Sealed VHS Of ‘Back To The Future’ Sets Auction Record After Selling For $75,000

Back to the Future is an iconic movie, but is it $75,000 for a VHS copy iconic? One New-York based collector thought so, purchasing a sealed, near-mint condition copy of the film at an auction. 

The 1986 VHS tape belonged to actor Tom Wilson, who starred as Biff Tannen in the 80s flick. Wilson originally listed the tape on eBay alongside other movies, but due to the overwhelming response it received, he decided to offer them up at auction. That’s when he reached out to Dallas-based Heritage Auction. 

Wilson’s collection included sealed and graded copies of Back to the Future II, Back to the Future III, and the trilogy box set sold in the 1990s. In addition to the tapes, both were accompanied by signed notes from the late MCA executive VP and Universal Pictures chairman Tom Pollock to Wilson. Wilson also offered to sign each shipment, making the purchase extra special. 

The $75,000 of the Back to the Future tape for an astounding $75,000 set a new record for a videotape. 

“We had no idea what was going to happen — no one’s done this before, and to see the success, it’s amazing,” Joe Maddalena, the executive vice president of Heritage Auctions, said to CNN. “When you see that, it’s a great sense of accomplishment, not even the financial aspect of it but just a moment of ‘I knew it! I knew nostalgic VHS tapes would be good.'”

Heritage Auctions has had some success with other tape sales amid a resurgence in popularity for VHS. Other classic films like The Goonies, Jaws, and Ghostbusters have sold for high dollar amounts at auction.