Thrifted “Ghostface” mask sells for more than $700 after $5 Goodwill find

19 October 2025

The mask from the thriller franchise has been making a comeback, especially thanks to a recent TikTok trend.Paramount/Courtesy Everett

A California stay-at-home mom discovered a rare vintage “Ghostface” mask from the Scream film franchise at a Goodwill store for just $5 and later sold it on eBay for more than $700. The mask initially appearing worn and damaged caught her attention when she noticed the “Fun World” branding, triggering a deeper dive into its collectible value.

She listed the mask with a starting bid of less than one dollar, hoping to pass it on to someone who would appreciate it. Within 30 minutes the bidding had surged to $405. By the next morning the bid had reached $510, and eventually it closed at $780. With fees included the buyer paid $856.34, and the seller’s profit came to $672.62.

The surge in price reflects the growing interest in horror-movie memorabilia, especially Halloween props tied to iconic franchises. Collectors and enthusiasts are increasingly scouring thrift stores and yard sales for early issue items. The mother posted about her find on Instagram and the clip went viral, racking up over a million views as viewers admired the serendipity of the sale.

Part of the mask’s appeal stems from its authenticity and vintage status. The “Fun World” label points to an early production run, before the character’s explosive rise in popular culture. Further, Google Trends data indicates that searches for “Ghostface mask” have spiked in recent years, suggesting renewed demand fueled by social-media trends and Halloween cosplay.

For the seller this flip was a windfall, but it also underscores a broader dynamic in the second-hand and nostalgia markets. Items once considered cheap Halloween decorations are suddenly seen as collectible assets. This phenomenon has led to entire sub-cultures of buyers who watch thrift shelves, estate sales and online auctions for hidden gems.

The mask’s sale also ties into the timing of Halloween and the heightened interest around horror heritage items at this time of year. Other costumes trending now include characters from K-Pop Demon Hunters, Terrifier’s Art the Clown and pet versions of “Gizmo” from Gremlins demonstrating that vintage pop culture continues to feed modern costume markets.

From a broader perspective the story highlights how resale value is evolving. Traditional thrift flipping often centers on furniture, designer clothing or rare books. But now the niche is expanding to include pop-culture props and ephemeral items masks, movie merchandise, limited-edition releases that may have been undervalued until demand surged. The result is that someone walking into a second-hand shop for five bucks might come out with a bigger payday than they ever expected.

However the sale also points to some caveats: condition matters, and rarity is key. The mask in question was dirty and had holes but the value came from its origin and branding. For other thrift shoppers the lesson is that recognition and research can turn almost worthless objects into valuable finds. Without the right branding or provenance, the potential for profit diminishes.

For fellow thrifters and collectors this story may serve as inspiration and caution. Keep scanning, keep researching, and keep looking for those “just five buck” moments. But at the same time understand that for every mask that sells for hundreds, there are many that will not. The key variables remain condition, authenticity and market demand.

The wider implication is that pop-culture artifacts once mass produced, disposable and cheap are being recast as collectible longevity items. The tales of thrift stores turning into treasure troves are becoming a more public narrative, fueled by social-media virality and a growing awareness of what can be found.