The 5 Most Expensive Film Props Ever Sold (#1 Will Never Be Beaten)

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Collecting is a popular hobby, and that’s particularly true when it comes to items from movies, TV shows, and other parts of pop culture. Many fans enjoy collecting things like action figures, trading cards, and comic books, and are happy to spend money to get items they really want. Some collectors focus on even more specific items, like props used in famous movies and TV shows. There’s something special about owning a piece of entertainment history. While smaller props and costumes can often be found at reasonable prices through sales and auctions, iconic items can be incredibly expensive – the more famous the prop, the higher the price tag.

These are the five priciest props ever sold from movie history. We’re not talking about everyday set pieces – these are key items from famous films that have been auctioned for millions of dollars. In fact, the most expensive one sold set a record that might never be broken.

5) Marilyn Monroe’s White “Subway” Dress from The Seven Year Itch

Marilyn Monroe’s white dress from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch is one of her most recognizable looks. Designed by William Travilla, the dress appears in a famous scene where Monroe’s character stands over a subway grate in New York City. As a train passes underneath, the dress is blown upwards, creating an iconic moment and her famous line: “Ooh, do you feel the breeze from the subway?”

Because of its fame and Marilyn Monroe’s enduring popularity, the dress was highly sought after when it was auctioned in 2011. While experts predicted a sale price of about $2 million, it ultimately sold for $4.6 million. This wasn’t the only Monroe dress to fetch a high price at the auction; a red gown from the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes sold for $1.47 million.

4) James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger

James Bond’s cars are famous for fetching high prices at auction, but it’s important to understand their history. There were different versions of the Aston Martin DB5 used in the films – some for actual filming and others for promotional purposes. A promotional DB5 sold for $6.4 million in 2019. However, the car used for the driving scenes in the movie Goldfinger (DB5/1486/R) sold for $4.6 million back in 2010.

The real fascination with the James Bond cars isn’t how much they sell for, but the story of another DB5 used in the film – DP/2161/1. This particular car was stolen from its owner in 1997, beginning a search that lasted for years and eventually led to its discovery in the Middle East.

3) Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet

Robby the Robot, first seen in the 1956 movie Forbidden Planet, became a famous fixture in science fiction films and TV shows. He’s not only a Hollywood icon, but also holds the record for being the most expensive film prop ever sold.

The original Robby the Robot costume has quite a story. First displayed at the Movie World/Cars of the Stars Museum in California in 1971, it was often damaged by visitors and needed repairs. After the museum closed in 1980, filmmaker and Forbidden Planet enthusiast William Malone bought it. It was most recently sold in November 2017 for $5.4 million.

2) “Rosebud” Sled from Citizen Kane

Often considered a landmark film, Citizen Kane featured a memorable wooden sled that recently became one of the priciest movie props ever sold at auction. Four sleds were created for the 1941 film. One was destroyed during production, another was gifted to a family member of a co-writer, and a third was awarded to a child through a contest run by the studio, RKO, in 1942. The final sled was saved from being thrown away at RKO, purchased by Steven Spielberg, and ultimately donated to the Academy Museum.

Director Joe Dante came across the sled while working on the 1985 film Explorers at the Paramount Studios lot, which used to be RKO Pictures. During a cleanup, the crew discovered the sled and gave it to Dante, who later sold it in 2025 for an impressive $14.75 million. While a substantial amount, it’s far from the most expensive movie prop ever sold.

1) Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz

The ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz have become legendary, with a story almost as captivating as the film itself. They were stolen, but when recovered, it was discovered that this was actually a mismatched pair – the other pair has been on display at the Smithsonian for years. It’s an unbelievable story that feels like something out of a crime thriller.

As a lifelong movie fan, I was absolutely stunned to hear about the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz going up for auction in 2024. They were already legendary, of course, but the final sale price was incredible – a whopping $28 million! That makes them the most expensive movie collectible ever sold at auction, and honestly, I can’t imagine anything topping that price anytime soon. It’s a truly historic moment for film memorabilia.

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2026-04-21 06:42