- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Most Expensive Lego Set is Star Wars UCS AT-AT.
- Expensive Lego sets are great display pieces that typically appreciate in value.
- You will get hours of fun from building an expensive Lego set, plus they look great on display.
- Before you run out and buy an expensive Lego set, you should always consider the price, number of pieces, theming, and how much space it takes up.
Lego sets are popular toys for children and adults alike. In recent years, the company has started selling more sets for adults, which often include thousands of pieces. With the large number of pieces comes some of the most expensive Lego sets ever sold. Some of these sets are more expensive than a new TV or kitchen appliance.
If you walk down the Lego aisle at Walmart or Target, you will see tons of sets selling for around $100, with many selling for significantly less. However, if you venture into a Lego Store, some of the prices are jaw-dropping. We’ve put together a list of the five most expensive Lego sets ever sold, including retired sets and those currently available below.
- Most Expensive: Star Wars AT-AT
- Runner-Up: Star Wars Millennium Falcon
- For Star Wars Enthusiasts: Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer
- For Nautical Fans: The Titanic
- For World Travelers: The Eiffel Tower
#1 Most Expensive Lego Set: Star Wars AT-AT
- Posable legs and head, opening hatches, rotating cannons, and realistic recoil action
- The main body has space for up to 40 LEGO minifigures, 4 speeder bikes, and the included E-Web heavy repeating blaster
- 6,785 pieces
- Includes 9 LEGO Star Wars minifigures
- Ultimate Collector Series
The number one most expensive Lego set ever released is the Lego Ultimate Collector Series Star Wars AT-AT. It is a recreation of the gigantic war machine first shown in The Empire Strikes Back. The famous scene has the AT-ATs attacking the rebels on Hoth when Luke Skywalker and a band of rebel fighters managed to take down the fleet.
Lego released many different variations of the AT-AT over the years. However, most of them were toy sets designed with kids in mind. Those sets were all relatively small and lacked the detail that this massive build packs in.
- Includes 6 LEGO Star Wars minifigures
- Completed figure has posable legs, a posable head with an opening cockpit for 3 minifigures, foldout panels, a speeder bike, a winch and bottom hatch, plus spring-loaded shooters
- 1,267-piece set
- For ages 10 and up
Speaking of size, the AT-AT stands over two feet tall and deep, plus ten inches wide. The scale of the build is really staggering. However, the scale of the build is also one of its biggest problems. The AT-AT isn’t a practical machine, and it is strictly science fiction. There is entirely too much weight very high up, which makes it difficult to stand. Luckily, the legs have gears in them to better support the structure while also allowing it to pose.
The nice thing about the Lego AT-AT is just how much detail is on the inside. There is even a bridge inside of the head portion with room for minifigures. You do get nine minifigures, but five of them are Snowtroopers. The best feature has the be the rope and winch that Luke uses to climb up the AT-AT to destroy it. However, what puts the AT-AT in first place is its staggering price tag of $849 for the 6,785-piece set.
Check out the LEGO Star Wars AT-AT and see if it is the perfect fit for your collection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is the best re-creation of the AT-AT. | It is difficult for the completed piece to stand. |
| You get to see interior parts never shown in the movies. |
Most Expensive Set Runner-Up: Star Wars Millennium Falcon
- 7,541 pieces
- Lego Ultimate Collector Series
- Includes Original Trilogy minifigures of Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and C-3PO, plus Episode VII/VIII minifigures of an older Han Solo, Rey, and Finn
- Perfect as a Star Wars movie collectible
The runner-up for the most expensive Lego set is the Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon. This is one is the most notorious ships in the galaxy. After all, this is the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs. Few things have stayed the same in the nearly fifty-year history of Star Wars. However, the Millenium Falcon still remains a staple of the franchise.
In fact, one of the best features of the Lego Millennium Falcon is that it has the rectenna from the original trilogy. You can also remove it to resemble the ship’s later appearances in the sequel trilogy. It even comes with the rectangular dish that replaced the original after it broke off. The set also includes two sets of minifigures. It comes with Episode IV, V, and VI minifigures of Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and C-3PO, plus Episode VII and VIII minifigures of Han Solo, Rey, and Finn.
There are a number of other small details found throughout the ship. Some of the best examples are inside, which is easily accessible via removable access panels. One example is the holo chessboard with seats around it. Even the pathways are round, just like in the movies. Of course, the best-known part of the ship is the cockpit, which has more than enough room for Han and Chewbacca, plus a few passengers. Altogether, the completed Millennium Falcon measures 33 inches long by 23 inches wide and eight inches tall.
Although the Millennium Falcon is the runner-up to the most expensive Lego set, it is actually tied for first place with the AT-AT when it comes to price. Both sets have an MSRP of $849. However, accounting for the price per piece, the Millennium Falcon comes in at number two since it is a better value with 7,541 pieces.
Check out the LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon and see if it is the perfect fit for your collection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a number of intricate details from both the original trilogy and the sequels. | It may be hard to display due to its size. |
| It comes with two sets of minifigures. |
For Star Wars Enthusiasts: Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer
- Depicts the starship from the opening scene of Star Wars: A New Hope
- At over 43 inches long, the Star Destroyer is one of the largest LEGO sets ever made
- Includes Imperial Officer and Imperial Crewmember minifigures
- More than 4,700 pieces
The Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series Imperial Star Destroyer continues the trend of expensive Lego sets based on Star Wars films. Unlike the previous two Lego Star Wars sets, the Imperial Star Destroyer is no longer available for sale. It came out in 2019 and was retired in 2022. Despite the short window to purchase, it was one of the most popular of the Ultimate Collector Series sets.
There are so many iconic ships from the Star Wars franchise, but the massive Imperial Star Destroyers are some of the most memorable thanks to their size. Therefore, Lego had to make a model that really captured how large the ships are. They certainly did, as the ship measures 43 inches long by 26 inches wide and 14 inches high.
However, one of the biggest challenges is that Star Destroyers are relatively bare on the top compared to other ships like the Millennium Falcon. The outer shell is also a standard gray color, which can get a bit boring. Even so, Lego managed to pack in a fair bit of detail, particularly on the back and inside of the ship. Looking from the side, you can actually see a lot of small details between the top and bottom.
Surprisingly, the ship only comes with two minifigures, an Imperial officer and a crewmember. The set had an MSRP of $699, which is over $100 cheaper than the Millennium Falcon and AT-AT. That is still very expensive, especially considering that it only comes with 4,784 pieces. Since it is now retired, the price has increased significantly.
Check out the LEGO Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer and see if it is the perfect fit for your collection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It comes with a stand and an information plaque for easy display. | It is no longer available at retailers. |
| The rear section and bridge are very detailed. | The outer shell has a lot of empty space. |
For Nautical Fans: The Titanic
- 9,090 pieces
- More than 53 inches long
- Three removable sections
- Interactive elements
The Lego Titanic is perfect for nautical fans and it is the fourth most expensive Lego set on our list. As its name implies, the set is based on the infamous oceanliner that hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage. In recent years, Lego has made a number of sets based on iconic places or objects, such as the Roman Colosseum.
There are so many tales of the Titanic still being told that it is hard to believe it sank over one-hundred years ago. While there are plenty of historical references, photos and videos of the ship are few and far between. The reason this is important is that Lego sets are often packed with intricate details, and the Titanic is certainly no exception.
Lego took things a step further by even recreating the engine rooms from the ship. From the outside, the Titanic looks phenomenal, but it actually splits into pieces to allow you to get a better view of the interior. Staterooms are individually recreated, including multiple floors. You can even remove the engines from the lower ship for a closer inspection.
Unfortunately, the Titanic is a very expensive set, retailing at $679. However, it comes with an astonishing 9,090 pieces, making it the second-largest Lego set. Even more remarkable is its size at 54 inches long by 18 inches high and seven inches deep. This slender design makes it easy to fit on a shelf for display, and you will definitely want to display it, as it is arguably the best-looking Lego set ever made.
Check out the LEGO Titanic and see if it is the perfect fit for your collection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The set has individual cabins and removable engines. | The instructions are said to be a little confusing. |
| It is narrow, making it easy to fit on a shelf. | Putting together a set of over 9,000 pieces is time-consuming. |
For World Travelers: The Eiffel Tower
- Measures 12 x 4 x 4 inches in size
- Detailed model of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
- 321 total pieces
- Released back in 2014
World Travelers will love the Lego Eiffel Tower set. Not only is this one of the most expensive Lego sets ever made, but it is also the newest one on our list. The Eiffel Tower came out back in November of 2022 and it is currently still in production.
Inspired by the iconic tower in Paris, France, Lego designers did an impeccable job recreating this stunning metal tower out of plastic bricks. To capture the immense scale, Lego had to create their largest build ever, standing 59 inches tall by 23 inches square. The Eiffel Tower Lego set has a staggering 10,001 pieces. It is the second-largest Lego set, coming in behind the Lego World Map which has 11,695 pieces.
The Eiffel Tower is a little tall to place on a table to display, but putting it on the ground also doesn’t do it justice. Unlike the Titanic, which nicely fits on a shelf, the Eiffel Tower is hard to display. Fortunately, you do get more than just a plain metal frame, as there is a small park underneath. You can also spot the observation platform and guest elevators. The Eiffel Tower may be massive, but it has a relatively low price per piece, with an MSRP of $629. If this is out of your price range, Lego also offers a smaller version in their Architecture Series for much less.
Check out the LEGO Eifel Tower and see if it is the perfect fit for your collection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is the largest Lego set in terms of size. | It is hard to display because of the width and height. |
| The set captures the scale and details of the landmark. | There is a lot of open space in the center. |
How to Pick the Most Expensive Lego Set: Step by Step
When picking out an expensive Lego set, there are four main considerations for most buyers.
- Theme
- Number of pieces
- Price
- Size
Let’s review each of these criteria in more detail.
Theme
The first thing you need to look at is the theme. For instance, buying the most expensive Lego set ever made isn’t a good idea if you aren’t interested in Star Wars. In contrast, if you are a major Star Wars fan, then you will definitely want to get sets like the Millennium Falcon. It is important that you buy sets that interest you rather than trying to simply buy the most expensive set.
Number of Pieces
Next, you should always look at how many pieces are in a given set. Doing so will help you gauge the set’s value and provide an estimate of how long it will take to assemble. All of the sets mentioned above are some of Lego’s largest, so they will take days, if not weeks, of work. The number of pieces can also give you an idea of the intended age range. In this case, all of the sets mentioned are for adults.
Size
The number of pieces by itself can actually be a bit misleading because not all pieces are the same size. That is why you should also look at the physical size of the complete model. This is critical to ensuring you have somewhere to keep it. Some models are slender, so they will fit on a shelf, like the Titanic. But others are very round and may be difficult to display, like the Millennium Falcon.
Price
Finally, you should always look at the price of a Lego set. While we’ve covered the five most expensive sets, there is a pretty dramatic difference in those prices. Generally speaking, some Lego sets start under $10, while others go beyond $800. You must always ensure that the set you purchase fits into your budget. You should also consider whether it is a good value based on the price per piece.
What to Know Before Buying an Expensive Lego Set
Lego products are some of the most expensive building toys you can buy. While there are certainly much more expensive hobbies, building with Lego may have the most sticker shock. The reason is that people often associate Lego sets with kids’ toys and therefore assume they will be cheap. However, as you’ve seen above, these expensive sets are not toys and cost a significant amount of money.
An even bigger problem with expensive Lego sets is that they are often large and take up a lot of space. Not only that, but once these large sets have been completed, they cannot be easily moved. So you will either have to take it apart to move it, or you will be stuck with the Eiffel Tower in the middle of your living room. Some sets, like most of the ones mentioned above, come with stands to make displaying them easier. Look into display options before purchasing a large set, as this may determine where in your home you will build it.
If you decide to purchase an expensive Lego set, then you will likely want to build it. However, some collectors actually choose to leave these very expensive sets boxed up in the hopes that they will go up in value. This is often true, as Lego sets do typically go up in price once they retire. So you need to decide whether you want to build it or treat it as a collectible before you open the box.
Using an Expensive Lego Set: What It’s Like
The sets mentioned above all come with thousands of pieces, so they will take a long time to build. Expect it to take many days, if not weeks, to complete the largest sets. You should ensure you have a clean workspace so you don’t lose any pieces. Then once your set is complete, you will need somewhere to keep it on display. Don’t forget, keeping one of these large sets dust-free is also going to be a major task.
Summary Table
| Lego Set | Price | Pieces |
|---|---|---|
| Star Wars AT-AT | $849 | 6,785 |
| Star Wars Millennium Falcon | $849 | 7,541 |
| Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer | $699 (retired) | 4,784 |
| The Titanic | $679 | 9,090 |
| The Eiffel Tower | $629 | 10,001 |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Hethers/Shutterstock.com.
