14 Iconic Film Props Worth Millions
Movies transport audiences to fantastic worlds, historical eras, and emotional journeys through compelling stories and characters. Behind these cinematic experiences stand countless physical objects – props that actors hold, wear, or interact with to bring their roles to life. Some of these items transcend their original purpose, becoming cultural touchstones worth staggering sums to collectors and museums alike.
Here is a list of 14 iconic film props that have reached million-dollar status, proving that movie magic sometimes comes with a very real price tag.
Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers
Those sparkling red shoes from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ carried Judy Garland back to Kansas – and later fetched an astonishing $2 million at auction. Several pairs existed for filming – one pair was stolen from a museum and recovered by the FBI after a 13-year investigation.
The shoes feature about 2,300 sequins each and have transformed from simple costume pieces to perhaps the most recognizable footwear in cinema history.
Aston Martin DB5
James Bond’s sleek silver sports car from ‘Goldfinger’ sold for $4.6 million in 2010 – then another example reached $6.4 million in 2019. The vehicle featured working gadgets like revolving license plates, though sadly not the ejector seat.
Sean Connery later purchased a DB5 for personal use, having never owned one during filming – proving the car’s appeal extended beyond the screen to its drivers as well.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Maltese Falcon Statue
This black figurine – central to the 1941 Humphrey Bogart classic – became one of the most expensive movie props ever sold when it fetched $4.1 million at auction. The lead detective’s story statue weighs a substantial 45 pounds – much heavier than expected for a film prop.
Several versions existed during production, but only two made of lead survived, contributing to its extraordinary value among collectors.
Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast Dress
That little black dress worn by Hepburn while gazing into Tiffany’s window sold for nearly $807,000 – designed by Hubert de Givenchy himself. The iconic opening scene cemented both the dress and Hepburn as symbols of timeless elegance.
Surprisingly simple in design – yet its cultural impact remains so significant that the original now commands a price higher than many luxury homes.
Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber
The original lightsaber from ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ – constructed partly from vintage camera flash handles – sold for $450,000 in 2017. By 2022, another Skywalker lightsaber reached $2.3 million at auction.
These weapons weren’t particularly impressive on set – many cast members recall them breaking frequently during filming. Yet they’ve become arguably the most recognized fictional weapon in entertainment history.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Marilyn Monroe’s White Dress
That iconic white halter dress from ‘The Seven Year Itch’ – famously billowing above a subway grate – sold for an incredible $5.6 million in 2011. Designer William Travilla created the dress for under $200 – making it possibly the highest return on investment for any costume piece in Hollywood history.
The scene itself needed multiple takes because crowds kept disrupting filming with their excited reactions to Monroe.
Wilson the Volleyball
Tom Hanks’ inanimate companion from ‘Cast Away’ – with its bloodstained handprint face – commanded $308,000 at auction despite being essentially a weathered sports ball. Several versions existed for different scenes – ranging from pristine to severely distressed.
This humble volleyball somehow became one of cinema’s most emotional non-human characters – proving meaningful props needn’t be technically complex or inherently valuable.
Back to the Future DeLorean
The time-traveling car that transported Michael J. Fox across decades sold for $541,000 – though expert replicas can now cost builders upwards of $250,000 to construct properly. This stainless steel vehicle performed poorly as an actual car – with just 130 horsepower making it ironically slower than many family sedans of its era.
Yet its gull-wing doors and distinctive profile created an instantly recognizable silhouette in cinema history.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Casablanca Piano
The small piano on which Sam played ‘As Time Goes By’ sold for $3.4 million in 2014 – after previously selling for just $154,000 in 1988. This dramatic price increase demonstrates how film memorabilia values have skyrocketed.
Humphrey Bogart placed his drink on this instrument during one of cinema’s most quoted scenes. The piano features prominently in the film’s emotional core, witnessing the complicated reunion of former lovers.
Indiana Jones’ Fedora
Harrison Ford’s distinctive hat from ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ commanded $300,000 at auction – custom-made by Herbert Johnson hat company months before filming began. Ford deliberately damaged the hat to make it look weathered – crushing it repeatedly and applying dust for that lived-in appearance.
This simple felt accessory became so iconic that museums display it alongside historically significant artifacts that inspired the fictional adventures.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Script
Audrey Hepburn’s personal annotated shooting script sold for $847,000 – filled with her handwritten notes and insights. Her character Holly Golightly was substantially altered from Truman Capote’s original novella.
The high price reflects not just the film’s cultural significance but also provides a rare glimpse into Hepburn’s creative process and professional dedication to developing her character through detailed notes.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
James Bond Submarine Car
The Lotus Esprit S1 from ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ – which memorably transformed into a submarine – was sold to Elon Musk for $997,000 in 2013. The production team discovered the car by accident when a Lotus executive parked an unlabeled prototype at the studios.
Several vehicles were used during filming – including one functional underwater version that cost over $100,000 to create – astronomical for 1977 film production.
Wizard of Oz Cowardly Lion Costume
The original lion costume worn by Bert Lahr sold for $3.1 million in 2014 – made from actual lion pelts and weighing nearly 60 pounds. Lahr suffered tremendously during filming – with the heavy costume causing him to sweat profusely under hot studio lights.
Discovered in an old MGM building decades after production, this costume survived where most similar outfits from the era deteriorated beyond recognition.
More from Go2Tutors!
- 16 Restaurant Chains That Went Too Fast
- 12 Things Sold in the 80s That Are Now Illegal
- 15 Strange Things People Have Tried to Ban (And Failed)
- 16 Collectibles People Tossed Out Too Soon
- 17 Myths from Your Childhood That Were Actually Based on Real Things
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
