In the wake of World War II, the devastating power of the atomic bomb loomed over all countries. However, no country felt the fear and unease, unlike Japan, which had two major cities bombed at the end of the war. Many had friends and family who perished and suffered after the bombs dropped. They also witnessed the lasting effect of the dangerous levels of radiation.
Not even a full decade after Japan surrendered, Tomoyuki Tanaka began to wonder about the hidden horrors of the ocean. Furthermore, the devastating nature of nuclear power raised its head once more as news about the Japanese fishing vessel, the Daigo Fukuryu Maru (Lucky Dragon No. 5), spread. The ship’s 25-man crew developed Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) after they trawled close to the Marshall Islands. With nuclear weapons testing undergoing on those islands, the ship became accidentally exposed to the fallout of one of the blasts.
These events congealed into the monster we know today as Godzilla. While he was in many ways inspired by the Beasts from 20,000 Fathoms, the unique anti-nuclear message that drew upon the memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki left a lasting impact. He became the embodiment of all of the world’s fears of nuclear power.
The success of the first film led to an entire franchise that is still going strong over 65 years later. Over the years, Godzilla has won over the hearts of fans as both a hero and a terrifying monster. Godzilla has also taken the form of comics, toys, and other collectibles throughout his long career.
Presenting the ten most expensive recorded online auctions for Godzilla collectibles
Godzilla collectibles come in all forms, from theater lobby cards to soft vinyl action figures. As with most collectibles, the age and condition of these products have determined how much people will pay for them. However, there are some outliers. You will see that some collectibles began at a high retail price, which only gained value as the stock tapered off. There are also collectibles, such as art prints, that have outstanding value due to the names attached to them.
We have looked over an online database to pick out the ten pieces of Godzilla collectibles that have sold for the most expensive prices. We picked only the highest-selling instance of each item. So, while some would appear multiple times in a search, they will only appear once here. We also excluded examples that were suspicious and unverifiable.
10. Arthur Adams Dark Horse Classics: Terror of Godzilla #5 Cover Art Print (1998)
After Godzilla ended his run at Marvel in 1979 after 24 issues, the IP eventually moved to a new home, Dark Horse, in 1987. Dark Horse began publishing the Godzilla: King of the Monsters comics in 1995. The run only lasted 16 issues, concluding in 1996. His run at Dark Horse failed to generate sales, but the comics remained a memorable part of the franchise.
One of Dark Horse’s most prolific artists, Arthur Adams, had always had a passion for Godzilla. So, when he had the chance to create the art for Godzilla Color Special #1 in 1992, he jumped on board. His art continued to define the Dark Horse run of Godzilla comics until the kaiju moved on to other publishers.
Dark Horse published Terror of Godzilla on December 16, 1998, featuring one of Arthur Adam’s iconic covers. This cover featured Godzilla emerging from an inferno as he battled the Super X. While the cover was a full-color piece, collectors love to see the impressive line-work from their favorite artists. Luckily, a copy of Arthur Adam’s ink over graphite line work became available on a 10.25” by 15.75” bristol board. It was also signed and dated on the lower right cover of the piece. The listing for this auction also claimed that there were blue pencil sketches on the right-hand margin of the board. It sold for $5,760.00 at Heritage Auctions on May 18, 2019.
9. Mattel’s World’s Greatest Monsters (Shogun Warriors) Rodan (1980)
Even though Godzilla first hit America’s shores in 1956, the first American toy manufacturer to introduce an action figure of him was Mattel in 1979. As Mattel had licensed all other toys for the Shogun Warriors toy line from Bandai’s Popy subsidiary, they once again got together with Bandai to design the toy. Thus, this toy also had the distinction of being Bandai’s first Godzilla action figure as well.
Despite the pedigree of the Godzilla action figure, there was one more toy from the line that would eclipse it. Determining that Godzilla needed another monster to accompany him, Mattel set out to create a toy of another of Toho’s famous kaiju. Thus, they created the Rodan action figure under the World’s Greatest Monsters logo. Despite the logo, this toy is considered a part of the Shogun Warriors toy line.
Finding mint copies of the Shogun Warriors Rodan is a rare feat, for the wings are prone to cracking. However, that only adds to the rarity of this toy. Since it was only produced in America, many collectors from other countries never had the chance to buy it. It also attracts both Shogun Warriors collectors and Godzilla collectors.
These factors led to astronomical selling prices when Mattel’s 1980 Rodan action figure went up for auction. One of these toys in mint-in-box condition sold for $5,950.00 on eBay when the auction ended on March 17, 2021.
8. Godzilla Japanese Poster Style B (1954)
One of the hardest types of collectibles to preserve over the years is movie posters. Many do not survive the initial display period at the theaters without some tears and wrinkles. Even fewer are taken down without tape or other marks from the framing. As the years pass by, the paper becomes brittle, and it becomes even harder to find a copy in mint condition.
Moreover, theaters are given multiple styles of posters to display. While most theaters will receive the standard Style A poster, larger ones may receive a Style B. There may be multiple styles of posters for a single movie.
In the case of Gojira from 1954, the most famous poster was dark-toned with red katakana characters on the left side of the posters. However, the style B poster had a lighter overall tone. It also had yellow katakana characters on the right side of the poster. The shot of Godzilla with tanks pointing at him did not resemble any specific frame from the movie.
A 20.1” x 30.5” Style B Gojira poster was sold at Heritage Auctions on November 20, 2016. At the end of the auction, it netted $5,975.00.
7. Godzilla: King of the Monsters Poster (1956)
When Gojira made it to America, it was heavily edited and Americanized with new footage from Jewell Enterprises. Rather than directly following the drama between Emiko, Hideto Ogata, and Dr. Daisuke Serizawa, the American version followed a reporter, Steve Martin. His investigation into shipping disasters led to the unveiling of Godzilla. Thus, Steve Martin was present to witness the rampage of Godzilla through Tokyo and then the sacrifice of Dr. Serizawa.
Along with the new cut, the American version of the film received a new name: Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The production team also created posters for this version of the film. Rather than featuring a screenshot from the film, the poster featured an artist’s rendering of Godzilla firing his atomic breath on a city. Notably, this artwork is the origin of the misconception that Godzilla’s hide was green. This artwork did not highlight any of the actors from the film, not even Raymond Burr as Steve Martin.
One of these posters was prepped by a company named Cinemasterpieces, which specializes in vintage movie posters. They certified its authenticity before setting up an auction for the 27” by 41” poster. When the auction ended on July 21, 2022, the poster sold for $5,995.00.
6. Medicom Toy X Hirota Saigansho Godzilla vs Kong Sofubi King Kong (2021)
While new collectibles often do not command as high prices as the older ones, there are some exceptions. Such was the case for the Sofubi King Kong action figure that Medicom Toy created. In collaboration with one of Japan’s celebrated toy designers, Hirota Saigansho, Medicom created a Godzilla vs. Kong action figure line that harkened back to the vinyl toys from the 70s.
Following this aesthetic, the toy was designed with exaggerated proportions. Rather than manufacturing these toys with specified color applications, the paint job was likely done by hand. Thus, each figure would have a small difference to set it apart.
According to the eBay auction, this King Kong action figure was one out of 15 that were produced for a lottery. With bidders assuming this was a very rare piece, it eventually sold for $6,500.00 on January 06, 2022.
5. Godzilla 1956 Original Japanese One Sheet Poster Signed
Even though Godzilla: King of the Monsters was heavily edited for American audiences, it still received a Japanese theatrical release on May 29, 1957. The cut of the film that inserted Raymond Burr’s character into the story was not even known to the film’s director, Ishiro Honda until it began airing over there. Despite the surprise, the release of the American version gave Toho the chance to capitalize on the film once more.
Along with the American cut, the film received a new poster. In many ways, this poster harkened back to the original poster for the 1954 film. However, it used a new shot of Godzilla breathing down flames on a mountain. It also featured the longer name that the Americans had given the film: Godzilla: King of the Monsters. This poster also featured Raymond Burr’s face at the bottom.
One of these rare posters sold on eBay for $6,500.00 on August 20, 2010. It notably featured the autograph of Gojira’s famed suit actor, Haruo Nakajima.
4. Godzilla: King of the Monsters Ghidorah Deluxe Edition Statue
Spiral Studios has made a name for itself by producing high-quality statues, especially as an official Godzilla license. They have created over a dozen different statues of these movie monsters. While most of their creations featured monsters from Legendary’s Monsterverse, they have also created statues of dinosaurs like Giganotosaurus from Jurassic Park.
One of these statues was the fearsome Monster Zero, Ghidorah, from 2019’s King of the Monsters. This statue stood over 30 inches tall. It also had a massive 50-inch wingspan. While they had produced a standard version of this statue, they also released a limited-run Deluxe Edition. The Deluxe Edition featured a new city diorama around the monster’s feet. Each of the three necks also featured electrifying lighting effects.
While this Deluxe Edition statue came out recently, in 2020, Spiral Studios only produced 299 of them. Thus, the supply of these statues quickly ran out. The statue originally retailed for $1,750.00, so it was never cheap. Its massive size and fragility also command high shipping costs. Thus, buyers looking for one today should expect high sales prices.
One of these toys sold on eBay for $8,999.99 on February 18, 2023. Notably, the auction only used stock images that Spiral Studios had given out to retailers. There is also no documented description from the eBay listing. So, it is difficult to confirm the authenticity of this sale.
3. Godzilla by Enzo Nistri (Paramount, 1957) Art Print
Despite the pedigree of the posters from Gojira’s original run, some of the rarest posters came from the European Market. When Godzilla began to air in the Italian market, a local artist, Enzo Nistri, created one of the kaiju’s most iconic posters. Nistri was one of the best poster designers from Italy for the era, with a career that spanned from the 1950s until the 1970s. Rather than use a still from the film, Paramount enlisted Nistri to create an original painting based on the film. Thus, he created a gouache illustration depicting Godzilla in a destroyed city.
Like the American poster before this one, this depiction of the titanic beast had splashes of green on his highlighted side. However, most of Godzilla was in shadow and shades of grey. The city behind the creature was bathed in flames. At the kaiju’s feet was the wreckage from a train, like the one he stomped through in the film.
One of these posters sold for $12,000.00 at Heritage Auctions on March 24, 2019.
2. “Godzilla vs Kong” Russel Young Signed and Numbered Screen Print (2006)
There are times were the name is associated with a collectible matter more than the actual collectible itself. Russel Young is one of the premier silk-screening painters from Britain. Born in 1959, he began gaining recognition for his photographs in the 1970s. His career has included editing magazines like BLITZ, shooting portraits for stars like Diana Ross and Bruce Springsteen, and directing music videos.
In 2006, he decided to create a unique print from one of the scenes of King Kong vs. Godzilla. The movie famously included a moment where King Kong and Godzilla duked it out at the site of the Atami Castle. As both kaiju fought for dominance, the castle was slowly torn down. Russel Young decided to create a screen painting featuring this moment from the film.
While the movie was shot in full color, Young decided to stylize the printing in sepia tones. This gave the print a more weathered and vintage feel. He then printed five copies of this piece on 48” by 63” canvases.
The print, numbered four, was made available on eBay, where it sold for $18,500.00 on November 05, 2014.
1. Stern Limited Edition Godzilla Pinball Machine (2021)
Proper pinball machines are never cheap, so it is unsurprising to discover one at the top of the most expensive Godzilla collectibles list. These machines sell for tens of thousands of dollars, both vintage and new. They also are some of the heaviest and largest collectibles, leading to high shipping rates. All of these factors lead to the inevitable conclusion that a non-digital, full-size pinball machine will be very expensive to own.
The Limited-Edition Godzilla Pinball Machine was created by one of the oldest and most prestigious pinball manufacturers: Stern Pinball, Inc. Since the 1930s, Stern has helped evolve the industry to what it is today. They introduced innovations like score reels and multi-player machines. While they have faced strong competition from companies like Bally, their machines are often listed as top picks.
This pedigree led to fans of both Stern and Godzilla celebrating the release of the Godzilla Pinball Machine in 2021. Like most modern machines, this one featured a digital scoreboard with clips from Godzilla’s various movies. Stern only produced a limited quantity of these machines, only about 1000. Moreover, the retail price was around $10,499.
Since the stock was limited, that high entry price has only gone higher. So, on March 28, 2023, the machine numbered 433 out of 1000 sold on eBay for a recorded $20,000.00. Notably, current trackers estimate this machine’s value to be around $14,800-$17,200.
Do you have old and used Godzilla collectibles and toys?
If you have a collection of old and used toys, you can turn those toys into cash. There is no reason to let those old toys collect dust. Contact us today to sell your Godzilla collectibles and toy collection.
Our professional, friendly, and expert staff have decades of experience as collectible toy buyers. If you are ready to sell your collection today, fill out the linked form or call us at 888-946-2895.
Made in Collaboration with:
Chris Ingledue
Contact: email
Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!