First introduced in 1989, long before the Pirates of the Caribbean movies by Disney, a Pirates-themed LEGO line became the first new theme outside of LEGO’s traditional city, space, and castle themes. Fast forward to today, and pirate LEGO sets are as popular as ever for kids to imagine themselves looking for lost treasure or pushing their friends off the plank.
Let’s take a look at the 9 best LEGO pirate sets ever made!
LEGO Pirate Sets: What You Need to Know
First and foremost with the LEGO Pirate series, you have sets that can date all the way back to 1989. Given this, there are plenty of available options from which to choose, some of which are still available to purchase and others that you must find through third parties like eBay. As part of the 1989 release, LEGO took on the 18th century of pirate history by setting up fictional stories that included British redcoats, French bluecoats, and soldiers of the Spanish Armada.
Additionally, the first pirate minifigs have been said to be inspired by pirates who were well-known for rebelling against the colonial powers of the time. Fast forward a few decades past 1989 and there was an evolution in LEGO pirate lore after the release of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies that now include minifigs like Elizabeth Swan and Jack Sparrow. Over 17 total sets based on the movies were released before being discontinued in 2017.
Black Seas Barracuda
- Originally released in 1989
- 909 total parts
- Includes canons, escape boat, plank, and a crew of misfits
- Designed for ages 9-12
Widely regarded as one of the most popular pirate ships within the LEGO lineup, the Black Seas Barracuda set was originally released in 1989.
Better known as set 6285, there are a total of 909 parts including eight different minifigs. The set, which is designed for ages 9-12, measures a total of 3.7 x 22 x 18 inches in size, which is plenty of room for imaginations to go wild. If you can dream it, you can make it happen with the included escape boat, red and white sails, multiple canons, and even one talking parrot.
Black Seas Barracuda would actually be re-released in 2002 as set number 10040 with only 906 pieces. Regardless of which model year you purchased, one of the standout features of this set was the inclusion of a hold that allowed you access to the ship’s interior, a feature that has not been duplicated in subsequent LEGO pirate ship model releases.
Please note: As of July 18, 2023, this LEGO set is out of stock on Amazon. If you’re unable to obtain it elsewhere, please check back with Amazon in the future.
The Brick Bounty
- Includes 745 total pieces
- Features two masts with huge sails
- Includes working canons
- Accessories include telescope, paddles, and treasure map
Originally released in 2015, The Brick Bounty is a simple yet wonderfully fun pirate ship set for kids ages 7-14.
With over 745 pieces available, set number 70413 features a host of surprises including one LEGO minifig in the shape of a pointy-nosed shark. Outside of the shark, you have one small escape craft and seven different minifigs. These minifigs include three French bluecoat soldiers including one bluecoat Admiral hoping to capture a pirate captain. The rest of the minifigs include a pirate cabin boy and the pirate cook. Of course, don’t forget the skeleton minifig as it’s here to give you a good scare.
The pirate ship Jolly Roger offers three separate canons with which to defend itself from French attack. The canons will come in handy as the French are hoping to steal the treasure the pirate captain has stored in his hold. The pirate ship itself offers bright red and white sails complete with a pirate logo plus a multicolored hull to help link this set back to the design of the original Black Seas Barracuda.
Imperial Flagship
- Largest LEGO pirate ship with 1,664 pieces
- Includes 9 total minifigs including the captain, pirate prisoner, and four soldiers
- Four firing cannons plus muskets, torches, and shark
- Captain's chambers include secret treasure map
There are few LEGO pirate ship sets that capture the spirit of those who want to remove the pirate threat more than the Imperial Flagship.
Released in 2010, more than 1,664 pieces combine to create this Creator Expert set making it the largest pirate ship LEGO has produced to date at 29.5 x 23.6 inches in size. The set includes a total of 9 minifigs including the captain, his daughter, a pirate captain prisoner, and four British soldiers. Designed to model British flagships of the era, LEGO included four firing cannons, muskets, torches, cannonballs, a moving rudder, a fully equipped kitchen, and even one kitchen rat.
The captain’s chambers include an organ for musical entertainment as well as a captured treasure chest filled with jewels and gold. Due to the number of pieces, LEGO created the Imperial Flagship for ages 14 and above, though it’s good for any age with three removable sections offering plenty of room for a kid’s imagination.
Pirates of Barracuda Bay
- Over 2,545 pieces in total
- Includes 8 total minifigs
- Measures 23 x 25 x 12
- Inspired by 1989 Black Seas Barracuda set
More than 2,545 pieces help create one of the most fantastic land-based LEGO pirate sets with the Pirates of Barracuda Bay building kit.
As a LEGO Idea set, the Pirates of Barracuda Bay is best opened by anyone age 16 and above. Measuring over 23 x 25 x 12 inches, this set is large enough to display for adults or relive your childhood and play with it for hours on end. Regardless of how you use it, you’ll find 8 minifigs including the infamous Captain Redbeard, his Lady Anchor, Robin Loot, and twins Port and Starboard to help defend the pirate stronghold. You will even find some fun pirate extras like two parrots, a couple of frogs, and two skeleton figures you can place anywhere.
Inside the landlocked ship, there is room for the captain’s cabin, bedroom, jail, tavern, and a kitchen to feed everyone. One final bonus with Pirates of Barracuda Bay is that it offers all of the same pieces as Black Seas Barracuda so you can remake that model and still have enough pieces left over to create something new.
LEGO Queen Anne’s Revenge
- Includes Captain Jack Sparrow, Blackbeard, chef, and two pirate minifigs
- 1,097 total pieces
- Detachable Captain's Quarters
- Features large sails, working canons, and plenty of lanters
One of the most popular sets of the Pirates of the Caribbean LEGO series, The Queen Anne’s Revenge is absolutely still worth building today.
Set 4195 is modeled after one of the largest pirate ships ever said to sail the seven seas. This legendary ship has even fought in many important battles inside the Pirates of the Caribbean movie universe. The owner, one infamous Captain Blackbeard, has some very special guests onboard including none other than Captain Jack Sparrow and Angelica, as well as a quartermaster, chef, and two additional unknown zombie pirate minifigs.
While the set doesn’t offer a lot in the way of accessories, it’s a fun build that includes detachable captain’s quarters for Blackbeard to easily access. More than 1,097 pieces make up this fantastic set and while Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides wasn’t as successful as the first three movies in the trilogy, this LEGO set more than makes up for that.
©Fernando Dias Fotografia/Shutterstock.com
The Black Pearl
- Includes collectible poster
- 804 total pieces
- Recommended for ages 8-14
- Includes six total minifigs
No LEGO pirate ship list is complete without the addition of the most famous modern pirate ship in the form of The Black Pearl.
Captained by many through the movie years, this ship is best known and beloved by fans of the entire Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as the true home of Captain Jack Sparrow. More than 804 pieces make up this masterpiece of a LEGO build originally released in 2011. The Black Pearl has since been retired (the LEGO set, not the ship) so the price tag has undoubtedly gone up but even so, with 8 minifigs included, it’s well worth the cost of admission.
This is especially true when you factor in the not-so-hidden poster inside commemorating this famous ship. Also included with this set is none other than Captain Jack Sparrow himself as a minifig as well as a few other favorites like Davy Jones, who by himself can command quite the price on the LEGO open market.
Pirates Chess
- Only known LEGO chess set
- Includes 857 total pieces
- Over 20 minifigs, including 12 exclusive to this set
- Great for collecting
Something of an usual entry into the LEGO pirate theme was the release of this Pirate Chess set that includes some of your favorite minifigs as chess pieces.
Released in 2015, this 857-piece set offers a unique way to introduce kids 7 and up to the game of Chess. Unfortunately, it only lived in the retail market for around 21 months before being retired by LEGO but not before it gained a loyal following. Over 20 minifigs are included to help make up the various Chess pieces including 12 minifigs that were only released with this set.
What made this set so great is that you were sure to use it for one dedicated purpose, which has helped keep its pieces intact over the years. Instead of ending up in a potential box of LEGO pieces for kids to play with, the Chess set lives entirely on its own.
Pirate Ship
- Includes three different sets
- Four total minifigs
- Over 1,260 pieces
- Great for ages 9 and above
Don’t let the generic name of this set fool you, the LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Ship set is a fantastic way to let kids use their imagination.
Better known as LEGO set 31109, this set is loved for having not one or two, but three sets of instructions. The first is to build a classic pirate ship, while the second set of instructions shows you how to build a Pirate’s Inn for the hard-working pirates who just need a place to sleep. The final set of instructions gave way to building the mysterious Skull Island, a haven for pirates who wanted to escape the clutches of French and British soldiers.
The set only included two pirate minifigs plus one deckhand but for 9-year-olds and up, there is plenty of opportunity to get creative and add more of your own minifigs. Better yet, the Skull Island build includes one secret handle to open and close the skull allowing you to decide who enters and who should run away.
Silent Mary
- Features hinged bow section with decaying hull
- Eight total minifigs including Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Salazar, and Carina
- Special accessories include a compass, rowboat, and movable rudder
Another highlight of the Pirates of the Caribbean LEGO lineup, the Silent Mary is a large set that is as feature-rich as LEGO pirate builds can get.
Featuring 2,200 pieces, LEGO set 71042 offers a unique take on the pirate ship lineup as it’s something of a half ship to keep in line with its movie counterpart. The only downside of the Silent Mary is that it’s a little more fragile than other LEGO ships on this list due to its partial build. Even so, it remains one of the most memorable pirate ships in recent memory.
There are a total of 8 minifigures included with Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Santos, Henry, Carina, and Officer Santos. Modeled from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, the set is ideal for ages 14 and up who can understand its fragility. One final takeaway with this set is that you should keep your eyes open for the shark that roams the waters around the Silent Mary.
Wrapping Up
The history surrounding LEGO’s pirate theme is one of fantastic adventure and an escape from reality. As the fourth series in the LEGO lineup, the pirate theme has since lost a little bit of its popularity in favor of sets from the likes of Marvel and Star Wars, but even so, it remains some of LEGO’s best work since 1989.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Nicholas J Klein/Shutterstock.com.
