Top 10 Most Expensive Star Wars Toys: Collector’s Guide

Since the release of the iconic film in 1977, Star Wars has been a firm favorite amongst sci-fi fans. Every film has brought in over 1 billion dollars at the box office.

It was only one year after the first film premiered that the first Star Wars toys appeared on the market, and they’ve been popular ever since. With the release of Episode IX in 2019, Hasbro – the current manufacturer of official Star Wars toys – saw their sales skyrocket by 70%.

For collectors, though, it’s just as much about the old favorites as it the new releases. With many of the most valuable out of production, it can be hard to get your hands on them. To avoid bidding wars on auction sites, a great place to find all the top, valuable, Star Wars toys is ToyShnip.

Read on as we review the ten most expensive Star Wars toys collectors are dying to get their hands on.

10 Most Expensive Star Wars Toys

Rocket-Firing Boba Fett Prototype

First released in 1978, this model of Boba Fett came complete with a rocket-firing backpack. Initially, it was only available through mail order as a promotion for collectors who had already purchased the first four figures released.

However, these orders were never fulfilled, and this version of the product never got beyond the prototype stage. The reason it never came out is tragic. In December 1978, a four-year-old boy fired a missile from his Battlestar Galactica model into his mouth. He choked, and sadly, died. As a result of the public outcry, all projectiles were removed from Star Wars toys.

Instead of the prototype, collectors who had ordered the Boba Fett figure were sent a modified version. This had the jetpack and missile as one solid piece which couldn’t be fired.

Only a handful of prototypes were distributed before the incident. This makes the highly sought after collectors’ item very hard to come by.

Today, opportunities to get your hands on one are rare. The last known sale was for $236,000 in June 2022 at an auction held by toy-specialist Hake.

TodCastPodcast value the figurine at $150,000, but Ranker go a step further and give it a potential value of up to $500,000, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after Star Wars collectibles.

Vinyl Cape Jawa

Considered the Holy Grail of 1970s Star Wars figurines, this vinyl caped-Jawa toy cost less than $2 when it was first released. Initially available on the U.K. market, when it was released in the United States an employee of Star Wars claimed they thought it looked cheap and proposed a new version with a cloth cape.

This meant that only a handful of the original figures with a vinyl cape were ever sold in the U.S. According to Fanhatracks, the toy is so rare that many collectors believed its very existence to be a myth.

Luckily, those collectors were wrong, and this figure is certainly real. The only tricky part is finding one, as it is said to be one of the top three rarest Star Wars toys around.

Ranker value it at $20.000, whilst TodCastPodcast place its worth at $28,000. The last known sale was in January 2024 when a lucky owner in Hertfordshire, England sold his figurine for £19,500 (around $24,000).

Telescoping Lightsaber Figures (Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi)

Released in red for Darth Vader, yellow for Luke Skywalker, and Blue for Obi-Wan Kenobi, there are 10 variations of these toys. Initially produced by Kenner in 1978, they were some of the first Star Wars toys produced.

Initially, these figures featured a “double-telescoping” lightsaber which slid out of a hollow tube next to their arms.

Having a second lightsaber made the toys delicate, meaning they were easily breakable. For that reason, they were quickly discontinued.

A few remain in the hands of collectors, and TodCastPodcast value them between $25,000 and $76,000.

Vlix from Star Wars Droids (Brazil’s Exclusive)

Even at the time of its release, the Vlix Droid was the rarest Star Wars toy ever made. The reason being, it was only ever available in Brazil. There has been much debate over which of Vlix or the rocket-firing Boba Fett is actually the rarest. However, the key point is that Vlix made it onto the shelves, whereas Boba never did. Even if it was only in one country!

The story behind this seemingly random release is an interesting one. The contract to create official toys in the late-1970s was held by Kenner. They designed and created the molds for the Vlix figures, but before they could release them, the show ended. Instead of wasting all the time and money they’d spent, they decided to sell the molds.

These were purchased by Glasslite, a Brazilian toy manufacturer. In 1987, Glasslite used the molds to make a limited number of Vlix models. These were sold in Brazil when Star Wars Droids aired in the country in 1988.

To add yet another twist to this intriguing story, the owners of the film rights – Lucasfilm – had no idea that Kenner had sold the molds to Glasslite. When they found out about the toy’s release, they demanded it be discontinued.

The story doesn’t finish there, though. The unsold toys still in the warehouse were destroyed by a fire, leaving very few in the public domain.

It’s unsurprising, then, that these make the top ten list of most expensive Star Wars toys for collectors. TodCastPodcast value these at $45,000.

Darth Vader

Whilst Darth Vader toys are amongst the most common available, the original 1978 edition is very rare.

Kenner’s first Darth Vader figure was released as part of the “double telescoping” range. As with all these variants, they were only produced for a short period, and many of the originals broke due to their delicate design.

Today, they’re a collector’s dream, and the highest-grade examples are valued at $45,000 by Ranker.

Bib Fortuna Action Figure Prototype

Released back in 1983, these toys originally sold for less than $2. Today, they’ll set you back 2,400 times that amount. The latest known sale in the United Kingdom saw a Bib Fortuna prototype going for £36,000 (around $45,000).

Like the Boba Fett prototypes, these toys never made it onto the shelves and saw Bib Fortuna wearing a red cape. The final design which was eventually released had him in a more standard black cape.

For collectors looking to get hold of one, LoveToKnow value the rare toy at $31,200. Although, as the sale above shows, they can sell for much more.

Luke Skywalker Telescoping Lightsaber Action Figure

Like his Darth Vader and Obi-Wan counterparts, the “double telescoping” Luke Skywalker figure is a rare find.

With only a handful ever made, and released as part of the set of 12 toys from the original trilogy, these delicate figures were quickly replaced with single lightsaber variants. This switch not only made the toys more durable, but it significantly reduced Kenner’s manufacturing costs.

These figures are valued by LoveToKnow at $28,000.

Ben (Obi-Wan Kenobi) First Shot Action Figure Prototype

Produced by Kenner and released in 1977, these First Shot Obi-Wan Kenobi prototypes are extremely rare.

This pilot featured the infamous “double telescoping” lightsaber. Like the Skywalker and Darth Vader variants, it didn’t remain in production for long, so there aren’t many around today.

Anyone wishing to add one to their collection can expect to pay around $20,000 according to LoveToKnow.

Boba Fett Action Figure Prototype

Another pre-production toy which never made the general market, this is a rare addition to any collector’s set.

It is hardly surprising that this is Boba Fett’s second appearance on the list of the Top 10 Most Expensive Star Wars Toys. Playing only a minor role, Fett spoke just four lines in The Empire Strikes Back, the character has nevertheless achieved cult status

This prototype was displayed at the New York Toy Fair in 1979 and was due to be released the following year. It never was, though, most likely because of a production issue.

LoveToKnow value these action figures at $10,625, making them another hot item for avid Star Wars collectors.

Lego Star Wars: Cloud City Set

Released in 2003, this 698-piece Lego set featured seven minifigures: Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, and a Stormtrooper.

The reason for its value is down to the figures rather than the bricks. It was only available for 18 months as a new product, so comparatively few were sold.

Whilst an opened set is worth little, an unopened set makes it a valuable Star Wars toy. LoveToKnow valued it at $10,199 following a recent sale on an online auction site.

May the Collectibles Be With You

These 10 toys are the rarest, most valuable Star Wars toys, all highly sought after by collectors. Whilst adding new toys to any collection is a great strategy, building it with vintage collection adds even more to its worth.

ToyShnip is a great place to find rare, valuable Star Wars toys. They have everything from the latest releases to retro collection. The website also features a handy Star Wars action figure price guide. This invaluable resource means collectors know what to expect when searching for expensive toys and can help them avoid paying over the odds.

With so many toys and great advice on offer, it’s well-worth looking at ToyShnip’s website. You’ll be sure to find the best Star Wars toys on the market.

FAQs

What is the most valuable Star Wars toy?

Valued at up to $500,000, the Rocket-Firing Boba Fett Prototype is the most valuable Star Wars toy. With only a handful distributed, and never available for general purchase, these rare figures are a great addition to any collector’s armory.

What is the most valuable toy in the world?

Many believe that a pristine edition of Action Comics No.1 edition from 1938 is the most valuable toy in the world. Collectors have reported paying over $3.2 million for a single copy alone.

When considering which toys to purchase as an investment, check out ToyShnip’s handy guide.

How much are old Star Wars toys worth?

The value of old Star Wars toys varies greatly. Those that survive tend to be worth little more, or even less than, their original value. If you’ve got some of the rare toys we discussed earlier, then they could be worth big money.

To get an idea of how much your old Star Wars toys are worth, have a look at Toyshnip’s guide.

What is the most expensive Star Wars merch?