The options for Halloween-themed collectibles are practically limitless.
There’s “The Thing” VHS tape, which sold for $37,500 in sealed condition on Halloween 2022. There are plenty of spooky cards, such as “Trick or Trade” Pokemon.
Even rare books such as “Grimms’ Fairy Tales,” which compiled the twisted origins of classic fairy tales such as “Snow White” and “Little Red Riding Hood” have fetched more than $200,000 for a first edition copy in 2011.
But when it comes to spooky collectibles, few categories stand a chance against the horror film prop and memorabilia world. Key pieces from some of Hollywood’s most fright-filled movies sell for massive sums on a regular basis and make up a significant portion of the overall film memorabilia market.
On the scariest day of the year, we take a look at 10 collectibles from some of the most terrifying movies ever made.
Don’t worry, these are just props, they can’t hurt you.
"Halloween" (1978)
The "Halloween" movie poster for the film is arguably the most recognizable of any horror film ever created. Artist Robert Gleason was tasked with the project to create the original painting for the poster, having previously worked on posters for a Bruce Lee film and album covers for artists such as Stevie Wonder.
Gleason’s concept was initially poorly received by the studio, which wanted Michael Myers’ mask to be the main focus. The studio came around, eventually providing Gleason with the vote of confidence to continue on his path designing a poster around a pumpkin and a knife. It was clearly the right choice.
The original poster painting for the film poster sold in 2016 for $83,650.
"Rosemary’s Baby" (1968)
Undoubtedly one of the most terrifying films ever made, “Rosemary’s Baby” is not only scary, but it influenced an entire genre. There’s little question “The Exorcist” wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the Roman Polanski-directed Oscar winner.
Even the movie set was scary. The film’s star, Mia Farrow, wrote in her autobiography, “When Roman wanted me to eat raw liver, I ate it, take after take, even though, at the time, I was a committed vegetarian.”
Farrow and husband Frank Sinatra also divorced while she was working on the film.
The nightgown worn by Farrow in the film sold for $4,375 in 2010.
"Scream" (1996)
The Ghostface costume from “Scream” sold publicly for the very first time this year, bringing in $270,900 at Propstore.
As cllct contributor and prop expert Dan Gastin explained: “The significance of this piece needs to be emphasized as it embodies so much horror history: It's the mask fans were first introduced to, igniting their emotional connection to the horror franchise.”
"Poltergeist" (1982)
Some people are scared of clowns. But that usually refers to the kind you see at a circus. A clown like the one seen attacking Oliver Robbins’ character in “Poltergeist” is a whole different story.
Just looking at a photo of it is enough for a week’s worth of nightmares, forget about watching the film.
Despite the obvious horror, one collector clearly didn’t mind, and decided to pay $75,000 for one of the prop clowns used in the film back in 2020.
"The Exorcist" (1973)
Director William Friedkin donated a collection of accessories used by the priest in the film during the exorcism, including a crucifix, holy water and a priest sash, to Planet Hollywood, which later consigned the items to Heritage for its Planet Hollywood auction in March 2024, when it sold for $4,250.
"Ghostbusters" (1984)
The legacy of "Ghostbusters" in popular culture is hard to overstate. From the ubiquity of the song (“Who ya gonna call?”) to the modern remakes, it’s clear the film has remained firmly within the popular consciousness.
Another example is an original screen-used proton pack, which would have been carried on the back of one of the Ghostbusters to hold "negatively charged ectoplasmic entities,” sold for $159,900 in 2012.
"The Shining"(1980)
“Here’s Johnny!”
Jack Nicholson’s line in the film, a reference to Johnny Carson’s intro on "The Tonight Show," is one of the most memorable in movie history.
During the movie’s climax, Nicholson wields an ax as he hunts down his wife through the Overlook Hotel hallways, ultimately delivering the now-famous line.
That same ax sold for around $200,000.
"Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1973)
If anyone ever watched “Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and thought, “I sure would like to see another 11 minutes of this thing,” then they were in luck in 2019 when a previously unseen reel of outtakes from the film was sold for the first time.
Including sequences approaching the house and Sally being chased through the woods, the 400-foot-long reel of film sold for $22,800.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" (1987)
Freddy Krueger is synonymous with the horror genre … and he wouldn’t be Freddy Krueger without his razor glove. One used in the first two films was set for auction at Propstore and received a bid over $200,000. However, the item failed to meet its reserve and did not sell.
The glove from the third film sold for $112,500 in 2022. Heritage called the prop “one of the most iconic symbols in horror.”
"Child’s Play" (1988)
Above I wrote that clowns could be scary. Well, having thought about the matter carefully, I think it’s important to amend that statement.
Clowns are scary. Dolls are terrifying.
One of the Chucky dolls from "Child’s Play" — multiple were used in production — sold for $106,250 earlier this year.
Perhaps it will be of some solace to learn this particular prop was used before Chucky’s metamorphosis into a crazed murderer.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.