When you think of a collection of cars that made headlines on camera, you might picture a single hero car—or perhaps a few muscle-bound showpieces. But the upcoming auction hosted by Bonhams turns that idea on its hood: more than 50 vehicles from one museum collection will cross the block in an online sale running November 21 through 28.
The "Movie Cars Collection" comes from the Paris-based Pop Central Museum and features 50 cars and 19 motorcycles that took supporting—and sometimes starring—roles in film and television. These aren’t replicas or studio mockups. They’re the real, road-going machines that lit up the big screen before being retired to a museum floor. Now, they’re up for grabs.
Among the highlights: a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 driven on-screen by Keanu Reeves in the John Wick series, estimated at $120,000 to $230,000. There’s also a genuine Mitsubishi Lancer Evo from 2 Fast 2 Furious driven by the late Paul Walker, and a 1989 Batmobile (circa 1992) that appeared in a live Batman stunt show.
For car lovers, this auction is more than a novelty. It’s a reminder that pop culture and collector cars often meet in the same lane. These machines have transcended their horsepower figures—they’re artifacts of the moments that made audiences lean forward in their seats. And now, someone with a deep wallet and a big garage can give them a second act.
Here’s a partial list of the vehicles headed to auction, with more to be announced:
• 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 – John Wick
• 1989 Batmobile (circa 1992) – Batman Stunt Show
• 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu – Drive
• Gene Winfield Police Cruiser (circa 1989) – Back to the Future Part II
• Gene Winfield Everyman’s Car (circa 1982) – Blade Runner
• 1987 Ford LTD Crown Victoria – Men in Black
• 1968 Dodge Charger “General Lee” – The Dukes of Hazzard
The auction will be conducted in euros, since it’s based in France, but interest will come from all corners of the globe. A few of these cars could command serious bidding wars if the right mix of movie buffs and muscle-car enthusiasts tune in.
From my perspective, the real story isn’t just about which movie car brings the most money. It’s about what they represent. These cars carry cultural weight: a Mustang that symbolized revenge, a Charger that flew over hay bales on primetime TV, a Batmobile that embodied a generation’s favorite caped crusader. Each one tells a story that stretches far beyond its VIN.
Still, it pays to remember that fame alone doesn’t guarantee lasting value. A screen-used car’s worth depends on documentation, condition, and how recognizable it is from its moment in the spotlight. Collectors chasing nostalgia should do their homework, make sure the provenance is solid, and decide whether they want something to drive, display, or just admire from behind velvet ropes.
This sale underscores how the collector-car market keeps evolving. The line between car culture and pop culture grows thinner every year, and auctions like this prove that some of the most sought-after vehicles today owe their popularity more to movie magic than horsepower.
We can’t all bid on a Batmobile or a John Wick Mustang, but we can appreciate what they stand for—cars that stir the imagination, bridge generations, and remind us that sometimes a steering wheel can be part of cinematic history.
The Bonhams “Movie Cars Collection” auction opens November 21 and runs through November 28. If you’ve got popcorn in one hand and a bidding paddle in the other, you’re good to go!
If you’ve never read my True Story about the Shaguar, I bought it at a similar auction to this one, and it is quite interesting:
True Stories from a Former Car Dealer #20: The Shaguar→