Second-Hand Movies: Unearthing Hidden Gems (Treasure Hunt Series, Part 1)

Can you find Gold on the Silver screen?

Today we start a new series dedicated to reviving the lost art of treasure hunting. Finding lost and hidden riches was once an act reserved for the world of fiction. I mean sure, if you were rich and crazy enough there was nothing stopping you from having a go yourself. Rich and Marty Lagina of The Curse of Oak Island, we’re looking at you. For the rest of us mere mortals however, the closest thing we got to lost treasure was channelling Lara Croft on the PlayStation. Today however, thanks to online platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and yes Riloop, everyone can search for gold from the comfort of your own home, or car, or a restaurant or a… OK, OK… basically you just need a phone.

Of course, we’re not expecting you to crack the seal of King Solomon’s Temple, uncover Atlantis, or stumble across half a dozen Faberge eggs, although stranger things have happened. No, don’t quit your day job or order a fedora just yet, the treasure we have in mind is a lot more accessible and you won’t need to tackle any snake pits either. In this new monthly series, we’ll look at one specific niche and highlight some of the accessible treasures that might lie just a few streets away.

To kick us off let’s take some inspiration from the silver screen. You may or may not know this, but not every DVD, VHS tape, or Blu Ray is equal. Some editions and some films have slipped down behind the proverbial sofa and are as rare as rocking horse cheese. The thing is, these elusive gems are not always as obvious as you might think. Indeed, armed with a bit of knowledge, a little bit of luck, and the right search terms, you could make out like a Time Bandit.

Why are some movies valuable?

For anything to hold value it needs to meet one or both of the following criteria and in theory, ticking both boxes will amp the expected price.

1. High demand

Before anyone will part with cash or even trade for something they’ll need to want it or be sure that someone else does. The greater the demand, the bigger the numbers. Now, we humans are adorable creatures, and honestly, who knows why some of us want the things we covet? With films, the hook could be nostalgia, or in the case of a collector, the need to complete a set or a series. That said, the passion could be something personal like an emotional connection or even a physical attachment to the film’s production. A big production can involve thousands of people and often they’ll neglect to save a momento at the time.

2. Low supply

The fewer physical examples of any given thing, the higher the price is likely to be. Whatever it is about a particular movie or special disc, the key to its value is knowledge. Some copies come out only once and are then forgotten about. If that version wound up in someone’s DVD cabinet and then gathered dust for twenty years. The owner may have no idea that during that time a legal battle over the title sequence meant the film was never rereleased, making their original copy rarer than rocking horse teeth. The key to finding the other kind of cinematic gold is knowing what to look for and, as importantly, where to find it.

How to find rare movies

The truth is, that some people value specific stuff way more than others. Not everyone, and we could include most people in this category, know the value of every film in their collection. So, to find lost treasure you just need to know which films and editions are the rarest, Next, just find them before anyone else. You can do this by setting up alerts on some online marketplace. Since you’re here though, we know you’re smarter than most and probably know that Riloop allows you to set up custom alerts for movies and editions that sell for big-ticket prices on ALL the major sites. After fine tuning your search, you can set up alerts that trigger anytime someone lists one of these rare movies below the market value. Of course, finding rare movies amongst big collections and job lots is also a good way to find your holy grails, so make sure you set up alerts for those too. You can find out which movies are rare by deep searching sites like Reddit, IMDB, and dedicated Facebook groups, but looking at online sold listings is a good idea too. Don’t be put off if you stumble across a single ‘sold’ listing that went for way under market value. Listings like this happen when someone leaps before looking and someone with the right search alert snaps it up before they realise.

Anyhow, without further ado, let’s look at the rarest films currently hiding in someone’s movie collection.

Our current Top5:

1. Dogma

That’s right, thanks to a copyright issue and ongoing legal dispute, the classic Kevin Smith cult smash is as hard to find on Blu-Ray as Shakespeare’s missing manuscripts. The movie is so rare that copies can change hands for over 100 euros a pop.

2. War Games on Steel Book

Who knew that a steel book edition of, and we’re being generous here, one of the dullest kids’ movies ever made, would end up as a must-have piece for collectors with bottomless pockets? Well, now you know, it’s time to set some alerts on Riloop.

3. Zardoz

Some films are rare because of legal issues, others because it’s a specific edition, some films though, well, some films are just rare full stop. If you’ve never seen Sean Connery in a Borat mankini and thigh-high leather boots now is your chance. Mind you, it’s going to cost you!

4. Coccon on VHS

Not to be confused with whatever the other movie also called Cocoon is about, this Rod Howard sci-fi fromage fest lingers in legal limbo thanks to a dispute over the soundtrack. Now if you want to relive the nightmare of watching promiscuous grandparents having pool parties with aliens, then don’t expect much change out of £50.

5. Star Wars Graded Big Box VHS

OK, so there was no way we could go through any movie listicle without including at least one Star Wars movie. This one however, well it puts the other on our list to shame. Coming in at a galactic £114,000 squid, this first edition VHS copy of the daddy of all space operas became the most expensive home movie ever when it sold at auction for the six-figure sum.

A word to the wise

The internet is an interesting place and according to the Chinese at least, that’s not a good thing. What we’re trying to say here is be careful. Sure, trading in old movies is a legitimate thing, but remember wherever there’s money to be made there will be scam artists and offers that seem too good to be true. If you’re going to be running off around the country looking for rare films then the least you can do is take a portable player with you. You could even pick up a cheap mobile Blu-ray or DVD player on Riloop, or take an older laptop with a physical drive with you. Obviously, checking Video cassettes is harder, but try to open up the flap and take a look at the tape itself. It should be smooth, any wrinkles or creases mean problems. Another factor to consider is whether the disc is a specific edition. Some versions of movies or media are worth way more than others and there are sharks out there. If you’re looking for the Russian steel-book release, then make sure the curtains match the drapes or so to speak. There’s nothing worse than getting home to find the rare editions you’ve shelled out for is just the standard DVD in a fancy box. Above all else though the number one thing to watch out for when trading for old movies, is remembering to make sure the disc or tape is actually in the case!

How to complete the circuit and sell for the best price

Getting the most for your movies is as simple as finding the right buyer. The best way is making sure you include all the relevant details in your listings. Remember this loophole exists because real collectors don’t always have the time to trawl through every online listing of a movie to find the specific version they’re after. Make sure then that you include EVERYTHING you can about your copy. Don’t make the mistake of relying on AI copy, while it’s quick and easy, these apps lack the detail you’ll need to make the big money. They are also prone to error. Quality pictures are also essential to seal the deal, take shots of all angles and every page of any booklets or covers your copy has. One final thing to remember is to include pictures of any items before you send them. While not common it’s not unheard of for shady buyers to raise a dispute and then return a different version of a movie.

Conclusion

So, how many of these rare movies do you remember having at least one copy of? Remember that with Riloop you can set up alerts and conduct specialist searches of multiple online marketplaces, all without triggering a single pit trap or letting off any poison darts. The key to making money in the movie business is not about who you know, it’s about what you know and Riloop has all the tools you need to find low-priced hidden gems and better yet, what they should be going for. Sign up to Riloop today, and start making your movie fortune now.