"LIFE MOVES PRETTY FAST!"
FERRIS, FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (1986)
ABOUT MOVIE MERCH: EXPERTS
IN FILM AND TV COLLECTIBLES SINCE 1993
A Passion for Film, Born at Film Fairs
At Movie Merch, our journey began over 30 years ago—long before streaming or online shopping. Founder Neil started trading at film fairs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. There, he built deep knowledge in movie posters, film magazines, and cinema memorabilia.
A lifelong movie fan, Neil saw an opportunity. These early days allowed him to transform his passion into a business. At the same time, collectors everywhere were starting to embrace film and TV merchandise in a big way.
After many successful years on the fair circuit, Neil realised the need for a permanent base. Fairs were unpredictable. Stock often went out of date. Therefore, a full-time shop became the obvious solution.
In 1993, he opened The Cinema Store in Covent Garden, London—just minutes from Leicester Square, the epicentre of British cinema culture. The store quickly became a must-visit destination for movie lovers, TV collectors, and pop culture enthusiasts.
A Store That Defined Collecting in the 1990s
From day one, The Cinema Store stood out. It offered a carefully curated range of official movie merchandise. This included collectible toys, soundtracks, books, and much more.
It also became one of the UK’s first specialist retailers of LaserDiscs—a now-vintage format that was cutting-edge at the time.
LaserDiscs (LDs), similar in size to vinyl records, were revolutionary. They delivered widescreen video, superior sound, and rare extras. Fans loved features like director’s commentaries, deleted scenes, and making-of documentaries.
These elements were later standard on DVDs, but LDs did it first. This content helped set The Cinema Store apart and attracted a dedicated community of collectors and cinephiles.
A Golden Age for Film – And for The Cinema Store
As cinema entered a golden era in the mid-1990s—with cult classics like Pulp Fiction, Trainspotting, Fight Club, and Léon—The Cinema Store also began to thrive. Within just two years, the shop moved to a larger, two-storey location on Upper St. Martin’s Lane in London.
This expansion turned it into a central hub for collectors, cinephiles, and tourists. It offered a vast range of rare movie memorabilia and exclusive film collectibles from around the globe.
At the time, high-street shops stocked only UK-released products. In contrast, The Cinema Store stood out by importing limited editions, rare titles, and hard-to-find releases. Many of these films were never available on VHS in the UK.
As a result, this unique offering felt revolutionary for serious collectors.
Leading the Way into the DVD Era
By the late 1990s, DVDs began to dominate the home entertainment market. Once again, The Cinema Store led the charge. It provided early access to US imports, Criterion Collection releases, and out-of-print classics.
Soon after, a second store opened nearby. This new branch specialised in film books, soundtracks, and niche titles. Meanwhile, the original shop became known for its in-store signings with film icons like Christopher Lee, William Peter Blatty, Terry Gilliam, and John Landis.
Even renowned filmmakers such as Wes Anderson, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Asia Argento were known to stop by when in town.
However, by the mid-2010s, the industry began to change. Streaming services exploded. Physical media sales dropped. Even large retail chains started to close.
In 2016, The Cinema Store shut its doors for the final time. But the passion behind it didn’t disappear. Instead, it evolved into Movie Merch—now an online store and regular fixture at UK film and comic conventions.
Today’s Movie Merch – A Collector’s Paradise
Now, Movie Merch proudly continues the legacy. We offer a huge range of officially licensed film and TV merchandise—from action figures, collectible toys, and limited edition books, to exclusive memorabilia you won’t find elsewhere.
Whether you’re a long-time collector or a first-time fan, we’ve got something for everyone.
When you shop at Movie Merch, you’re not just making a purchase. You’re stepping into a world created by lifelong fans of film and television. This isn’t just a business. It’s a passion project that has evolved over decades.
Every item we stock reflects our love for cinema and TV culture.
A Store Created by Film Lovers, for Film Lovers
We handpick every product with collectors in mind. Many of our items are rare, import-only, or exclusive to us in the UK—including our popular and ever-growing range of popcorn buckets.
Additionally, everything we sell is 100% official and fully licensed. No bootlegs. No knock-offs. Ever.
We’re collectors too. That’s why we take pride in the way your items are packed and shipped. Every order is handled with the same care and attention we’d want for our own collectibles. Your collection deserves nothing less.
Finally, thank you for visiting Movie Merch. We’re proud to serve a worldwide community of film fans, TV buffs, and pop culture collectors.