From the actor and actresses’ costumes, to the massive on-set props that make the films look and feel real to movie viewers, movie props come in a whole range of different shapes and sizes. However large or small the props, they’re almost always highly detailed and intricately made, to add authenticity to the movie.
When props are preserved after filming is complete, they become memorabilia for the fans of the movie, which means that they’re often worth a lot of money. For the avid movie fan, even outlandishly expensive movie props are worth the cost, and some props cost nearly as much as house. Here are the most expensive movie props for sale as of 2015; is there anything here from your favourite movie?
Figures and some images courtesy of PropStore.
15. Movie Props – Men In Black II: Agency Silver Rifle – $6,389
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones battled aliens in the sci-fi comedy Men In Black II. To do that, they used some serious fire power, like the rifle pictured above. The single barrel rifle is made of rubber and has tubes and switches covering it to give a futuristic look. It is painted silver and metallic blue and measures over 39 inches long.
14. The Electric Horseman: Giant Ranch Breakfast Cereal Box – $6,495
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Why would an oversized cereal box be worth $6,495? Because Robert Redford’s face is plastered across the box. The giant cereal box was a prop for the 1979 movie The Electric Horseman, which starred Robert Redford as a retired rodeo star who moves to Las Vegas to become a showman.
The box, which stands at 120 inches tall, is hand painted and has the slogan “Sonny Steele says, A champs way to start a better day!” written across it. The cereal box appeared on stage with Robert Redford in several scenes of the movie.
13. Mask Of Zorro: Zorro’s Metal Sword – $6,659
The value of this movie prop lies in its use by Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins in the movie The Mask of Zorro. The sword is complete with a steel blade and black leather handle. It is highly detailed and etched with diamond hatchings. Though the piece has been in existence since the making of The Mask of Zorro in 1998, it is still in excellent condition.
12. Prometheus: Science Lab Microscope – $6,659
If you’re at all interested in DNA and the use of high-tech microscopes, then you’ll love this movie prop. Used in the sci-fi film Prometheus, the lab microscope is an actual electron microscope with three addition panels add to it for additional effect in the movie. The panels light up in blue, white and orange and with various symbols and buttons. The microscope was used by Noomi Rapace who played Dr. Shaw in the 2012 blockbuster.
12. Terminator 2: T-1000 Full-Size SFX Motorcycle – $6,995
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This prop is most well-remembered from the scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day when the T-1000 drives through a wall of glass and launches himself from the Cyberdyne building onto a helicopter. This motorcycle is a sci-fi movie lover’s dream.
The motorcycle was a modified Kawasaki 1000cc police motorcycle that the T-1000 used in his pursuit of Sarah Connor, her son John, and of course the T-800 – played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. With just a few scuffs in the paint and a bit of much-needed restoration, this motorcycle has retained its quality since its use in Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
11. Dead Silence: Edward Ashen’s Open Back Body – $7,495
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This full-sized puppet was used in the 2007 horror film Dead Silence. It is highly detailed and has been made to look exactly like Bob Gunton, the actor who played Edward Ashen. The puppet is complete with fake eyes, teeth, fingernails, eyebrows, and a full suit and shoes. It opens in the back for access during filming.
10. Troy: Achilles’ Shield – $7,495
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In the movie Troy, Brad Pitt plays the legendary Achilles, which essentially means one of the Sexiest Men Alive battled in a gladiator style costume while wielding a bronze shield. That’s probably enough reason for most women to want this one of a kind movie prop. The shield is designed with eight discs on the front and moving figures in the center.
9. Gorillas In The Mist: Simba Stunt Head – $7,495
In the film Gorillas in the Mist, Sigourney Weaver played Dian Fossey, a woman who studied and protected a group of gorillas. During production, gorillas were not always available for filming and a stand in stunt gorilla head was made. This gorilla head is Simba, one of the female gorillas in the movie. The face is incredibly life-like, and made from foam latex.
8. Pulp Fiction: Honey Bunny’s Hero Smith & Wesson Centennial Model 40 – $7,995
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Quentin Tarantino‘s Pulp Fiction was a hit movie in 1994 and to this day has a large following of fans. This revolver was used in the opening and final scene of the film by Amanda Plummer who played Honey Bunny. It was created in 1952 by Smith & Wesson and is a functioning firearm. While a few scratches were obtained during filming, the gun is in great condition and requires transfer through a licensed firearms dealer.
7. Smooth Criminal: Michael Jackson Hair Piece – $7,995
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Pretty much anything and everything that has been worn by the King of Pop is worth a lot of money. This one of a kind hair piece was used in the making of Michael Jackson‘s anthology film Moonwalker. During the filming of Smooth Criminal Jackson changes into a giant robot. This hair piece was in one of the transformation scenes. It sits atop a Michael Jackson face and is relatively free of damage.
6. The Chronicles Of Narnia: Original Minotaur Costume Display – $8,995
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Made from a large foam suit that is covered with faux black and gray fur, the Minotaur costume is recognizable from several scenes in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie. With highly intricate facial details and glass eyes, the costume is made to look as real as possible.
For those intrigued by the magic of CGI, there are several red velcro strips throughout the Minotaur body that were used as CGI tracking dots. The large costume comes mounted to a mannequin that shows the film’s title.
6. Gremlins 2: Hero Lenny Gremlin Puppet – $9,995
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The 1990 movie Gremlins 2: The New Batch, featured Lenny Gremlin, an idiotic, bucktoothed gremlin that stood 3 feet tall. A puppet was used in several scenes that allowed for the head and facial movements of Lenny.
The puppet was created as a fully animatronic prop, though today it’s no longer moveable in order to prolong the puppet’s lifespan. The foam latex creature has been restored and features Lenny’s signature dopey look.
5. I, Robot: Full Size Light Up NS5 – $9,319
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Standing just over 74 inches tall, the NS5 Robot is one of the few robotic movie props that were used in the filming of I, Robot. The action movie that starred Will Smith used most computer generated robots throughout the film. This particular robot was used in the filming of a fight scene, which caused a bit of damage to its metal frame. However, its LED lights are still in working order and can be turned off and on through a hidden switch.
4. The Chronicles Of Narnia: Original Asterius Minotaur Costume – $12,495
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If you’re in search of a really expensive Halloween costume then the Asterius Minotaur Costume will fulfil your needs. From the second in The Chronicles of Narnia series, this costume is seen in many scenes throughout the movie. It is a one piece suit that is zipped in the back. It is made with faux brown fur and has very large horns. The suit gets its high value because it is the only fully animatronic head that was made for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
3. Gremlins 2: Hero Melting Gremlin Puppet – $12,495
Fans of the Gremlins will love this 31 inch high puppet that was used in Gremlins 2: The New Batch. The puppet was designed to represent what the Gremlins looked like after they were electrocuted in the film’s finale.
Not only does the Gremlin puppet look like its skin is sliding off its body, it also has all of the features of a real puppet. A toggle stick and wires allow for movement of the eyes and several tubes that make goo ooze from the puppet. The label on the stand is the original from when it was used during filming as is the stand itself. The puppet has even been restored by Brian Penikas who was part of the original filming of Gremlins 2.
2. Black Swan: Swarovski Chandelier – $18,995
The psychological thriller, Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as a ballerina vying for the lead role in Swan Lake. In the film, a large chandelier hangs from the ceiling of the recital room and on stage during the finale. The chandelier is made up of 76 lights, polished silver pieces, and Swarovski Element Crystals. During production, six chandeliers were used, including this one that is for sale at the high price of $18,995.
1. Batmobile Insert Cockpit – $49,995
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When Tim Burton made Batman Returns, he requested a studio process car to be created for interior shots of the Batmobile. Without the body of the vehicle, Burton and his team were able to get closer shots from a variety of angles of Batman inside his Batmobile.
The original throttle, console lights, and levers still remain on the Batman Insert Cockpit, as does the original steering wheel which holds the famous Batman logo. Making the cockpit even more authentic is the original dashboard, which can be lit up when powered by a 110 volt battery.