12 Famous Movie Props That Were Reused In Other Films

The history of cinema is filled with fascinating behind-the-scenes details, and one of the more intriguing aspects is how movie props find second (or third) lives in other films. Some of these reused props are so iconic that they’ve transcended their original roles to become Easter eggs for eagle-eyed viewers. Here are some notable examples:

1. Krups Coffee Grinder (Alien and Back to the Future) The Krups Coffee Grinder model 223A, marketed as the "Coffina," made its film debut in Ridley Scott's 1979 classic Alien. In the film, the coffee grinder was repurposed as a futuristic kitchen appliance aboard the spaceship Nostromo. A few years later, the same model was transformed into the "Mr. Fusion" home energy reactor seen on the DeLorean in Back to the Future. This clever nod served as both a parody of the "Mr. Coffee" line of coffee makers and a testament to Hollywood's resourcefulness.

2. The Space Station (Star Trek) The space station model from Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) was reused and redressed multiple times across the Star Trek franchise. One of its more notable appearances was in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), where it served as Regula One. The ability to repurpose large-scale models saved production costs while maintaining visual continuity within the franchise.

3. Robby the Robot (Multiple Films) Robby the Robot, originally built for Forbidden Planet (1956), is one of the most famous examples of a reused prop. After his debut, Robby appeared in numerous productions, including The Twilight Zone and The Addams Family. So many, we even dedicated an entire article to his career! His distinctive design made him instantly recognizable, and he’s still celebrated as a hallmark of mid-century sci-fi aesthetics.

4. The Flying Police Cars (Blade Runner and Back to the Future Part II) The flying police cars, or "Spinners," from Blade Runner (1982) made a brief appearance in Back to the Future Part II (1989). With some minor modifications, these vehicles became part of the futuristic world of Hill Valley in 2015. This crossover highlights how iconic designs can seamlessly fit into multiple sci-fi universes.

5. The Chest (Superman and Star Wars) The chest that holds kryptonite in Superman (1978) is the same prop used in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) to store Anakin’s lightsaber. This shared prop usage is less surprising given that both films had the same production designer, John Barry. Barry’s influence ensured that props were efficiently reused across projects.

6. Navigation Globe (Multiple Sci-Fi Films) The glowing navigation globe first seen in Logan’s Run (1976) has appeared in various films and TV shows, including Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Its futuristic design made it a versatile addition to sci-fi sets.

7. EVA Pod (2001: A Space Odyssey and both Star Trek & Star Wars) The EVA Pod from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) was repurposed for an appearance in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Though slightly modified, its iconic design was easily recognizable to fans of Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece. Later it would resurface in the scrapyard behind Watto's shop in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

8. The Matrix Rooftops (The Matrix and Dark City) Many of the iconic sets from The Matrix (1999) were originally built for Dark City (1998) and later acquired by Warner Bros. One of the most striking examples is the rooftop set featured in the opening chase of The Matrix, where Trinity evades pursuing agents. Interestingly, the same rooftop was used in Dark City for a similarly intense chase scene, where the protagonist is pursued by his reality-bending adversaries.

9. PKE Meter (Ghostbusters and They Live) The PKE Meter from Ghostbusters (1984) was reused in John Carpenter’s They Live (1988). This handheld device, originally designed to detect ghosts, was reimagined as a scanning tool for alien detection. Its sleek, futuristic look made it a perfect fit for both films.

10. Gigameter (Ghostbusters II and Star Trek VI) The Gigameter, a prop designed for Ghostbusters II (1989) as a ghost-detecting device, made its way into Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). In the latter, the device was slightly altered to serve as a piece of futuristic Starfleet equipment.

11. Federation Body Armour (Starship Troopers and Beyond) The Federation body armour from Paul Verhoeven's 1997 satirical sci-fi Starship Troopers is one of the film's most recognizable visual elements. And one which, in 2001, Tim Burton repurposed for his Planet of the Apes remake. It didn't stop there! The armour reappeared in cult-series Firefly and various Power Rangers iterations, including Time Force and Lost Galaxy. It also made appearances in the sci-fi film Impostor and numerous other productions, cementing its status as a go-to piece for futuristic costumes on a budget.

12. The Console (Superman and Star Wars) The console Lex Luthor uses to kill a cop in Superman (1978) is actually a repurposed piece from the Death Star set in Star Wars: A New Hope. This overlap is another example of John Barry’s influence in maximizing resources between productions.

Props are not just tools to set a scene; they are storytellers in their own right. Their reuse across films not only saves production costs but also creates a shared history that enriches the movie-going experience. Keep an eye out during your next viewing—you might just spot a familiar object in an unexpected place.