Will your old Star Wars toys bring in millions of dollars?

With the resurgence of vintage toys, Star Wars fans may have out-of-this-world returns

For collectors, vintage toys are becoming more and more popular. If you're a Star Wars fan, you might be able to get up to £1 million for your old 1970s toys.

In recent years, vinyl records and original Barbie dolls have attracted the attention of passionate investors, and you no longer need to look far and wide for a respectable financial return.

According to research firm Barnebys, Star Wars fans are driving the global auction industry.

According to its most recent data, the market for toy collectibles was estimated to be worth £19.2 billion (14.7 billion) in 2023 and could reach £45.2 billion by 2031.

According to Barnebys, the industry is drawing more and more wealth funds and investors; the yearly growth rate is predicted to be 10.6 percent during that time.

According to its analysis, in 2024, antique toys, sports memorabilia, gaming memorabilia, pop culture, and 1970s designs all saw higher values than ever before.

"We saw a huge increase in interest in analogue collectible categories like toys and board games during COVID," says Barnebys' Pontus Silfverstolpe.

Both interest and the price picture have significantly expanded since then.

A generation born in the 1970s and 1980s has begun collecting vintage items from their youth, which is not surprising given that the entire auction industry thrives on nostalgia.

Since new TV spinoffs and adults who were once fans have more money to spend on their fandom, Star Wars memorabilia is proving to be a major market driver.

The value of your old Star Wars toys, which are currently collecting dust in the attic, may be in the hundreds of thousands of pounds.

While unpacking things in his loft last year, a former Marvel art director discovered a rare 1978 Star Wars Jawa figure, which at Excalibur Auctions sold for £15,000.

However, other things might sell for even more money.

A stormtrooper.

Collectible figurines and merchandise inspired by video games, anime, manga, and movies, like the Star Wars series, have become more and more popular.

(Image source: Andres Garcia/Getty Images).

Star Wars collectible toys that are most valuable.

According to Barnebys, the market for Star Wars franchise memorabilia is booming.

Along with art, ceramics, and silver, the auction aggregator claimed that this is assisting in the serious emergence of vintage toys as a category among investors in collectibles.

One rare 1979 Boba Fett Star Wars action figure brought £1.34 million (1 million) at a 2024 Goldin auction, while another brought £525,000 at Heritage Auctions.

The character, who made an appearance in the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, is a fan favorite, and only about 100 of the toys were made.

A stormtrooper helmet from the first movie, which brought £325,000 at auction last year, is another well-liked piece of Star Wars equipment.

In addition, a fan purchased Princess Leia's gold bikini for £175,000, and a miniature Y-wing Starfighter from the 1977 original movie brought £1.55 million at auction in July 2024.

According to Silfverstolpe, the British toy industry is worth 510 million because of the growth in demand for collectible figurines and merchandise based on video games, anime, and manga.

"This growth is anticipated to continue in 2025, driven by events like ComicCon and partnerships between major entertainment companies and collectible artists," he continued.

"New products are constantly being discovered or are making their debut in the market, which makes the vintage toy market particularly exciting.

This keeps people interested and gives investors hope that the industry will keep expanding.