season, there will no doubt be lots of little kids who, thanks to “… [more]

Lady Gaga, Innovator or Copycat? We Dissect “Born This Way”

Lady Gaga has a reputation as a wildly original trendsetter. But based on the evidence we found in "Born This Way," she's also a m… [more]

From Ruby Slippers to Kermit the Frog: Pop Culture Artifacts at the Smithsonian

I’ve been at the Smithsonian for 28 years—I never thought I’d stay that long! The first job I had was as a producer and annotator … [more]

Collecting James Bond, Doctor Who, and The Beatles

Ever since I was a child, I wanted to work in the auction business, specifically in the entertainment part. I liked the idea of ha… [more]

▼ Expand this section

Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Gallery Of Surf Classics

Gallery Of Surf Classics

Maynard Eshelman's gallery of over 250 classic surf movie posters and lobby cards from the 1960s. The highlight of … [read review or visit site]

Steve McQueen Film Poster Site

Steve McQueen Film Poster Site

If you're a Steve McQueen fan, this site can't be beat. Roger Harris has put together a definitive collection of Mc… [read review or visit site]

Steven Hill's Movie Title Screens Page

Steven Hill's Movie Title Screens Page

If you're the type who likes watching the titles and credits at the beginning of movies, you'll love this site. Ste… [read review or visit site]

Cinema Treasures

Cinema Treasures

This user-contributed database of classic movie theaters currently lists over 17,000 theaters worldwide. Browse by … [read review or visit site]

Warner Bros. Title Card Gallery

Warner Bros. Title Card Gallery

Dave Mackey's filmography and title card gallery for 35 years of Warner Bros. cartoons. Browsable by year or alphab… [read review or visit site]

Steves Disney Collection

Steves Disney Collection

Steve Lee’s large collection of original Disney art: pencil drawings from animated features produced during W… [read review or visit site]



Other Great Reference Sites

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 224 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Shadow Of A Doubt. Hitchcock. Joseph Cotten. 1942 Linen One Sheet.Rocketeer Holy Grail Cirrus X-3 Rocketpack Lower Buckle. Screen Used.Captain Spaulding House Of 1000 Corpses Life Size Talking Figure Wizard Of Oz Mgm Judy Garland 75th Anniversary Commemorative Ruby Slippers!Spartacus Spartacus Liam Mcintyre Screen Used Hard Foam Gladius Ss 2 & 3 CoaSteamboat Bill, Jr. United Artists, 1928 14" X 36" Buster Keaton Original NiceClash Of The Titans Key Movie Screen Used Prop Lot 2010 Free Postage!Vintage 1957 Natalie Wood Lingerie Pin Up Portrait Photograph Wallace Seawell1931 Boris Karloff Frankenstein Early Horror Film Photograph Rare Monster Maria1:1 Scale Tomenosuke Movie Prop Blade Runner Blaster Wor-con Version New1917 Greenwich Triangle Plays Olive Thomas Even Break Silent Movie PosterMyers Mask Ssn Movie Mold Curse Halloween H20 V 1 Very Rare One Of 30 Knb"man Of Steel" Command Key Prop Replica W/ Cust. Metal & Acrylic Case Rare PromoStar Wars Stormtrooper Prop Armor Vintage 1952 Marilyn Monroe Photograph Pin Up Bathing Beauty Rarest CheesecakeIron Man Hero Mark Iii Left Hand Glove Used On Screen By Robert Downey Jr W/ CoaBack To The Future I-1 Ii-2 & Iii-3 Framed,signed W Coa Original 3 Movie PostersThe Hobbit Authentic Crew Gift - Elven WineStar Wars Master Replicas Stormtrooper Blaster E-11 Sw-126Sideshow T-600 Life-size Bust Terminator Salvation 1:1 Scale Signed - Nib - RareEfx Darth Vader Ralph Mcquarrie Limited Edition Replica HelmetNew Bttf Back To The Future Air Mag Size 11 Mcfly Shoes Replica Us 8.52013 Topps Wacky Packages Series 10 Original Color Painting Mountain DewLord Of The Rings One Ring Of Sauron Master Replicas Le Autographed Sala BakerIronman Dvd, New With Free Wearable Ironman Helmet, Movie Replica, Lighted EyesStar Wars Stormtrooper Fx/m Movie Accurate Costume Armour Prop - 501st LegionStar Trek Iii Captain Kirks Pink Civilian Shirt Original Wardrobe Prop W CoaTouch Of Evil (1958) Orig. Candid Orson Welles W/ Phil Lathrop & Charlton HestonEfx Luke Skywalker Esb X-wing Helmet Cv Signed Edition Star Wars Prop1941 Veronica Lake Paramount Portrait Photograph Pin Up Peekaboo Hair Glamour Nr2013 Topps Wacky Packages Series 10 Original Color Painting Play-doh CanMgc Modelgun Thompson Submaching Gun1938 One Sheet Linen Canvas Poster "mr.moto's Gamble" Peter Lorre,keye LukeBrand New Replica Back To The Future Air Mags - Us 10 28cmHot Toys Mms185 Avengers 1/6th Scale Iron Man Mark Mk Vii Collectible Figure NibSelena GomezGuyver 1 & 2 - Cinematographer 700 Original Slides & Slr Photo Negatives Lot #21941 The Wolfman Lon Chaney Jr Werewolf Mask Bust Paul Naschy Don Post Myers Ilm Star Trek Into Darkness Movie PinStar Trek Iii Captian Kirk's William Shatner's Coat Jacket Wardrobe Prop W CoaLifesize Medusa Wall Plaque BustLooper Blunderbuss Prop And Replica Money1/1 Lifesize Batman 1989 Cowl Real Deal Cast Off Original Hot Toys PropComplete Mint Lego Mindstorm Nxt 2.0 (8547) Lego Mindstorm #8547Phish 2 Tickets Inside Seats Section 11 7/6/13 SpacBlade Runner Blaster Holster Custom Made Limited Edition Movie Prop ReplicaHorror Hotel '60 Cult Horror Classic! Unused 3 Sheet! Master Replicas Men In Black Ii Neuralyzer Prop 59/1000 Mib Led Efx Qmx Factory300 Spartan Helmet With Stand & Liner + 300 Spartan Leg Guard & Hand Guard SetRichard Coyle Blade Runner Blaster Prop With Custom Display, Cufflinks, Badge1953 One Sheet On Canvas "canvas Back Duck" With Donald Duck (animation)1934 Merle Oberon Rare Orientalist Folies Bergere Portrait Photograph Art Deco1939 Early Lucille Ball Glamour Portrait Photograph Pin Up Smoking 5 Came BackI Drink Your Blood I Eat Your Skin - 1970 Day-glo Movie Poster - Drive-in HorrorOriginal 'the Norseman' Lee Majors & Cornel Wilde Shield & Hatchet Movie PropsLost In Space War Of The Robots - B9 Vs Robby The Robot Masudaya Made In JapanBride Of Chucky Tiffany & Chucky Collectible Dolls "26 TallGift Costume Prop Suit Sideshow Batman The Dark Knight Return Tdk Rises Mask La2Sexy Pinup Bettie Betty Page Rare Original Negative From Irving Klaw Estate 547g Vintage Three Stooges Finger Puppets Sealed Pack By Wilkening 1959