We’ve all heard rumors about clever collectors cashing in on their childhood VHS tapes. But are VHS tapes really worth anything, and is it really as easy as throwing your dusty collection of movies on eBay and waiting for the cash to roll in?
Well, as it turns out, there are a handful of tapes that could equate to a pretty good payday. But it’s not just any old VHS tape that holds value. In fact, it’s a very specific assortment of movies that online collectors pine over.
Whether you want to raid your parents’ basement for your childhood VHS collection or are curious to know how much all those movies you donated would have fetched, we’ve found the most valuable VHS tapes of all time. And they are actually worth money.
How Do I Know If My VHS Tape Is Valuable?
Before we get to our list of the VHS tapes that are worth the most, let’s address the question on everyone’s mind: How can I tell if my VHS tape is worth anything?
Like with most collectibles, a VHS tape’s value increases depending on its condition. That means it needs to appear brand-new and never have been opened to earn top dollar. And if it has studio watermarks on it, even better.
It also needs to either have been a hit movie in its time — think “Star Wars” or “The Goonies” — or have earned a cult following like “Silent Night, Deadly Night,” the Christmas horror movie (yes, it’s a thing).
Of course, very few people have the foresight to never open a VHS tape, so there are still other ways your VHS tape could be worth something. After all, a Black Diamond edition Disney VHS can sell for more, especially if you find a competitive buyer.
Where Can I Sell My VHS Tapes?
eBay
If you’re looking to list your VHS tape for sale, any online marketplace will work, but we recommend eBay. This is where most of the valuable VHS tapes have sold recently. But remember: An item’s value on eBay is completely dependent on the person who buys it. So, one person could buy a “101 Dalmations” Black Diamond edition VHS for, say, $10,000, while another would be willing to spend a few hundred dollars, tops.
You can’t always trust that the sale of an item is legit, either, which is why collectors are looking for real sellers. We recommend you become trusted in the community first before auctioning off your most valuable item. With all of this in mind, we found the 65 most valuable VHS tapes that have earned anywhere from $50 to tens of thousands of dollars.
64. Pinocchio (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $50
Release date: 1940
*All price information was sourced from past and present eBay listings.
What Makes ‘Pinocchio’ Valuable
eBay
“Pinocchio” is an animated musical adventure all about learning the value of advice and what it means to be “good” or “bad.”
While the themes still resonate today, the classic Disney film is worth about $50 on eBay. It’s not with the most valuable collectibles of all time, but that is still a pretty good ROI for a VHS tape.
Watch it
64. The Great Mouse Detective (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $50
Release date: 1986
What Makes ‘The Great Mouse Detective’ Valuable
eBay
The Great Mouse Detective isn’t exactly considered to be a Disney classic, but it still sells for about $50 on eBay.
The tale of Basil, a keen mouse detective, is still quite relevant today, thanks to its subtle political commentary about Professor Ratigan, whose goal is to become the “supreme ruler of all mousedom.”
Watch it
63. The Sound of Music
Twentieth Century Fox / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $65
Release date: 1965
What Makes ‘The Sound of Music’ Valuable
eBay
Who doesn’t have a copy of “The Sound of Music” kicking around somewhere?
Apparently, more than a few people do, based on the fact that the VHS version of the classic goes for about $65 on eBay — which honestly is a small price to pay to watch Julie Andrews sing and dance her way through Austria.
Watch it
61. The Rescuers (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $70
Release date: 1977
What Makes ‘The Rescuers’ Valuable
eBay
While the Disney classic “The Rescuers” may not be a top earner like some of the other Disney movies on the list, $70 for a dusty VHS is still nothing to turn your nose up to.
Watch it
61. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Tie)
Universal Pictures / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $70
Release date: 1988
What Makes ‘E.T.’ Valuable
eBay
This family-friendly sci-fi flick has aged like a fine wine. Not only is it still enjoyed by kids and their parents, but the storyline is as pertinent as ever: Love and friendship know no borders.
The movie was released in 1982, and the original VHS is currently worth about $70 on eBay.
Watch it
60. The Wild Life
Universal Pictures / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $88
Release date: 1984
What Makes ‘The Wild Life’ Valuable
eBay
While “The Wild Life” has all the makings of a classic coming-of-age film, the 1984 movie is considered relatively rare — and very underrated.
As such, copies currently run upward of $88 per VHS.
59. Killer Klowns From Outer Space
Sarlui / Diamant / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $96
Release date: 1988
What Makes ‘Killer Klowns’ Valuable
“Killer Klowns From Outer Space” is just as campy and bizarre as its name suggests, but the 1988 horror movie is in hot demand online for nostalgic reasons.
Put this one up for sale, and you could pull in as much as $100.
Watch it
58. Star Wars Trilogy
Estimated price tag: $97.50
Release date: 1977
What Makes the ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy Valuable
eBay
Despite the fact that the original “Star Wars” Trilogy was produced en masse in the 1970s and ’80s, a mint condition set of the original three tapes is worth nearly $100 on eBay.
Watch it
55. The Worst of ‘You Can’t Do That On Television’ (Tie)
Carleton Productions / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $100
Release date: 1981
What Makes ‘You Can’t Do That On Television’ Valuable
“You Can’t Do That On Television” was a zany sketch show produced in Canada for an American audience that garnered a cult following for its silly and downright weird attempt at humor that Nickelodeon eventually started to emulate.
These days, a copy of the Canadian VHS can easily run collectors up to $100.
Watch it
55. The Sword and the Stone (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $100
Release date: 1963
What Makes ‘The Sword and the Stone’ Valuable
eBau
While the 1963 film “The Sword and the Stone” is a rather niche story in the Disney collection, the Disney adaptation of the classic story of King Arthur’s beginnings is listed at around $100.
Watch it
55. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $100
Release date: 1937
What Makes ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Valuable
eBay
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is one of the most popular children’s stories of all time — and for good reason.
Based on the centuries-old story by the Brothers Grimm, this classic Walt Disney movie evokes a sense of whimsy, independence and true love.
Watch it
54. My Neighbor Totoro
Studio Ghibli / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $106
Release date: 1988
What Makes ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ Valuable
eBay
The classic Japanese “My Neighbor Totoro” was translated for an American audience in 1988 and quickly won over the hearts of families across the country.
While Totoro is not quite as popular today, the 1980s-era film will still fetch around $100.
Watch it
53. Don’t Look in the Attic
Antonelliana Cinematografica / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $119
Release date: 1982
What Makes ‘Don’t Look in the Attic’ Valuable
The 1982 Italian horror film about a haunted mansion, “Don’t Look in the Attic” might be niche, but the rare VHS release is still revered to this day.
As such, it’s still valued at about $120 on eBay.
Watch it
52. Sleeping Beauty
Estimated price tag: $129
Release date: 1980
What Makes ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Valuable
eBay
This classic 1980 Disney film about a princess who is cursed to sleep a hundred years (honestly, is that really the worst curse, though?) comes with an estimated price tag of $129 for the diamond edition.
Watch it
51. The Legend of Hillbilly John
Two’s Company / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $149
Release date: 1972
What Makes ‘The Legend of Hillbilly John’ Valuable
eBay
Sure, this one is pretty niche, but the story of the wandering ballad singer that is “The Legend of Hillbilly John” is apparently quite the hot-ticket item among collectors.
The original VHS tape is worth about $150 on eBay.
49. Dumbo (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $150
Release date: 1941
What Makes ‘Dumbo’ Valuable
eBay
While it may not be one of the first Disney movies to come to mind, “Dumbo” remains a classic.
Not to be confused with the more recent live-action version directed by Tim Burton, the original, animated film about the baby elephant with charmingly oversized ears will fetch an easy $150 on eBay.
49. Cinderella (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $150
Release date: 1950
What Makes ‘Cinderella’ Valuable
eBay
The Disney rendition of this classic folkloric tale continues to be one of the most well-loved movies of our time.
As such, a copy of the 1950 “Cinderella” film will earn you about $150 to $200 on eBay these days.
48. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
Estimated price tag: $166
Release date: 1984
What Makes ‘Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends’ Valuable
eBay
Thomas the Tank Engine was well-loved during his debut in the 1980s and is just as well-loved today — with themes like friendship and hard work inspiring kids one story at a time.
As such, the 1984 VHS is currently worth nearly $200.
45. A History of Violence (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $199
Release date: 2006
What Makes ‘A History of Violence’ Valuable
Reddit
One of the most contemporary films on the list, “A History of Violence” was one of the last films to be released on VHS before the DVD format took over.
The VHS version of the film is relatively rare on the market and goes for nearly $200.
45. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $199
Release date: 1974
What Makes ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ Valuable
eBay
While we still love a good viewing party of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” come Halloween season, for $199, we’ll stream it instead.
The 1974 classic has been remade and reimagined many times over the years, but it’s still the classic VHS that’s pulling in the high price tag.
45. Peter Pan (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $199
Release date: 1990
The Disney rendition of the boy who never grew up continues to be one of the most well-loved stories for kids and their parents.
The timeless classic may be available to stream, but the hard VHS copy is still in demand to the tune of nearly $200.
44. Death Curse of Tartu
Estimated price tag: $200
Release date: 1966
Happen to have a copy of “Death Curse of Tartu” collecting dust in your basement?
The somewhat problematic horror film will fetch you up to $200 for a mint-condition copy.
43. The Jungle Book
Estimated price tag: $225
Release date: 1967
While “The Jungle Book” may have been remastered and redone many times since its original release in 1967, it’s still the original VHS that will pull in the most cash — to the tune of about $225.
39. The Evil Dead (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $250
Release date: 1983
Originally released as “Book of the Dead,” this 1983 supernatural horror film is currently on the resale market for about $250.
But that’s only if it comes complete with the special edition VHS jacket that reads “NOT GUILTY! — ‘THE EVIL DEAD’ IS BACK.”
39. Aladdin (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $250
Release date: 1993
The live-action version doesn’t hold a candle to this 1993 version that’s worth listing on eBay.
While it may not be as valuable as some of the other 1990s Disney classics, it still has quite the ROI in its own right.
39. Bambi (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $250
Release date: 1942
Dating all the way back to 1942, the original “Bambi” film is one of the earliest Disney movies—and probably one of the first Disney movies you watched as a kid.
That’s why it may come as a surprise that the beloved film is only listed for around $250 on eBay for the diamond edition.
39. The Little Mermaid (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $250
Release date: 1989
The animated musical film “The Little Mermaid” warmed the hearts of families around the world when it debuted in 1989 — and it’s still very much loved to this day.
A copy of the diamond-edition VHS will run for about $250 on eBay.
38. Electric Dreams
Virgin Pictures / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $263
Release date: 1984
The plot of “Electric Dreams” could very easily be mistaken as the latest Netflix Original — man and his artificially intelligent computer compete for the same woman.
It’s a timeless story of love and technology that will bank you around $250 a pop.
37. 555
Estimated price tag: $275
Release date: 1988
For one reason or another, campy horror films are in high demand among collectors with many VHS copies earning almost as much as popular Disney films — and “555” is no exception.
The low-budget horror movie sells for nearly $300.
35. Fantasia (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $299
Release date: 1940
First released as a theatrical roadshow, Disney’s “Fantasia” consists of eight segments that have been paired with classical music.
The 1940 film is a much more creative approach in terms of a storyline than the typical Disney film — and the VHS currently runs for nearly $300.
35. Halloween (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $299
Release date: 1982
“Halloween” has a long list of sequels, but the 1982 classic film will always outrank the rest.
Mint-condition copies of this VHS tape still run for about $300 on eBay.
34. Pterodactyl Woman From Beverly Hills
Estimated price tag: $300
Release date: 1996
“Pterodactyl Woman From Beverly Hills” is currently selling on the resale market for around $300.
However, there’s a well-known rumor that a copy of the elusive VHS had once sold on eBay for upward of $3,000.
33. The Godfather
Estimated price tag: $349
Release date: 1972
Francis Ford Coppola’s classic crime drama is just as revered today as it was during its release in 1972.
While most of us get our fix of the Corleone crime family on Netflix, the original VHS still runs for about $350.
32. Alice in Wonderland
Estimated price tag: $450
Release date: 1991
While the Disney version of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” may be considered quite watered down compared to the classic children’s novel, the 1991 VHS of the fantastic story is currently listed for $450.
28. Bash at the Beach (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $500
Release date: 2000
“Bash at the Beach” was originally a pay-per-view wrestling event by World Wrestling Entertainment.
Even though it’s now available to stream online, it continues to pull in nearly $500 on the resale market.
28. Let It Be (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $500
Release date: 1980
Found a copy of “Let It Be” in your basement? The 1980s Beatles musical film was a very limited release and can be quite a rare find.
A mint-condition copy is currently valued at around $500.
28. The Lion King (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $500
Release date: 1995
“The Lion King” has been well-loved by generations of kids and their parents — and for good reason. Not only does it demonstrate the power of love and humility, but the cast of characters is unmatched.
The original diamond edition is currently selling for $500, but it has been known to fetch closer to $1,000.
28. Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks (Tie)
Classic Films International / IMDb
Estimated price tag: $500
Release date: 1975
Do you own a copy of the original “Frankenstein?” It’s not worth much, but the more niche “Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks” could bank $500.
Released in 1975, this twisted tale is an even more bizarre account of Dr. Frankenstein’s attempt at playing god.
27. The Fox and the Hound
Estimated price tag: $850
Release date: 1994
“The Fox and the Hound” may not have been one of the most popular Disney movies, but the heartwarming tale of interspecies friendship ranks high for collectors.
It’s valued at nearly $1,000.
26. The Black Decameron
Estimated price tag: $900
Release date: 1972
Directed by Piero Vivarelli, this 1972 Italian costume drama-comedy seems to have a cult-like fan base if the $900 price tag is any indication.
And while “The Black Decameron” probably wouldn’t have the same reception today, due to its setting in a fabricated African tribe, the VHS continues to be worth a pretty penny.
25. Love to Read With Barney
Estimated price tag: $939
Release date: 1993
Nearly $1,000 for a Barney movie? Yes, but there’s a catch.
“Love to Read With Barney” was only released in libraries across the U.S. and, as such, is considered to be one of the most rare Barney films on the market.
24. The Flesh Eaters
Estimated price tag: $950
Release date: 1964
Former horror hounds, listen up. The 1964 “The Flesh Eaters” might be a low-budget, slightly campy movie on the surface, but it continues to bag nearly a thousand dollars on eBay.
Considered to be one of the first true “gore” movies, this 1960s classic was certainly ahead of its time.
22. Lemora, the Lady Dracula (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $1,100
Release date: 1994
Who said blood-sucking had to be reserved for men? Lemora follows Lila, who, along her quest to find her estranged father, ends up running into a lesbian vampire who tries to seduce children into joining her vampire cult.
Apparently, some folks have deemed the storyline worth shelling out over a thousand dollars.
22. Don’t Open The Window (Tie)
Estimated price tag: $1,100
Release date: 1974
The 1974 Spanish-Italian science-fiction zombie horror film was written and directed by Jorge Grau.
Also known as “The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue” or “Let Sleeping Corpses Lie,” this retro horror movie is not for the faint of heart.
And neither is its price tag.
21. Beauty and the Beast
Estimated price tag: $1,999.99
Release date: 1992
The 1992 rendition of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a highly revisited classic for a reason.
It’s a tale as old as time. And it’ll fetch you nearly $2,000 if you have a mint-condition diamond edition.
20. Tales From the QuadeaD Zone
Estimated price tag: $3,500
Release date: 1987
This 1987 American anthology blaxploitation horror film has become something of a cult classic over the years, which is reflected by its sky-high resale price tag.
Due to the fact that “Tales From the QuadeaD Zone” was released straight to VHS in limited numbers, the VHS has become a serious collector’s item.
19. 101 Dalmatians
Estimated price tag: $3,645
Release date: 1992
Did you really grow up in the 1990s if you didn’t own a copy of “101 Dalmatians”?
Despite its abundance and popularity, the diamond edition of the classic puppy-flooded film is on eBay for nearly $4,000.
18. The Great American Bash
Estimated price tag: $4,950
Release date: 1986
This professional wrestling event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was originally released as a pay-per-view.
But with a resale price tag of nearly $5,000, it’s safe to say major collectors and WWE fans are willing to pay quite a bit to view the event on VHS.
17. Commando
thatreallycoolshop / eBay
Estimated price tag: $7,795
Release date: 1985
Retired Special Forces soldier John Matrix, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is living in isolation with his daughter, Jenny (played by a young Alyssa Milano), when all hell breaks loose.
His former commander informs him that many of his fellow soldiers have been assassinated, and he could be next. Instead, a former dictator kidnaps his daughter in hopes of forcing Matrix to help restore the defunct leader to power.
Naturally, Matrix declines, opting to take the dictator down for good and save his daughter in the process. It’s one of Arnold’s better movies, but we’d rather just rent it for a few bucks.
16. Ghostbusters
nostalgia_r_us / eBay
Estimated price tag: $8,999.99
Release date: 1984
Ghostbusters is just as good today as it was when it came out in 1984. Scientists using their brains to battle the supernatural and save New York City is a plot that ages well, and the VHS version has aged well, too.
A first-press, factory-sealed Ghostbusters VHS sold for nearly $9,000 on eBay, and it wasn’t even in mint condition.
15. Kill Bill Vol. 1
q.1vintage / eBay
Estimated price tag: $9,000
Release date: 2004
A former assassin wakes up from a coma after an ex-boyfriend tries to stop her wedding via murder, and she learns that she lost an unborn baby during the attack.
Instead of being overcome by grief, she’s overcome by a lust for revenge on anyone who played a role in the loss of her child. She makes a hit list and doesn’t waste time crossing enemies off of it.
There were two Kill Bill films produced, and there has been some talk of releasing a third movie in the series. If it ever happens, buy it on DVD, leave it in the packaging and hope that it pads your retirement fund in 30 years.
14. Back to the Future
gosouthyoungman / eBay
Estimated price tag: $9,999.99
Release date: 1986
In “Back to the Future,” a California teenager, Marty McFly, is accidentally sent back to the 1950s by his friend Doc Brown. Suddenly, the boy is responsible for securing his parents’ future marriage and saving Doc Brown’s life. And we thought studying for the SAT was stressful.
The selling price of this rare VHS isn’t even the most shocking part. In the movie’s sequel, Marty travels to the future: The distant year of 2015. In our minds, 1990 is still only 10 years ago.
12. The Goonies (Tie)
mvpaw51 / eBay
Estimated price tag: $10,000
Release date: 1986
As a kid, who doesn’t envision themselves saving the day? In the case of brothers Mikey and Brand, it’s not just a daydream. When the two boys find out that a housing developer is planning on forcing their family to vacate their home, they decide to put a stop to it.
The boys find a treasure map in the attic and take their friends, collectively known a the Goonies, on a wild adventure for a buried treasure chest.
This beloved family classic has lots of laughs, and we can see why someone might be nostalgic enough to splurge on a copy.
12. Silent Night, Deadly Night (Tie)
r-strode / eBay
Estimated price tag: $10,000
Release date: 1984
As you’ve probably noticed by now, valuable VHS tapes can be from any genre and are especially sought after if the movie has a cult following. “Silent Night, Deadly Night” is a 1984 American psychological slasher film following the life of a man named Billy.
After witnessing the murder of his parents as a child on Christmas Eve, Billy is understandably traumatized. His mental health takes another blow after he is sent to live in a harsh Catholic orphanage.
Fast-forward to adulthood. Christmas Eve comes around once more, and Billy snaps, dressing up in a Santa suit and going on a killing spree. It doesn’t get much darker than that, but the person who bought the VHS for $10,000 didn’t seem to mind.
11. The Rescuers Down Under
Estimated price tag: $10,999
Release date: 1990
The black-diamond release of the 1990 film “The Rescuers Down Under” recently sold on eBay for a shocking $10,999.
Unfortunately, there’s really no way to predict how these niche VHS films could go for such sky-high amounts.
But the more niche, the higher the price tag.
10. The Big Lebowski
therealgameguys / eBay
Estimated price tag: $12,000
Release date: 1998
In a case of mistaken identity, Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski is assumed to be The Big Lebowski, a millionaire who’s landed himself in debt.
After he’s personally targeted by The Big Lebowski’s not-so-legal creditors, The Dude tracks down the real Lebowski, who offers him a job.
That’s how an average Joe (well, Jeff) ends up on a quest to save a kidnapped woman, bringing his goofy friends along for the ride.
9. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
texas2sale / eBay
Estimated price tag: $12,500
Release date: 1981
The first of Indiana Jones’s epic adventures follows his quest to keep an ancient religious relic out of the hands of a group of Nazis. Along the way, he has to deal with an ex-girlfriend who isn’t his biggest fan, and his own fear of snakes.
Question for anyone who grew up watching “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” When you got older, did it surprise you that quicksand and venomous reptiles weren’t much of a day-to-day issue? Because we thought escaping quicksand was an essential life skill.
8. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
iancingtoysandmovies / eBay
Estimated price tag: $13,000
Release date: 1998
The sequel of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is just as valuable in VHS form as its predecessor.
The beloved and plucky Indiana Jones travels to India in search of the famed Sankara stone.
And, what’s this? It’s cursed? Shocker.
7. 101 Dalmatians: Black Diamond Edition
ricnic4038 / eBay
Estimated price tag: $14,000
Release date: 1961
One hundred and one puppies sound like a dream to kids and a nightmare to most parents. Imagine potty training 100 puppies. No pet deposit would cover that kind of damage, but selling your VHS collection might.
We already listed an ordinary copy of Disney’s “101 Dalmatians,” but this is the Black Diamond Edition that’s much rarer.
Even with a small crack in the plastic case, it sold for thousands.
6. Mulan
Estimated price tag: $15,295
Release date: 1999
Yes, you read that right. In the summer of 2019, a copy of the original 1999 version of “Mulan” sold for an eye-popping $15,295.
It seems that someone just couldn’t wait for the release of the 2020 remake.
5. Top Gun
cultvhs / eBay
Estimated price tag: $18,500
Release date: 1986
The Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School is the place to go if you’re an elite pilot who wants to become the best in the world.
When Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, attends the school, his arrogance quickly gets him into hot water with the other pilots. Can he still make it as the school’s top pilot and win the heart of his stunning flight instructor? You’ll just have to watch this 1980s classic and find out.
In terms of value, it’s the 1987 Pepsi variant that turns a copy of “Top Gun” into an expensive collector’s item. The classic first release is much more common.
4. Star Wars Red Label Set
coreybeamer / eBay
Estimated price tag: $19,908.22
Release date: 1984
The original “Star Wars” trilogy was a work of cinematic brilliance. Few movie franchises have such a devoted following as “Star Wars” does. This copy of the trilogy was still sealed in its original packaging when it was put up for sale on eBay.
The boxes showed some minor wear, reducing the value slightly, but they still sold for almost $20,000. And we thought we were big “Star Wars” fans.
3. Revenge of the Nerds
sacrasells / eBay
Estimated price tag: $25,000
Release date: 1984
Being called a nerd isn’t much of an insult now, but back when nerds got mercilessly bullied and teased, “Revenge of the Nerds” was a hit in 1984.
After a group of notoriously nerdy college students are kicked out of their dorm by the residents of a frat house, the nerds pool together their resources and brainpower to exact revenge.
It didn’t have the best ratings, but someone must have loved it to buy a VHS copy for such a high price.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
cultvhs / eBay
Estimated price tag: $28,500
Release date: 1990
In the original “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie that came out in 1990, the team of turtles goes on an adventure to rescue their master, Splinter, with the help of their new allies. It’s a pretty standard plotline, but the audience ate it up.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” became the highest-grossing independent film at the time, holding that title until it was surpassed by “The Blair Witch Project” in 1999.
The VHS copy sold was a first edition Alliance variant produced in 1990. It’s much harder to find than the FHE (family home entertainment) print version, and it’s considered to be a very rare collectible VHS.
1. Star Wars: A New Hope
chapa-2223 / eBay
Estimated price tag: $35,000
Release date: 1984
“Star Wars” VHS tapes seem to have the greatest potential to become collectibles, and the condition of the tapes helps to determine whether a VHS is worth $100 or $10,000. While some “Star Wars” tapes appeared earlier on this list, this copy of “A New Hope” sold for even more.
That’s because it was brand-new, still sealed in its original plastic packaging from 1984, complete with the white CBS/Fox watermark and two promotional stickers. The copy in question was kept in an acid-free plastic case with little exposure to light.
If you had the foresight to buy a copy back in the ’80s and hide it away in a box for decades, you might be able to fund your next vacation with it.
