When LEGO first hit storefronts in 1949, nobody associated with the now-iconic toy knew what it would become. These colorful building blocks and Minifigures are not just fun toys for kids, but collector’s items for many adults. Many of the best-selling sets are tie-ins with movies and tv shows, with the most expensive LEGO sets fetching thousands of dollars.
These are the LEGO sets we want to focus on in this article. Not your regular over-the-counter LEGO sets but the ones that sell for hefty prices and are often limited editions. Many of these LEGO sets are based on blockbuster movie franchises like Star Wars and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, while others are inspired by real-life architecture. There is even a LEGO Mr Gold Minifigure made up of eight pieces that are entirely gold in color. The one thing they all have in common is how expensive they are to buy.
“Rarity is the most important factor with any LEGO collectible,” said Ed Maciorowski, founder of Lego pricing guide BrickPicker. “If a set is rare, and desirable, and continues to be rare, it will remain valuable.”
With that in mind, here are the 20 most expensive LEGO sets in the world.
20 Most Expensive Lego Sets in the World
20. LEGO Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer – (2019) – $699
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Unlike almost all of the LEGO sets on this list, the LEGO Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer is still available. But it is set to be retired at the end of 2022, with many in the industry believing its price will skyrocket. Part of the Ultimate Collector Series, the Imperial Star Destroyer is not an easy build.
Based on Darth Vader’s Imperial Star Destroyer from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, the Devastator uses 4,784 bricks and comes with a couple of LEGO Minifigures: two different Imperial Officers.
If you are after a LEGO set that is sure to become a collector’s item in no time, grab one of these while you can.
19. LEGO Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix Hogwarts Castle (2007) – $699
Every Harry Potter film has had a massive collection of LEGO Harry Potter sets released, with Hogwarts Castle being one of the biggest and most popular sets. Of all the versions, the one connected to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the most valuable.
This LEGO Harry Potter set was only available for just under three months, making it extremely rare. The LEGO set contains 943 pieces and comes in three different sections: the Greenhouse, the Room of Requirement, and the Main Castle, which has various rooms attached. It is very reminiscent of the Hogwarts Castle you see in the film.
Another thing many people love about this set LEGO Harry Potter set is the collection of Minifigures it comes with. You get Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, Professor Snape, Professor Umbridge, and a Death Eater.
18. LEGO Taj Mahal (2008) – $1,206
This LEGO set is a replica of the iconic Taj Mahal in India. It is part of the LEGO Advanced Models series and at the time of its release in 2008, was the largest LEGO set in over a decade. Made up of a whooping 5,922 bricks, the LEGO Taj Mahal is an impressive sight when fully constructed. It has ornate detailing and really captures the beauty of the architecture.
At one point this model fetched between $2,000-$3,000 but after it was re-released a few years after being retired, the value plummeted. It has steadily retailed for just over $1,000 for many years.
17. LEGO Star Wars Death Star II (2005) – $2,623
Here is another iconic LEGO Star Wars set that will take you more than a few hours to complete. The LEGO Star Wars Death Star II is a 3,441 brick creation modeled after the second Death Star. Star Wars fans will remember this superweapon from Return of the Jedi. Its half-finished appearance resembles that of the movie version, while it also has a laser beam shooting out of it for added effect.
Part of the Ultimate Collectors Series – which consists of larger LEGO models of existing sets – the Death Star II has slowly increased in value over time, with the current median price for a sealed box being $2,623. Pre-loved versions sell for around $1,200. This is one of the few sets that doesn’t contain any Minifigures.
16. LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon (2007 Ultimate Collectors Series) – $2,642
The most expensive LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collectors Series set is the Millennium Falcon. Now the confusing part is that there are two different Millennium Falcon sets that come under the Ultimate Collectors Series banner.
The most recent came out around 2017 and consists of 7,541 bricks and eight Minifurges. This one is still readily available online and sells for around $800. The real money is the 2007 Ultimate Collectors Series model that sells for around $2,642, although one in mint condition did go for close to $15,000 in 2017.
Along with the intricate design and multiple moving parts, this LEGO Star Wars set comes with Minifigures modeled after Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca.
15. LEGO Grand Carousel (2009) – $2,727
When it comes to hard-to-find LEGO sets, the LEGO Grand Carousel is at the very top of the list. While it might not be as expensive as other models, there aren’t many in good condition that can be found for sale.
The LEGO Grand Carousel is part of the Advanced Models range of LEGO, meaning it has moving parts. Not only does the carousel move in a circular motion, but it emits music, adding to its value. It is quite detailed and also comes with 11 Minifigures that can be strapped into the seats on the carousel. This valuable LEGO set was only on sale for one year before being discontinued. A new version was released in 2017.
14. LEGO Darth Maul Bust (2001) – $2,804
Why you would want a bust of Darth Maul is anyone’s guess, but Star Wars fans do go crazy for any type of LEGO relating to the franchise they can get their hands on. This expensive set is one only diehard Star Wars LEGO enthusiasts would no doubt love to have proudly displayed in their home.
Consisting of 1,868 pieces, this 3D model was released shortly after Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace hit cinemas. It’s impressive when fully constructed and has steadily increased in price over the years.
13. LEGO Factory Market Street (2007) – $3,538
Part of both the Factory and Modular Building themes, the LEGO Factory Market Street was on sale for two years between 2007-2009. The set is actually designed by LEGO fan Eric Brok, who tragically passed away before his creation saw the light of day.
The Factory Market Street is a three-story building made using 1,248 bricks. It features a garage to the side and a hidden balcony on the top level. As with many of these Factory sets, you can construct the building in multiple ways, giving this set flexibility. It comes with three LEGO Minifigures and can be combined with other models in this set, such as Cafe Corner, Grand Emporium, Palace Cinema, and Pet Shop, to form a mini-town.
12. LEGO The LEGOLAND Train (2014) – $3,576
This exclusive set was handed out to guests during the 2014 LEGO Inside Tour. It is based on the actual train that circles Billund Legoland in Denmark. 350 sets of the LEGOLAND Train were gifted to fans and each year the set has increased in value.
The train comes on a railway track and has a platform too. There are seven Minifigures that also come with the set. They are a Legoland Train Operator, Female Attendant, Male in Plaid Blue Shirt, Male, Female, Boy, and Girl.
11. LEGO TMNT Antonio’s Pizza-Rama (2012 Limited Edition) – $4,276
This exclusive LEGO set was available at the 2012 New York Comic-Con. It’s quite a basic model but one that sells for a decent price. It’s a slice of pizza with pepperoni. It’s made using 57 bricks and even comes in a pizza-shaped box displaying the logo of the famous Antonio’s Pizza that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles love to eat.
There’s not much more information on this one, except that it was a very limited release and is one of the more expensive LEGO sets on the market these days.
10. LEGO Fire Station (1957) – $5,043
While you can pick up a used version of this classic LEGO set for around $2,000, a sealed box in mint condition is valued at $7,262 according to Brick Economy. This 111-piece set was first released in 1957 and was in production for five years before being retired. It was eventually re-released in 1960 and has been part of the LEGO collection since.
This model has continued to increase in value over time and comes with a printed white brick sign that reads “Fire Station.” The printing is different depending on the region of the world the set is purchased in, with many different languages used to spell the words out.
9. LEGO Command Center (1979) – $5,257
One of the early LEGO sets popular with fans is this 1979 LEGO Command Center. Created by LEGO designer Jens Nygaard Knudsen, there haven’t been many of this set seen for sale in recent years according to Brick Economy, hence the high price.
With only 173 pieces, this isn’t a complex set, but it is the first to ever feature a creator base. This would soon become the norm when building space-related LEGO sets. As well as the command center, this great set has two space rovers and four Minifigures: two astronauts in red and two astronauts in white.
8. LEGO Piper Airplane (2012 Limited Edition) – $5,379
As is the case with most of these expensive sets, the LEGO Piper Airplane is another limited edition release. The design is based on the first airplane that the LEGO Group acquired in 1962. The body is red and black in color with white wings. The model also comes with a couple of ground crew Minifigures.
Only 53 of these sets were given away at the 2012 LEGO Inside Tour. It contains 795 pieces and has a build time of around two hours. Although it might not look that spectacular compared to some of the LEGO sets on this list, it’s a collector’s item due to its rarity.
7. LEGO Trains Steam Engine With Tender (1980) – $5,627
Those who love trains and LEGO will be in awe of the classic LEGO set. Released in 1980, the LEGO Trains Steam Engine with Tender set was only on the market for two years. Consisting of 263 pieces along with two Minifigures, a Construction Worker and a Male with Button Shirt, it’s a fabulous LEGO set that’s over 40 years old.
This is the only LEGO train set that comes with red wheels, making it even rarer. It also has a 12V battery and actually chugs along, except no train tracks are provided with the set. It’s also equipped with flashing lights at the front and at the end of the tender.
It’s not known how many of these Steam Engines were produced, but they continue to rise in value every year, with the current median price being $5,627.
6. LEGO Star Wars Cloud City (2003) – $6,159
While there are more recent LEGO Star Wars Cloud City sets with more pieces and Minifigures, none sell for much as the 2003 original. This sought-after collector’s set is designed by LEGO designer Bjarke Lykke Madsen and based on Cloud City on the planet Bespin as seen in The Empire Strikes Back.
It has the chamber where Han Solo is frozen in carbonite and a landing platform that fits either the Cloud Car or Boba Fett’s LEGO Slave One spacecraft. The set also comes with the Minifigures of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, a Stormtrooper, Boba Fett (Markings), Han Solo, Han in Carbonite), Princess Leia, and Lando Calrissian.
The LEGO Star Wars Cloud City set is the most expensive LEGO Star Wars set on the market these days, with its value increasing exponentially over the past six months.
5. LEGO Moulding Machines (2011 Limited Edition) – $6,733
The LEGO Moulding Machine is designed by LEGO designer Mel Caddick. It is a replica of one of the machine’s the company uses when creating its LEGO blocks. It was given to a select few who attended the 2011 LEGO Inside Tour. Only 68 copies of this LEGO set were built and given away.
In 2021, some ten years later, this limited edition set was recreated and sold in stores at an affordable price. While basically the same, it does feature newer components and a brighter green color.
4. LEGO Cars (2010 Limited Edition) – $6,766
It doesn’t have an official name, but this LEGO set goes by the title Cars and is one of the most expensive lego sets in the world. It contains three different cars: two sports cars and a jeep. Each is a different color and style, making them stand out from each other. This is another exclusive LEGO set that was given to those who visited the LEGO Inside Tour in 2010.
Only 33 of these were handed out, with the set designed by famous LEGO designer Steen Sig Andersen. Two of the cars were originally made by Kjeld Kirk Krinsansen when he was a young boy, with Steen Sig Anderson basing his creations off of them.
3. H.C. Andersen’s Clumsy Hans (2015 Limited Edition) – $7,375
What makes this LEGO set so rare is the fact that it has never been sold in stores. The LEGO H.C. Andersen’s Clumsy Hans collection was given to 80 Lego Ambassadors back in 2015. Due to its exclusiveness, many owners have held onto their models, helping raise the price. The last one that sold at auction went for the tidy sum of $7,375.
Made up of 714 bricks, this lego statue features Clumsy Hans sitting on what appears to be a goat. Each of these sets is individually numbered from 1-80. While there is currently one listed for $2,564 on Brick Economy, there is no doubt this bad boy will sell for much more if it gets a few bidders.
2. LEGO Castle (1978 Original) – $9,286
This is one of the oldest LEGO sets on this list, so there’s no surprise its price is a little more inflated. Released in 1978, this 767-piece set comes with 14 Minifigures. It was only available in Europe, the UK, Australia, and Canada. Known as the “Yellow Castle,” this LEGO set has only continued to increase in price over the years.
The LEGO Castle is created by LEGO designer Daniel August Krentz and features various ways to build it. There are also three sticker color variants available. The Minifigures include a selection of different knights that come in a range of colors.
Since its initial release, there have been many more upgraded versions of the classic “Yellow Castle” released, with the 1981 model having an estimated value of around $5,500 according to Brick Economy.
1. LEGO Ole Kirk’s House (2009 Limited Edition) – $10,733
The most expensive LEGO set in the world is also one of the rarest. The LEGO Ole Kirk’s House is an exclusive set released in 2009 that was given to the attendees of the 2009 LEGO Inside Tour. Each of the 32 sets is numbered and fetches a pretty penny on the open market, with the average price for one of these LETGO sets being $10,733
The model is based on the house LEGO founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen was born in. The LEGO set contains 910 bricks and is an accurate replica of Kristiansen’s former home.
When talking about this model you have to make certain you have the correct version. There is also a smaller set of Ole Kirk’s House that retails for around $500. You don’t want to be getting these two mixed up and paying overs for the standard set.