This is for single editions 'Sealed' steelbooks in the original packaging and stickers.
One Clicks / Box sets do not count.
Please use this as a GUIDE only. Opinions can be very subjective.
List is updating over time, appreciate your patience!
THE CURRENT TOP TEN - UPDATED 04 JUNE 2018
Wolf in the Wall Street Filmarena FAC #70 (CZ)
John Rambo Amazon.de (GER)
As Above So Below Filmarena FAC #1 (CZ)
Iron Man Future Shop (CA)
As Above So Below Unnumbered Filmarena FAC #1 (CZ)
**LAST MAJOR UPDATE 6TH JUNE 2013**PLEASE NOTE VALUE'S CHANGE ON A REGULAR BASIS. USE THIS AS A GUIDE
This thread is everyone's views for the top 10 most EXPENSIVE SEALED blu-ray Steelbooks, Iron Packs, Viva Metal Box, Metal Paks and Steel Cases in the world.
THE TITLES ARE FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND HIGHLY PRICED SEALED BLU-RAY STEEL PACKAGING.
So you can LOVE OR HATE the steelbooks, it is what is the most EXPENSIVE and VALUABLE in TERMS OF MONEY out in the market.
I am aware that there will be members disappointed not to see their steel in the most expensive list or in a particular order. It is natural for collectors to support and hype their own steels they have acquired.
I am also aware there will be members that will use this thread to promote their own steelbooks.
This is an IMPARTIAL AND UNBIASED view from my knowledge and information I have collated since I been collecting and consulting with other experienced collectors.
The soul goal of this thread is to rank the most expensive steelbooks collectors would pay that is consistent to the current market in order.
Of course there is no 100% definite answer for the top 10 as prices and values keep changing quite regularly but this gives a general view for anyone wanting to know the most valuable expensive steel packaging.
USE THIS LIST AS A GUIDE.
Anyone wishing to give any views of steels not mentioned, or moved up or down on the list, please feel free to make any suggestions (with additional information to support this which helps) and I will consider this.
PLEASE CAN MEMBERS PROVIDING ANY OPINIONS REMAIN IMPARTIAL. THIS THREAD IS NOT HERE TO PROMOTE YOUR STEELBOOKS.
Lets keep this thread civil and enjoy reading the regular updates I am providing.
The main lists are:
- STEELBOOKS
- IRON PACKS
- FUTURE SHOP
- FNAC
- ASIAN 'SLIP COVER'
- UK
I have put down 'EXPENSIVE' NOT 'TOP'' steelbooks as there is a difference.
For example, Le Grand Bleu JP is a steel that is least known to most collectors but most EXPERIENCED COLLECTORS would agree it is one of the most expensive steelbooks.
This is for the HIGHEST PRICEDsteels, NOT 'BEST','TOP', or 'FAVOURITE' STEELBOOKS.
For example, ndependence Day Error fetches a premium for a missing 'I' and many collectors would feel it is crazy to spend so much for a missing I. A lot of collectors be happy without the error version. But there are collectors who are willing to pay a premium for that very rare Iron Pack to complete their Iron Pack collection.
A slip cover for Terminator Salvation Taiwan and Captain America Taiwan fetches a VERY high premium for an identicle steel world wide but with a rare SLIPCOVER. However, collectors be happy without the slip and pay a very low price for the UK version. But it is what is most expensive that drives the highest price that people would pay for that counts for this topic.
I have put down 'SEALED' because some steelbooks that are sealed are very expensive or virtually impossible to find which bumps the price tag considerably.
For example, John Rambo Uncut Amazon.DE open/unsealed is fairly easy to find. However a sealed one is very difficult to obtain and the price is pretty much doubled for a sealed, if not tripled in price.
The steel must have the ORIGINAL STICKERS which adds extra rarity in the steel.
For example, the difference between The Dark Knight FNAC with no sticker and sticker makes all the difference with the rarity and the price tag.
So there we go!
There are always discussions about grails, potential grails, which is a grail. In my opinion, there will not be a grail any time soon. It takes time for grails to become a grail. And each grail you see, there is a reason why it's a grail and most of them are approaching 4-5 years since release date.
But if you really want to get the main grails I would say there is the SIX 'HOLY GRAIL' SEALED STEELBOOKS which are the true grails to get. No one can argue with you if you acquired these. Just make sure you get a bank loan!
The order for these grails are now fluctuating due to demand, popularity and re-releases which such as the Kimichi Korean release for Le Grande Bleu.
THE SIX HOLY GRAILS OF STEELBOOKS
LE GRAND BLEU Japan
Probably the most unknown rare steelbook, along with Gladiator Taiwan, they are the rarest to find. There has been debates if a 'sealed' version even existed, and if does, how do we know it's not a re-seal? This mystery is yet to be resolved. There are rumours that a sealed (re-sealed in a poly bag) have sold for a few thousand dollars. As it stands, I place this as the most expensive, rare, valuable steelbook to date - if you can even find a sealed one
JOHN RAMBO UNCUT Amazon.de
Limited to 2,000, sold out in the first few weeks at Amazon.de, classed as the 'original holy grail'. Was first available in June 2008, now 5 years old, a sealed John Rambo with the original stickers factory sealed is a true beauty in anyone's collection. Prices recently, for the first time ever, shot over £1,000 which is very remarkable. Extremely hard to come by a factory sealed version. This is probably the 3rd rarest sealed steelbook to find behind Le Grand Bleu and Gladiator Taiwan. Prices for unsealed range from £300 to a original sealed with stickers upto £1,000.
Gladiator Taiwan, similar to Le Grand Bleu, is very unknown to a lot of collectors. The reason it is unknown because in my opinion Gladiator Taiwan is probably THE rarest steelbook in the world. It is so rare a SEALED copy is virtually impossible to find. Even an unsealed copy is VERY HARD to find. The full cover slip with the Asian lettering on the front is extremely unique and has a huge demand for all Asian slip cover type collectors and I consider this to be the 'grail of slip cover' steelbooks.
This is ranked in the top ten because it so rare that even the price is unknown but from experience I believe this to be worth more than T2 2.0 and IM FS. The popularity of this movie, the unique full slip cover, the very low limited number which adds extra rareness, this will demand a VERY high price, and potentially can be ranked higher than JR or LGB and the Number 1 spot. But due to limited information based I will place this in 3rd until more information is available.
IMO this is probably one of the most special steelbooks to acquire. Happy hunting to everyone who has this on their want list, sealed or unsealed
THE DARK KNIGHT FNAC
The Dark Knight FNAC is the rarest batman steel to source and probably the rarest steel in France. Do not be mistaken for the regular release in France, identicle but with no FNAC sticker.
The FNAC sticker, exclusive only to FNAC available from the stores, is extremely rare. To own this grail you are looking for a factory sealed copy with the FNAC sticker on the front. Very few collectors own this, and if you do make sure you poly bag this well. Opened, it won't be worth much. Keep it sealed, very valuable.
TERMINATOR 2 VERSION 2.O Japan
The black full slip cover embossed lettering, the brother to its first release version 1.0 with better picture and sound, was available at amazon.jp, limited to 3,000 I believe. Extremely rare to find, only available at ebay on very few occasions for an asking price of $1000 or through a third party at amazon.jp that do not deliver outside Japan, I class this as the 'priceless slip cover'. The simplicity black embossed slip cover is awesome .
Although only limited to 3,000, not many collectors have this in their possession as opposed to other grails such as Iron Man and John Rambo (sealed or unsealed).
Very rare to come by and difficult to source a sealed one.
IRON MAN Future Shop
The most well known grail, it is the Iron Man Future Shop release from Canada. Probably the least rarest from the five, this in no doubt is the most popular, favourite steelbook of all time for most collectors and the elite steel for hugely popular Avengers collection. Released over four and a half years ago in September 2008, with the original blu-banners, the embossed large lettering, a close up of Iron Man's face, an excellent feel quality with deep red colours, arguably one of the greatest steelbooks released.
**I WILL BE UPDATING THIS LIST REGULARLY TO REFLECT THE CURRENT VALUES. PRICES ARE FLUCTUATING DUE TO INFLUX OF STEELS AND RE-RELEASES**
Absolutely. IMPOSSIBLE to find. There is one on ebay right now. Worth more than a IM IMO. Its a massive missprint and IP's are going for $200 now. The value on these chinease IP's have sky rocketed over the last 18 months. I am glad I was able to understand this before it happened and loaded up on them.
Its not as popular of a movie or in demand as much, but it goes to the DEEP hands that have money to burn that are buying these rare IP's.
Absolutely. IMPOSSIBLE to find. There is one on ebay right now. Worth more than a IM IMO. Its a massive missprint and IP's are going for $200 now. The value on these chinease IP's have sky rocketed over the last 18 months. I am glad I was able to understand this before it happened and loaded up on them.
Its not as popular of a movie or in demand as much, but it goes to the DEEP hands that have money to burn that are buying these rare IP's.
Absolutely. IMPOSSIBLE to find. There is one on ebay right now. Worth more than a IM IMO. Its a massive missprint and IP's are going for $200 now. The value on these chinease IP's have sky rocketed over the last 18 months. I am glad I was able to understand this before it happened and loaded up on them.
I agree that IP's have shot up in value considerably. In this debate the most 'valuable' steelbook ID4 error may overtake IM FS, but in terms of popularity IM FS will win as it is much more popular movie. Interesting. John Rambo appears to have 'bite the dust'...and formerly considered to be the Holy Grail of all steelbooks.
I agree that IP's have shot up in value considerably. In this debate the most 'valuable' steelbook ID4 error may overtake IM FS, but in terms of popularity IM FS will win as it is much more popular movie. Interesting. John Rambo appears to have 'bite the dust'...and formerly considered to be the Holy Grail of all steelbooks.
So the former IP owner now owns Viva? Interesting. I hope they don't do reprints? Are we safe with the Disney titles? Are they all inside the vault and how long do they keep em there.
I'm not sure about Dragon Tattoo movie being on the list because it's not that popular movie to the general public, regardless if it was limited to 1000. Value will rise for sure, but my opinion not in the top 5.
So the former IP owner now owns Viva? Interesting. I hope they don't do reprints? Are we safe with the Disney titles? Are they all inside the vault and how long do they keep em there.
I'm not sure about Dragon Tattoo movie being on the list because it's not that popular movie to the general public, regardless if it was limited to 1000. Value will rise for sure, but my opinion not in the top 5.
Thats absolutely opposite of what have heard over the last 6 months. I hear that its one of the most popular diverse movies worldwide. Extremely popular overseas.
It must have been popular enough for the steelbook with stunning slipcover to sellout before release date. The fact its not a action blow it up demo movie is even more stunning. Its a mature flick. I bet it gains attraction from the older crowd who collect rare steelbooks. Of course it isn't gonna be bought from the gaming crowd who only buy comic book hero stuff. That is not who it is aimed for.
Thats absolutely opposite of what have heard over the last 6 months. I hear that its one of the most popular diverse movies worldwide. Extremely popular overseas.
Alright we will see for your sake. The point I am making is despite being 'limited' I feel it is the movie that is not popular enough to generate a huge demand, despite winning an oscar. That's all I am saying and also this steel is released in many other countries, minus the slip cover