Film Memorabilia Auctions

Memorabilia based on famous films is a popular choice for buyers and sellers at auction. The excitement of bidding on a prop or collectable from your favourite film is hard to resist, and at Cullens of Surrey, getting involved with our auctions is easier than ever!

Our enthusiastic team are experts in movie memorabilia, providing you with accurate handling and valuations of your rare and expensive goods. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, be it Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, James Bond or Titanic, join us at our upcoming online or hybrid auctions to get your hands on exciting goods, or contact us so we can help you sell your items.

Background Information:

Film memorabilia has been incredibly popular for quite some time now. The movie industry really started to take off in the 1920s, and shortly after, film fanatics began collecting posters, lobby cards, and actors’ autographs.

Fast forward 100 years and the movie industry has grown staggeringly, along with the demand for film memorabilia! Avid collectors spend thousands of pounds on items related to the films they love, and with the rate at which popular studios, such as Disney Pixar, produce movies, the demand for film memorabilia is only continuing to grow.

High-Value Sales

Memorabilia from films come in all shapes and sizes, as do their price tags. James Bond’s reliable Aston Martin DB5 has been featured across numerous 007 films, and in September 2022, the DB5 replica stunt car used in No Time To Die (2021) sold for £2,922,000 at a charity auction.

the DB5 replica stunt car used in No Time To Die (2021)

Image Credit: astonmartin.com

Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet (1956)

Image Credit: www.awn.com

Regarded as perhaps the most expensive piece of movie memorabilia ever sold, and one of Hollywood’s oldest sci-fi props, Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet (1956) fetched a huge $5,375,000 (£4,120,824) at auction in November 2017. Robby the Robot cost over $100,000 to build and was featured in other films such as The Twilight Zone and The Addams Family - a prop that is both famous and well-travelled.

Image credit: Heritage Auctions

Fun Fact

Movie memorabilia can actually become more valuable when there’s controversy surrounding the film or the item itself. Fans of James Cameron’s Titanic (1997) will know exactly what we mean. The infamous “floating door” that was used at the climax of the film (there was definitely enough room for the two of them, right?) accumulated a massive $718,750 (£569,739) at auction in March 2024. That’s quite the price for a piece of carved balsa wood!

General Tips for Music Memorabilia - Buying and Selling

Buying and selling at auction can be a rewarding hobby and a lucrative business, and at Cullens of Surrey, we prioritise our client’s needs at all times. To get the best out of your auction experience, regardless of whether you’re a buyer or seller, there are several tips we recommend following:

Market Research: To avoid overpaying or overcharging for goods, do your research into the value trends of specific memorabilia. Previous auction results for similar items are usually a good indicator of where to start.
Authenticity Is Key: Always ensure the item’s authenticity - this is something our team at Cullens can help you with. After all, nobody wants to fall into the trap of paying big money for an item which isn’t genuine.
Choose the Right Auction House: Find a reputable auction house that is regulated by industry professionals and is knowledgeable about film memorabilia, such as Cullens of Surrey.
Consider Timing: Timing can impact sales. For instance, memorabilia related to an actor or movie may sell better when there’s heightened public interest, like around the release of a sequel or anniversary.

Looking to Sell With Us?

If you have any movie memorabilia that you’re looking to sell, or any other entertainment and memorabilia, we offer various routes, such as at auction, direct purchasing or third-party sellers. You can read about each selling route in more detail on our dedicated “Selling At Auction” page.

Explore Our Various Ways to Buy at Auction

At Cullens of Surrey, we regularly handle film memorabilia, from framed posters to signed goods. If you’d like to get your hands on items from your favourite films, explore our upcoming online auctions, or contact us if you have any questions.