Is your Star Wars Phantom Menace memorabilia value something?

As one the biggest movie franchises, which has also expanded into TV shows, video games and books, Star Wars is universally known, and has hundreds of millions, if not billions of fans around the world.

Because of this, the market for memorabilia from the movies is huge, and with the 25 year anniversary of 1999’s Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, the first of three prequels, now could be a good time to sell your collectibles.

Users searched for Star Wars related items on Ebay more than 220 times per minute in 2023, according to the e-commerce giant.

Meanwhile, live-selling site Whatnot said nearly 300,000 Star Wars collectibles were sold on its platform in 2023, with as many as 11,005 live shopping streams devoted to Star Wars memorabilia.

The site said a Mark Hamill-signed Funko Pop! figure of Luke Skywalker sold for more than £8,000 last year.

However, the Phantom Menace prequel is notoriously viewed as one of the less favoured instalments in the franchise by casual viewers and Star Wars mega-fans alike.

According to film review site Rotten Tomatoes, the Phantom Menace scores a measly 53 per cent, beating only 2019’s Rise of Skywalker, and paling in comparison to a 95 per cent score for The Empire Strikes Back.

But has the lack of passion for these movies reduced the value of its collectibles, or could selling your memorabilia prove a lucrative move?

This is Money spoke to a Star Wars collector to find out how you can make sure the force is with you and gain a profit that is out of this world.

Ryan Toomey, Star Wars collector and editor of Upbeat Geek, says that despite the poor reception for the prequel, ‘merchandise for The Phantom Menace was immensely popular, with everything from action figures to lunchboxes made in anticipation for the release.

‘However, with the lacklustre reception and sheer volume of merchandise produced, the market became oversaturated, and very few items held much value.’

As a result, figures from The Return of the Jedi can fetch well into the thousands of pounds, whereas similar figures made for The Phantom Menace will only sell for around £40, even in mint condition.

Nevertheless, with Disney’s newest Star Wars instalment, The Acolyte, arriving on Disney+ today and coinciding with the recent 25-year milestone for The Phantom Menace, the market is at a high-point.

‘Fans who were children back in 1999 are rekindling their love for the prequels,’ Toomey said.

‘Toys and other merchandise that were seen as common or unremarkable back in 1999 are now highly sought after by fans looking to recapture a piece of their childhood – or simply give the prequel series the recognition it deserves.’

One of the big hitters is Star Wars Lego, with the original 1999 sets being the most sought after Lego products for the first prequal movie.

‘The original sets from 1999 have a level of renown that makes them highly sought-after by Star Wars and LEGO enthusiasts alike,’ Toomey told This is Money.

According to Toomey, the original Mos Espa Podrace set could net sellers up to £300 if still boxed, or as much as £100 in a used condition.

Another popular choice, the Naboo Starfighter set, sells for around £110 in a new condition, but might only make £30 if used.

Meanwhile, away from the Lego-sphere, a Darth Maul wristwatch could land you a hefty £250, as one of the rarer collectible items from the prequel.

Similarly, a battle droid cooler box from the movies will likely sell for more than £350. However, with the majority of the Pepsi-collaboration products being sold in Japan, getting your hands on one might not be so easy.

How can you work out if your items are worth anything?

While you might be an avid collector, the likelihood is that any Star Wars collectibles you have are boxed up somewhere gathering dust.

Whether you were a big fan of the movies, a more casual collector, or you simply have a stash of childhood toys, there could be a hidden gem amongst the rubble.

A good starting point is to make the most of the modern technology available to you.

Using websites like Ebay can give you an indication of what sellers asking for their items.

However, ‘sometimes prices can be overinflated, so it’s good to look at sold listings so you can gauge exactly what prices collectors deem fair,’ Toomey said.

For a more foolproof method of valuing your items, you could choose to have them, appraised by a professional.

Obviously, this will come at a cost, but if you think you have your hands on gold then it might be worth the investment.

Toomey said appraisal can ‘give you a more accurate idea of your value and provide you with a ‘standard’ that collectors will understand, making it slightly easier to sell your items with less back and forth.’

Similarly, auction houses could give you the peace of mind you need to flog your memorabilia.

‘For rarer or higher ticket items like original posters or spirits, auction houses that specialise in selling movie memorabilia can be the best option as they will be able to authenticate your collection and drum up a lot of interest from interested parties. 

‘You will have to pay a commission, but this can be a safer way to sell your items without them getting damaged or being scammed,’ Toomey said.

On the other hand, your item might not justify the amount a professional opinion would cost. In this case, there are a number of forums and groups online and on social media that may help to indicate what your collectible could be worth.

Some of these websites may also give you ability to sell or trade your items on the platform, or direct your to the best places to sell.