Where to Find Real Movie Props for Sale

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The best places to find used and new film props

Co-authored by Prop Money and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: September 24, 2024 Fact Checked

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Best Places to Buy Movie Props

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How can you tell if a prop is legit?

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Where do movies get their props?

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What happens to props after movies?

This article was created in collaboration with an advertising partner. Learn more here.

Have you always wanted to own Gandalf’s staff from The Lord of the Rings or the Heart of the Ocean necklace from Titanic? Well, you just might be able to find the real deal! Genuine, used movie props, costumes, storyboards, and more items from famous films go on and off the market all the time. We’ve partnered with Prop Money Inc., the #1 name in fake movie money, to show you where to find your dream props online, at auction, or even at physical stores and prop warehouses. Read on to grow your collection!

Finding Famous Movie Props: Quick Tips

Check legitimate movie prop websites like PropStore.com or HeroProp.com for props, costume pieces, concept art, and other memorabilia.
Or, look into reputable auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Julien’s Auctions that carry genuine movie props.
Buy industry-standard props for your own film projects from reliable shops like Prop Money Inc. They sell real-looking cash that brings any money-handling scene to life!

Section 1 of 4:

Best Places to Buy Movie Props

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Online sellers and movie prop websites The quickest and easiest way to get your hands on a real movie prop is to check out dedicated movie prop sites. These kinds of sites sell a wide variety of items like costume pieces, props, concept art, original storyboards (sometimes autographed!), and other memorabilia from your favorite movie or TV show. Some sites facilitate sales via auctions by individual sellers, while others sell props directly. There are a lot of sites out there to choose from, so here are some of the most reliable and popular ones to peruse:
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Get realistic dollar bills for your next film project from Prop Money. If you need cold, hard cash on screen, look no further than Prop Money (as seen in movies, films, music videos, TV, & ads worldwide). Realistic-looking money sells a scene (pun intended), and Prop Money gets that. Their ✔️RealAged™ fake money shows all the wear-and-tear you’d expect to see on real dollars from folding or crumpling, pocket-carrying, and exchanging hands. Whether you need thick stacks of cash, a flashy bundle, or a wad of loose bills, Prop Money has a convincing stage money solution for your project.
- Not sure what kind of product you need? Check out Prop Money's Guide to get the scoop on Prop Money’s bills, bundles, stacks, money guns, and more. You even have the option to buy full print bills (bills with realistic printing on the front and back) or blank fillers (cheaper, blank bills that fill in a stack or bundle) depending on your specific movie prop money needs.
- Check PropMoney.com regularly for sales and discounts. Their Deal of the Week on top products is not to be missed!
- Prop Money even offers local pickup from their facility in Santa Fe Springs, CA, and in-person delivery if you're in the Southern California area.
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At auction Another popular place to find legit movie props is a reputable auction house or online auction site. At auction houses, you can generally rest assured that your prop is genuine and not a fake (although you may end up spending more at auction than you might on a straightforward prop-selling site). Some notable auction houses and sites that regularly have movie props include:
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Brick-and-mortar stores or movie prop warehouses Physical shops for used movie props aren’t as common as online stores or auction houses, but you still have a chance to discover some cool finds (especially if you live near a film industry town with prop warehouses like Los Angeles, Atlanta, or London). Search “movie prop warehouses near [city]” to see options available near you; these locations refresh their inventories often
- For example, if you’re near LA, you might have luck finding props at places like the Warner Bros. Property Department or the Universal Studios Property Department.^{[1]
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  Research source} Keep in mind that studios may not have all items available for sale, and some are rental-only.
- There are also a handful of straight-up prop shops (especially near industry towns), like It’s a Wrap Hollywood in California. These are even rarer than actual studio warehouses and may not have the same guarantee of authenticity, though.

Section 2 of 4:

How can you tell if a prop is legit?

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A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is best, but there are other ways to tell. It’s true that a COA can be faked, but if it’s presented by a reputable seller, prop house, or auction house, then chances are it’s legitimate. Check to make sure the certificate includes a description of the prop, its provenance (a record of its ownership and/or creation), and information about the scene it appeared in. Other ways to feel confident your prop is genuine include:^{[2]
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- Buying it from a reputable, legitimate seller or auction house.
- Looking for signs of use, markings, or product materials that match what you see on screen and that look similar to other props from the movie or TV show.
- Asking people who work in the field (prop makers, production workers from the movie or TV show, etc.) if the prop looks well made or similar to other props from the same film.

Section 3 of 4:

Where do movies get their props?

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Many studios have their own prop warehouses and prop builders. Major film studios have large warehouses where they have props, costumes, set pieces, and other items on hand to use in their movies. If they need a prop they don’t already have on hand, they’ll ask their own prop designers and builders (sometimes with the help of external specialists) to create new props. This is common when a prop is really hard to find somewhere else or requires special customization for the movie.^{[3]
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- There are also entire prop businesses that specialize in making, selling, or renting props to studios. Some are fairly general, while others focus on specific niches (like medical supplies props, plant and landscaping props, or even dollar bills from businesses like Prop Money).
- Sometimes, studios will contact private owners or museums to see if they’re willing to lend or rent a specific artifact or item.
- When practical, some studios try to use the “real thing” instead of a prop (for example, purchasing disposable coffee cups from a café instead of making prop cups).

Section 4 of 4:

What happens to props after movies?

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Most custom-built props are stored in warehouses or sent out for display. In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for custom props to be reused in later films or TV shows, but today, they’re more likely to be retired or archived in a warehouse to prevent reuse (some directors will even pay to have them destroyed or disposed of so they aren’t used again). Popular props may also be sent to museums, charities, theme parks, and restaurants to be displayed as an attraction or exhibit for the public to enjoy.^{[4]
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- Cast and crew members are sometimes allowed to keep 1 or 2 props, but most of the time, they have to return them all (especially if it was a rented artifact). Some actors try to sneak away with a prop or two, but they often have to return them if they get caught.