25 rare DVDs and Blu-rays collectors will pay a fortune for

Are your old DVDs worth more than you think?

With streaming giants offering instant access to vast libraries, the humble DVD has been discarded by many, left to gather dust or worse. However, the DVD and its successors, the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, are very much alive, and there's a surprisingly lucrative secondhand market for these discs. The most sought-after – think rare releases, limited editions and prized box sets – are highly coveted and sell for big money.

Click or scroll on to find out if you own any of these 25 old DVDs and Blu-rays collectors are clamouring for. 

All dollar amounts in US dollars

The Apprentice Complete First Season: $170 (£131)

In light of the fact the show's frontman is now running America for a second time, the first season of The Apprentice on DVD is a must for anyone interested in Donald Trump's path to the White House. It captures the early moments of the billionaire real estate mogul's reality TV career as he laid the groundwork for his political rise.

If you have a copy knocking about somewhere, it could net you up to a bigly $170 (£131), based on recent eBay sales and Amazon listings.

The Flim-Flam Man Twilight Time Limited Edition: $175 (£135)

This enhanced version of 1967 comedy The Flim-Flam Man was released in 2011 by the now-defunct boutique home media label Twilight Time.

Twilight Time produced only 3,000 copies of the film, which stars George C. Scott as an ageing conman, and this rarity has made it a highly desirable collectible. A copy in very good condition sold on eBay recently for $175 (£135).

Pulp Fiction Collector's Briefcase: $195 (£150)

Quentin Tarantino's 1994 game changer, Pulp Fiction, saw a 15th Anniversary Limited Edition Collector's Briefcase release in 2009.

Popular with superfans of the trailblazing masterpiece, the two-disc Blu-ray set contained within a faithful recreation of the film's mysterious briefcase and is now worth $195 (£150), as reported by British news and entertainment site LADbible.

Alakazam the Great: $200 (£155)

One of the earliest Japanese anime films released in the US, 1960's Alakazam the Great is based on the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West and stars the eponymous monkey.

While US distributor MGM failed to release a DVD version, Congress Video Group did in 1990, in limited quantities. Thanks to its scarcity, the DVD is valued at around $200 (£155), according to online magazine Go Social, though a good-condition copy is currently listed on eBay for $250 (£193).

Trolls – The Beat Goes On! Seasons 5-8: $200 (£155)

This four-disc DVD set features seasons five to eight of the animated series Trolls – The Beat Goes On!, which ran from 2018 to 2019. It was released by Walmart in limited quantities, and nowadays is extremely rare.

For this reason, collectors will dig deep. In February, a copy thought to be the only one available for sale online at that time fetched $200 (£155) on eBay.

The Exorcist 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition: $250 (£192)

Widely considered the scariest movie of all time, 1973 horror classic The Exorcist received a far from unholy DVD/Blu-ray re-release on its 50th anniversary in 2023. Limited to 2,000 copies, the Deluxe Edition is housed in a Bible-like leather-grain case and includes Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD discs, along with a BFI Film Classics paperback, a steel book, movie poster, lobby card reproductions and more.

Entertainment website Upbeat Geek values the special release at $250 (£192), significantly higher than its original retail price of $90 (£70).

The Wicker Man Wooden Box Limited Edition: $291 (£225)

Staying with spine-chilling horror films, The Wicker Man was also released in 1973. The movie tells the story of a policeman who uncovers a creepy cult on a remote Scottish Island. Fittingly, it's a cult classic, and DVDs of the film are always in high demand.

The crème de la crème is the Wooden Box Limited Edition, which hit stores in 2001 and was restricted to 50,000 units. A copy can fetch around $291 (£225), according to research by Bally Casino.

Sonic the Hedgehog: $350 (£270)

No, not the 2020 Hollywood blockbuster. This is the two-part Japanese film from 1999. The DVD showcasing the adventures of the Sega fan favourite is out of print, and devotees of the relatively obscure movie will pay serious cash for a copy.

In fact, a shrink-wrapped specimen, albeit with tears in the packaging, sold on eBay in December for $350 (£270).

Blade Runner Ultimate Collector's Edition Briefcase: $388 (£300)

Released in 2007, the five-disc DVD and Blu-ray Ultimate Collector's Edition of Ridley Scott's landmark 1982 sci-fi movie comes in this retro-futuristic metallic briefcase, a replica of protagonist Rick Deckard's, which is packed with goodies.

A reported 103,000 units of the DVD version alone were produced, so this isn't much of a limited edition. Yet collectors won't think twice about spending up to $388 (£300) to secure a copy, according to Bally Casino.

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Walt Disney Treasures – The Chronological Donald Volume 4: $425 (£328)

Walt Disney Treasures is a series of beautifully packaged DVD sets aimed at collectors. Launched in 2001, it was discontinued in 2009, so copies are in short supply and highly coveted by dedicated Disney buffs.

A copy of one of the most in-demand sets from the series, The Chronological Donald (Duck) Volume 4, recently sold on eBay for $425 (£328).

Futurama – The Complete Collection 1999-2009: $450+ (£348+)

Released in 2009, this DVD set of every single Futurama episode and movie wows with a large Bender's head in which the 19 discs are stored. A copy has been sold on eBay for $450 (£348), and a factory-sealed specimen is currently listed on the site for $750 (£579).

Plus, a special limited-edition version exists that was restricted to 500 copies, each with a hard-numbered letter from the show's creators David X Cohen and Matt Groening, who's pictured here with one at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con. These are undoubtedly worth substantially more than the regular copies.

Star Trek Voyager Borg Cube Box Set: $500 (£386)

Also limited to 500 copies, this Star Trek Voyager box set, which is housed in a striking 'Borg Cube', was released in 2005 in DVD Region 4, which includes Latin America and Oceania.

A collector will stump up a small fortune for a copy. According to Upbeat Geek, the going rate is around $500 (£386). And buyers will pay considerably more for an ultra-rare mint-condition copy. One has been listed on eBay by an Australian seller with a Buy It Now price of $2,892 (£2,234).

Disney Pixar Ultimate Movie Collection: $600 (£464)

This hard-to-find DVD box set launched in 2008 and comprises eight Pixar movies, including A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2 and Ratatouille.

The collection can make up to $600 (£464), as per finance website Moneymade. The Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD versions go for even more, and one has been listed on eBay for $999 (£772).

Disney Classics Complete 1937-2018 Movie Collection: $600 (£463)

Disney really does excel when it comes to creating much-cherished collectible DVD sets that accrue very nicely in value. This 54-disc collection of the studio's most beloved films retailed at $260 (£200) when it was released in 2018.

Its value has since shot up, and a copy in impeccable condition sold on eBay in December for a tidy $600 (£463).

The Real Ghostbusters Complete Collection: $940 (£726)

Another comprehensive box set that's worth a pretty penny, The Real Ghostbusters Complete Collection went on sale in 2008 and boasts every single episode of the show as well as every episode of Slimer!, its spin-off, plus a whole lot more.

According to various internet sources, the box set can fetch from $500 (£386) to $940 (£726), depending on the condition.

AK 100 – 25 Films By Akira Kurosawa: $850 (£656)

The Criterion Collection is renowned for its exquisite DVD box sets, which collectors can't get enough of. Among the most coveted is AK 100 – 25 Films By Akira Kurosawa.

The box set of classics by the legendary Japanese filmmaker sells on eBay for up to $850 (£656), according to TV and film website SceenCrush, with one fetching $800 (£618) at auction in December.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum Complete Collection: $1,000+ (£773+)

As we've already discovered, Japanese anime DVDs can be major moneyspinners, and this box set of what's considered one of the best anime series of all time is no exception.

A replacement disc from the Platinum Complete Collection of all 26 episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion, which ran from 1995 to 1996, sold on eBay in January for $1,000 (£773). An exceedingly rare Blu-ray version has been listed on the site for $6,000 (£4,636).

Bruce Lee Spectrum Collection Limited Edition: $1,000 (£773)

Launched in 2004 in limited numbers, the out-of-print Bruce Lee Spectrum Collection comes in a fancy silver case and showcases four of the Kung Fu master's movies, including The Way of the Dragon and Fist of Fury, as well as a Bruce Lee documentary.

The holy grail DVD set for diehard fans of the martial arts star, it can sell for up to $1,000 (£773), according to Upbeat Geek.

Unsolved Mysteries – The Ultimate Collection: $1,020 (£788)

Recently revived by Netflix, the original Unsolved Mysteries spooked viewers from 1987 to 2010. The Ultimate Collection DVD box set is the essential purchase for fans of the resurrected show. Presented in a huge chest, it contains, among other things, 25 discs offering hours of gripping episodes.

A mint copy sold on eBay in January for $1,020 (£788).

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – Legacy Collection: $1,140 (£881)

Launched in 2015 to mark the 20th anniversary of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, this sensational box set packs in 96 DVDs containing all 767 episodes of the show.

Best of all, the set comes with a replica of a Red Ranger's helmet that doubles up as a storage case for the DVDs. A limited edition of 2,000, getting hold of a copy doesn't come cheap these days. In February, a specimen that includes two sealed Power Rangers movie DVDs was offloaded on eBay by a Canadian seller for $1,140 (£881).

Wings 1971-73 Super Deluxe Box Set: $1,435 (£1,110)

Hardcore fans of Paul McCartney and his post-Beatles project will pay through the nose to get their hands on a copy of the Wings 1971-73 Super Deluxe Box Set, which includes 11 discs.

Released in 2018, only 2,597 copies were reportedly produced, and the limited edition sold out almost immediately. Needless to say, the set is worth a substantial amount today, selling for up to $1,435 (£1,110), according to the Value Your Music price archive.

Dragon Ball Z Dragon Box Volumes 1-7: $1,700 (£1,315)

Back to ridiculously desirable anime DVDs, this awesome collection of box sets of the Japanese series Dragon Ball Z was released in the noughties, though the series dates from 1989 to 1995. The set is notable for its panoramic spine art, which makes for a fantastic decorative feature when the boxes are displayed on a shelf.

In terms of value, a full set sold on eBay in January for $1,700 (£1,315).

Essential Art House – 50 years of Janus Films: $1,900 (£1,468)

The most valuable of the prestigious Criterion Collection sets, Essential Art House – 50 Years of Janus Films, was released in 2006 and is now out of print. The ultra-premium box set pays homage to US distributor Janus Films, which introduced American audiences to a wealth of international art house movies.

Cinephiles will pay an arm and a leg to acquire the box set, which features 50 acclaimed films. Just before Christmas, a copy fetched almost $1,900 (£1,468) on eBay.

Walt Disney Treasures Premium Collection: $2,000 (£1,545)

As we've previously mentioned, the Walt Disney Treasures DVD series is highly coveted by aficionados of the beloved studio, and given the scarcity of copies, secondhand prices have surged since its launch in 2001.

The crown jewel is the Premium Collection. Released in 2009 in a limited edition of 3,000, the 57-disc box set sells on eBay for up to $2,000 (£1,545).

BTS Season's Greetings: $2,075 (£1,604)

BTS fans, or the ARMY as they're affectionately nicknamed, are renowned for their buying power and spend more money than any other K-pop fandom. This largesse extends to DVDs, despite the tech probably seeming ancient to many devotees of the boy band.

In 2020, a pristine copy of the group's Season's Greetings box set from that same year sold for $2,075 (£1,604), according to Value Your Music.

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