12 Iconic Movie Props That Have Been Lost or Destroyed

Movie props play a crucial role in bringing films to life, often becoming just as iconic as the characters themselves. However, many of these cherished items have been lost or destroyed over time, leaving behind only stories and memories. Whether through theft, neglect, or unfortunate accidents, the disappearance of these props has only added to their mystique. These missing pieces of movie history continue to captivate fans and collectors.

The Maltese Falcon from The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon, the titular prop from the 1941 film The Maltese Falcon, is one of the most recognizable movie artifacts. However, one of the original lead versions of the falcon statue was stolen from actor Sydney Greenstreet’s home in 1952 and never recovered. Due to its weight and fragility, only a few versions of the falcon were made, with one being dropped and damaged on set. After the film’s release, two surviving statues were known to be in existence, with one sold at auction in 2013 for over $4 million. The missing falcon remains a mystery, making it one of Hollywood’s most infamous lost props. In 1995, a replica of the statue was created for display, but the whereabouts of the stolen original remains unknown.

The Heart of the Ocean Necklace from Titanic

The famous “Heart of the Ocean” necklace from Titanic was a central prop in James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster. Although it was only a replica and not made of real diamonds, its value was still considerable due to its role in the film. After production, several versions of it were created for promotional purposes, and one was worn by actress Gloria Stuart at the 1998 Academy Awards. However, one of the original versions used on set mysteriously vanished after filming. Despite efforts to track down the missing necklace, it was never found. The remaining replicas have been displayed at various exhibitions, but the loss of the original prop remains a notable mystery in Hollywood.

Indiana Jones’ Whip from Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones’ whip is one of the most recognizable accessories in film history, and it has been featured in multiple films in the Indiana Jones franchise. However, one of the original whips used by Harrison Ford during the filming of Raiders of the Lost Ark went missing in 1990. It was on loan for an exhibition when it was stolen, sparking a search that lasted for years. Despite offering a reward for its return, it has never been recovered. Ford had several whips made for the film, but this particular one held sentimental value as it was the main whip used during action sequences. Since its disappearance, replicas of it have been created for fans and collectors, but the original’s loss remains one of the most frustrating prop thefts in movie history.

The Delorean from Back to the Future

The DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future became an iconic symbol of 1980s pop culture, but one of the original cars used in the trilogy has been lost to time. Several versions of the car were made for different scenes, but after the films were completed, some of these were sold off or scrapped. One version was displayed at Universal Studios Hollywood but was severely damaged after years of exposure to the elements. In 2003, the remaining one used for promotional purposes was stolen from the Universal Studios lot. Although a replica was built for fan events, the original car remains lost, adding a layer of mystery to the already legendary prop.

Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber from Star Wars: A New Hope

Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber from Star Wars: A New Hope is one of the most famous movie weapons, but the original prop used by Mark Hamill has gone missing. After filming wrapped in 1976, several of the lightsabers created for the movie disappeared, either stolen or misplaced during storage. The lightsaber, constructed from a Graflex camera flash handle, became a valuable piece of film memorabilia, leading collectors and fans to search for it. Although some lightsabers from later Star Wars films have surfaced in auctions, the original remains elusive. A few years after the film’s release, George Lucas confirmed that many of the original props were lost or destroyed due to negligence during production.

The Golden Idol from Raiders of the Lost Ark

The golden idol from Raiders of the Lost Ark is another iconic prop that mysteriously vanished. This item, featured in the film’s memorable opening scene, was one of several created for different shots. One version of the idol, made from gold-painted resin, was stolen from a prop warehouse shortly after filming concluded. The theft was not immediately noticed, and it wasn’t until much later that filmmakers realized the original idol had gone missing. Despite efforts to locate the stolen prop, it has never been recovered. A replica of it was later made for exhibition purposes, but the original remains lost.

The Nostromo Spacesuit from Alien

The Nostromo spacesuit worn by Sigourney Weaver in Alien was one of the most iconic costumes in sci-fi history. After production ended in 1979, it was stored in a warehouse, but it was later discovered that improper storage conditions had caused severe damage. The material used to create the suit began to deteriorate due to exposure to humidity and temperature fluctuations, and by the time the damage was found, it was irreparable. Despite attempts to restore the suit, it could not be saved, leading to its eventual destruction. While replicas of it have been made for exhibitions and fan events, the original suit worn by Weaver is now lost to time.

The Golden Gun from The Man with the Golden Gun

The titular golden gun from the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun is another famous movie prop that has been lost. The prop, designed specifically for Christopher Lee’s character, Scaramanga, was stolen from the set during filming. Despite a thorough investigation, it was never recovered, and it is believed to have been smuggled out of the country. Several replicas of it were made for promotional purposes, but the original golden gun remains one of the most sought-after lost props in film history.

Wilson from Cast Away

The volleyball named Wilson from the 2000 film Cast Away became a surprise movie icon, serving as Tom Hanks’ character’s only companion on the deserted island. After filming wrapped, it was auctioned off for charity, but one of the original Wilson volleyballs was lost in transit during a move between exhibitions. Despite efforts to track down the missing ball, it has never been recovered. While other Wilson volleyballs used in the film have been preserved, the loss of this particular one saddened fans of the film. The surviving volleyballs have since been displayed in museums, but the lost prop continues to elude collectors.

The Batpod from The Dark Knight

The Batpod, one of Batman’s high-tech vehicles featured in The Dark Knight, became an instant fan favorite for its sleek design and daring stunts. Several versions of it were made for filming, but one of the original stunt models went missing after production wrapped. Despite being stored in a secure location, it was reportedly stolen from a set storage facility. The vehicle had been used in some of the most thrilling action sequences in the movie, making its disappearance even more notable. While other models of it remain in exhibitions and fan events, the missing prop has not been recovered. 

The Ark of the Covenant from Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Ark of the Covenant from Raiders of the Lost Ark was a central prop in the film, symbolizing the ultimate archaeological treasure. After filming, several versions of it were made for promotional purposes, but one of the original on-set Arks went missing during a move between storage locations. The disappearance was not noticed until it was needed for an exhibition, at which point it was deemed lost. Despite a thorough investigation, the missing Ark has never been recovered. The remaining one is currently housed at the Lucasfilm Archives, but the mystery of the stolen Ark persists.

Marilyn Monroe’s Dress from The Seven Year Itch

Marilyn Monroe’s white dress from The Seven Year Itch is one of the most famous costumes in cinema history, instantly recognizable from the iconic subway grate scene. While several copies of it were made, the original dress used in filming was reportedly lost during a wardrobe sale in the 1960s. It is believed that it was either sold to an unknown buyer or stolen, as its whereabouts have never been confirmed. Despite exhaustive searches, the original dress has never surfaced, leading to numerous rumors about its fate. In 2011, a replica of the dress was sold at auction for over $5 million, highlighting its continued significance.

This article originally appeared on Rarest.org.

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