Hunchback is a part of the Super Jewels collection of Universal films, meaning it would have extended playdates and a higher production cost. The Phantom of the Opera, another Universal horror movie -- and the movie many consider to be the "true" first Universal monster film -- is a part of the Super Jewel collection as well.
While Phantom won't turn 100 until 1925, Hunchback has hit that milestone this year.
As I said, many do consider Phantom the first Universal Monster movie, but opinion has started to sway in favor of Hunchback being the first. While it isn't in the same vein as Dracula or Frankenstein, the movie still has elements of horror and gore. At this year's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando and Hollywood, the Hunchback is a part of the Universal Monsters: Unmasked house.
This house takes place in the catacombs of Paris, so the Phantom of the Opera is also included (alongside The Invisible Man and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). While this is a minor detail, this does lead me to assume that even Universal considers Hunchback their first monster movie.
The film fell into the public domain in 1951.
As a result, anyone can watch the film on YouTube for free. Yet as someone who consumes the Universal Monsters on a regular basis, I'm always excited when a piece from a film's release comes up for auction.
Hunchback is not nearly as popular as Dracula or Frankenstein, so finding pieces from the original movie, as well as more modern collectibles, can be harder. So what kind of prices can you expect on Hunchback memorabilia and collectibles? Let's take a look.
The original poster from the 1923 release is one of the more desirable collectibles from the movie's release. In August 2023, Heritage sold a Fine/Very Fine example for $900. This poster features Esmeralda front and center in a crowded street and advertises West End Cinema at the bottom.
In 2009, a similar poster --- sans any theater advert -- sold for an impressive $50,787. Since then, the poster's estimated value has gone up to be between $150,000 - $200,000.
Thankfully, modern collectibles are more affordable and easier to find.
Aurora released a Hunchback model kit in 1963, and as we all know model kits can be very desirable. In July 2023, a complete kit sold for $449 on eBay. By comparison, a 1972 sealed re-release sold for $199 in August 2023.
The 2013 Diamond Select Universal Monster figures are highly collectible, but certain ones can become very pricey. If you're just starting a collection of them your wallet will get a break with the Quasimodo figure.
Recent sales on brand new, sealed examples sell for under $45 when they come up for sale. Other figures of the protagonist routinely sell for under $30 for both sealed and opened pieces.
VHS copies of the original 1923 film are not easy to find, but they seldom command top dollar. In August 2023, an opened Kino Video copy of Hunchback sold for $19.33. A sealed example from Madacy Entertainment sold for less than $1 in September 2023.
Despite reaching a milestone anniversary, this movie is still one of the most affordable of all the Universal Monster films to collect. If you're new to the world of the Universal Monsters, this certainly isn't a bad place to start!
