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Darth Vader’s Lightsaber Sells for $3.6 Million: The Force Is Still Strong

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If you’ve ever dreamed of owning Darth Vader’s lightsaber, you’re not alone.

But one lucky collector took that dream to the next level this week, as the iconic prop used in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi sold for a record-breaking $3.6 million at auction in Los Angeles.

Yes, you read that right — a single lightsaber fetched more than mega mansions.

lightsabersold

Photo credit Lucasfilm Ltd

A Galactic Record

The lightsaber, wielded by both David Prowse and stunt performer Bob Anderson, is described as the “primary dueling prop” used for Vader during both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi

It saw extensive use during filming and is now considered the highest-valued Star Wars item ever sold.

The final hammer price landed at $3,654,000, after an intense competition of 31 bids.

The presale estimate? Between $1 and $3 million — so yes, the final number flew past expectations at lightspeed.

Brandon Alinger, COO of auction house Propstore, summed it up best:

“The result marks a landmark moment not just for Propstore, but for the entire world of film collecting. To see a Star Wars lightsaber — the symbol of one of cinema’s greatest sagas — become the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special. It speaks to the enduring cultural power of Star Wars and the passion of fans and collectors who see these artifacts as touchstones of modern mythology.” – (Variety)

Why This Saber Was So Special

This wasn’t just any movie prop. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it’s believed to be “the only hero lightsaber from the original Star Wars trilogy to ever hit an auction”.

Propstore confirmed the saber was screen-matched — meaning it can be definitively verified as the one used during actual filming. That kind of authentication makes all the difference to collectors.

The saber itself was ingeniously crafted from a vintage 1950s camera flash bulb attachment, later modified by Lucasfilm’s production team into one of the most recognizable movie weapons in history. It even “bears authentic signs of wear,” physical proof of its role in those legendary dueling sequences against Luke Skywalker.

As Alinger explained to CBS News:

“We were able to work out not only which character used it, but exactly how it’s used, and you can see the small steel post that comes out of the top…that’s how they actually mounted the blade on it.”

Part of a Bigger Treasure Trove

The auction itself was held at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, hosted by Propstore. And it wasn’t just lightsabers shining on stage — more than 1,000 Hollywood treasures were up for grabs.

Highlights included:

  • Indiana Jones’ bullwhip, belt, and holster from The Last Crusade: $485,100
  • Platform 9 ¾ sign from the Harry Potter films: $138,600
  • Rick Dalton’s flamethrower rig from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: $346,500
  • Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man costume from 2002: $289,800
  • Jean-Luc Picard’s Ressikan flute from Star Trek: The Next Generation: $403,200

It’s basically the ultimate fan convention — only with bidding paddles instead of cosplay.

Top 10 Most Expensive Movie Props Ever Sold

Movie memorabilia auctions have attracted super fans with deep pockets for years, with prices soaring into the millions. Here’s where Vader’s saber lands on the leaderboard of cinematic treasures:

  1. Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” Dress – $4.8M 2016
  2. Darth Vader’s Lightsaber (Empire & Jedi) – $3.65M 2025
  3. James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger – $3.5M 2010
  4. The Cowardly Lion’s Costume (The Wizard of Oz) – $3.1M 2014
  5. Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber (A New Hope) – $2.7M 2017
  6. R2-D2 Droid Unit (A New Hope through Return of the Jedi) – $2.76M
  7. The Maltese Falcon Statue – $2M 2013
  8. The Ruby Slippers (The Wizard of Oz) – $2M 2000,
  9. Moonwalker’s White Suit (2001: A Space Odyssey) – $1.6M 2019
  10. Audrey Hepburn’s Ascot Dress (My Fair Lady) – $1.2M 2011, Julien’s Auctions

Disney fans, notice something? Both Jedi (Luke and Vader) are sitting pretty in the top five most expensive movie props of all time. The Force really does bring balance… to collector bank accounts.

Will their insurance cover accidental duels in the kitchen? Hard to say. But one thing’s certain: the Force will always be with this lightsaber.