Marilyn Monroe’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes dress – $310,000
Marilyn Monroe is one of the most famous actresses from the 1950s and early 1960s. In 1953 she starred in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which became instantly iconic because of her performance of Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. The pink dress that Monroe wore during the scene became just as popular as the song. It was auctioned off and bought for $310,000.
Rebecca Ferguson’s Dune dress – around $4 million
A large part of the appeal of movie adaptations is the opportunity to see iconic places and outfits from the story brought to life on screen, and Dune is no exception. The famous dress worn by Lady Jessica, played by Rebecca Ferguson in the film, has been called the most expensive costume ever made. The exact cost has not been revealed, but it’s expected to be in the millions.
Keira Knightley’s Atonement dress – $35,000
If you’re a film buff, you’ve likely already seen the 2007 movie Atonement. The sweeping romance is based on the Ian McEwan novel of the same name and stars James McAvoy and Keira Knightley. The striking costumes were designed by Jacqueline Durran. In 2009, a bidder paid $35,000 for the emerald-green silk gown that Keira Knightley wore while playing her character Cecilia Tallis in the film.
Audrey Hepburn’s My Fair Lady dress – $3.7 million
When you think of Audrey Hepburn, you think of the iconic film My Fair Lady, a movie that won eight Oscars, including one for Best Costume Design. This was due to gowns like the one worn by Audrey Hepburn in her performance as Eliza Doolittle, during the horse racing scene. The famous Ascot dress and hat sold for $3.7 million at auction in 2011.
Marilyn Monroe’s Gentlemen Prefer Blonde’s dress – $1.2 million
Marilyn Monroe’s signature red sequin halter gown from the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a prime example of how one item can come to define an entire movie. In the scene, she wears a plunging red sequin gown with a high thigh slit. The dress was sold at auction in New York City for $1.2 million dollars.
Ginger Rogers’ Lady In The Dark dress – $575,000
It may surprise you to learn that one of the most expensive costumes ever created doesn’t belong to a superhero or an alien from another planet. Instead, the honor goes to the iconic piece of clothing worn by Ginger Rogers in the 1944 film Lady In The Dark. The dress was designed by one of the 20th century’s most notable costume designers, Edith Head, and it cost about $575,000.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra cape – $59,365
The lavish costumes designed by Irene Sharaff and Vittorio Nino Novarese for the film Cleopatra were extremely expensive, totaling over $200,000 at the time. However, fans of the film would say that the expense was worth it, as the film won four Oscars including one for Best Costume Design. The most iconic costume in the movie is the gold dress and cape worn by Elizabeth Taylor’s monarch. The cape alone sold for $59,365 in 2012.
Barbra Streisand’s Hello, Dolly dress – $123,000
Irene Sharaff was a prolific costume designer known for her work in Oscar-winning films, including Hello, Dolly!, which featured the gold sequined dress worn by Barbra Streisand’s title character. Although the dress had an original budget of only $3,000 when it was first designed, it was expensive to make and ended up costing more than $10,000. The dress sold at auction for $123,000 in 2011.
Marilyn Monroe’s tiger gown – $593,750
Marilyn Monroe was a massive star in her day, and today she continues to be one of the most iconic movie stars in history. Many of Monroe’s garments have sold for big money at auction over the years. In November 2020, this sequin-studded tiger-print gown sold for $593,750 at the Heritage Auctions auction house.
Kate Winslet’s Titanic dress – $330,000
Titanic is one of the most iconic films in history, and its costumes are still highly sought after by collectors all around the world. This gown worn by Kate Winslet’s character Rose was sold at auction for a whopping $330,000 in 2012! The beautiful beaded dress was worn by Winslet during Jack Dawson’s invitation to high society aboard the ship.
Marilyn Monroe’s Seven Year Itch dress – $4.6 million
Not many of us can say that our clothing has made history. But whether you’re someone who’s into fashion, or you’re just a fan of Marilyn Monroe, you’ll know that the dress she wore in The Seven Year Itch is one of the most standout pieces ever crafted. The dress sold for an incredible $4.6 million at auction.
Florence Pugh’s Midsommer dress – $65,000
In 2020, A24, the production company behind movies such as Lady Bird and The Florida Project, auctioned off props and costumes from its films to benefit relief efforts against the pandemic. Florence Pugh’s iconic floral dress from Midsommar was one of the hottest ticket items, and it sold to none other than the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The auction house won the item with a final bid of $65,000.
Judy Garland’s Wizard of Oz dress – $910,000
Dorothy’s blue and white gingham dress from The Wizard of Oz is an instantly recognizable costume that is basically a little piece of history. The dress was originally worn by actress Judy Garland, and after its use in the 1939 film, it was sold to a collector for $910,000. At the time of purchase, this was the highest amount ever paid for a piece of clothing at an auction.
Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory suit – $73,800
When it comes to iconic film costumes, few have become as instantly identifiable as Willy Wonka’s. While Gene Wilder’s portrayal of the eccentric chocolatier was full of energy and unadulterated fun, his costume was just as memorable. This purple coat with a cane and top hat is the epitome of a whimsical fashion, so it makes sense that one fan was willing to pay a hefty $73,800 for it.
Marilyn Monroe’s Something’s Gotta Give dress – $358,000
Known as a movie that never even finished filming, Marilyn Monroe’s final film project was an interesting one. Something’s Gotta Give was the last film in which Marilyn ever appeared, as she died before it was completed. The silk crepe dress she wears in one of the project’s most famous scenes was designed by legendary designer Jean Louis and sold for $358,000.
Judy Garland’s Wizard of Oz ruby slippers – $612,000
Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz are perhaps the most iconic movie prop of all time. In May 2011, one pair sold at auction for $612,000! That’s enough money to buy a house in most parts of the country! The ruby slippers are among the world’s most valuable shoes because they’re so iconic and so rare.
Bruce Lee’s The Game of Death fur coat – $77,000
Bruce Lee was one of the most famous martial artists in the world, and he will always be remembered for his contribution to the film industry. The Game of Death was Lee’s last film, where he played fighter Billy Lo and wore this navy blue lined fur coat. In 2011, at an auction in Hong Kong, the coat was sold for $77,000.
Vivien Leigh’s Gone with the Wind dress – $137,000
Movie memorabilia is expensive. It’s one thing to own a DVD or even a poster of your favorite film, but when you have a piece of movie history, it’s priceless. Like this dress from Gone with the Wind, worn by Vivien Leigh! It sold for $137,000 at auction because it was more than just a costume—it was a little piece of cinematic history.
John Travolta’s Saturday Night Fever suit – $260,000
Although Saturday Night Fever was made all the way back in 1977, the movie’s lasting popularity can be attributed to John Travolta’s signature white three-piece suit, which he wears during the famous dance sequence at the film’s climax. The costume is now so iconic that one of just two versions of the suit sold for $260,000 at the Hollywood: Classics and Contemporary auction.
Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s dress – $612,460
The iconic Audrey Hepburn little black dress, worn in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, is one of the most famous garments of all time. Although it is most commonly referenced as a Givenchy design, the original was redesigned by costume designer Edith Head. The dress was sold in 2006 for $612,460 at Christies.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sex and the City 2 dress – $230,000
If you know anything about SaTC, you’ll know that Carrie Bradshaw had a knack for fashion. She was the quintessential New York City lady who had the best friends, the best apartment, and the best wardrobe. But in the very first scene of the movie sequel, we get a glimpse into what a Carrie Bradshaw splurge looks like: $230,000. That’s right, this deceptively simple dress cost $230,000 in real life!
Marilyn Monroe’s Some Like it Hot dress – $460,000
One of the most iconic dresses in Hollywood history, a black dress with bugle beads by Orry-Kelly, worn by Marilyn Monroe in Some Like it Hot, sold at an auction for $460,000. The dress is made of nylon net decorated with intricate beading and features a draped bodice, a full pleated skirt, and a sweetheart neckline. Its lace appliqués are beaded as well.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sex and the City 2 karaoke dress – $50,000
Sex and the City 2 is jam-packed with fashion moments that will make your head spin. The movie includes a total of $10 million worth of clothing between its four main characters. In the karaoke scene in Abu Dhabi, Carrie wears $4,000 embellished jeans by the Blonds under a $47,190 silver-and-gold Chanel lamé dress and overskirt.
Steve McQueen’s Le Mans racing suit – $984,000
The 1971 film Le Mans, which stars Steve McQueen, remains one of the most popular racing movies ever, and for good reason—it featured real footage from the 24 Hours of Le Mans automobile race. McQueen’s character Michael Delaney wore a costume designed by Hinchman of Indianapolis, which sold for an incredible $984,000.
Wicked the Musical’s Elphaba dress – $20,000
The role of odd duck turned powerful sorceress Elphaba in the musical Wicked is one of the most coveted musical theatre parts for any young actress. The character is beloved, she has a great solo number, and she gets to wear an amazing dress. Each Elphaba cast gets her own dress, meaning three are created for each production. While the producers do not publish the cost of each dress, they have been reported to cost around $20,000.
Julie Andrews’ Sound of Music dress – $1.3 million
The Sound of Music is a classic film that struck a chord with audiences worldwide upon its release. Its memorable songs were able to propel the film into becoming one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, so it’s no wonder that collectors clamor for memorabilia. One of the dresses worn by Julie Andrews sold for $1.3 million dollars at an auction nearly 50 years after the film’s release!
Jack Nicholson’s Batman 1989 suit – $125,000
The purple suit worn by Jack Nicholson’s villainous Joker in Tim Burton’s Batman sold for $125,000 when it was auctioned off at Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles. The bespoke seven-piece ensemble includes a suit by Savile Row’s Tommy Nutter, a Dobbs hat, a Christian Dior tie, and boots that had a dusting of set residue from the 1989 film.
Will Ferrell’s Elf costume – $235,000
It’s hard to believe that it’s been twenty years since Will Ferrell starred in one of the best Christmas movies ever made. Fans of the movie may be shocked to learn that the actor’s costume from the film sold for $235,000 at a Propstore auction in London in 2021. Clearly fans are keen to keep the Christmas spirit alive!
Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther suit – $300,000
Black Panther was a huge hit at the box office, there’s no denying that. It’s also true that the movie’s many costumes were given a lot of care and attention, with pains taken to integrate cultural details into each one. As a result, they were very expensive to make. There were reportedly 20 suits made for Boseman’s Black Panther, and each one reportedly cost $300,000.
Chris Evans’ Captain America suit – $228,000
It’s no exaggeration to say that Captain America costumes are among the most sought-after in Hollywood. Comic book fans and other movie aficionados went crazy over the iconic red, white, and blue costume worn by Chris Evans in Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011. At a 2012 auction at Profiles in History in Chicago, the costume sold for $228,000.
Christian Bale’s Dark Knight batsuit – $250,000
Given that he’s one of the most instantly recognizable superheroes in the entire canon, it’s no surprise that people are interested in Batman memorabilia. In 2016, a private collector bought a batsuit worn by Christian Bale in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises for $250,000.
Christopher Reeve’s Superman suit – $359,375
In 2022, one of the costumes worn by Christopher Reeve in his portrayal of Superman from 1978 to 1987 went on sale at an auction house. While the identity of the buyer remains unknown, we do know that the winning bid was $359,375 – more than twice as much as what was expected.
Zachary Levi’s Shazam suit – $1 million
Shazam’s superhero costume was pretty awesome in the recent 2019 film, but it was no doubt a difficult outfit to bring to life. This is because it wasn’t just the special effects and lighting that made this suit so complex – it also took a lot of money to create its practical elements! Some sources say that over ten suits were created for the film, with each one costing $1 million.
Sigourney Weaver’s Alien spacesuit – $204,800
In 2018, an original spacesuit from Ridley Scott’s 1979 movie Alien was auctioned off at Profiles in History’s Icons & Legends sale in Hollywood. The suit had originally been worn by Sigourney Weaver during her role as Ellen Ripley, and it sold for an eye-watering $204,800!
Bert Lahr’s The Wizard of Oz lion costume – $3.077 million
The Cowardly Lion’s costume from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is one of the most beloved costumes in movie history. It was worn by famed actor Bert Lahr, who portrayed the Cowardly Lion throughout the film. In 2014, this iconic costume sold at auction for an incredible $3,077,000.
Leonard Nimoy’s Star Trek blue shirt – $114,000
No television or movie franchise has ever managed to garner the love and obsession that Star Trek has enjoyed since its inception. With a lot of love comes a lot of money, and Trekkies are not afraid to spend on things that connect them to the series. A blue Starfleet uniform shirt, worn by Leonard Nimoy during his time playing Spock, sold for $114,000 at a 2012 auction.
John Wayne’s True Grit costume – $167,300
Though it was one of his most challenging roles, John Wayne’s performance as Rooster Cogburn in 1969’s True Grit was a memorable one. Throughout the film, Wayne dons a cowboy outfit that includes a shirt, jacket, waistcoat, pants, boots, and of course that eye patch. After John Wayne’s death in 1979, the outfit was sold for $167,300.
Star Wars Stormtrooper costume – $251,829
This collection of Stormtrooper armor is a fascinating piece of Star Wars memorabilia, especially if you’re a big fan of the films. Sci-fi items are often more popular than traditional movie props, and as such they can fetch higher prices at auction. In this case, the Stormtrooper armor was sold for over $250,000 in 2011, which is a testament to just how popular these items can be.
Margot Robbie’s Barbie jumpsuit – $20,924
In Barbie, Margot Robbie rocks a number of extravagant looks, but one of the flashiest and most memorable has to be the silver jumpsuit, worn early in the film during the party scene in Barbieland. The cost of the outfit hasn’t been revealed, but in an article by InStyle, fashion expert Noelle Sciaccia estimated that it would cost an eye-watering $20,924 to recreate this outfit.
Danai Gurira’s Black Panther costume – $20,000
Actress Danai Gurira played Okoye in Black Panther, the head of the Dora Milaje, a women-only special force that protects Wakanda. As stated by costume designer Ruth Carter, Gurira’s Okoye costume was one of the most expensive things she’d worked on. The detailed costume incorporates gold armor and intricate beading and was based on traditional designs worn by African and Filipino tribes, giving it an estimated value of $20,000.
