Key Points
- More than 19,700 LEGO sets are available as of June 2023, catering to both adults and kids for play or display purposes.
- Iconic LEGO sets include King’s Castle, the Disney Castle, LEGO Space Buggy, LEGO Millenium Falcon, and LEGO Batmobile.
- The 1978 LEGO Town Police Officer minifig marked a new direction for the company, introducing the now-iconic yellow minifigure.
Since LEGO’s introduction to the world in 1949, the company has released iconic set after iconic set. From movies and TV shows to cities, cars, and everything in between, there is truly a LEGO set for everyone.
In total, more than 19,700 LEGO sets are available as of June 2023, for both adults and kids alike, which can be for either play or displaying on a shelf in an office. The best part is that LEGO is showing no signs of slowing down, which means today’s LEGO releases could become some of the most iconic sets in the future.
Let’s take a look at the 10 most iconic LEGO sets of all time.
What Makes a LEGO Set Iconic?
With so many LEGO sets available for purchase, what makes a LEGO set become an icon? The qualifications to fit this criteria are undoubtedly subjective and the answer to this question is not easy. One might think that only early LEGO sets are iconic but that would be a disservice to more recent releases. Ideally, an iconic LEGO set is one that has become recognized as one of the first in a lineup of new releases.
For example, the first LEGO police car earned the right to be considered iconic because it was the first to include a minifig. However, a LEGO set doesn’t have to have created a pivotal moment in the company’s history. Instead, an iconic set might be remembered as such for playing a role in moving the company forward. What is also worth remembering is that many sets won’t make any list of iconic releases as there are simply too many that can qualify.
King’s Castle
This is truly one of the most iconic LEGO sets of all time and absolutely one that should be considered a terrific part of LEGO history.
Set number 6080 was established for ages 8-12 as part of the LEGOLAND Castle System and included more than 664 interlocking pieces. Along with the castle itself, there were a number of minifigs that included guards, knights, horses, archers, ax men, and others. A retractable drawbridge made it easy to secure the castle from invaders from other LEGO sets who might want to try and take the castle and call it their own. The set currently sells for as high as $200 in mint condition according to Brickset.
If you want to save some money but still pick up a wonderfully fun LEGO castle, you can easily do so today. Instead of King’s Castle, pick up a LEGO Creator 3-in-1 medieval castle toy that features a fire-breathing dragon, three minifigs, and 1,426 pieces with which to use your imagination.
- Catapult, tower, and prison
- Two floors
- Hinges for easy access
- Fire breathing dragon
- 3 minifigures
- 1,426 pieces in total
The Disney Castle
- Includes five minifigs including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Tinker Bell
- Disney-inspired features and elements
- Launchable fireworks display
What LEGO set could be considered more iconic than one of the most iconic movie castles of all time?
The Disney Castle is well known all over the world not just because of Disney’s many films featuring royalty, but because it’s the central focus of all of its theme parks. LEGO set 71040 was created for ages 16 and up with more than 4,080 pieces available to build a truly iconic masterpiece of Disney history. Included with the set are five famous minifigs including Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck. There are also a number of princess-themed accessories, a working fireworks display function, plus a few hidden compartments for families to discover.
LEGO Space Buggy
When it comes to LEGO space sets, there is no shortage of options but few feel as iconic as the 1979 LEGO Space Buggy.
Featuring only 20 parts, this set remains one of the best releases in LEGO history according to Brickset. LEGO set 886 included a spaceman featuring some type of ray gun, a rocket pack, and a very minimal vehicle to navigate the planet they are on. Back when this was released, space exploration was still very much on everyone’s mind a decade after the first moon landing, which has helped increase its popularity. This popularity of Space Buggy lives on as the set would play a role in the LEGO Movie decades later.
While Space Buggy is no longer available for purchase, there is another iconic space set that is well worth considering. Recreating the space shuttle Discovery and the Hubble Space Telescope from NASA’s 1990 mission, LEGO set 1082 features 2,354 pieces and helps take you back to some of the most iconic space missions in history.
- Features space shuttle Discovery and Hubble space telescope
- Space enthusiasts will love building all 2,354 pieces
- Space shuttle has payload bay opening and retractable landing gear
- Measures over 21 inches long
LEGO Millenium 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
Despite its price tag, the LEGO Millenium Falcon is already one of the most iconic LEGO sets of all time.
Set 75192 is not only one of the largest LEGO sets in history at 7,541 pieces, but it’s also based on one of the most iconic ships from one of the most iconic movie franchises in history. It features a seating area, an engineering station with a rotating seat, an engine room with a hyperdrive, and two escape pod hatches.
Best of all, you have two separate crews of minifigs depending on your favorite Star Wars trilogy. Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and Princess Leia make up one crew while another focuses on older Han Solo, Rey, and Finn make up the other. Measuring 8 x 33 x 22 inches in size, the LEGO Millenium Falcon is also one of the largest Star Wars LEGO sets of all time.
©Messias Ferreira S/Shutterstock.com
LEGO Airport
Featuring 530 parts, this 1985 release is a reminder of LEGO sets that required a lot less time to build.
Adding eight minifigs to your collection, this LEGO set included a runway for its passenger plane, a helicopter, and an associated landing pad as well as a combination tower and terminal. All of the eight minifigs have a very unique purpose including two passengers you can imagine going anywhere in the world. Today, this LEGO set sells for as high as $900 in mint condition according to Brickset.
The good news is you can spend a little less and get today’s LEGO version of an airport, perfect for ages 6-12. LEGO set 3182 will have 703 pieces plus a more modern passenger plane. While only five minifigs are included this time around, you still get to create a tower, terminal, and baggage cart.
- Includes airplane, terminal, control tower, and baggage cart
- Five minifigures include passengers, pilot, flight attendant, steward, and service man
- Features baggage claim area, VIP lounge, soda machine, and x-ray machine
- 703 total pieces
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
Before Pirates of the Caribbean became one of the highest-grossing movie franchises of all time, there was LEGO set 6285 from 1989.
Featuring 909 parts and eight different minifigs, this is one of LEGO’s most iconic pirate ships before a more modern age. With an escape boat, plenty of canons, bright red and white sails plus an eclectic crew of misfits and one talking parrot, the Black Seas Barracuda is on the hunt for treasure.
Designed for ages 9-12, the Black Seas Barracuda measures 3.7 x 22 x18 inches in size, which means there is plenty of space to let your imagination run wild. Paired with other pirate sets of the time, there were so many ways kids could imagine themselves raiding an island or having prisoners walk the plank. Good times!
Please note: As of July 18, 2023, this product is out-of-stock on Amazon. If you’re unable to obtain it elsewhere, please check back with Amazon in the future.
LEGO Batmobile
- Made to resemble iconic 1989 Batmobile
- Features slide-open cockpit, two hidden machine guns, and decorative grapple hooks
- Includes three minifigs with Batman, Joker, and Vicki Vale
- Also includes rotating display stand
As good as some of the more recent Batman movies have been, there is only one true Batman and that is Michael Keaton.
LEGO set 76139 features more than 3,308 pieces with an emphasis on ages 16 and above and highlights the 1989 Batman movie. Made to evoke memories from the film featuring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, there is so much about this set to love. Whether it’s the slide-open cockpit with its wraparound windshield, the detailed interior, or its pop-up machine guns, there’s a lot to like. Best of all, the set comes with its very own rotating display stand so you can properly display this iconic set in a room that friends and family will repeatedly walk through.
As an added bonus, a minifig display stand is perfect for placing right next to the Batmobile so as to show off Batman, Joker, and Vicki Vale.
Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System
- Features interactive elements including handle-operating scrolling screen
- Authentically detailed based on Nintendo Entertainment System
- Combines with other LEGO Mario sets
- Includes illustrated booklet on creation of NES console
Something of a surprise release by LEGO, the Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System is absolutely one of the iconic LEGO sets of all time.
Featuring 2,646 pieces, LEGO set 71374 is designed for ages 18 and up as anyone above that age is more likely to have memories of the original Nintendo. Designed to feel like a 1980-style television set playing the now classic Super Mario Bros. game, you get everything from the cartridge, TV, NES console, and one controller. LEGO has worked to make sure this feels as detailed as possible but didn’t forget, in classic LEGO style, to add a few surprises.
The biggest surprise is the TV’s handle-operated scrolling screen, which allows Mario to react as he would in-game to on-screen Koopas or other Bowser henchmen. The TV itself measures 8 x 9 x 6 inches, which makes this system small enough to display on a shelf while still invoking some pretty strong memories.
LEGO Art World Map
- More than 11,000 pieces
- Custom soundtrack
- Customize the continents
- Built-brick frame and location pins
The single biggest LEGO piece in the toy’s history by piece count, the LEGO Art World Map is a beautiful display place for any collectible room.
Featuring 11,695 pieces, the World Map is also known as LEGO set 31203 and is designed for ages 18 and up because of its display aspect. Not only is the map a functional reminder of just how large the world truly is, but it’s also interactive as well. LEGO includes push pins so you can tack on to places you have traveled or wish to go. You can also create currents using different color patterns in the oceans to better bring them to life. Last not but least is a QR code on the World Map box so you can listen to a customized soundtrack while you dive into the many different packages that help create this LEGO masterpiece.
LEGO Police Car
All the way back in 1978, something magical happened with LEGO as the first minifig was introduced.
Previously, LEGO sets had all been released featuring just the vehicles, buildings, or sets, but no figures at all. This 1978 LEGO Town Police Officer minifig marked a decidedly different path forward for the company and the rest, as they say, is history.
Available as set 600, it featured the first of the now iconic yellow mini figurine with a police uniform and cap. According to Brick Economy, the set also included a small police car the officer minifig could stand next to but not drive. There was nothing particularly fancy or memorable about this release at the time and it wouldn’t be for a few more years before LEGO knew the minifig would become such an integral part of its history.
Today, you can find all manners of LEGO police cars including the LEGO City Police Car, set 60312, which even includes a space for the office to drive the vehicle.
- Features a police car toy with room for the included minifig officer
- Includes wide rims, flared fenders, and cool headlights
- Perfect for kids ages 5 and above
- Imaginative crock-chasing action ahead
Wrapping Up
LEGO sets have been iconic toys for decades with no signs of slowing down. In fact, any trip to a local toy store shows LEGO is alive and well as kids and some adults are constantly checking out the newest sets. Best of all, there are few toys that can claim to be as popular with adults as kids, and yet LEGO has made it possible to appeal to everyone through thousands of iconic and memorable sets throughout its history.
Summary Table
| Iconic LEGO Set | Set Number |
|---|---|
| King’s Castle | 6080 |
| The Disney Castle | 71040 |
| LEGO Space Buggy | 886 |
| LEGO Millenium Falcon | 75192 |
| LEGO Airport | 3182 |
| Black Seas Barracuda | 10040 |
| LEGO Batmobile | 76139 |
| Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System | 71374 |
| LEGO Art World Map | 31203 |
| LEGO Police Car | 600 |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Around the World Photos/Shutterstock.com.
