The Joy of Old Movie Posters: Where to Find Them and More

Love the movies? If you’re a fan of cinema, you may be curious about where and how to purchase old movie posters. Whether you’re interested in rare, original vintage posters or prefer inexpensive reprints, there are plenty of resources available—check out our recommendations below. 

Where to Find Old and Vintage Movie Posters 

Etsy

Etsy isn’t only for handmade wares—you can also find a range of vintage and collectible items, including movie posters. However, make sure to read the postings thoroughly so you know whether you’re purchasing a print or an original. 

eBay

Shopping on eBay requires some time and patience, but with a little digging, you can find some hidden gems—from old horror movie posters to old Western movie posters and everything in between. If you’re looking for originals, however, make sure to research the seller and review all the details of the listing to make sure you’re getting an authentic vintage movie poster. 

AllPosters

An affordable option for displaying old movie posters is to order a print, rather than an original. Poster art prints offer several benefits: they’re easy to find, they’re inexpensive, and you can often select the exact size you want. AllPosters offers a huge selection of new and old movie posters for sale. 

Original Film Art 

If you want to make sure you’re purchasing an original poster, Original Film Art is an ideal resource; the site doesn’t sell any reprints or reproductions. According to the website, Original Film Art only sells posters that were originally printed for use in a movie theater, and each poster comes with a certificate of authenticity. 

Garage or Estate Sales 

Try your luck and explore some garage or estate sales. You never know when you might come across a classic movie poster for sale. 

Heritage Auctions

Heritage Auctions hosts online auctions for a range of collectible items, from coins to jewelry to movie posters. You can preview items from upcoming auctions and place bids online. Then, your maximum bid will compete against live bids during the auction. 

1stDibs 

1stDibs brings together trusted sellers to create a marketplace of vintage and antique home decor, including movie posters. Through this site, you can connect and communicate directly with sellers, so you can ask questions and make sure you’re getting an authentic product. 

WalterFilm 

WalterFilm started as a collection of rare and limited edition books, but evolved to focus on classic film memorabilia, from movie scripts to movie star photos to old Hollywood movie posters. Here, you can find a wide and well-curated collection of film poster art. 

Local Collectibles Stores 

Local collectibles or memorabilia shops are known to have vast collections of pop culture treasures, including old movie posters. Plus, their professional buyers are often trained in authenticating vintage posters, so you can be confident that you’re purchasing the real deal. 

Hollywood Posters 

The founders of Hollywood Posters are collectors themselves. In fact, one of the company owners acquired much of her collection during her film career in the 70s and 80s. Today, the company guarantees the authenticity and condition of the old Hollywood movie posters it sells. 

Are Movie Posters Collectable? Are They Worth Anything? 

The highest valued movie posters are originals—the ones printed by studios to promote the movie in theater lobbies and other venues—rather than reprints. Some vintage movie posters for well-known movies like Return of the Jedi, Pulp Fiction, and Casablanca can be worth up to tens of thousands of dollars. One ultra-rare poster, from the silent sci-fi movie Metropolis, sold for nearly $700,000—awarding it the title of the most expensive movie poster in history. 

Posters from films made in the 1900s through the 1950s are generally the most valuable. Newer promotional pieces, like ’80s movie posters, tend to be less valuable because they were produced in much larger quantities. 

Whether you simply need some decor for your walls or a certain movie holds special memories for you, collecting and displaying movie posters can be an enjoyable hobby. Happy hunting! 

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