So that brings us to the next question: what are the 8mm films worth? It turns out that 8mm film by itself is basically worthless. The film is just made out of cheap plastic. But there is a bit of demand for old home movies.

On average, under optimal conditions and with proper care, an 8mm film can last between 70 to 100 years. However, this lifespan is not absolute and can be significantly shortened by factors such as exposure to high temperatures, humidity, and improper handling.

You can use a loupe or a large magnifying glass to view 8mm film, but this method only provides a brief preview. Carefully pull out the film beyond the leader (white starter tape) to see what's on the first few frames of footage. You'll need a high-powered magnifying glass of at least 10x for this to work.

The best way to identify 8mm film is to take note that it only has sprocket holes on one side of the strip. As for identifying Super 8mm film, the sprocket holes were made even narrower, which allowed the frame size of the film to be larger, increasing image quality and sharpness.