IT’S worth having a dig out in your attic as old DVDs from your childhood could be worth more than a few quid.
That’s because collectors are willing to pay good money to own a piece of nostalgia from decades past.
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Like any collectables, the value of DVDs can vary hugely from as little as £100 to even millions of pounds.
So if you’re having a clear-out or spy a disc in your local charity shop, you could be in the money.
DVDs that command high prices are often limited editions, special releases, or out-of-print films, according to the experts.
Ryan Toomey is a film fanatic, writer, and Editor at Upbeat Geek, a website covering news and hot takes in film, TV and music.
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He told The Sun: “Collectors and cinephiles prize DVDs for their nostalgic value, the desire to own a piece of cinema history, and the joy of collecting.
“Rare DVDs become popular auction items because they offer collectors the chance to own something unique and often irreplaceable.”
It can be tricky to know what’s valuable and what’s not in the world of DVDs.
Ryan said the most valuable DVDs can include director’s cuts, films with unique packaging, or DVDs signed by cast members.
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“The rarity and the demand among collectors drive up their value,” he added.
Ryan’s broke down exactly what adds to the value of a DVD:
- Scarcity: The fewer copies available, the more valuable the DVD.
- Condition: Mint or near-mint condition DVDs are more desirable.
- Provenance: DVDs with a history or connection to someone significant in the film industry are highly prized.
- Special Features: Unique packaging, autographs, or DVDs that include unreleased content can significantly increase value.
The expert also pointed out that collections and box sets are also worth big bucks.
But, even if you don’t have one of the most rare items you could always find cash in a variety of retro DVDs.
A huge number of individual DVDs and box sets are also sold on eBay too, and prices do vary.
So what are collectors looking for? The Sun picked Ryan’s brain to find out the full list of the most rare and valuable DVDs and what they have sold for in the past.
1. Pulp Fiction (collector’s edition) – £150
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This DVD has become a must-have for Tarantino fans and collectors of film memorabilia, Ryan said.
He said: “Particularly because of its unique aesthetic appeal and the enhanced viewing experience it offers via the addition of behind-the-scenes footage and other content.”
It has a market value of around £150 which Ryans says reflects both the film’s “enduring popularity” and the limited availability of these special editions.
2. The Evil Dead (Book of the Dead Edition) – £130
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Next up is The Evil Dead, but the Book of the Dead edition.
Ryan explained: “The creativity and thought put into the packaging of this edition make it a standout piece for collectors, especially those who appreciate film memorabilia that goes beyond the standard DVD case.”
Depending on the condition, he says this edition can have a valuation of over £130, largely due to its blend of novelty, rarity, and fandom appeal.
3. Alien Quadrilogy (25th Anniversary Edition) – £250
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Alien fanatics have boosted the value of this box set up to a whopping £250.
“Released in 2004, this iconic box set is a must-have for Alien fans, featuring a 9-disc DVD set housed in the skull of a Xenomorph,” Ryan said.
This “imposing” piece is in perfect condition, which is partly why it’s so valuable.
4. National Treasure (Presidential Edition) – £173
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A DVD as elusive as the treasure in its name, this DVD was released to mark the second movie in the franchise National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
Ryan said: “Instead of a normal hardshell DVD case, the DVDs are hidden in a replica of the President’s secret book featured in the sequel, which is packed with fun tidbits and immense detail as shown by one lucky owner.”
This DVD is hard to come by, but an article on ScreenCrush reported that one was sold for $200, or £173.
5. The Real Ghostbusters Complete Collection – £750
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Based on the original movies, this 80’s animated series was a huge hit, meaning DVDs can prove tricky to track down.
This has only added to their value.
The most elusive is the 2008 Complete Collection which is housed in a replica of the famous firehouse, with mint condition boxes going for an eye-watering £750, according to Ryan.
6. Hardware Wars (30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition) – £120
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Hardware Wars is an 80s parody of Star Wars which has a legion of devoted fans.
This means the 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition was quickly snapped up at the time of its release.
Ryan said: “This has left newer fans nearly £120 out of pocket if they want a copy.”
7. Star Trek Voyager Box Set (Borg Cube) – £400
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Star Trek has a huge cult following which means that its DVDs are always pretty valuable.
But one box set in particular can bring in a big sum of cash.
Ryan said: “You can own an iconic part of the Star Trek series with this highly desirable box set, which emulates the highly stylised cube ships of the enemy Borg, setting you back over £400.”
8. The Exorcist (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) – £200
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With only 2,000 made globally, this anniversary edition of The Exorcist is a must for horror lovers.
It comes packed in a leather case that is eerily reminiscent of a bible.
Ryan pointed out: “This isn’t one for those who are scared to spend some money, coming in at £200 on average.”
9. Bruce Lee Spectrum Collection (Limited Edition) – £800
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Any film starring Hollywood icon Bruce Lee is bound to fetch you big bucks.
But a whole collection? In a special edition case? That’s a small fortune.
Ryan explained: “While unsealed versions of this collection can be found for under £100, those that are sealed and in mint condition are a must for DVD and Bruce Lee fans, with listings of over £800.”
10. Spider-Man 1-3 (Japan Exclusive with Bust Statue Set) – £540
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This special edition of Spiderman films starring Tobey Maguire is highly sought after.
Ryan said: “This rare box and now famous set comes from Japan, consisting of a 6-disc DVD set of Tobey Macguire’s Spiderman franchise alongside two highly detailed busts of Spiderman – one infected by Venom.”
With only 500 sets ever made, and many broken into parts, this is a must-have for fans, clocking at £540.
How to make money from your old DVDs
Old DVDs can be sold on eBay, via Amazon, or on any number of specialist websites.
To find out how much an old game might be worth do some research first.
Checking the same or similar games under “sold listings” on eBay.
On eBay in particular bear in mind that some buyers pull out after an auction has ended, so the game may not have actually sold for the price it says it did.
Compare your video game to other higher selling auctions and ask yourself if it’s in a similar condition? Is it authentic? Does it have its original packaging?
If it’s in mint condition then it might be worth selling it through an auction house or directly to a collectables website.
If it’s not in mint condition, it’s probably worth sticking it on eBay for a moderate sum.
But in both cases check for any fees involved and find out what percentage of any sale an auctioneer may take.
It’s important to remember that your game is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay.
If you know you have something valuable, you can also maximise your profit through a specialist auction.
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Meanwhile, here are the most valuable toys worth up to £20k including Thundercats and Scalextric.
Plus, all the highest value and rare posters worth up to £3,500 including Elvis Presley and The Jam
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