When it comes to killing time, there are few activities better qjob than building a Lego set. We all have fond memories of sitting Check it out on Legoon the floor onualified for the job than building a Lego set. We all have fond memories of sitting Check it out on Legoon the floor on Christmas morning putting the pieces together on our latest addition and there’s no reason why we can’t recapture that innocence.
In the years since the pandemic lockdowns forced us to find new and interesting ways to keep ourselves entertained, puzzles and games have emerged as major mood-boosters, proving the past times aren’t just for kids. It’s something Lego, the world’s largest and most profitable toymaker has known for quite some time. The brand has literally hundreds of Lego sets for adults, ranging from simple to construct designs for the part-timer builder, all the way through to the super-complex, life-sized replicas of cars, people and pop-culture icons.
Let’s face it, Lego has been killing the toy game for almost 90 years and the Danish giant isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. There is no reason you should either.
Table of contents
- What to Look For in an Adult Lego Set
- Why Choose a Lego Set For Adults
- Best Lego Sets for Adults
- 1. Imperial Star Destroyer Set #75252
- 2. Zelda Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 #77092
- 3. The Lord of the Rings Rivendell #10316
- 4. Mos Eisley Cantina #75290
- 5. Land Rover Defender #42110
- 6. Batcave Shadow Box #76252
- 7. Transformers’ Bumblebee #10338
- 8. Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale #21348
- 9. Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter #10327
- 10. Vincent van Gogh – The Starry Night #21333
What to Look For in an Adult Lego Set
The biggest thing to look for when buying an adult Lego set is something that will keep your attention. Most Lego sets for adults will be surprisingly more challenging than you might remember from those Christmas mornings. Look for a big Lego set that will take you some time to complete and one that focuses on a theme you are interested in.
Whether you want to go for the nostalgia hit and build something 8-year-old you would think was awesome, or you want to try your hand at putting together Dom’s Charger from Fast and the Furious, thinking about your interests will make your decision a little easier.
Why Choose a Lego Set For Adults
For the past few years, Lego has really honed in on the adult market. Sure, it makes sense from a business perspective; a brand that matures with its consumers will always perform better than those that cater to strictly youth audiences, but there are other advantages to hitting the adult Lego sets hard; mindfulness. We are constantly surrounded by technology, stress and anxiety, which for many of us, can make it difficult to unwind. Adult Lego sets give you the opportunity to step back and remove yourself from the general day-to-day drama and focus on one thing, however menial it may seem. But more than just that, Lego gives you the permission to take time out.
The best part about adult Lego sets is that they are, quite obviously, for adults. Many of the kits are pop-culture-themed or focus on a key character from your favourite movie. Lego sets for adults are doorways to fulfilling passions you may have forgotten or simply just lost to the sands of time. There is literally a cool Lego set for everyone, regardless of age, creed or interest.
Best Lego Sets for Adults
So, now we know why buying an adult Lego set is an awesome thing to do, how do you go about choosing the best lego set for you? Well, the good news is; you don’t have to. We’ve gone ahead and done all the heavy lifting for you by putting our top picks in order.
Here is a list of the 10 best Lego sets for adults.
1. Imperial Star Destroyer Set #75252
Unfortunately, Lego retired this absolute behemoth of a project in favour of a smaller variant which is up for pre-order now, but for our money, the original is bigger, better, and more interesting (just like Star Wars, actually). The Imperial Star Destroyer is one of the bigger sets on this list, and, since it’s been discontinued, it’s going to be expensive to pick up, but the detail on display in this set is incredible.
With moveable turrets, a tilting radar dish, the ship’s huge engine exhausts and intricate surface detailing, as well as a scale model of the Rebellion’s Tantive IV starship, you can easily recreate the iconic opening scene of A New Hope. Die, Rebel Scum!
Pieces: 4,784
Price: AUD$1,800+
2. Zelda Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 #77092
This isn’t something we thought we’d see in our lifetimes, but Nintendo seems to have finally realised the cultural cache its franchises hold and is milking them for what they’re worth. While Super Mario is undoubtedly Nintendo’s most important asset, The Legend of Zelda is right up there, especially following the huge success seen with the Switch’s Breath of the Wild.
However, there are Zelda purists out there that miss the way the games used to be. The Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 set looks to bridge that gap, offering fans a choice between a BotW-style Deku Tree, or one inspired by the Nintendo 64’s revolutionary Ocarina of Time entry. Both look amazing, in all honesty, though the little Lego Skulltula is a fantastic touch in the OoT version.
Honestly, it just makes us want more. Do we want Ganon’s Castle or Temple of Time next?
Pieces: 2,500
Price: AUD$449.99
3. The Lord of the Rings Rivendell #10316
At over 6,000 blocks, the Rivendell set is the biggest project on the list. In saying that, it represents one of the most memorable moments in the Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, the moment the Fellowship is formed, and the heroes set out on their true journey to destroy the One Ring. It includes 15 minifigures, including Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf, Bilbo, and more, as well as a number of important moments from the film.
It’s an authentic recreation of Rivendell as it appeared on screen, and would absolutely take you longer to build than it would to rewatch the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy, maybe even if you added in the Hobbit movies and Rings of Power? That sounds like a challenge, actually.
Pieces: 6,167
Price: AUD$799.99
4. Mos Eisley Cantina #75290
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than in this impressive recreation of the Mos Eisley Cantina, complete with 21 minifigures comprising some of cinema’s most memorable characters – even if some of them were only in one scene. From Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, to more obscure characters that we don’t know the names of and aren’t going to check Wookieepedia for, the Cantina is a fantastic set that should take pride of place on any Star Wars fanatics desk.
The build also includes attachable buildings to add to the external walls of the Cantina, adding more of Mos Eisley to the project, though you’ll have to supply your own booze to complete the bar.
Pieces: 3,187
Price: AUD$599.99
5. Land Rover Defender #42110
Another unfortunately-retired set, the Defender was created in partnership with Land Rover and replicates the 2019 model in impressive detail. Featuring an in-line six-cylinder engine with moving pistons beneath the bonnet, as well as forward folding interior seats that reveal a four-speed sequential gearbox, the Defender is one of the most accurate replicas we’ve seen from Lego.
And it doesn’t stop there. The Defender also sports a working steering wheel, all-wheel drive with three differentials, independent suspension, and a transmission system that engages high or low gear ratios, and is finished with a removable roof rack with storage boxes, ladders and traction mats. If you can get your hands on it, it’s an incredibly detailed set.
Pieces: 2,573
Price: ~AUD$399
6. Batcave Shadow Box #76252
If you’re a fan of Batman, you know that every great journey caped crusader embarks on begins and ends in the Batcave. It’s where all of his gadgets come from, it’s where he keeps all the information gathered about his rogues gallery, and it’s where Alfred makes his tea. Impressively, Lego has managed to cram all of that detail into this set. Tea included.
The Shadow Box also closes up for easy transportation or storage, but can be opened up to reveal the secrets of the Batcave: housing 2 Batsuits, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, as well as Catwoman, the Penguin, and Max Shreck. Plus, you get a Batmobile with it, which is even better.
Pieces: 3,981
Price: AUD$599.99
7. Transformers’ Bumblebee #10338
Another transforming set, Bumblebee can be converted from its classic robot form from the original animated TV series to the iconic VW Beetle vehicle form and back – all without rebuilding. It’s an impressive feat, and allows you to switch up how you display your favourite Transformer. I mean, Starscream is my favourite, but LEGO doesn’t make Starscream so here we are.
In robot form, Bumblebee features articulated joints, an ion blaster and a jetpack, while the vehicle form allows the robot to be in disguise. You can also get a version of Optimus Prime, but we prefer the VW to a freightliner.
Pieces: 950
Price: $149.99
8. Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale #21348
Gather your party, enter the Forgotten Realms and roll initiative! Dungeons & Dragons took the world by storm during the pandemic, and is celebrating its 50-year anniversary in 2024, making this the best time to roll up an encounter against the fabled Ancient Red Dragon (don’t actually do that unless you’re playing in a high-level campaign).
This LEGO kit features a tavern – the starting point of all good adventuring parties – as well as a red dragon, a beholder, and a set of heroes to play as. Yep, this set comes packaged with an adventure meant to be played using the pieces provided, which would serve as a fantastic way to wind down with some friends after building this bad boy.
Pieces: 3,745
Price: AUD$499.99
9. Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter #10327
Following on from the fantastic Timothée Chalamet-led Dune: Part One and Two, LEGO dropped this one on us like a Sandworm from on high. The premium-quality replica of House Atreides’ Ornithopter is a sight to behold, featuring fold-out, flappable wings, as well as deployable landing gear and an opening cockpit.
The set also comes with a bunch of the iconic characters from the franchise, including Paul Atreides, Gurney Halleck, Chani, Liet Kynes, Duncan Idaho, and a larger-than-life Baron Harkonnen.
Pieces: 1,369
Price: AUD$249.99
10. Vincent van Gogh – The Starry Night #21333
While not a substitute for the real thing, this brick-based interpretation of Vincent van Gogh’s essential artwork The Starry Night can double up as a hangable piece of art. Plus, the real thing is kept safe in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, so getting it for your home would be a bit tricky.
This set, which includes a tiny van Gogh minifigure, uses some custom bricks to recreate the swirling patterns found in the original artwork, while also adding a level of literal depth to the painting. If you’ve always wanted to have a famous artwork in your own home, this is not a bad backup.
Pieces: 2,316
Price: AUD$259.99
