RALEIGH, N.C. — Some people watch movies to escape the reality of life. For actor and producer Wesley Cannon, movies are his life.

Believe it or not, every movie prop in his 2,800-square-foot home isn’t a replica, it's the real deal.

What you need to know 

Wesley Cannon collects Hollywood movie props and memorabilia

 Each item he has carries the story of a major motion picture with it

Cannon's N.C. home is a sort of museum for movie lovers. 

“There’s a lot of people who don’t understand … they can’t comprehend that stuff is even accessible or that you can even acquire it," said Cannon.

Each item carries the story of a major motion picture along with it. That's the kind of nostalgia Cannon said you can’t put a price tag on. Even film director Peter Jackson tried to purchase Cannon's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" movie prop, showcasing Jack Skellington's room.

“I was offered a $150,000 for it, and I almost sold it. Luckily, my wife talked me out of it," Cannon said.

Cannon didn’t acquire his multi-million dollar collection overnight. He was in the military for eight years and saw movies, mostly from the horror genre, as a way to pass the time. 

“A movie being able to kind of take you out of the element of where you’re at, what you’re doing, or the danger," he said.

Back home, Cannon started treasure hunting, as he calls it. He created a website in 2010 called "Hollywood History," later making hundreds of thousands of dollars dealing and selling movie props.

“Talking to different people, finding out what’s available," said Cannon. "You know, you may reach out to somebody and strike up a friendly conversation and before you know it, it’s an item you’ve been looking for for years.”

But as any devout collector will tell you, there's some items he'll never part with. One of those props is the book from the film "The Neverending Story." He got the book from one of the actors in the film, Noah Hathaway.

“Noah and I have become good friends over the years," said Cannon.

Today, Cannon's home is a kind of a museum for film lovers.

“Whenever you have someone come into the house, and they see something and their eyes light up and you know that they’re thinking of that type of movie or a moment in their life ... I can share some of my passion with others," Cannon said.