Movie posters have been used as promotional tools since the earliest days of the cinema. Duly recognized as true works of art, film posters are extremely popular among collectors, with certain vintage examples commanding big bucks.

Here are seven rare movie posters that have proved themselves as real Oscar winners in the field. Perhaps one or more of these gems is lurking in an attic, basement or old movie theater, just waiting to be discovered by you!

Metropolis, UFA/Paramount Pictures, 1927, Original German Poster

Director Fritz Lang’s cinematic look into the future wowed movie audiences during the Roaring Twenties. On November 15, 2004, the original German art deco poster for Metropolis – expertly designed by graphic artist Heinz Schulz-Neudamm – was sold by The Reel Poster Gallery in London for a staggering $690,000. The buyer was California-based collector Ken Schacter. 

The Mummy, Universal Pictures, 1932, One Sheet Poster  

The incomparable Boris Karloff had the title role of Imhotep/Ardath Bey a.k.a. The Mummy in this classic horror flick from Universal. On March 1, 1997, a one sheet poster (27×41-inches) from The Mummy sold at Sotheby’s for $535,000. An interesting note: The Mummy was made from September to November 1932 for an estimated $196,000.

King Kong, RKO Radio Pictures, 1933, Six Sheet Poster

Robert Armstrong and Fay Wray starred in this classic “beauty and the beast” thriller from 1933. Who can forget the mighty Kong atop the Empire State Building, fending off a squadron of biplanes? In a March 27-28, 2008 auction, a giant King Kong six sheet poster (81×81-inches) brought $345,000 at Profiles in History.

Dracula, Universal Pictures, 1931, One Sheet Poster Style F

Bela Lugosi starred as the bloodthirsty Count Dracula in this eternal vampire movie classic. On March 22, 2009, super collector Ralph DeLuca purchased a Dracula one sheet poster (27×41-inches) style F at Heritage Auction Galleries for $310,700. One of only three known copies, this particular example had once graced the collection of actor Nicolas Cage.  

Frankenstein, Universal Pictures, 1931, One Sheet Poster

Director James Whale breathed new life into the Frankenstein story in 1931 with Boris Karloff as the monster and Colin Clive as its creator. On May 1, 2009, a Frankenstein one sheet poster (27×41-inches) was sold at a Profiles in History auction for $212,400.

Babe Comes Home, First National Pictures, 1927, One Sheet Poster

The Bambino himself – New York Yankee great Babe Ruth – starred in this silent sports film classic with Anna Q. Nilsson playing his love interest. On November 23, 2003, a Babe Comes Home one sheet poster (27×41-inches) fetched $138,000 at Heritage Auction Galleries. No copies of the actual movie are known to exist, and only two examples of the stunning one sheet poster have surfaced so far.

Freaks, MGM, 1932, Insert Poster

Director Tod Browning brought this bizarre horror classic to movie theaters in February 1932 with Wallace Ford and Leila Hyams in the starring roles. On March 22, 2009, New Jersey collector Ralph DeLuca successfully bid $107,550 for a Freaks insert poster (14×36-inches) at Heritage Auction Galleries.

Other Rare Movie Posters

Check out these auction results for other rare and valuable movie posters that lurk in the stratosphere of the hobby/business:

• Play Ball with Babe Ruth (1920) one sheet poster $96,000
• Hollywood (1923) one sheet poster style A $89,625
• No One Man (1932) three sheet poster $40,250
• The Wolf Man (1941) one sheet poster $34,500
• Over the Fence (1932) three sheet poster $55,739
• The Maltese Falcon (1941) window card $31,625
• Flash Gordon (1936) one sheet poster $43,125
• Gilda (1946) one sheet poster style B $33,460
• Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) three sheet poster $19,120
• Lonesome Ghosts (1937) 30″x40″ poster $21,510
• The Broadway Melody (1929) one sheet poster $31,070
• The Lady Eve (1941) one sheet poster $17,925