Top 10 Most Expensive VHS Tapes In The World
Top 10 Most Expensive VHS Tapes In The World
September 15, 2024
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Introduction
Today we watch movies on various OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. Due to technological advancements, the way people consume content has evolved. In the past, individuals used to watch movies using home video cassette players known as VHS Tapes, which were compatible with televisions. While these players were initially expensive, they eventually became obsolete as the world entered the digital age. However, some collectors still possess these tapes, some of which are considered extremely valuable. Here are the Top 10 Most Expensive VHS Tapes in the World.
What are VHS Tapes?
VHS (Video Home System) is a videocassette recorder system that was prominent from the 1970s to the 1990s. Invented in 1976 by a Japanese company called Victor, VHS tapes were a costly entertainment option during their initial release. With limited cinema options available at the time, VHS tapes provided a way for people to enjoy movies in the comfort of their homes. These tapes could be easily inserted into televisions without the need for any special setup, and they were characterized by dimensions of 18.7 x 10.2 x 2.5cm, classified under the Magnetic Cassette Tape category. Companies like CineVideo, Video Presidente, Video Factory Ltda, Alfavideo, Venue Home Video Ltda, and Kyron Home Video were some of the key producers of VHS tapes.
Top 10 Most Expensive VHS Tapes
- The Little Mermaid Black Diamond Edition 1990 – (Worth USD 41,700)
- Star Wars: A New Hope Value (1984) – (Worth USD 35,000)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) – (Worth USD 28,500)
- 101 Dalmations – Black Diamond Edition (1992) – (Worth USD 22,700)
- Beauty and the Beast – Black Diamond Edition (1992) – (Worth USD 15,300)
- The Jungle Book – Black Diamond Edition (1991) – (Worth USD 12,000)
- The Lion King Value – Black Diamond Classic Edition – (Worth USD 6,750)
- Dr. Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks Value (1974) – (Worth USD 1,880)
- Lady and the Tramp – Black Diamond (1955) – (Worth USD 1,500)
- The Fox and the Hound – Black Diamond Edition (1994) – (Worth USD 500)
The most expensive VHS tape among the Top 10 Most Expensive VHS Tapes is The Little Mermaid, featuring a rare Black Diamond Edition released in 1990. This story follows a mermaid named Ariel who dreams of living on land against her father’s wishes, eventually sacrificing her voice to fight a sea witch for true love. This rare version of The Little Mermaid VHS tape was sold for $41,700.
Released in 1984, this VHS tape of “Star Wars: A New Hope” remained unopened until it was acquired by a collector. In 2022, it was ranked as the second most expensive VHS tape among the Top 10 list, fetching $35,000 at an auction. The narrative follows Luke Skywalker’s journey as he joins a coalition to combat the empire in a distant galaxy.
Released in 1990, the VHS tape of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” claimed the top spot in box office earnings, holding the record for nine years. This initial VHS edition of the 1990s movie, valued at $28,500, follows the adventures of four ninja turtles named Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo, and Michelangelo as they protect the city in their daily lives.
The Black Diamond Edition VHS of Disney’s beloved animated film “101 Dalmatians,” released in 1992, has seen its value soar to $22,700. The movie showcases the adventure of Pongo and Perdita, parents who embark on a courageous mission to rescue their stolen puppies from the villainous Cruella de Vil.
The story of the Beauty and the Beast Black Diamond Edition is a unique romance depicted in the VHS tape valued at $15,300, making it the 5th most expensive. Disney consistently impresses both parents and children with its popular content, leading to increased prices. The tale follows Belle as she finds true love with a prince transformed into a beast.
Another beloved story features Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves enjoying life in the jungle. The rare Black Diamond Edition of The Jungle Book VHS tape is valued at $12,000.
The Lion King VHS tape, part of the rare Black Diamond Edition collection, was auctioned for $6,750. The storyline revolves around Simba, a young lion reclaiming his place following his father’s tragic demise.
In 1974, Dr. Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks tells the story of a scientist creating creatures and facing consequences. This widely watched movie in the 90s era is now rare and valued at $1,880.
Lady and the Tramp narrates the love story between a pet lady dog named Spaniel and a street dog named Tramp, emphasizing friendship and companionship. This rare-to-find VHS tape is valued at $1,500.
The Fox and the Hound, with a rare Black Diamond Edition VHS tape, fetched $500 in an auction. The movie depicts the friendship between Toad the Fox and Copper the Dog, evolving into enmity as they mature.
Conclusion
These VHS tapes in their boxy format evoke nostalgic memories. Families used to gather around the TV to watch movies on these tapes. While digital platforms now dominate, collectors still treasure these VHS tapes. Owning one of the Top 10 Most Expensive VHS Tapes makes you incredibly fortunate!
Sources
FAQ.
No. VHS tapes are withdrawn from the market. But some tapes are still available for collection purposes. If you have a system compatible with these tapes you can still play the movie and watch it on TV. Moreover, the content on these tapes has been digitised on various OTT platforms.
You can keep these VHS tapes away from dirt, and direct sunlight exposure as well as magnetic sources.
Yes, these tapes are rewritable. They can be erased a number of times to record new content.
These tapes were used to record audio and video content. Most of the time, these were commonly used for movie rentals, home movie recording as well as television recording.
Data is from 2023 and 2024 and forecast data is for 2025 and 2026. We also expand the forecast data to 2027 and 2028.
* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:
Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.
Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.
Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.
Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.
Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.
Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.
Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.
Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.
Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.
Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Top 10 Most Expensive VHS Tapes In The World
September 15, 2024
