Meet David Kostman: Inside the Collection
From monsters to motherships, David’s collection is out of this world!
Oct. 26, 2025
David has a vast collection of props and costumes from horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films. His passion for the genre began as a child, reading Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, and it continues to fuel his imagination today.
His collection is eclectic, reflecting both the films he loved as a kid and his lifelong love with Hollywood. Growing up, he was captivated by icons like Boris Karloff, Roger Corman, and Vincent Price.
David is preserving pieces of Hollywood history while also holding on to the magic of his childhood. He has been collecting for more than 30 years, and he collects from the heart.
Take a look at just a few of the many iconic pieces in his collection!
1. Starship Troopers Arachnid
The film Starship Troopers spawned two sequels, creating a three-film franchise that remains a pop culture touchstone today! Have you seen it?
This item is the bug fought in the third movie called an Arachnid. David found it at a charity auction, and it’s been displayed at several conventions along with other Starship Troopers collectibles he owns.
He donated about $165, but according to our expert, it’s a real prize because it’s so fragile and made from biscuit foam.
While the third film isn’t as valuable as the first, he still valued this piece at $1,500 — an out-of-this-world price! Props made of foam rarely survive, but this is one tough bug to kill!
2. Halloween Movie Poster
Most people will recognize this one — whether you loved the movie or it gave you nightmares.
This is an original 1978 one-sheet poster signed by John Carpenter.
This poster is from the first film, which has since been followed by multiple sequels, reboots, and remakes that continue to terrify audiences decades later.
This one-sheet is a 27-by-41-inch poster used to advertise the film. They were folded, shipped in canisters to theaters, and displayed in the lobby.
It’s in great condition for its age, with some restoration done to keep it clean and preserve its color. David has about $350 invested in it.
John Carpenter is one of David’s favorite directors of all time. He got it signed separately by Carpenter at a convention, adding to the overall value.
Our expert valued it at $2,500. A creepy collectible just in time for Halloween — talk about a killer poster!
3. Galaxy Quest Costume
These costumes are from the movie Galaxy Quest, which David described as a love letter to Star Trek.
The film follows the cast of a once-popular sci-fi TV show who are still clinging to their fame years after it went off the air. It features Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Sam Rockwell, Alan Rickman and more.
The movie is funny and frequently quoted film that remains a fan favorite today.
Our expert valued it at around $4,000 today because of its authenticity and impact on pop culture.
4. Hunchback of Notre Dame Costumes
These are peasant costumes from the 1939 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. They’re 85 years old and can be seen throughout the film, worn by hundreds of extras.
They were designed to look worn and aged, fitting for peasants and they weren’t meant to appear bright, shiny, or new.
The costumes were made by Western Costume Company, one of Hollywood’s largest suppliers of movie costumes from 1917 through the 1990s.
The people who bought Western Costume Company in the 1990s were friends of David’s, which helped him get a great deal on these pieces.
Our expert valued the pair at $600. Not exactly a peasant’s price for a piece of Hollywood history!
5. Van Helsing Costume & Vampire Teeth
This costume, or parts of a costume, is from Van Helsing starring Hugh Jackman. Universal Studios created the film as part of an effort to revive its classic monster universe, and Jackman made for a memorable Van Helsing.
This piece belonged to Hugh Jackman in the movie, from the scene when he begins transforming into a werewolf which explains the torn and worn appearance.
David got this piece from a private collector. The costume has Hugh Jackman’s name on the tag and the production number, proving its authenticity.
Although it’s not the character’s main costume, it’s still an important part of the film. Our expert valued it at $1,000 for the entire set.
6. Independence Day Costume & Piece of Mothership
This is a flight suit and a piece of the alien mothership from the blockbuster film Independence Day.
Independence Day is an iconic movie that has left a lasting mark on pop culture. It starred Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith, and more.
These are the worn outfits of Will Smith and Harry Connick Jr. They’re part of the many different pilots in the film. The mothership piece was used to represent the ship controlling the individual fighter craft.
Our expert valued the pair at about $600.
7. The total value of David’s pop culture collection:
