Remember the buzz when Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz fetched over $2 million at auction? Well, those are not the only props to rake in unbelievable sums. Some screen-used memorabilia have shattered expectations, selling for millions. These props are not just collector’s items—they are pieces of cinematic history that fans and investors are willing to pay top dollar to own. 

But what makes them so valuable? Is it the on-screen significance, their connection to legendary stars, or just pure nostalgia? Each of them has a story to tell, and their worth only increases as time passes. 

Who knew a 3.5-foot droid could carry such a hefty price tag? In 2017, an original R2-D2 prop made up of parts used in the Star Wars trilogy and prequels is said to have sold at auction for a jaw-dropping $2.76 million through Profiles in History. The aluminum, steel, and fiberglass construction of this R2 unit does not even have internal mechanics, but it captured the heart and wallet of one lucky collector! The lot had a dome from A New Hope and legs from The Empire Strikes Back. 

Luke's lightsaber and Vader's helmet also made their way up for auction as well, but no sales came close to what went under the hammer for R2. Someone got themselves the droid they were really looking for— for a price that could buy a small fleet of starships.

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Marilyn Monroe's famous white dress from The Seven Year Itch was looked to be the greatest treasure of Hollywood. It sold for a jaw-dropping $4.6 million at a 2011 auction. The William Travilla designed dress became a sensation during the unforgettable scene, in which Marilyn Monroe attempts to tame the blowing-out fabric of her white dress under the subway grate. The dress belonged to the vast memorabilia of Debbie Reynolds. 

She tearfully sold the gown after decades of protection. It was initially predicted to fetch around $2 million. But it destroyed expectations showing that the legacy of Monroe with her breezy glamour continues to inspire the fans.

The Cowardly Lion costume from The Wizard of Oz was a legendary collectible. It was worn by Bert Lahr throughout the filming, making it even more valuable. And it was made from real lion pelts by MGM's Gilbert Adrian, the costume was reportedly heavy, hot, and soaked with Bert Lahr's sweat during filming. 

In 2014, Bonhams sold this piece of film history for a roaring $3,077,000 to a lucky telephone bidder in New York. Given its material and timelessness, it does come as not much of a shock that this fuzzy treasure sold for millions. 

Greg Jein’s collection went out with a bang—literally! Following the passing of the legendary model designer in 2022, it took two high-energy auctions in October 2023 to clear out his jaw-dropping memorabilia, tallying to over $13 million! The star of the auctions was a screen-matched X-wing Starfighter from Star Wars: A New Hope, which soared to as high as $3.1 million in sale price. 

The filmmakers used this red leader model in the explosive trench run sequence where Luke Skywalker attacked the Death Star, making it a must-have for any deep-pocketed collector.

The robot, Robby from Forbidden Planet, in the 1956 classic, set a historic record as the most expensive movie prop sold at auction in 2017 when the 7-foot towering robot sold for a lumpsum of $5.375 million. The sale price of the robot was $4.6 million plus the buyer's premium for the auction house. A price higher than any that has been held including the The Maltese Falcon statuette or Marilyn Monroe's dress in The Seven Year Itch.

Designed by MGM's creative dream team, including Robert Kinoshita and Mentor Huebner, Robby was a space-age marvel before his time. They built Robby for a jaw-dropping $100,000-$125,000—a huge part of the film's $1.97 million budget.

In 2013, the Maltese Falcon statue, famed for its role in the 1941 Humphrey Bogart classic, fetched an incredible $4.1 million at auction, rising to $4.67 million with the buyer's premium. However, the interesting part is this: two statues were created, and only one's use in the film is verifiable, making it a collector's holy grail. None other than Las Vegas billionaire Steve Wynn bagged the statue. 

The auction, held by Bonhams in partnership with Turner Classic Movies, drew attention, with bidders pushing the price higher than expected. This sale marked a high point in the world of film memorabilia, but the statue's origins remain clouded in mystery, as there is still debate over whether there were other versions of the iconic prop.

In 2014, an upright piano made famous in the movie for Sam's famous rendition of As Time Goes By, sold in a Bonhams auction at New York's headquarters to the tune of $3.4 million. It is small pint-size with merely 58 keys - did not distract from its musical importance. The lucky buyer also came home with a signed photo of Dooley Wilson, who played Sam in one of the most memorable roles. 

The actual letters of transit sold for $118,750 separately, proving that nostalgia has a price and it not a low one. Some props are priceless, but this one went for millions! 

Back then, Debbie Reynolds purchased Audrey Hepburn's Ascot, Cecil Beaton's custom-made dress and hat of My Fair Lady, for $100,000. This gorgeous piece of history, which Audrey donned during the unforgettable scene of the Ascot Derby, became one of the greatest costumes in all of Hollywood. Years later, in 2011, Reynolds sold this treasure, and the dress sold at $3.7 million—37 times what she paid! 

The gown, with its intricate lace details and large matching hat, became the epitome of elegance and magic of the classic cinema. For collectors, this is not a costume but a piece of history that they would love to get their hands on.

Michael Jackson made headlines in 1999 when he paid a staggering $1.54 million for a piece of Hollywood history Oscar awarded to Gone with the Wind producer David O. Selznick. This 1940 Academy Award had come up for auction at Sotheby's, and Jackson outbid all competition, expecting it to be a lasting memento of his film passion. However, the story takes a wild twist. 

After Jackson's untimely death in 2009, his estate reportedly searched everywhere for the missing Oscar. Was it lost or did someone walk away with it? Whatever the case, that iconic trophy has remained an elusive treasure, adding an extra layer of mystery to Jackson's already legendary collection of treasures.

Profiles in History sold an incredible bounty of memorabilia in 2013 related to The Sound of Music, including the famous costumes worn by Julie Andrews. Some of the show-stoppers were Julie Andrews's brown dress in the legendary Do-Re-Mi scene, as well as the yellow blouse and skirt in which she returns after the honeymoon. 

Other collectibles included Kurt's jacket from So Long, Farewell and the school uniforms worn by the Von Trapp children. The auction also included a rare document signed by Maria of the Von Trapp family. Altogether, these items brought more than $250,000 in price.

It is wild to think that a tiny piece of metal or fabric can fetch millions, but that is the magic of Hollywood. For example, think of the iconic Wizard of Oz relic being sold for $28,000,000 heavy price. While most people may never bid millions for a movie treasure, it is thrilling to know how some people will stop at nothing to own a piece of film legend. 

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How much would you pay to own a piece of your favorite movie? Let us know in the comments below!