Those VHS Tapes You Have Tucked Away In Your Basement Could Be Worth A Fortune
Before there was DVDs, Netflix, and a ton of other streaming services people had to watch their favorite movies on VHS tapes. The first VHS tape was created by the Victor Company of Japan in the early '70s and quickly became popular But when VHS tapes were replaced with DVDs, many were quick to toss out the old entertainment form.
Some smart people must have known those VHS tapes could make some money later on. If you were one of those people who couldn't bring yourself to throw out the tapes, read on to see if you have any that could be worth a fortune.
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Is Worth Thousands
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs started an empire. It was the first feature-length animated film that Walt Disney ever made. The movie came out in 1938, and since then, Disney has become a household name.
Of course, VHS tapes didn't exist back in 1938, but Disney did release Snow White on VHS with their Black Diamond collection. Any Disney film with a black diamond on it is worth a ton of money today. You can find the Snow White VHS listed on eBay for upwards of $8,000.
Check Your Basement For A Copy Of E.T.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was one of the most iconic films of the '80s. This movie has everything— a lifelike alien puppet, Drew Barrymore as a toddler, weird hazmat suits, and a frog kissing dream sequence.
A limited-edition black and green VHS tape of the movie is now worth about $2,000. Back in the '80s, VHS tapes sold for around $50, which is more than they sold for in the '90s, but not nearly as much as they sell for now.
Star Wars Fans Might Get A Good Payoff From Their VHS Tapes
Star Wars is still one of the most popular franchises on the planet. Since the movies were first released in the 1970s, there are a few that were turned into VHS tapes.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi were grouped together to form a VHS trilogy. The 1997 gold edition is now worth around $145.
You Need To Be An Actual Princess To Afford Cinderella
Snow White may have been the first Disney princess, but Cinderella is definitely the most iconic. I mean, her castle is the centerpiece of all of Disney World. Cinderella came out in 1950 and it was released on VHS with the rest of Disney's Black Diamond collection. This movie about a servant girl who goes to a fancy ball with a little help from her fairy godmother and animal friends is an instant classic.
If you happen to have an original Black Diamond Cinderella VHS in your collection, it could be worth up to $12,000.
The Legend of Hillbilly John Is Worth A Pretty Penny
Inspired by an Appalachian folk tale, The Legend of Hillbilly John is a mix of horror, fantasy, and drama. This 1972 movie includes a wandering singer coming face to face with a monster-like bird creature that takes him back in time to meet the devil. There's also some witches and voodoo magic mixed in as well.
The movie might've not been everyone's cup of tea, but those who purchased the tape are in luck. Currently, it has an estimated value of around $1,100.
Beauty and the Beast Is A Disney Collector's Dream
Some of Disney's most catchy tunes can be found in 1991's Beauty and the Beast. Famed musician Alan Menken had many iconic songs included in the film like "Be Our Guest," "Gaston," and of course "Beauty and the Beast."
Collectors who own the Black Diamond edition of the Beauty and the Beast VHS tape may need to sit down to see how much it's worth. A quick search on eBay lists the tape at $13,500.
Lemora, Lady Dracula Is A Highly Sought After
Beside from Disney movies, many older horror films are one of the most sought-after VHS tapes by collectors. When Lemora, Lady Dracula was first released in the early 1970s it had mostly negative reviews for its low budget quality.
It wasn't until the 1990s when film reviewers had a sudden change of heart saying that it took an original spin on traditional vampire movie clichés. This rare VHS tape is now worth about $1,000.
101 Dalmatians Can Fetch Up To $7,000
Who could forget Disney's classic tale about a female dog who managed to carry over 100 puppies in her womb at the same time and the woman who wanted to turn all of those puppies into super soft jacket? This movie came out in 1961, increasing the demand for dalmatians in the process. Did you ask your parents for a dalmatian after you saw this movie?
So many people watched the film that it inspired a good number of sequels and live-action remakes. The original 101 Dalmatians VHS is now worth around $7,000.
Buying Your Kids Thomas & Friends Has Finally Paid Off
What's one of the longest-running kids' TV series of all time, you ask? Well, that's Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, of course, which is now known as just Thomas & Friends. This show has been on television since 1984, and new episodes are still being made to this day.
You can't get every episode of Thomas & Friends on VHS, but if you do manage to get some of the first 100 episodes, those vintage tapes are worth around $200 each (as long as they're in good condition).
The Beatles' VHS Performance Is Full Of Memories
Try to name a band more famous and more iconic than The Beatles. You can't. It's not possible. Over the years, The Beatles made a few films based on their songs, but 1970s Let It Be was more of a music documentary. It featured clips of the band making what would be their last album.
If you're a Beatles fan, this movie is a must-see. If you happen to have a VHS copy of the movie, it's now worth around $200.
The Fox and the Hound Was One Of The Most Expensive Films Disney Ever Made
Believe it or not, Disney's The Fox and the Hound was super expensive to make. The whole production cost Disney around $12 million. It was never Disney's most successful animated feature, but it is a heartwarming story with some stellar visuals.
If you were able to get your hands on a copy of the original 1994 Black Diamond VHS tape, you're in luck. People are selling this item online fro around $25,000. That's a lot of money.
Aladdin Is Still Popular Today
It's been almost 30 years since Disney's Aladdin premiered in theaters. The movie has been turned into a Broadway show and will also have a live-action remake with stars like Will Smith playing the Genie. Some of Alan Menken's most popular songs were included on the soundtrack such as "Friend Like Me" and "A Whole New World."
For those that are looking to sell their copy, they should make sure they have the Black Diamond edition. One tape is even going for over $1 million on eBay. Whether or not anyone will pay that is a completely different story.
Barney Is Still Full Of Childhood Memories
Barney quickly went from every kid's favorite purple dinosaur to the epitome of baby culture. If you still watched Barney in the second grade, you would never hear the end of it. Of course, everybody did still watch Barney in the second grade— they just kept it on the down-low.
Before Barney started airing on TV, some straight-to-video VHS tapes were released. If you have a bunch of these tapes lying around your home, you could be sitting o a literal treasure trove. For example, a sealed copy of Barney: Waiting for Santa is worth $120.
The Dark Planet Is A Rare Find
Fantasy and comic book artist Richard Corben directed the 1989 horror and sci-fi film The Dark Planet. This anthology features a monstrous beast who tries to avenge his best friend's murder by confronting a master computer. Something unique about the film is that there is almost no dialogue.
This low-budget film is almost impossible to find. Those who want to get their hands on an original VHS copy must be willing to spend around $250.
Old Wrestling Tapes Could Be Worth Some Serious Cash
It's mostly Disney and horror films on VHS that hold the most value, but old wrestling tapes also go for a lot of money. Many matches were filmed for Pay-Per-View on TV and subsequently released on VHS.
Particular titles such as the WCW Bash at the Beach (2000) can sell for a lot because the match was thrilling among wrestling fans. Since it was Hulk Hogan's last WCW appearance, that tape can now profit at least $1,500.
Sleeping Beauty On VHS Is Still The Best Way To Watch It
Almost all Disney movies that came out during the twentieth century ended up on VHS. In order to get them to sell more copies, limited and Black Diamond editions were produced. Those who watched the Disney movies on VHS as a kid sometimes prefer to rewwatch on the same format as adults.
When revisiting a movie as nostalgic as Sleeping Beauty, there are still some VHS copies left up for sale. The limited edition version from 1997 can go as high as $15,000.
Have You Ever Even Heard Of Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills?
Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills is a mix between horror and comedy that stars Beverly D'Angelo, Aron Eisenberg, and Brion James. When a paleontologist finds a dinosaur egg it leads to a witch doctor cursing his wife to turn into a pterodactyl.
While it had a limited theatrical release in 1996, it was out on VHS the next year. The critical reception included reviews about how it was unfunny and poorly written. Even with the negative response the tape is worth about $300.
The Godfather Trilogy Is Still A Limited Edition
Just one of the Godfather films on VHS is a rare sight. It's even rarer and more valuable to have all three of the films together in a box set. If you do manage to get your hands on a Godfather box set, the three films together could be worth $300. This film series features Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and Robert Duvall at the height of their acting careers.
People are still quoting lines from these films all these years later.
The Original Version Of The Lion King Is A True Experience
Most Disney enthusiasts agree that The Lion King is one of the best animated films ever made. With a fully realized soundtrack created in part by Elton John and a story about responsibility, love, and loss in the African savannah, this movie is everything we ever wanted.
It all started with a humble VHS tape, and if you still have that tape, definitely don't get rid of it. The Black Diamond edition runs for $20,000 online
The Little Mermaid Is Worth A Fortune Now
If someone is trying to sell their old VHS tapes it's probably best if most of them were Disney films. Many are now worth thousands. The Little Mermaid was released in 1989 and did extremely well on VHS.
Alan Menken's gorgeous music paired with the stunning animation of undersea life drew in viewers by the millions. If someone owns an unopened Black Diamond edition VHS that's in perfect condition, it can be sold for around $37,500.
Who Could Forget About Bambi?
As we've seen, Disney fans who held onto their VHS movies are being handsomely rewarded today! Here's another classic Disney flick making the list of most valuable VHS tapes to have. The Black Diamond edition of Bambi is highly sought after by collectors and can fetch upwards of $550 today.
This tearjerking movie about a young deer growing up in the forest was originally released in 1942 and has remained a favorite ever since.
Sisters Of Blood, Warning Bell Included
Gimmicks sell, which might explain why the film Sisters of Blood on VHS is now worth around $800. The tape's cover advertises that it's "the video with a warning bell! When it rings - close your eyes if you're squeamish!"
There might be a good reason for a warning bell, as this flick was originally released as Cannibal Girls in 1973. There's plenty of gore to be squeamish about. This movie starred someone who's now a household name -- comedic actor Eugene Levy!
Dumbo Will Always Make Us Cry
Dumbo was Walt Disney Productions' fourth-ever animated film. It was released in theaters in 1941 and was a huge hit with kids and adults alike, and was later chosen for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
In 2019, director Tim Burton released a live-action version of the classic animated Disney film Dumbo. The live format didn't sit well with many fans of the original. Perhaps nostalgia for the film explains why VHS copies of Dumbo's Black Diamond Edition can sell for $700 or more!
Betrayed Is Worth $1,200
The 1988 thriller/drama flick Betrayed starred Debra Winger and Tom Berenger. It tells the story of a radio personality whose death is investigated by the FBI, which believes a group of white supremacists are responsible.
The film's budget was around $19,000,000 and it only fetched $25,816,139. Despite this, and despite the fact that it received mixed reviews from critics, VHS copies of Betrayed can fetch up to $1,200 these days. Keep your eyes peeled for this one!
Journey Into The Beyond On VHS
"Not just another movie ... It's another world" is this 1975 film's tagline. Narrated by David Carradine, the famous martial artist/actor, Journey Into the Beyond is a documentary that takes its viewers to some really dark places. Voodoo, ritual sacrifices, "bare-handed surgery," and exorcisms are all explored.
Today, a good-condition VHS copy of Journey Into the Beyond can be worth a whopping $1,100. This is despite the fact that much of the video's content is available for free on YouTube.
Song Of The South Is A Movie Disney Would Rather Forget
While there are plenty of other Disney movies on this list, Song of the South stands out because it is entirely racist. Although the film won the Oscar for Best Original Song ("Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,") the film itself has been widely criticized for its content and Disney tries to keep it out of the public eye.
Medium describes it as "the film that so universally known as racist that Disney itself has buried the film for the past 30 years." That might be the reason that a VHS copy of Song of the South can sell for as much as $200.
Halloween Is Still Worth Big Money
1978's Halloween is one of the most famous slasher movies in film history. The John Carpenter-directed classic that tells the story of serial killer Michael Myers is now a massive film franchise that was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
All of this makes it unsurprising that VHS copies of the original Halloween have a pretty high resale value. Some copies have been known to sell for nearly $300.
Farewell Africa Is Absolutely Shocking
This 1966 Italian film is a "shockumentary" depicts the end of the colonial era in Africa and includes real footage of the Zanzibar revolution. That event, which took place in 1964, took the lives of between 5,000-20,000 Arabic people. The film is also known by its Italian name, Africa Addio, and its US title, Africa Blood and Guts.
Farewell Africa's official tagline is "The most startling motion picture achievement in the history of movie-making." It's now worth $700 on VHS, if you happen to have a copy laying around.
The Love Butcher Is A Startling Horror Flick
If you're a fan of slasher films and happened to hold onto your copy of the 1975 flick The Love Butcher, you might have a little payday coming. VHS copies of the movie have been known to bring in up to $150. It's not exactly enough to retire on but is a lot more than the original purchase price!
The reason for The Love Butcher's relatively high resale price is probably its amusing premise. One line from IMDB's plot synopsis says, "Of course, it isn't Caleb doing the killing, but rather his second personality, a confident, handsome younger brother named Lester who Caleb turns into when he dons a toupee." We'd watch it!
The Beast Is More Valuable Than It Looks
A lot of kitschy horror movies appear on this list. Anthropophagus, the Beast, is the next one we'll discuss. This Italian horror flick, released in 1980, has a loyal fanbase. It's been described as having "a noted place in the annals of the escalation of gore."
The movie was also co-written by two esteemed horror screenwriters, Joe D'Amato and George Eastman. Today, VHS copies of Anthropophagus, the Beast, can sell for upwards of $600.
Hunt Down A Copy Of The Devil Hunter
The Devil Hunter was released under several titles including The Man Hunter and Mandingo Manhunter. Its writers and directors both worked under pseudonyms for the gory 1980 horror film that was later banned in the U.K. One critic said it was a "horrible, trying piece of dreck that should have remained legendary and lost. That said, it's pretty fun stuff."
Perhaps the film's notoriety explains its current resale value. People with a good-condition copy of The Devil Hunter can expect to receive around $800 for their VHS tapes.
The Evil Dead On VHS
Horror fans recognize The Evil Dead as an absolute classic and a must-see for anyone who loves the genre. Stephen King, the master of horror, called it "The most ferociously original horror film of 1982."
The Evil Dead was written and directed by the now-well-known Sam Raimi and spawned a franchise which includes two sequels, comic books, video games, and a television series. Mint condition VHS copies of the flick have been known to sell for around $150.
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame Is Worth Over $1,000
In 1996, Disney released The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was its 34th animated feature film. It was a commercial success, bringing in $325 million worldwide despite being considered one of Disney's darkest movies.
There was a sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame II, released in 2002 that went straight to video. Today, VHS copies of the original movie sell for a pretty penny, with some going for upwards of $1,500.
Don't Open The Window On VHS
Don't Open The Window is yet another horror flick that was released with multiple names (15 of them, actually!). Other English titles include Let Sleeping Corpses Lie and The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue. It's a 1974 Spanish-Italian science fiction zombie movie that was released in the U.S. a year later, in 1975.
Peter Dendle, the author of The Zombie Movie Encyclopedia, said it was "perhaps the best zombies in a year of very good zombies." VHS copies of Don't Open the Window now resell for a whopping $1,000!
What A Vacation It Would Be...
The original 101 Dalmations animated film was first released by Disney in 1961. It was later reinterpreted as a series. Dalmatian Vacation, which aired in March of 1998, is the three-part series finale of 101 Dalmatians: The Series.
VHS copies of Dalmation Vacation have held their value surprisingly well. If you have a Black Diamond Edition to sell, you can expect to receive around $300. That kind of dough could help you fund a mini-vacation of your own!
The Night Ripper Is Worth $800
Night Ripper is a horror/slasher film that was first released in 1986. It follows the story of a maniac who stalks and kills fashion models. Although its description doesn't sound like it has the makings of a timeless classic, it does have an actor who went on to become pretty famous a few years later.
The movie's star, Larry Thomas, went on to play Yev Kassem. If you don't recognize that name, you probably know him better as the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. Thomas won an Emmy Award for that role. As far as Night Ripper, anyone who has a VHS copy of it was smart to hold on. A good condition tape is now worth about $800.
A Legendary $1,000 Payoff
The cover of this film almost resembles a scene from Game of Thrones. But this movie came many years before the hit HBO series. Released in 1972, The Legend of Hillbilly John follows "a wandering ballad singer in the Appalachians meets an ugly bird-type creature, is transported back in time, finds himself involved in the Devil's work."
Despite its devilish description, the film kept a G rating. Today, anyone with a mint condition VHS copy should be glad they held onto the movie, as they can fetch upwards of $1,000~
Diggin' Up Business With This Film
This 1990 movie has an intriguing plot, outlined by IMDB. "After her Grandfather goes on vacation Tesia (Lynn-Holly Johnson) discovers that the number of bodies buried does not match the number of corpses her Grandfather registered with the state."
Fans of Diggin' Up Business can expect to dig up quite a bit of dough with their good-condition VHS tapes. They've been known to fetch up to $600 or more! That's pretty good business.
A True Gallery Of Horror
This might have been a low budget flick when it was first released in 1967, but VHS copies of Dr. Terror's Gallery of Horrors can now resell for around $400. This is a 1967 anthology film based on stories by Russ Jones and directed by David L. Hewitt.
Because of the title's similarity to another, unrelated, movie, it was released under multiple names: Return from the Past, Alien Massacre, Gallery of Horror, The Blood Suckers, and The Witch's Clock.
The Iconic Lady Dracula
Here's another one that was released under multiple names. Lenora the Lady Dracula is also known as The Legendary Curse of Lemora, Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural, and simply Lady Dracula.
It was made by UCLA film school graduates and released in 1973. Lenora is a young girl who has to return to her hometown to visit her father, who's dying. While there she encounters evil in the form of witchcraft and vampirism. People who held onto this tape can expect to receive about $1,000 when reselling.
