Best Places to Buy Movie Props
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: PropStore.com YourProps.com MoviePropWarehouse.com HeroProp.com ProductionTreasures.com TheMoviePropVault.com ThePropGallery.com PropMasters.net
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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: Heritage Auctions Julien’s Auctions VIPFanAuctions.com PropStoreAuction.com Invaluable.com eBay.com
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. 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.
How can you tell if a prop is legit?
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: 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.
Where do movies get their props?
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. 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).
What happens to props after movies?
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. 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.
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