For many years, director Guillermo del Toro has gathered a variety of art and artifacts that reflect his fascination with the gothic. Elements of monsters, magic, science fiction, horror, and mythology are all found in a collection he has fittingly named Bleak House. Now, however, he is prepared to let go of some of his prized possessions.
On September 26, the first of a three-part auction will take place at Heritage Auctions, showcasing items from the renowned Mexican filmmaker’s extensive collection. Among the highlights are original artworks, concept designs, movie props, maquettes, and comics. These pieces demonstrate del Toro’s enduring fascination with the macabre, as well as his contributions to enchanting and fantastical films ranging from Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) to The Shape of Water (2017).
The Guillermo del Toro Collection Bleak House Part 1 |PDF |6MB
“In my view, genre monsters and fantasy are incredibly serious topics,” he expressed in a statement. “I can approach it with a sense of lightheartedness and joy, and while some people might appreciate it, others may not. However, I never treat it lightly.”
His Bleak House collection has indeed expanded to include around 10,000 items—ranging from unsettling paintings to various models of Frankenstein to books on the occult. The collection is extensive enough to occupy an entire suburban house in Los Angeles (and even a complete book). “Essentially, the house serves as a library of images, a library of sounds, and a library of concepts,” he shared with LAist in 2016. His collection had a rare public showing in 2017 during the Toronto AGO exhibition “Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters,” which marked his first film retrospective featuring approximately 500 of his gathered objects.
The wildfires that devastated L.A. earlier this year shifted del Toro’s perspective on the collection. “This situation has helped me realize the immense scale of the collection and the duty to share this carefully assembled trove with those who may commit to preserving these cultural and beautiful pieces for future generations,” he stated.
Fans of Del Toro will be thrilled with the items available at Heritage. The standout pieces highlight the director’s most cherished films: a conceptual drawing for the vampire from his 1992 film Cronos, a shotgun prop from 2008’s Hellboy II, a screen-used drivesuit from 2013’s Pacific Rim, and an original model of the Amphibian Man from The Shape of Water.
The strange and extraordinary Pan’s Labyrinth—which impressed audiences at Cannes, garnered numerous Oscars, and established del Toro’s reputation—takes center stage here. Concept artist Raúl Monge’s illustrations of the Pale Man and the labyrinth are available, along with a three-piece model of the labyrinth entrance and original artwork by Allen Williams for the film’s illustrated novel. Additionally, the auction features artist Mike Mignola’s gruesome original cover for the second issue of Marvel’s Hellraiser (1990), which del Toro mentioned, “took me a long, long time to secure.” Equally surreal is horror legend H.R. Giger’s concept art for the yet-to-be-released science fiction script The Tourist, showcasing two translucent alien figures, described by del Toro as a “pristine, centerpiece example” of the artist’s airbrush technique.
“Guillermo del Toro’s collection is unlike anything we’ve ever dealt with,” stated Joe Maddalena, the executive vice president of Heritage. “This collection goes beyond mere memorabilia—it represents the visual and emotional essence of a truly unique creative mind. Each item in this auction provides insight into the soul and thoughts of a remarkable auteur.” In advance of the auction, Heritage will showcase the items at its Beverly Hills gallery on September 11–12, 15–19, and 22–25. The second and third segments of the auction are scheduled to take place in Spring and Winter of 2026.
