YOUR movie collection could be worth a fortune: These cult classic VHS tapes sell for THOUSANDS of dollars

Science
By William

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By Kim Komando for Dailymail.Com

Published: | Updated:

You could be in a treasure trove of worthwhile children’s films.

Streaming has replaced going to the video store, but VHS tapes are becoming increasingly popular among collectors.

Classics like Back to the Future and films with a cult following like the original Fast and the Furious fetch thousands on eBay.

But before you sprint to the garage or rummage through the attic, proceed with caution: the condition of these tires will determine their selling price.

11 MOST VALUABLE VHS TAPES

1. “Back to the Future” — If you could travel back to 1985 in the DeLorean, tell yourself not to open your copy. It sells for $1,000.

2. “The Fast and the Furious” — By the time it came out in the early 2000s, many of us were already into DVDs. A VHS version of this Paul Walker and Vin Diesel classic can run you as much as $1,000.

3. “Teen Wolf” – A first pressing VHS tape with Michael J. Fox’s iconic cover art on his chest just sold on eBay for $1,190.

4. ‘Gremlins’ – America fell in love with those hairy, evil little menaces in this ’80s staple. A copy costs $1,250 today.

5. “First Blood” — Sylvester Stallone was in his element. A copy of this gem cost just $1,525. The front of the original VHS tape still had the $29.95 price tag on it. How’s that for appreciation?

6. “Halloween II” — An unopened copy of this blockbuster sequel recently sold for $1,525.

7. “Dumbo” — A limited edition version bundled with a Mickey Mouse ornament recently sold for $1,575.50.

8. “Conan the Barbarian” — Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned, enemy-crushing masterpiece? A new one is worth $1,725.

9. “Taxi Driver” – First printings and early editions cost a pretty penny. An initial release of the Robert De Niro classic sold for $1,905.

10. “The Goonies” — Recently went for $4,050. As the saying goes, “Goonies never die.” Nor does the market value of this VHS tape.

11. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” – Calling all Freddy Krueger fans. A new example recently sold on eBay for $5,000.

Sorry, that copy of “Aladdin” you watched 50,000 times as a kid is a dud.

eBay says about 250,000 VHS tapes are sold on the online sales platform each year.

Additionally, it revealed that eBay buyers have spent more than three million dollars on VHS tapes.

Have you ever wondered how long your old VHS tapes last?

Their magnetic particles can deteriorate over time, causing a loss of image and sound quality. Under ideal conditions you’re looking at 10 to 25 years.

That’s a big range, so let’s take a look at the factors that play a role in it.

● Storage Conditions: Tapes stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, perform better. Humidity and high temperatures are not good.

● Playback Wear: Minor wear occurs each time a VHS tape is played. Over time this can lead to tracking issues and visible ‘lines’ during playback. That’s why your childhood favorites have gotten so mixed up.

● Mold is the enemy: When stored in humid conditions, mold can grow on the tapes and damage the video and audio. Once mold has developed, it is difficult to restore the tape to its original condition.

● Proper rewinding: Believe it or not, using a special tape winder instead of the VCR’s rewind function can extend the life of the tape. It reduces the load on both the VCR and the tape.

VHS tapes aren’t forever. If you have precious moments or rare finds on VHS, consider converting them to a digital format to ensure they stand the test of time.

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