The market for original movie posters has grown considerably since cinema's inception in the early decades of the 20th century. Ever since the first major auction of film posters by Christie's auction house in December 1990, film poster artworks have become considerable financial investments. That's not to mention the great joy film lovers have in collecting these original pieces.
Love of cinema and of the artworks that surround it are, of course, the primary urge to begin a movie poster collection. Here is a list of the 10 most valuable classic movie posters ever sold at auction.
Frankenstein
Number ten on this list is the one-sheet poster from the United States for Frankenstein. This classic horror film was created by Universal Pictures in 1931 and famously stars Boris Karloff in the principal role of Frankenstein's Monster.
Like many other movie posters in this list, this one advertises a classic horror movie from the 1930s with stunning graphic block designs. In 1993, this poster sold for $198,000.
Flying Down to Rio
Another one-sheet poster produced in the United States, number nine on the list, is a poster for the film Flying Down to Rio.
This was a classic dance film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The poster is a stunning artwork with fantastic design and bold colours. In 2008, this poster sold for $239,000.
King Kong
This larger, three-sheet poster, again produced in the United States by Universal Pictures, is for the eponymous 1933 King Kong movie. The movie starred Robert Armstrong and Fay Wray as Carl Denham and Ann Darrow, respectively.
This eighth most expensive movie poster is known as the 'Style A' image, showing Kong swatting planes from the top of the Empire State building. In 1999, this poster sold for $244,500.
The Black Cat (Style D)
The first one-sheet poster advertising the film The Black Cat on this list falls into seventh place. This classic horror film was produced in the United States in 1934 and starred Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. In 2007, this poster sold for $286,800.
Dracula
The sixth poster on this list is the one-sheet design for the US Universal Pictures produced 1931 horror movie Dracula.
This classic, advertising Bela Lugosi's infamous masterpiece, was sold as part of Nicolas Cage's poster collection. In 2009, this poster sold for $310,000.
The Bride of Frankenstein
This United States-produced one-sheet advertises the 1935 horror film, The Bride of Frankenstein.
At number five on the list, this poster was produced for the sequel to the original Frankenstein, previously mentioned above, and that also starred Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's monster. In 2007, this poster sold for $334,600.
Metropolis (German Domestic)
This three-sheet poster was produced in Germany for the 1927 silent film, Metropolis.
At number three on the list, this stunning piece was designed for Fritz Lang's early masterpiece by renowned poster artists Heinz Schulz-Neudamm. In 2000, this poster sold for $357,750.
The Mummy
At number nine, and his sixth appearance on the list, Boris Karloff shocks again in this gorgeous poster for the 1932 horror movie, The Mummy, another classic horror from Universal Pictures.
At the time it was auctioned, this became the most expensive vintage movie poster ever sold. That was until the final number on our list arrived. In 1997, this poster sold for $435,500.
Metropolis (International)
At the number one spot, one of the most expensive movie posters of all time, we have the classic Heinz Schulz-Neudamm designed 1927 poster for Metropolis. This international version of the poster is without the German script at the base.
It is just as much an exemplar of Art Deco design as its previously mentioned domestic counterpart. There are only four copies of this renowned three-sheet poster in existence, with the private sale to Leonardo di Caprio getting this poster to the top spot. In 2006, this poster sold for $690,000.
Valuable movie posters you might have at home
While big-name celebrities like Leonardo di Caprio and Nicolas Cage have been known to fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars on rare vintage film posters for their collections, you yourself may have a few treasures lying around the house.
While classic movie posters from the 1930s accrue the highest prices, more modern pieces that are even commonly available can be worth a decent amount. Here is a list of some movie posters you may have at home that could fetch a pretty penny.
Toy Story (American POSTER)
This one-sheet poster for the 1995 animated Disney-Pixar movie Toy Story is a prevalent piece. This poster was produced in large amounts and is incredibly appealing to collectors. For a copy in good condition, you could expect to sell it for around £65.
THE LOST BOYS (AMERICAN POSTER)
Fans and collectors of this 1987 teen vampire movie are known to snap up all the spurious memorabilia there is, whatever the price. The initial US one-sheet can expect to fetch up to £325, while the British quad variety could be worth around £243 each.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (American POSTEr)
Original movie posters for this 1986 classic starring Matthew Broderick are also very scarce. Given their rarity, these posters often fetch reasonable prices when sold at auction, so it may be well worth checking to see if you own one. These film posters can expect to sell anywhere up to £162.
Dirty Dancing (American Poster)
With another classic from 1987, these one-sheet posters for the romantic drama are relatively easy to find. However, unrolled mint-condition pieces can be valuable, and if you happen to have one, you may be able to get as much as £162 for it.
The Silence of the Lambs (American poster)
This iconic one-sheet poster for the classic 1991 thriller starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins are also quite rare. Pieces in mint condition are difficult to find, and should you have one; you can expect to get around £162 for it.
The Man Who Fell to Earth (British poster)
This one-sheet for the 1976 science fiction, starring David Bowie as the famous alien come to earth, is insanely popular with die-hard fans and collectors. People will pay anything for one of these movie posters and, in mint condition, they can reach up to £325 at auction.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (American poster)
Original one-sheet movie posters for this brilliant 1987 comedy classic starring Steve Martine and John Candy are uncommonly expensive. A piece that is unrolled and in mint condition could sell for anything up to £325.
Ghostbusters (American poster)
The original Ghostbusters is a much cherished 1984 ghostly comedy with legions of fans around the world. Given its iconic status, original film posters for this film are incredibly sought after, with one-sheet designs in mint condition fetching up to £405
The Big Lebowski (British poster)
For this 1998 Coen brother's masterpiece, US movie posters are ubiquitous, though a piece signed by John Goodman and John Turturro sold for £1,500 at a Sotheby's auction early 2020. Despite this, British quad versions are far rarer than their American one-sheet cousins, and if you happen to have one of these quads lying around, you can expect to get around £405.
Kill Bill: Volume 1 (AmeriCan POSTER)
The teaser posters for this 2003 blood-soaked Tarantino classic are scarce and, therefore, quite valuable. Printed on mylar foil, these film posters are incredibly sought after by fans and collectors of the auteur's gory films. If you happen to have one of these posters lying around your home, you might sell it for up to £120.
Original Vintage Movie Posters for Sale
We created this website to provide a vintage movie poster guide. If you have an interest in classic movie posters from the 1950s, 1960s or 1980s, we hope you will learn more about the most popular posters of the period.
Take a sneak peak at some of the posters we have in stock here. However, if you have a film in mind and don't see it here, please get in touch as we'd be happy to locate it for you.
Are you interested in movie poster collecting? Follow the links below to discover more about collectable movie posters.