Movie Props

Everything You Need to Know About Movie Props

What movie fan hasn't searched for a Darth Vader costume or the leather armor worn by Russell Crowe in Gladiator? These and other prop replicas are among the items that fans look for when they start a collection of movie props. These prop replicas make excellent additions to any collection.

People collect props using a variety of methods. Some like to go with movies from a certain era of Hollywood history. For example, they may gravitate toward collecting items from movies from the 1930s and 1940s. Others may choose to collect movie properties from a specific movie trilogy or series like Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, or The Hungers Games, to name but a few. Still others may opt for specific kinds of properties like dishes or costumes or weaponry. However, there is no right way or wrong way to collect these items.

Budget may also be a consideration for some film fans. That being the case, some may opt to get a movie replica instead of the original prop. Or they may decide to buy the stunt version of a prop instead of the one that was used by the actor on screen. It should be noted that sometimes movie studios will also make a replica of an item. These look like the original, but have been made specifically for people who collect movie memorabilia.

These are items like guns, furniture, whiskey glasses, knives, helmets, fake money, teacups, fake food, and other items that movie makers use on set. The word prop is short for "properties."

Property replicas of these items were made for mass production. These types of memorabilia allow fans to collect key props inspired by, or actually from, their favorite films.

Prop replicas and movie properties vary. One way to determine which of these items might be worth collecting is to think back on some famous movie scenes. What items are in those shots that either "decorate" the set or that the actors used during the course of action?

If you're getting the idea that you could collect almost any kind of properties from your favorite movies, you'd be correct. Marvel comics, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Game of Thrones, Middle Earth (The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings), Buffy the Vampire Slayer, any number of Disney movies, and the Matrix trilogy are just some of the film and TV franchises that have props and prop replicas to collect.

You can find a fast collection of used props listed on eBay. Some popular categories include:

• Prop money
• Prop gun
• Back to the Future props
• Captain America shield
• Ghostbusters Proton Pack