Movie lovers and memorabilia collectors alike were abuzz this weekend as a treasure trove of iconic film props and costumes went under the hammer at Propstore’s Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in London. The headline-grabber? Will Ferrell’s unmistakable green and yellow costume from the beloved 2003 Christmas comedy Elf, which fetched a staggering £239,400—including the buyer’s premium—on December 6, 2025, according to BBC and Press Association reports.
The instantly recognizable outfit, complete with black buckle, white collar, and cuffs, was worn by Ferrell in his role as Buddy the Elf—a man raised by Santa’s helpers who embarks on a journey to New York City to find his real father. The costume is screen-matched to one of the film’s most memorable scenes, in which Buddy gleefully presses every button in a New York elevator, lighting them up “like a Christmas tree.” The provenance of the piece only added to its allure, coming directly from the collection of the film’s producer, Jon Berg. As Propstore explained, “With only a handful of costumes believed to have been made for the film, this remarkable provenance makes it an exceptionally desirable piece of Christmas movie history.”
But Elf wasn’t the only classic film represented at the auction. The event, which spanned several days and concluded on Sunday, December 7, 2025, featured a dazzling array of memorabilia from some of the most celebrated movies and TV series of the past few decades. Among the highlights was a fedora worn by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), which was filmed at Elstree Studios. The iconic hat sparked fierce bidding competition, with 21 bids pushing the final sale price to £365,400—exceeding its highest pre-sale estimate by more than £60,000, as detailed by BBC and Press Association.
Star Wars fans had plenty to get excited about as well. Boba Fett’s original EE-3 carbine blaster prop from The Empire Strikes Back (1980) was the top lot of the auction, selling for an eye-watering £459,900—well above its already lofty estimate of £350,000 to £700,000. Stephen Lane, Propstore’s founder and chief executive, remarked, “Boba Fett’s blaster drew significant attention from the moment it was unveiled, and its superb performance has set a strong pace for the weekend. Star Wars has always been a cornerstone of Propstore’s history, and seeing a piece of this calibre excite collectors is especially meaningful to us.”
Elsewhere in the galaxy of memorabilia, Ewan McGregor’s lightsaber as Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) drew plenty of attention, too. The prop, which included a letter of authenticity signed by none other than filmmaker George Lucas, sold for £289,800. Not to be outdone, the screen-matched light-up multi pass used by Milla Jovovich’s Leeloo in The Fifth Element (1997) fetched £195,300, while Michael J. Fox’s hoverboard from Back To The Future Part II (1989) and Part III (1990) soared past expectations at £233,100—exceeding its highest pre-sale estimate by more than £100,000.
Other notable lots included a “cursed” Aztec medallion necklace worn by Orlando Bloom’s Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), the complete ecclesiastical ensemble of Keanu Reeves’ Neo from The Matrix Reloaded (2003), and a collection of horror props that sent chills down bidders’ spines. Among them: a Ghostface mask from Scream (1996) and the stunt axe wielded by Jack Nicholson’s Jack Torrance in The Shining (1980), which fetched £176,400. These pieces, as reported by Press Association and RTÉ, underscored the auction’s wide-ranging appeal, spanning genres from adventure to horror and everything in between.
Propstore’s auction also celebrated sci-fi and superhero classics, with memorabilia from Superman (1978), Spider-Man 3 (2007), and Beetlejuice (1988) making appearances. The event’s final day, Sunday, December 7, was dedicated to the artistry of animation, offering more than 300 lots that honored the craft of animated film and television. The sheer breadth of items available made this auction a veritable playground for collectors and fans alike.
Stephen Lane summed up the atmosphere of the event: “The opening days of our live auctions are always full of friendly spirited bidding competition—and day one of our Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction certainly did not disappoint. This auction brings together some of the most iconic creations in film, and we’re looking forward to seeing how the rest of the event unfolds.”
While the numbers are impressive, the stories behind these items are what truly captured the imagination of bidders and fans. The Elf costume, for instance, isn’t just a piece of fabric; it’s a symbol of holiday cheer, nostalgia, and the enduring appeal of a film that has become a staple of Christmas viewing. The fact that the costume was screen-matched to a beloved scene only heightened its value, both sentimental and financial. As the BBC noted, “With only a handful of costumes believed to have been made for the film, this remarkable provenance makes it an exceptionally desirable piece of Christmas movie history.”
Similarly, props like Boba Fett’s blaster and Indiana Jones’s fedora evoke the adventures and excitement of cinema’s greatest heroes and villains. These are not mere collectibles—they’re tangible pieces of movie history, connecting fans to the moments and characters that have defined generations.
The auction’s success is a testament to the enduring power of film and the deep emotional connections audiences form with the stories and characters on screen. Whether it’s the whimsy of Buddy the Elf, the daring exploits of Indiana Jones, or the intergalactic intrigue of Star Wars, these items remind us of the magic of movies and the joy of sharing that magic with others.
As the curtain falls on this year’s Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, one thing is clear: the appetite for cinematic history is as strong as ever. With each bid, collectors are not just acquiring objects—they’re preserving the legacy of the stories that have shaped our culture and our imaginations.
