complex lego sets for adults

Best LEGO Sets for Adults

You Don't Need to Be a Kid to Enjoy LEGO - These Sets Are Proof

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Much like video games, Star Wars toys, and soccer leagues, LEGO sets are no longer just for kids. In fact, the AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) community is flourishing at an astonishing rate, spawning its own blogs, YouTube channels, and social media accounts.

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While longtime fans of the tiny colored bricks are well aware of the toy line's popularity among more mature builders, there's still plenty of adults claiming to buy them "for their kids." With hundreds of new LEGO sets hitting stores every year (including many models specifically aimed at adult fans), it's the perfect time to bring your block-y hobby out of the basement and into the LEGO-loving limelight.

Of course, before you become a MOC (My Own Creation) master — another huge LEGO community — or start a Patreon to fund your brick-building addiction, you'll want to find the right sets for you and your family. Whether shopping the toy aisles of your local retailer or navigating the seemingly millions of online storefronts, finding the bricks that best fit your interests, budget, and schedule can be as painful as stepping on a LEGO while barefoot.

With that in mind, we've scoured the stores, stayed up past the wee hours searching the internet, and even raided our kids' toy boxes to compile a comprehensive list of the best LEGO sets for adult fans of all stripes.

Best LEGO Sets

Old School Disney Fans

LEGO The Disney Castle

Number of Pieces: 4,080

You needn't be a Disney nerd to appreciate this gorgeous amalgamation of tiny, colored bricks. Packed with detail, the iconic castle, inspired by Cinderella's digs at Walt Disney World, is more architectural wonder than plastic toy. That said, you can let the little ones play with the included Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Tink minifigures, while you tackle the finer points of constructing this magical masterpiece. Pixie dust not included.

$594.95 at Amazon.com

Beatles Lovers

LEGO Ideas Yellow Submarine

Number of Pieces: 553

Easily LEGO's trippiest set, the Yellow Submarine is an especially vibrant bundle of bricks based on the 1968 Beatles' film of the same name. Living up to LEGO's authenticity-achieving standards, this one features rotating periscopes, propellers, and an adjustable rudder. Coolest of all though, it includes John, Paul, George, and Ringo minifigures, complete with era-appropriate facial hair. A cool display stand and creepy Jeremy minifig round-out this unique Fab Four collectible.

$172.94 at Amazon.com

Harry Potter Fans

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall

Number of Pieces: 878

More manageable than the massive Hogwarts Castle set (more on that below), this 878-piece recreation of one of the Wizarding universe's most iconic set pieces strikes the perfect balance between being an accessible, fun build that's also stuffed with fan-pleasing touches. Featuring fantastic details, such as the Grand Staircase tower, Mirror of Erised, and, of course, the Sorting Hat, as well as minifigs of Harry — and his best friends, foes, and creatures – the Great Hall is equal parts cool collectible, rewarding build, and immersive play-set.

$179.95 at Amazon.com

Friends Feeling

LEGO Ideas Central Perk Building Kit

Number of Pieces: 1,070

Looking to get back into your favorite childhood hobby? This set 'will be there for you.' This Friends-themed 1,070-piece LEGO set is packed with fun nods to the series, and includes minifigures of the whole cast: Ross, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe, in addition to Gunther! While it may look like an easy setup, it's rated 16+ so it's sure to provide a decent challenge.

$88.71 at Amazon.com

LEGO Newcomers

LEGO Classic Bricks Bricks Bricks

Number of Pieces: 1,500

This one's just a big 'ole box of vibrantly-colored bricks, and that's exactly why we love it. Sporting 1,500 pieces, three levels of building complexity, and no pressure to build something specific – though you're welcome to if you like – this throwback set is perfect for casual fans looking to break into the brick-building hobby. Those looking to further ignite their creative spark can also hop online for some more specific, inspired ideas that are easy to build.

$60.07 at Amazon.com

Action Figure Fans

LEGO BrickHeadz

Number of Pieces: 151

We love Funko POP! Figures, but we can't help but think these fan-pleasing collectibles could provide a bit more entertainment beyond breaking them from their boxes, displaying them on our desks, and staring at them. Enter LEGO BrickHeadz, the collectible figures you actually build. Featuring favorite pop culture characters from The Simpsons, Jurassic World, Ghostbusters, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more, these sets contain 100 or so bricks, lots of property-specific details, and plenty of personality.

$22.95 at Amazon.com

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More Display Than Play

LEGO Ideas Ship in a Bottle

LEGO Ideas Ship InÂ A Bottle

Number of Pieces: 962

If cramming a ship into a bottle doesn't sound challenging enough for you, this awesome set invites you to also build the craft before squeezing it into the narrow-necked vessel. Packed with tons of cool details, like a buildable cork, and nautical charm, LEGO's latest Ideas entry – spawned from the creative mind of LEGO fan Jake Sadovich – is as fun to display as it is to build. Of course, you'll need to resist the urge to break the boat from its bottle and play pirate with its captain's quarters, cannons, masts, and crow's nest.

$119.90 at Amazon.com

NASA Nerds

LEGO Space Shuttle Explorer

Number of Pieces: 285

Despite its reasonable price and modest 285 pieces, this LEGO-fied Space Shuttle Explorer packs plenty of fun for fans of space exploration. The detailed shuttle looks great displayed, but the set can also be broken down and built into two other models, a Space Rover or Moon Station. This 3-in-1 versatility makes it an awesome collectible piece that can also be easily transformed into a plaything for the kids. Of course, adult fans are also welcome to stage their own space-faring adventures behind the included minifigure astronaut.

$48.98 at Amazon.com

Original Star Wars Fan

LEGO Star Wars Sandcrawler

Number of Pieces: 1,239

While there's plenty of fan-servicing LEGO sets from a galaxy far, far away celebrating the sci-fi saga's most recent movies, we love the authentic look of this classic vehicle from the film that started it all. More than just a cool, collectible call back to Star Wars: A New Hope though, this one's working parts and accessories – from a detailed interior and droid-loading crane to Luke Skywalker and Jawa minifigures – make it a great play-set for Force-sensitive fans of all stripes.

$206.99 at Amazon.com

Big City Build

LEGO Architecture New York City

Number of Pieces: 598

LEGO's awesome architecture-themed sets are some of our favorites, featuring iconic skylines, such as Sydney, Chicago, and the Arc de Triomphe, as well as cool, detail-drenched structures, like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. This set captures the towering beauty of the New York City skyline. It includes the Statue of Liberty, Flatiron Building, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and the One World Trade Center – all scaled to create an accurate representation. The age limit is 12+ so you can easily let your tween kids or nieces and nephews get in the action.

$85.95 at Amazon.com

Dinosaur Lovers

LEGO Jurassic World Indoraptor Rampage at Lockwood Estate

Number of Pieces: 1,019

This Jurassic World set includes everything you need to recreate the film franchise's most epic dino-battling scenes, but you'll want to take in all its intricate details before unleashing your plastic, prehistoric pets. The set's 3-level building includes a museum, lab, office, and bedroom, as well as six minifigures, two dinosaur figs – complete with snapping jaws – and raptor-wrangling Owen's motorcycle. Of course, once you're literally ready to tear down the house, its configurable walls, collapsing roof, and removable windows will help keep the dino damage at a minimum.

$195.22 at Amazon.com

Hooked on Marvel

LEGO MARVEL Super Heroes Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown

Number of Pieces: 1,004

Most LEGO MARVEL sets celebrate the fan-favorite Avengers, so this Dr. Strange-focused entry offers a refreshing take on the spandex-clad cinematic universe. Don't let The Hulk's absence fool you though, as this set's more about action-packed play than mystical hocus-pocus. In fact, Doctor Strange's iconic digs – and accompanying Peter Parker's apartment – are equipped with exploding walls and windows functionality, while a rooftop launcher sends the set's four minifigures – Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Iron Spider-Man, Ebony Maw – flying into action. If all that wasn't enough to ensure this one stays off your bookshelf, it also includes a hammer-wielding Cull Obsidian big fig.

$168.95 at Amazon.com

Bond Fix

LEGO Creator Expert James Bond Aston Martin DB5

Number of Pieces: 1,295

Double 0 7's biggest fans can get their secret agent fix with this incredibly cool take on the super-spy's signature ride. Automobile enthusiasts will appreciate the authentic details spawned from this set's 1,295 pieces, but it's the hidden touches – from its ejector seat and wheel-mounted tire scythes to the revolving license plates and front wing machine guns – that will have Bond aficionados humming the series' familiar theme as they build.

$299 at Amazon.com

Cartoon Nostalgia

LEGO Ideas Voltron

Number of Pieces: 2,321

Whether you're a nostalgic fan of '80s cartoons or just love giant robots, this Voltron set's got your back. At over 2,000 pieces, it's the biggest build-able LEGO mech to date. On top of making a menacing display piece, however, this throwback's also built to play, featuring extra-durable joints, and highly pose-able black, blue, yellow, red, and green lions that combine to create the Voltron super-robot. All that, and it can grip a massive sword and shield.

$279 at Amazon.com

Gamers

LEGO Minecraft The Bedrock Adventures

Number of Pieces: 644

Minecraft's passionate community is as dedicated as LEGO's faithful following, so it makes sense the two have collided with a number of cool sets. Our recent favorite, The Bedrock Adventures, caters to those who love both the series' construction and combat elements. Fans of the former activity can venture into caves and mines for obsidian and seven ore types, while those in the latter camp will enjoy battling the franchise's most iconic foes, from zombies and cave spiders to silverfish and, of course, Creepers. Coolest of all, The Bedrock Adventures can be combined with previous sets to create a sprawling Minecraft universe of your own making.

$119.99 at Amazon.com

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Largest LEGO Sets

Seasoned Builders

LEGO Creator Expert Roller Coaster

Number of Pieces: 4,124

Complete with a cotton candy cart, ticket booth, covered boarding station, and concession stand, this one will easily stretch across the top of a bookshelf or mantle. Its large scale is matched by its functionality though, as it features a chain-lift and a pair of gravity-powered ride trains. There are even minifig thrill-seekers and working lap bars to keep them safe. Perfect for seasoned builders who like to play with their creations, the LEGO Roller Coaster is both a challenging build and a charming collectible.

$499.95 at Amazon.com

Car Lovers

LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron

Number of Pieces: 3,599

More than 3,000 pieces may not sound like much when compared to the 7,500-plus that click together to make the Millennium Falcon, but it's a more than admirable brick count when you consider the final product. Far smaller in physical size than its "big" counterparts, the Bugatti Chiron packs all those pieces into a painstaking recreation of the super sports car. Finely detailed right down to the brake discs, the finished model includes moving pistons, an accessible cockpit – complete with working gearshift and steering wheel – and dozens of other nuanced touches both the auto enthusiast and advanced LEGO builder will appreciate.

$399.95 at Amazon.com

Ghost Busters Fans

LEGO Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters

Number of Pieces: 4,634

When you want to make London's most stunning landmarks look like little playthings, who you gonna' call? That's right, leave it to specter-hunting heroes Venkman, Stantz, Spengler, and Zeddemore to outdo Big Ben. One of LEGO's all-time coolest sets, the Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters includes 4,634 haunted pieces. Once constructed, it measures 14-plus" high, 9" wide, and 14" deep. Open its interior walls outward, and you gain another 9" of width.

All that space also allows plenty of room for play, as the building's brimming with interactive elements ripped right from the films; like the four main spook-slaying characters — as well as Louis Tully, Dana Barrett, and Janine Melnitz minifigs —fans can slide down the fire pole, evade oozing slime, and, of course, bust ghosts.

$648 at Amazon.com

Travelers

LEGO Creator Big Ben

Number of Pieces: 4,163

The LEGO Creator Big Ben set beats out Cinderella's abode – shown above – by nearly 100 bricks. Featuring a highly detailed portion of Westminster Palace and the adjoining Elizabeth Tower, this replica of the iconic structure stretches 17" wide, 7" deep, and an impressive 23" tall. Appropriate for master builders with some serious spare time, this one should probably be constructed then locked away forever, lest your curious kids or hyperactive pets bring Big Ben back to its foundation.

$555.88 at Amazon.com

Harry Potter Experience

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle

Number of Pieces: 6,020

LEGO's second-largest set is also one of it's most fan-pleasing – at least for Harry Potter's passionate following. At more than 6,000 pieces, this massive recreation of the boy wizard's magic-teaching alma mater is packed with classrooms, chambers, towers, and turrets. Beyond the castle walls, fans will also find Hagrid's hut and the Whomping Willow. Toss in over two dozen figs of favorite characters and creatures – including five brick-based Dementors – and this set brings the Potterverse to life like no novel or film. Even if you're not a Potterhead, however, this detail-dripping set also serves as both a stunning piece of LEGO architecture and a worthy challenge for seasoned builders looking to take their hobby to the next level.

$729.99 at Amazon.com

Seeking a Challenge

LEGO Ninjago City

Number of Pieces: 4,867

Featuring 4,867 pieces and some of the most detailed designs ever seen in a LEGO set, the Ninjago City is not messing around. In fact, while the kid-friendly property is generally geared toward the younger crowd, this complex amalgamation of colorful bricks is recommended for builders 16 and over.

Clocking in at over 24", high, 12", wide, and 16" deep, this mini ninja metropolis is brimming with accessories, minifigures, and interactive elements, including a miniature ATM that actually spits out the teeniest, tiniest banknotes you've ever seen.

While a complicated build not to be tackled by any Ninjago-loving tyke, this highly impressive piece of LEGO architecture is great for adult fans seeking a challenge, as well as folks looking for a perfect parent-and-child project.

$678 at Amazon.com

The Ultimate Lego Set

LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon

Number of Pieces: 7,541â€‹

The LEGO Star Wars line is certainly no stranger to large, brick-brimming sets. Over the years, Star Destroyers and Jawa Sandcrawlers both bested the 3000-plus club, while the brick-built version of the Death Star notched 4,016 pieces. Billed as the largest, most detailed version of the fastest ship in the galaxy ever created, this replica Corellian freighter measures over 8", high, 33" long, and 22" wide. And, at an astounding 7,541 bricks, it's also the biggest LEGO set ever!

Absolutely swimming in fan-servicing details, the iconic craft includes awesome exterior features — such as a concealed blaster cannon and working boarding ramp — as well as all kinds of rad interior elements, like a gunnery station, Dejarik chess game, and hidden floor compartment. Coolest of all though, this epic set aims to please both original trilogy purists and new film fans by including crew member minifigs from both eras. Old school enthusiasts can rock the galaxy as Han, Leia, C-3PO, and Chewbacca, while more recent adopters of the Force can take to the stars as gray-haired Han, Rey, Finn, and BB-8.

And for those jaded jackasses about to complain about the era-specific radar dishes, well, those can be swapped out, too – round for the original films, rectangular for the new. Whether you're a forty-something Star Wars fan craving a nostalgia fix, a Rey-respecting new recruit looking to smack Kylo Ren's stupid face, or even a sad moisture farmer pining for a more exciting life, this awesome set's bound to stretch a smile across your face.

$989.95 at Amazon.com

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