The Legend Of Hillbilly John
Photo: Hollywoodreporter.com
It seems like just yesterday when VHS tapes and DVDs ruled the world, yet they’ve been obsolete for years now. Finding them is becoming harder and harder with each passing year, so the value of these movies is actually increasing as time goes on.
You know that box, filled with old dust-covered VHS tapes and DVDs sitting in your parents’ basement at this very moment? Well, it might just contain some extremely valuable items. From Disney classics, to straight-to-VHS cult phenomenons, the following is a list of old flicks that are now worth a nice chunk of change. The question is- do you have any of them…?
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Many people may not be aware of even the existence of a movie called The Legend of Hillbilly John, but maybe they should be because a DVD copy of this can be purchased for $149 on eBay. Maybe it’s the film’s obscurity, but for whatever reason, it’s pretty valuable.
The 1972 film tells the tale of a wandering singer who goes back in time and lands in a precarious situation with the Devil himself. If you can get your hands on this rare movie, you’d probably end up watching it with that plotline.
Kung Fury
Steven Spielberg has a plenty of iconic films under his belt, with his E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is certainly one of them. The beloved story about a boy befriending the adorable alien has become cherished in the four decades since its release.
Believe it or not, someone who has a VHS tape of the 1982 classic may be able to get around $70 for it. Some copies of the movie may be so rare that they’ve been reportedly sold for a whopping price of $4,500.
Hellraiser
Like many of the movies on this list, Kung Fury was not a major success when it came to the box office. However, it has had a positive reception from audiences over the years. It’s a Swedish comedy in English that gives a bow to some of the more classic martial arts films.
The crowd that would most likely be into this are fans of those 1980s martial arts/cop films. If you do want to get a copy this movie on DVD, it’s going to end up costing you about $200.
The Godfather
The 1987 classic horror film Hellraiser has caused plenty of kids from that decade to have tons of nightmares. It made its stamp on pop culture with the spine-chilling character of Pinhead, the villain with a face covered in nails.
To get a Blu-ray version of this terrifying film is going to cost you. For a limited-edition copy of it, the price tag is $300, which includes two discs and a 200-page book that has some never-before-seen concept art.
The Evil Dead
The Godfather is known as one of the best movies of all time. Starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, the film revolves around an organized crime dynasty.
The first film was such a hit that it spawned two sequels. A box set with the complete collection of movies is currently going for $350 on eBay.
Professional Wrestling Tapes
1981’s horror film The Evil Dead is about five friends on a trip who wind up discovering the Book of the Dead. Inevitably, upon reading from the book, they summon a bunch of demons from the forest near them.
For some reason, when it comes to collectibles, horror movies are much more in demand and can fetch a good sum if the movie is older. The special-edition version of Evil Dead on VHS can get some people a nice return of $1,000.
Star Wars
Photo: Ebay.com
The world of wrestling is huge. There are die-hard fans all over the world that make wrestling a multi-million-dollar industry. Wrestling was also a very popular genre on VHS tapes.
Nowadays, finding certain tapes can be extremely hard. For example, a sealed copy of Rampage ‘97 can be bought for $700, which is impressive. Other tapes might go for even more.
The Prowler
Star Wars is one of the most successful franchises in history. It has spawned many sequels, TV shows, comic books, and lots of merchandise. There are die-hard fans everywhere that love collecting Star Wars-related products.
An original, sealed VHS tape of any of the original three movies can go for $2,300. For such old VHS tapes of movies that you can watch anywhere nowadays, it’s a lot of money.
Halloween
When you think of The Prowler, you may think of the Marvel villain or the 1981 horror film, but we are actually talking about the 1951 film this time. The movie is not very famous, and yet a BluRay of it can cost you $99.
The film is about a woman who calls the police after she suspects that a peeping tom is around her house. She then falls in love with the officer that investigates her report, and strange things begin to happen.
The Beast In Heat
Halloween is one of the most famous horror movies ever made. The original film was so successful that it became a whole franchise, and new movies are still being made.
While you can find a copy of this movie pretty much everywhere, a new, factory-sealed VHS from 1981 can be found on eBay for $300. It’s a very rare find, hence the price.
Salò, Or The 120 Days Of Sodom
Have you ever heard of The Beast in Heat? If you haven’t, it is probably because it was banned shortly after it was released on VHS. The reason why this movie was banned becomes pretty obvious once you learn about the plot.
Basically, it is about an SS officer that creates a beast to torture prisoners in concentration camps during WWII. Yikes. Rare copies of this obscure film are valued at $40.
My Neighbor Totoro
Salò or the 120 Days of Sodom is a 1975 Italian film that was banned right after its release. The film, which was director Pier Paolo Pasolini’s last movie before he passed away, had a resurgence in the 1990s but was quickly banned again.
So, how bad does a movie have to be banned not once but twice? Well, it depicted extremely graphic and excessively violent sequences of torture and assault. A copy of the first DVD pressing of the movie is worth an estimated $400.
Beauty And The Beast
My Neighbor Totoro is a Japanese film released in 1988 that is still very present in pop culture. You can find merchandise of the adorable Totoro pretty much everywhere, even though the movie is four decades old.
This classic Hayao Miyazaki film, which tells the story of two little girls who move to the countryside and befriend a strange creature named Totoro, can be bought for $100 on the internet.
Dumbo
Have you ever heard of Disney Black Diamond tapes? They are VHS tapes of classic Disney films, which are very rare to find and high in value.
But, how high? Believe it or not, a Beauty and the Beast Black Diamond tape can go for as much as $900,000, believe it or not. If you happen to own one that is in good condition, you might be sitting on a gold mine.
The Little Mermaid
Although it wasn’t very popular when it was first released, Dumbo has become one of the most famous Disney movies of all time. Because of this, the Black Diamond VHS can go for $2,500 on eBay.
In case you don’t remember, the movie tells the story of an adorable elephant that is ridiculed for his big ears, but once he learns to use them to fly, his life changes forever.
The Great Mouse Detective
The Little Mermaid is about a young mermaid named Ariel who falls in love with a human and decides to leave the ocean forever. She makes a deal with an evil witch in order to become human but has to give up her voice in order to do so.
This movie is known for starting the Disney renaissance and changing the company’s history forever. A VHS copy in mint condition is valued at $35,000.
Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends
The Great Mouse Detective is one of those Disney movies that many people have never heard of, as it was part of Disney’s dark age. During this time, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy, and most of the movies they released were financial disasters.
This movie did better than its predecessors and helped bring the company out of the shadows. Nowadays, an unsealed, Black-Diamond VHS tape of this movie is worth thousands of dollars. Because of its rarity, a copy might be worth up to $10,000.
The Rescuers Down Under
Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends is a British TV series that became a hit show all around the world. It first aired in 1984, and new spinoffs and series are still being made today.
A VHS tape of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends: Trusted Thomas and Other Stories can be found for $166 because it is pretty old and rare. Newer episodes are, of course, much cheaper to buy.
Fantasia
Didn’t we tell you that Disney Black Diamond movies were extremely valuable? Another Disney classic that is expensive to get on VHS nowadays is The Rescuers Down Under.
This colorful movie is about two mice who are on a mission to save a 9-year-old boy and a golden eagle from a poacher in Australia. The Black Diamond edition in perfect condition is worth $11,000.
Mulan
Fantasia is very different from other Disney movies. It is a collection of short cartoons that go along with classical music pieces. The most memorable cartoon in the film is The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, starring Mickey Mouse.
The 1991 edition of the movie’s VHS can be found on the internet for $11,000, as it was the final release of the movie, making it very valuable and rare.
Robin Hood
Mulan was released in 1999 and was part of the Disney renaissance, the era during which Disney regained its popularity and was restored to its former glory. The movie is still very popular and was recently re-made in a live-action format.
A special-edition VHS tape of this ‘90s classic kept in perfect condition can be sold for up to $15,000. This is probably due to the fact that Mulan is one of the most beloved Disney movies of all time.
Cinderella
The story of Robin Hood has been adapted a million times over the years, but the Disney classic is one that stood the test of time. 1973’s Robin Hood was a critical and commercial success, and many people remember this movie fondly.
For die-hard Disney fans and collectors, it can be hard to find a VHS copy of this film. For those who can afford it, they can get it for $12,000.
Barney & Friends
We are talking about yet another Disney classic; this time, it’s Cinderella’s turn. This has got to be one of the most famous movies of all time.
This beautiful adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale was released in 1950 and was one of the earliest films made by Walt Disney himself. A VHS copy is worth around $15,000.
Lady And The Tramp
Barney is probably the most famous purple dinosaur to ever exist. This character has been around since 1992 and has appeared in many movies and the show Barney & Friends, which was canceled in 2010.
Countless different VHS tapes and DVDs featuring Barney have been released over the years, but some specific ones are very rare and valuable. For example, a library-only copy of Love to Read with Barney was sold on eBay for almost $1,000 in 2019.
101 Dalmatians
Who could forget the iconic scene in Lady and the Tramp where the two dogs share spaghetti and end up having their first kiss? This scene became so popular so fast that it was parodied in countless movies and shows.
It was originally released in 1955, but the 1992 Black Diamond VHS tape is the most valuable copy available. If you want it, you have to be ready to shell out $20,000 for it.
Bambi
101 Dalmatians drove a whole generation of parents insane as their children begged them to buy them a dalmatian. This 1961 Disney classic also brought us one of the most memorable Disney villains of all time: Cruella De Vil.
A VHS copy of this beloved movie goes for as much as $22,500, even if it’s been used. We’re not sure what exactly makes it so valuable, but there are many people out there willing to pay this price.
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs
Speaking of Disney classics, let’s talk about Bambi. This movie traumatized children for generations and generations thanks to the heartbreaking scene in which Bambi’s mother is killed by a hunter in front of him.
Despite the brutality of that particular scene, Bambi is still one of the most popular Disney movies ever made. A limited-edition VHS tape of this film can be bought for $24,000.
The Fox And The Hound
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney’s first full-length film, and it changed the movie industry forever. It is crazy to think that this 1937 is still just as popular today as it was back then.
Obviously, when the movie was first released, there was no such thing as a VHS. The oldest VHS of this movie is from 1994, and it is worth about $52,000.
Aladdin
The Fox and the Hound is very similar to Bambi in that it’s an old Disney movie involving animals and dark themes. In fact, this movie is known as one of Disney’s darkest films.
Despite that, many people feel extremely nostalgic about it, which is why an old VHS tape of this classic is going for a whopping $60,000 on eBay. Nostalgia is an extremely powerful emotion.
Masters Of The Universe Eternia Playset
We’ve saved the best for last, and this one is truly unbelievable. You’d think that finding an old Aladdin VHS tape in a garage sale would cost you just a couple of dollars – and you’d be right.
However, finding an unsealed, Black-Diamond edition of this movie on eBay may cost you up to $1,000,000 for reasons we just don’t understand. Apparently, it’s very, very rare and valuable.
In the event that you come up short looking for old VHS tapes and DVDs that could bring you fast cash, it may be time to look at your favorite childhood toys to see if any of them could bring you a small fortune instead. From action figures to hot wheels, have a rummage through your old toy bin and see what sort of cash you could unknowingly be storing in the attic…
G.I. Joe Action Figures
Stocks and bonds have long been considered sound investments if you’re willing to patiently sit on them for years and years. But what about other commodities that gain value over time, such as…toys? Yes, toys! Do you still own toys from your childhood? If so, you might be sitting on a goldmine.
Check whether your Tamagotchis, Barbies, and other popular toys from yesteryear are some of the rare kind; you might just get lucky and make a fortune. It’s not as hard as you might think, as many of what ended up being called “limited edition” or “rare” toys were commonly sold in stores worldwide. Check out these pictures that you’re about to see, and if you happen to have any of these toys laying around your home, you might be floored by just how valuable they are…
McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys
He-Man and his gang often fought to save Eternia from the likes of Skeletor. Because the show became such a great success, action figures of He-Man, his friends, and his enemies were made, but so were toys of the fantastical world they defended. But the Eternia playset was only made for a year (between 1986 and 1987).
And that’s exactly why all three figures from the set can sell anywhere between $1500 and $1900. One of the three towers goes for $550, and a single piece sells for $50.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards
G.I. Joe was introduced by Hasbro in 1964. It took no time for this figurine to become a hot ticket item, nor was it a surprise when collectors made this part of their inventory. And even though it may not be as popular as it used to be, there are still people willing to pay some serious cash for these action figures.
A prototype sold for $200,000 at an auction in 2003. The Missile Command Center was purchased for $17,500, and even other characters from the series went for ten big ones.
Disney VHS Tapes
Can you imagine selling the tiny toys you got for free in your McDonald’s kid’s meals for actual money? Well, that has become a thing, especially for those who want to collect all the old-time, limited edition characters that McDonald’s used to manufacture and give out (for no money at all). You wouldn’t believe how much people are willing to pay for them.
Some individual toys sell for $100 each, while the rarer ones, like the McFurby, are going for almost $1000, depending on the condition. All you need to do is find a collector.
Lite-Brite
The story of Yugi and the Pharaoh that resided in him or his millennium puzzle piece is one that had viewers gripped since the very first episode. Add in the incredible card game the show introduced (Duel Monsters) and you had a fad the boys, girls, teens, and even adults got into.
In the series, certain cards like the Egyptian God cards, the Dark Magician (Yugi’s favorite), and the Blue Eyes White Dragon were among the most popular. In mint condition, the Blue Eyes can sell for $6000.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures
Any kids from the late ‘80s to early 2000s will know about Disney’s VHS tapes. They were classic necessities that were required in almost every household because who didn’t love Disney? And these beloved movies, although available online or via Apple TV now, are still hot ticket items despite cassette players having been made redundant.
The Black Diamond version of Beauty and the Beast could fetch you anywhere between $1000 and $9000. In 2018, a banned cover of The Little Mermaid went for just under $4300.
Super Soakers
Lite-Brite is a game that everyone played with at least once during their time in Kindergarten. It was sort of like an electronic Etch-a-Sketch, where people could put colored lights into an electronic board to create a colorful picture. The device came with some outlines to help, but you could create your own images too.
This device was invented in 1967 and enjoyed some time in popularity, but it’s being sold for only $310 online. For an older electronic device, this seems surprising.
Lego Trains
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were first popularized because of the comic books, which turned into a TV series. Then came the clothes, followed by the toys. Live-action movies are still being made so many years later. And it’s because these four brothers and their stories amazed so many fans.
Individually, depending on the toy, you can get almost $1000; a new 1994 Undercover Raphael went for $700, while a set of four Playmates figures were sold for $800. It all depends on who you’ve got and the condition of the toys.
Ultra Rare Pokemon Cards
No late ‘90s to early ’00s childhood was complete without a Super Soaker fight in someone’s backyard. These toys are still being made today, but with much better upgrades and even larger water capacities. But the earliest ones are being sold for some really good change, if you can find a collector.
Rare ones can get you $300 online, and the still-boxed vintage ones can go for even more. There was one that made it into the Guinness Book of World Records, as it was in excellent condition, and it sold for nearly $500.
Classic Nintendo NES Console
No one knew how successful the world’s most famous building blocks would be when they were first introduced in 1949. Decades later, Lego is still relevant and creating superhero movies with the likes of Batman and Aquaman. And it’s probably why some of their products have been collectors’ items.
And we’re talking about the Lego train sets. The Steam Cargo, the Diesel Freight Train, and the High-Speed City Express Train can go as low as $1500 to as high as $3000.
Garbage Pail Kids Cards
Pokemon cards aren’t actually that vintage; they were first created in 1996 in Japan and become a worldwide hit quickly after. Today, the truest of fans are still collecting these cards, and because of the demand, some of them are expensive enough to buy a car. Or even a tiny house. At a September 2016 auction, a PSA 10 Charizard sold for a whopping $11,999.
And that’s not even the most shocking example. In November of that same year, a Pikachu Illustrator card was sole for almost $55,000 at another auction.
1982 Skeletor Action Figure
Nintendo games are very well-loved in the gaming community on every continent. The consoles are still being bought like crazy, and new models are being made every few years. But some of the old ones still exist, and if you have one, you can get upwards of $1000 for one.
And you can get even more if you have the original games, like The Legend of Zelda or Super Mario Brothers. When you think about it, this old console is worth more than some of the best laptops on the market today.
Toy Story Toys
The Garbage Pail Kids were a series of trading cards released in the mid-’80s. The idea behind them was to make fun of Cabbage Patch Dolls, other toys that were extremely popular at the time. But they ended up being a huge hit! And they’re now worth tons of money.
The opened ones are not worth much, but the unopened rare ones? You’re in for such a treat. We’ve seen cases where cardholders have gotten a few thousand for one: we’re talking $4000 for a card.
Boba Fett Action Figure
Kids of the eighties and nineties will know all about He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. His adventures to protect his world against the evil Skeletor had kids and adults hooked. So it’s really no surprise that some of the rare toys are now being collected by the show’s truest fans.
A vintage 1982 Skeletor Action Figure complete with the sword and staff can get you over $1500. It’s much more shocking because this villain’s toy goes for more than a couple hundred dollars more than the hero’s ($1000).
The Original Easy Bake Oven
There’s nothing really vintage about Toy Story. In fact, most millennials were probably teens or pre-teens when the first movie came out. But there was a craze associated with this film’s premise that toys would talk when we (the kids and adults) were away. And so, toys were made. Toys that are now very valuable.
Research shows that a Buzz Lightyear toy in mint condition can collect $550 easily, while Woody goes for just a few dollars more. But the memorabilia can also fetch you a pretty penny; the alien USB webcam sold for almost $700.
Vintage Colorforms
If you’re an avid Star Wars fan, then you’ll know who Boba Fett is. This bounty hunter of the stars is still one of the most sought-after Star Wars figurines on the market, which is why, when found, it pays more than a couple thousand. The better the condition, the more the price goes up.
A boxed or mint-condition Boba Fett can go for $5000. If you can find other members of the Star Wars crew, you can walk away with someone’s yearly salary.
Air Jordans
The original Easy Bake Oven was introduced in 1963, more than 50 years ago. It was placed on the market right before Christmas of that year and quickly became the toy that every little girl around America (and soon, the world) wanted to have. This tiny faux kitchen was not very expensive when it came out, but now, you can get thousands for it online.
An original could get you $4000: that’s right, enough to buy more than one real, working, pie-baking oven. If you can get your hands on a few, you’ll be set for a few months.
Cabbage Patch Kids
We say vintage Colorforms because these toys are still being made today. They were first invented in 1951. In earlier times, the company would release special versions, some of which included Pacman. And as the years have gone by, the prices of these vintage toys (those from the fifties and sixties) have gone up.
Now, you can get anywhere from a couple hundred to $300 for one. There are even those that can sell for nearly $400 (but those have to be sealed in their original boxes).
Original Monopoly
Now we understand that Air Jordans aren’t toys, but they were the shoes every single little boy and girl who watched Space Jam wanted, or, for that matter, any man or woman who was a fan of Michael Jordan. The basketball star even sold a pair of these that he wore during the 1997 NBA Finals, and you wouldn’t believe the price they went for.
Michael Jordan sold his 1997 finals shoes for $104,000. The second most expensive pair went for $100,000 and were inspired by Canadian rapper Drake.
Hot Wheels
The Cabbage Patch Kids dolls were first released in 1978 and became a worldwide phenomenon soon after. But certain dolls were special and limited edition, and the very first ones are extremely valuable. There are even those with yarn-like red hair that are extremely rare and could make you tons of money.
Based on eBay listings, these old-school dolls can go for $100 a doll to $1500 for the earlier versions. So, it may be a good idea to look around at the ones you have to see how much you can get.
Mario Kart 64
Monopoly is a game about making money, and it should come as no surprise that the original 1933 version of the game is really expensive. First editions of any old item that rose to popularity are probably going to bring in a fair amount of cash, and the fact that this game is still being played today only increases its value to collectors.
The game set is selling for an outstanding price of $146,500, with later or special editions fetching their own (lesser) prices.
Jurassic Park Toys
Every kid probably had at least one or two Hot Wheels car models in their house. There were so many varieties that it could be hard to know if you really had anything particularly rare until many years later, when certain units were revealed to have a low production run.
These little cars have prices that vary widely, but the most expensive one is the “1969 Volkswagen Beach Bomb,” which is selling for $125,000.
Princess Diana Beanie Baby
Getting money for old toys and games all depends on the condition those items are in. Take Mario Kart 64 for example, which was released just over 20 years ago in 1977. A used one will not get you much: only $25. But that number can be multiplied ten-fold if it’s factory sealed.
Can you imagine having 10 or 20 of these factory sealed games lying around? Your bank account will thank you for the extra $2500 to $5000.
Strawberry Shortcake Dolls
If you’re a hardcore dinosaur fan, then you might have seen the old-school Jurassic Park movies where we learned about T-Rex and other raptors. And now, actor Chris Pratt has brought it all back in the new Jurassic World films. It’s probably why the old-school toys are finally worth something.
Depending on the creature you have, you can get anywhere from $1000 to $2000 for the boxed toys. The prototypes that didn’t make it to production are even more expensive.
Molly McIntire American Girl Doll
The Princess Diana Beanie Baby was a special edition plush toy that was released mere months after the tragic car accident that resulted in the royal’s death. The company created different versions, but the very first is called the ghost version. And those are the ones that can get you the big bucks.
These plushies can go for $1000. But they have to be in top shape. Also, it’s important to look out for fakes; the rose embroidery is a good place to start.
Spice Girls Dolls
Strawberry Shortcake Dolls were such a big hit back in the day that it’s surprising that they’re not worth more today. But if you have a collection, you can get a nice chunk of change for selling these dolls online. The more common dolls are worth $15, while the rarer ones are $100 or above.
Dolls like Banana Twirl, Plum Pudding, Mint Tulip, Peach Blush, and Orange Blossom can go for a few hundred depending on their condition. Vintage accessories make them go for even higher.
Digimon Cards
The average American Girl Doll is only worth about $100 on the market today. The retired ones are what people are looking for, as those are worth the most money. Molly McIntire in particular is worth a few thousand, if the auction she sold at recently is anything to go by.
She and any other member of the first set to be produced in 1986 are the ones that’ll get you that kind of money. But they have to be in great condition: no haircuts or added makeup.
Easy Bake Oven Super Treat Center
The Spice Girls were one of the biggest girl groups of the ’90s and early 2000s. All five of its members had their own fans, and the group as a whole had even more, which is why multiple editions of the dolls were made. But it’s the first that can bring in the most money.
The entire collection with all five girls can rake in a few hundred dollars. So, on their own, you probably won’t make much, but the group can get you a really nice dinner at a fancy restaurant.
G.I. Joe Motorized Battle Tank
Not only was Digimon a pretty great series, but it also had an amazing theme song. Sure it had to go up against the likes of Pokemon, but it found its market, and there are still tons of fans today. A rare card is one thing, but the complete collection? Enough for a nice weekend in a neighboring city.
The singular rare cards will get you $100 apiece. The collections go for $1000 all the way up to $2000. And if you can get your hands on some holographic ones? You’re all set!
She-Ra And Swiftwind Action Figure Pack
There was the original Easy Bake Oven, and then there was the ultra-rare Easy Bake Oven Super Treat Center. The actual Easy Bake can go for hundreds right now. The Super Treat Center includes a soda pump, a chocolate candy maker, an ice cream maker, and a popsicle maker. It also includes a whole bunch of stations where you can make fondue, root beer, and more, allowing for hours of entertainment.
And that’s why the various parts can get you a few hundred dollars. The entire thing can get you $1000 or more online. Oh, and there’s probably a bonus if you hand over the list of recipes that you can create with it.
Fireball Island
Now here’s an unexpected treasure that not many people thought could get you an entire car in the 2010s. Used, this 1982 toy is not worth much at all: you’ll only get $25 if the item has been toyed with. But if you have one that is sealed and in mint condition? Brace yourself.
Unused and sealed, it can sell for as much as $13,750! Others have been known to sell for $6500, which is still a great price considering not even 5% of that was used to purchase the toy in the first place.
Transformers Action Figures
She-Ra was one of the members of He-Man’s epic superhero squad. And she had a huge fanbase of her own. So a toy including her trusty steed was created. Now the value of this toy all depends on whether you can deliver it to the collector in its original box…and of course, the condition of the box matters.
If you can deliver on all of the above, you can get a cool $4000 for this toy. If you collected this as well as a few other select He-Man toys, you can have many, many thousands to play with.
Atari 2600 Games
Fireball Island isn’t a cocktail, it is a board game that was really popular in the eighties. It has since been re-made, and even that version can make you a little bit of change. But if you can get the original one in its original packaging? Be prepared to smile a little wider.
The repackaged version is worth about $70. The original one can go for $400 or more if you can find the right buyer.
Baseball Cards
Some people don’t know this, but Transformers toys were around long before the movies came out in the 2000s and made Optimus and Bumblebee superstars. These toys were major hits in the ’80s, and their worth has since skyrocketed. Opened, they’re not worth much, but unopened and kept in great condition?
Optimus Prime alone can sell for a couple thousand dollars on eBay. So can you imagine if you have a box set complete with Bumblebee and possibly a few Decepticons?
Sky Dancers
The Atari 2600 was one of the first video game consoles on the market. It has since been replaced by the likes of the PlayStation and the Xbox, but it’s still a collector’s item. But just as the console is valuable, so are some of its games. In fact, you’d be surprised to find out how much you can get for one specific Atari game.
As far as we know, the Air Raid game is the most valuable game. A used one can get you a whopping $13,000. But brand new? A brand new Air Raid game that’s still in the box is worth more than $33,000.
Pogs
Baseball cards have been a thing for over 100 years now. And the older original ones only get more valuable as time passes. The funny thing is that many weren’t very well drawn. But the money you can get for them is enough to buy an almost $3 million house. Yes, you read that correctly.
Cards of Honus Wagner “Sweet Caporal,” produced between 1909 and 1911, are literally worth millions. Only 200 of them were printed, and one of them recently sold for $2.8 million.
Webkinz
Do you remember the beautiful little dolls with the strings that you had to pull to make them take flight? Well, those were called Sky Dancers, and they sold like hot cakes back in the day. But what made them so amazing was also what made them dangerous, and a lot of them were recalled when people realized they could poke someone’s eye out.
But that also meant that not many exist today, so the price skyrocketed. Online, these go for $80 per toy. Can you imagine cashing ten or more of these in?
Polly Pocket
Let’s face the facts when it comes to Pogs. These toys were cardboard coins with pictures on them. And we’re pretty sure they sold for next to nothing. Today, some of the sets can make you a nice batch of change, but it all depends on what you’ve got: like the Marilyn Monroe set.
The batch with that blonde beauty can go for at least $1,000. Rumor has it that a Jurassic Park set (with the holographic coins and slammer) went for a whopping $1 million.
Vintage 1959 Barbie
Many people are unfamiliar with Webkinz, and that’s because they didn’t get their start on television or comic books or even inside stores. Along with playing in the virtual Webkinz world, which not many knew about, these toys can also be bought, and it turns out they’re worth a few hundred.
They’re still available right now, some as low as $10, so it’s quite the surprise that some go for $500 to $600. A collection of rare Webkinz even went for a staggering $5000.
Tamagotchi
The Polly Pocket launched back in 1998, and the toy set was a staple for girls and young children everywhere immediately upon its release. As always, the condition of the toy matters when it comes to resale; no haircuts or makeup are allowed in order to fetch the max price.
A sealed box can be sold for $600 on eBay. Can you believe this? Some tiny older toys are worth more than your rent!
Teddy Ruxpin
If your mother ever bought you a Barbie doll or even a Ken when you were younger, then you should list it online; there are a huge number of rare or unique Barbies that lined the shelves of regular stores, and people didn’t know their value until much later after their release.
Some of the vintage versions, like the one pictured from the rare and low-production 1959 line, are worth a whopping $23,000 online!
Pez
Do you remember ever getting a Tamagotchi? This toy taught kids just how difficult it can be to raise an animal; in fact, for many kids, it was likely their first pet. From playing with it to picking up its poop, the little pixel creature on the screen needed constant attention.
The old toy is being used as an accessory by celebrities nowadays, thus making the small bauble worth somewhere around $3,000 apiece.
1978 Luke Skywalker
Teddy Ruxpin started being sold in stores back in the 1980s, and it was a rather popular gift for children of all ages and genders. Who doesn’t love a cuddly teddy bear with a wide smile? He also came with exciting accesories like cassettes and books, which was a great bargain.
He might look just like any other regular stuffed animal, but the fluffy teddy bear is now worth $400 if he’s in good condition.
Peanut The Royal Blue Elephant
Pez used to produce the most popular candy dispensers in the world at one point in time. Their colorful tubes were eye-catching, and children and adults alike loved the unique but familiar characters whose heads sat on top of the dispensers. It felt like a race to see who could collect the coolest one!
Nowadays, their value varies by their rarity. Some of these tiny plastic tubes can see prices as high as $175. Isn’t this incredible?
Pokemon For Nintendo Gameboy
Star Wars fans are serious about their toys, and who can blame them? The daring and dashing heroes, from Luke to Han and Chewie, are all iconic when it comes to one of the most famous franchises in history. Star Wars action figures were some of the most popular toys sold at the time surrounding the movie releases.
The original 1978 Luke Skywalker toy figurine is now being sold for $25,000 at the famous Sotheby’s, but other Star Wars toys that are in good condition also retain significant value.
Furby
This is not a toy in the sense of an action figure or anything like that; it’s actually a baby beanie that is designed to look like a blue elephant. In this case, it’s not the toy itself but rather its rarity that makes Peanut so special and such a huge find as a collector’s item.
The item is being sold at $5,000. There are only 2,000 units of this beanie in the world, which makes it super rare.
World Barbies
Did you play the original Pokemon game on your Nintendo Gameboy? There are few who didn’t, since the series is such an iconic part of pop culture in the last few decades. By chance, do you still have the game? If your answer is yes, then you are one step closer to becoming rich.
The game is selling for $405 apiece. Of course, this assumes good condition, and your price will go up for an item that is still unopened.
My Little Pony Figurines
Remember the suddenly super popular Furby toy? You wouldn’t have been the first by a long shot to think that the fluffy little interactive animals were creepy. It was just something with the eyes. If you still have one or two of your old Furbies sitting around, check out which ones you’ve got, because you might be in for some money.
The original version of the toy that was manufactured in 1998 is selling for $700. It’s a solid chunk of change to get rid of those creepy eyes staring back at you.
Action Comics No. 1
This might shock you, because you probably threw all your old Barbie toys out, but it’s not just particularly old models that are worth a lot of money. Some of the rarer makes of Barbie and Ken dolls, like the World collection, can fetch quite a pretty penny at auction with the right buyer.
One toy that comes from the “World Barbies” series is worth $20,000; make sure to check which dolls you have to ensure you’re not missing out on a great cash opportunity.
Fisher Price’s Push Cart Pete
These little toys shaped like horses are sought after by collectors; it’s not just those famous “Bronies” that are ofter these. They’re a common collector’s item for those interested in old toys because of their widespread popularity. Some models were rarer than others, and collectors have their own preferences as well.
The My Little Pony figures that are in perfect condition can sell for up to $600, but even those with a little wear can still fetch a nice price.
Nintendo Game Boy
The pristine version of this comic from 1938 where Superman was introduced is priced at $3.2 million! Can you believe this? Then again, this is probably only to be expected, since the introduction of Superman was such an iconic and important moment in popular culture. He’s such a famous superhero!
To make things even crazier, there are only 50 copies of the comic in the entire world; Nicolas Cage is said to own one.
Wonder Bread He-Man
Fisher Price’s Push Cart Pete was manufactured in 1936, and this makes it a sought-after collector’s item. Both its age and its role as an introductory force into the company’s production of children’s toys keep the price high for this rare collectible. Fisher Price has gone on to be a powerhouse for kids’ toys.
Even though this toy might not look like something all that amazing and complicated, it’s still priced at a whopping $3,000.
Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone
If you still have a functional Game Boy from the ’90s, then you should make sure to post it on eBay! Older systems that remain playable in fine condition can fetch an attractive price, and that’s all the more true with consoles that also come with games if you have any around.
If you’re looking at getting rid of your old model Game Boy, the selling price ranges between $750 and $1,500 depending on condition.
Did you love watching the old He-Man cartoons? If you did, you probably jumped at the chance to find a real He-Man toy inside your Wonder Bread purchase when you went to the store with your parents. If you still have this toy from when you were a kid, collectors are willing to pay a nice amount for it.
If you want to sell online, then you are in luck, because the Wonder Bread He-Man fetches prices of around $1,000 online.
J.K. Rowling signed a bunch of first edition copies of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone books (that’s what they’re called in the UK, they’ll have the “Sorcerer’s Stone” title in America). If you somehow have one of these first print copies in your library, it may be worth parting with it.
If you’re willing to part with your copy, you can nab a whopping $15,000 for it! Just make sure you’re trying to sell the Philosopher’s Stone version; the equivalent signed Sorcerer’s Stone isn’t worth as much.