Check your collection! 29 valuable VHS tapes that could be worth up to $13k

Valuable VHS tapes you might have at home

Got a box of old VHS tapes gathering dust in your garage or attic? It might be time to dig them out, as savvy movie fans are making a fortune right now by selling their rare or top-quality videotapes on eBay and other markets.

While some of the prices quoted here are surprisingly high, it's worth remembering that these are often for pristine condition and, in some cases, still sealed tapes in their original boxes. 

Read on to discover 29 of the most valuable VHS tapes and see the lucrative sums they're fetching.

All dollar amounts in US dollars.

Top Gun: $1,379

Top Gun was one of the highest-grossing movies of the 1980s, so it's likely that many people own, or have owned, a copy of the action flick on VHS.

Still have yours? Well, original factory-sealed versions have sold for as much as $1,379. Factory-sealed tapes are the holy grail of VHS collectibles and tend to appreciate in value over time, therefore commanding higher prices. So, if you opened yours, sadly it's not likely worth much today.

Gremlins: $1,439

The 1980s horror-comedy Gremlins is a cult classic today, and film fans will pay unbelievable prices to own it on VHS.

For example, a first-print, factory-sealed copy in mint condition previously fetched an incredible $1,439. Meanwhile, used versions are listed on eBay from $13 upwards.

They Live: $1,475

Since its release in 1988, John Carpenter's They Live has become a cult classic. Like many low-budget sci-fi films of the time, the movie had a limited production run, meaning that the 1989 first-press VHS tapes are rare and can sell for huge amounts.

For example, one sealed edition sold for a staggering $1,475. Used copies can also fetch a decent sum. Recently, an unsealed copy fetched around $180 on eBay.

Stand By Me: $1,500

Stand by Me, the 1986 coming-of-age movie based on a story by Stephen King, is widely regarded as a cinematic classic.

Mint condition, factory-sealed VHS tapes have sold for up to $1,500 on eBay. If you think a copy might be hiding in your attic, it could be time to get searching.

Batman: $1,525

While there have been numerous imaginings of the vigilante superhero over the years, Tim Burton's 1989 Batman, starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, is potentially worth big bucks.

First edition factory-sealed copies of the VHS have fetched up to $1,525 on eBay.

First Blood: $1,525

The 1982 movie First Blood, starring Sylvester Stallone, is a VHS worth searching your collection for.

Sealed copies of the action epic have fetched around $1,525 on eBay.

Dumbo: $1,575

Disney memorabilia, including VHS tapes, are highly collectable and can be worth a tidy sum.

For example, a Dumbo VHS sold for $1,575. The factory-sealed tape came packaged with a Mickey Mouse ornament, making it a rare and valuable find.

Conan the Barbarian: $1,725

It's worth checking your VHS collection for the 1982 fantasy adventure movie Conan the Barbarian, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

A first edition, factory-sealed copy sold for $1,725. The tape was graded by the Investment Grading Services (IGS). Collectors will pay more for IGS-graded VHS tapes, as the grading is widely considered to be indicative of a safer investment, especially when purchasing online.

Alien: $1,775

Released in 1979, most sci-fi-horror fans are likely to own (or have owned) a VHS copy of Ridley Scott's Alien.

If you think you have one at home somewhere, it could be worth digging out. Factory-sealed editions have sold for up to $1,775. 

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Jaws: $1,800

Steven Spielberg's creature feature Jaws, released in 1975, still has moviegoers afraid of going into the water decades later. But how much will fans pay to own the defining horror hit on VHS?

Well, a factory-sealed version in great condition and graded by the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) sold for around $1,800.

Predator: $1,824

The franchise-spawning sci-fi movie Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, hit the silver screen in 1987, and the first VHS release of the action flick is very lucrative.

A factory-sealed version sold for an impressive $1,824. Meanwhile, unsealed versions of the VHS in pristine condition have fetched around $490.

Superman II: $1,859

Anything relating to superheroes or comic books (or both, for that matter) is much sought-after, with fans lapping up everything from clothing and dolls to décor, artwork, and, of course, videotapes.

With that in mind, a VHS copy of 1980's Superman II is worth a small fortune. An original first-press factory-sealed edition of the movie fetched $1,859. Although first presses naturally tend to be more valuable, a still-sealed copy from 1990 sold for a not-too-shabby $331. 

Taxi Driver: $1,905

Martin Scorsese's gritty thriller Taxi Driver is a defining part of cinema history, and film buffs are willing to pay a premium price to own it on VHS.

As a result, first-edition, IGS-graded copies of the movie have fetched a cool $1,905 on eBay. 

Superman: $1,913

Superhero connoisseurs might also want to check their collections for 1978's Superman.

A factory-sealed copy dating back to 1986 sold for an impressive $1,913. It goes without saying that the earlier the press, the more money it's likely to make.

RoboCop: $1,950

 A rare sealed first press IGS-graded VHS of the 1987 movie RoboCop sold for a whopping $1,950.

Meanwhile, a similar factory-sealed first press VHS, but without the IGS grading, fetched the tidy sum of $1,825.

Ghostbusters: $1,999

If you grew up in the 1980s, you almost certainly possessed a Ghostbusters VHS at some point, and you might be about to kick yourself if you threw yours away.

Factory-sealed copies with a covetable red border design are now worth a small fortune on eBay. One 1985 version fetched a whopping $1,999, and a 1984 first edition sold for $1,875.

Kill Bill: $2,000

Any film buff worth their salt is familiar with the work of Quentin Tarantino, whose recent films include The Hateful Eight and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. However, it's the factory-sealed tapes of the iconic filmmaker's earlier works that can sell for big money.

Want an example? An IGS-graded copy of 2003's Kill Bill Volume 1 sold for $2,000. A factory-sealed version, minus the IGS grading, also fetched a tidy $599.99. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie: $2,015

If you were a 90s kid or the parent of one, you might have owned a copy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie, which landed in cinemas in 1990.

A first press, sealed VHS sold for $2,015. Why the premium price? The tape featured a Pizza Hut sticker on the box, marking it out as an extremely rare and limited edition version of the movie.

Superman III: $2,027

Just like the other installments of the franchise, a VHS of the Superman III movie, which flew onto screens in 1983, is more sought-after than ever, thanks to superheroes enjoying a prolonged surge in popularity.

Want proof? A factory-sealed, first-press edition of the flick fetched a superb $2,027 on eBay. 

Bloodsport: $2,175

Released in 1988 and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as US Army Captain Frank Dux, Bloodsport is a cult classic. It's tricky to track down a copy of the martial arts movie on tape, meaning the VHS can command a high price.

A first-edition sealed VHS went for $2,175, so it's definitely worth checking to see if you have this one hiding in your collection.

Fight Club: $2,275

Fight Club is a favorite with film fanatics, and many would pay a small fortune to add a rare VHS edition of David Fincher's masterpiece to their collection.

Graded 'double mint' by the IGS, a first press, factory-sealed VHS of the 1999 movie fetched $2,275 on eBay. The 'double mint' accolade means the tape is in pristine condition, in case you were wondering.

Star Wars: $2,500

Many devoted Star Wars fans are willing to pay high prices for memorabilia. This includes VHS tapes. A factory-sealed copy of 1977's Star Wars (before it was Episode IV - A New Hope) fetched a whopping $2,500 on eBay.

Purchasing older VHS presses of the original trilogy is one of the few ways to view an unaltered version of the film, with the more recent editions featuring added or updated special effects. For this reason, the originals are now worth serious money, even when unsealed.  

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: $3,116

The 1971 musical Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, based on the bestselling book by Roald Dahl and starring Gene Wilder, is a cinematic gem. VHS copies of the beloved movie are rare and therefore command premium prices.

Recently, one sold for an astonishing $3,116 on eBay, highlighting just how much collectors will fork out for rare tapes, even when unsealed and not graded. 

The Little Mermaid: $3,640

Contrary to what various online articles claim, it's a myth that owning so-called 'Black Diamond' Disney VHS tapes could set you up for an early retirement. However, one Disney VHS that could earn you big bucks is the 'banned' 1989 edition of The Little Mermaid, which made a splash on its release for all the wrong reasons. The VHS caused controversy among parents, who believed the castle depicted on the box had phallic design elements. 

Subsequent VHS covers for the movie were released, making the original 'taboo' version extremely rare and valuable. One sealed copy sold for a whopping $3,640.

The Goonies: $4,050

If you grew up in the 1980s, there's a high chance you owned the cult classic movie The Goonies on VHS. And if you threw your copy in the trash, you might be kicking yourself.

First-edition, IGS-graded copies are worth sizable sums, with one fetching an incredible $4,050 on eBay.

Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back: $4,266

A factory-sealed, IGS-graded VHS of 1980's Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back, pressed in 1984, fetched $4,266.

Since the rights to the franchise were acquired by Disney in 2012, Star Wars has enjoyed a major revival, which only serves to boost the value of the videotapes.

Back to the Future: $4,669

Any film lover growing up in the 1980s most likely owned the sci-fi hit Back to the Future on VHS.

A factory-sealed copy, graded by the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), recently fetched a phenomenal $4,669.

Star Wars – Return of the Jedi: $5,301

If you can bear to part ways with your copy of Star Wars – Return of the Jedi, a 1986 press of the movie sold for an eye-watering $5,301.

Naturally, to command such a high price, it was factory-sealed and IGS-graded. We think Luke Skywalker would approve.

Blade Runner: $12,979

Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, has cemented its place in cinematic history as a sci-fi classic. Recently, a VHS of the 1980s film sold for an unbelievable sum on eBay.

The first-print, factory-sealed tape, which was graded by Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) as in near-perfect condition, sold for a whopping $12,979.

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