Fellow toy enthusiasts, as the winter chill sets in, have you suddenly realized that 2023 is almost over? Our Toy People editorial team has chosen this moment to compile a list of [The Top 10 Must-Buy LEGO Sets of 2023]! We invite all toy enthusiasts to discuss with us; perhaps you'll discover some overlooked gems in this article that are truly worth collecting. Take advantage of Black Friday (11/24) to complete your collection of favorite LEGO sets.
In this article, we will use the piece count as a sorting standard, starting with LEGO sets that have fewer pieces and are easier to display. This approach not only acknowledges that LEGO sets do require a certain amount of space for proper display but also prevents this recommendation list from becoming an evaluation focused solely on ultra-large sets, which might not be practical for most toy enthusiasts. So, let's begin~!
● LEGO 40649 Up-Scaled LEGO Minifigure
(Up-Scaled LEGO Minifigure)Piece Count: 654 pieces total, Price: US$49.99
First up is the "Up-Scaled LEGO Minifigure," which boasts high design integrity, a considerable size for display once assembled, and a more accessible price point. In addition to getting a classic and striking red-and-blue large minifigure, it also includes a Minifigure-scale LEGO minifigure. The ability to lift the hat and interact with the internal cockpit mechanism is also a major selling point. Of course, if you truly love this design, you might also want to consider adding the LEGO House exclusive Redbeard Captain "40504 A Minifigure Tribute" to your collection if you get the chance.
See more detailed introduction:
LEGO 40649 "Up-Scaled LEGO Minifigure" – Lift the Hat to Reveal a Hidden Cockpit! (Up-Scaled LEGO Minifigure)
● LEGO 43230 Walt Disney Tribute Camera
(Walt Disney Tribute Camera)
Piece Count: 811 pieces total, Price: US$99.99
As the variety of LEGO product themes continues to expand and the market for adult LEGO fans is increasingly developed, many LEGO products have emerged in recent years that appeal to buyers beyond traditional LEGO enthusiasts. Plant-themed LEGO sets, which have been hugely popular since the "10281 Bonsai Tree," are a prime example. This retro-styled film camera has indeed attracted many non-LEGO fans who love Disney. Beyond the exquisitely designed camera body with hidden mechanisms, the perfectly rendered tripod, and the soft film strip, the inclusion of minifigures of Walt Disney, Dumbo, Bambi, and the original black-and-white Mickey and Minnie is an undeniable reason to acquire this set.
For a more detailed introduction:
LEGO 43230 "A Tribute to Walt Disney" – The Super Beautiful Film Camera Full of Retro Charm Appears! (Walt Disney Tribute Camera)
● LEGO 31142 Space Roller Coaster
(Space Roller Coaster)Number of pieces: 874, Price: US$109.99
Next up is the Space Roller Coaster, which generated excitement when its official images were released. With fewer than a thousand pieces, it combines futuristic space capsules, rockets, and a joyful roller coaster track. Adding light bricks, track cars, and the geometrically-built "SPACE" letters, there's plenty of fun to be had both during assembly and after completion. Not to mention, this set also offers two alternative builds: a "Freefall Drop" and a "Carousel." Given that amusement park attractions are more fun the richer they are, this is truly a set that will make you want to collect multiples.
For a more detailed introduction:
LEGO 31141, 31142 Creator Series "Downtown Street" and "Space Roller Coaster" – Two New 3-in-1 Sets Releasing in August!
● LEGO 77015 Temple of the Golden Idol
(Temple of the Golden Idol)Number of pieces: 1545, Price: US$149.99
Next is the Temple of the Golden Idol, a masterpiece that recreates a classic scene from the movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark" while also incorporating super fun mechanisms! Through the exquisite scene building on the front and the Technic element linkage hidden at the back, you can fully relive Indy's adventure in the temple. The design allowing the large boulder to quickly spin and roll over a short distance is truly fantastic! With the base featuring totems, dialogue, and the movie LOGO, it makes for an excellent display piece with strong thematic appeal. Not only will long-time fans adore it, but it also serves as a great entry point for younger generations to experience the charm of the "Indiana Jones" series.
For a more detailed introduction:
LEGO 77015 "Raiders of the Lost Ark" Temple of the Golden Idol – Clear Official Images Revealed!
● LEGO 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade
Number of pieces: 2651, Price: US$269.99
This desktop arcade machine, designed with the classic video game PAC-MAN in mind, perfectly balances aesthetic appeal, high playability, and a wealth of nostalgia, making it simply the top LEGO choice for video game fans in 2023. The arcade cabinet itself, with its displayed game screen, the coin-op effect created by the light brick, the design of the joystick, and the ability to move PAC-MAN by simply turning the side handle, is already incredibly impressive. Add to that the large PAC-MAN printed tiles unique to this set and the mini scene hidden within the machine, and you have a product brimming with ingenious details.
▼ This display case, which can change the positions of PAC-MAN and the ghosts in an instant, is also quite interesting.
For a more complete unboxing report:
LEGO 10323 Icons Series "PAC-MAN" Unboxing Report: The globally popular video game becomes LEGO, not only full of retro charm but also recreating thrilling chases!
● LEGO 76419 Hogwarts Castle and GroundsNumber of pieces: 2660, Price: US$169.99
If there's one place that deeply captivates Harry Potter fans, the ancient magical stronghold of Hogwarts undoubtedly holds a special place in the hearts of many toy enthusiasts. Among the 2023 Harry Potter themed products, there are many sets with ingenious creativity or high external completeness. However, this set, which can be considered a scaled-down version of 71043 and once again features Hogwarts Castle, possesses an unshakeable and strong representational significance. From 71043's 6020 pieces and $469.99 USD to this set's 2660 pieces and $169.99 USD, the difficulty of collecting it has become much more accessible, and the official designers have still imbued this castle with satisfying completeness and clever details.
So, if you've already acquired Hogwarts set number 71043 and don't want to collect another castle, what should you do? The editor here recommends the "76417 Gringotts Wizarding Bank – Collectors' Edition", which simultaneously showcases the above-ground bank and the underground vaults.
For a more detailed introduction:
LEGO 76419 "Harry Potter" Hogwarts Castle and Grounds: The ancient magical stronghold is miniaturized into a product once again!
● LEGO 76252 Batcave - Shadowbox
Number of pieces: 3981, Price: US$399.99
Among the 2023 LEGO sets, the editor personally believes this Batcave can absolutely be called a masterpiece with a groundbreaking appearance. In addition to the striking hollowed-out Bat-Signal, it also neatly stores all the Batcave models and accessories, which previously focused more on playability, into a square box, creating first-class display potential! Furthermore, the Batmobile, which remains the soul of this Batcave in the designers' minds, has been redesigned. Coupled with abundant mechanism settings, expandable playability, and a lineup of minifigures crafted according to the "Batman Returns" settings, all these aspects significantly enhance this Batcave.
For a more complete unboxing report:
LEGO "76252 Batcave - Shadowbox" Unboxing Report: A super cool secret base with rich mechanisms and excellent display potential!
● LEGO 43222 Disney CastlePiece Count: 4837 pieces, Price: US$ 399.99
2023 marks Disney's centennial, and in addition to the previously mentioned film camera, which captivated with its excellent design and thematic appeal, this flagship Disney Castle is undoubtedly the top choice for any devoted fan's collection. Not only has the piece count been upgraded (4837 pieces) compared to the 2016 Disney Castle (4080 pieces), but the castle's exterior is also adorned with a large number of golden elements, making the overall aesthetic, in our opinion, even more magnificent. The interior is infused with rich elements from works such as "Sleeping Beauty," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," and more. The minifigures feature a combination of princesses and princes. Once assembled, it stands at an impressive 80 cm tall, truly massive, and will make you want to find the perfect spot to display it.
See more detailed introduction:
LEGO 43222 "Disney Castle" Returns in a Dreamlike State for the Grand Centennial Anniversary!
● LEGO 76269 Avengers TowerPiece Count: 5201 pieces, Price: US$ 499.99
Next up is the most formidable LEGO creation in the Marvel theme: the Avengers Tower, which launched today (11/24). This skyscraper, built according to the settings of "Avengers: Age of Ultron," will stand at an incredibly imposing 90 cm tall once assembled. It not only features scenes and content from multiple MCU films, including "The Avengers," "Age of Ultron," "Avengers: Endgame," and more, but its whopping 31 LEGO minifigures truly allow you to achieve a grand collection and immense satisfaction with just this one box! Coupled with effect pieces for the minifigures, a palm-sized Quinjet, and a meticulously brick-built Leviathan beast model, it's absolutely thrilling!
See the full unboxing report:
LEGO 76269 "Avengers Tower" Unboxing Report: The Most Luxurious Marvel LEGO, the Box Set with the Most Minifigures Ever Born!
● LEGO 10316 Rivendell
Piece Count: 6167 pieces, Price: US$ 499.99
LEGO's "Lord of the Rings" themed products began releasing in 2012, with items like "9474 The Battle of Helm's Deep" and "10237 The Tower of Orthanc" becoming highly sought-after rarities with soaring prices and difficult-to-find well-preserved conditions. For new LEGO fans who love Lord of the Rings, the barrier to entry for collecting was quite high. However, with the premiere of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" and rumors of LEGO re-releasing Lord of the Rings products, many fans became incredibly excited! Finally, the Elven sanctuary "Rivendell" debuted in 2023, and this set is indeed an impeccable new Lord of the Rings release.
Rivendell boasts an exceptionally beautiful exterior design, construction methods that can only be described as "black technology," a complete lineup of "Fellowship of the Ring" minifigures all in one set, and a luxurious specification exceeding 6000 pieces. Furthermore, among LEGO sets with a Lord of the Rings theme, Rivendell's colors are quite vibrant, exuding a unique charm amidst numerous fortresses and pirate ships dominated by gray and black. In terms of thematic rarity, it's also more surprising and unexpected than the popular Harry Potter sets that have been continuously released in recent years, or the ever-popular Disney sets. When discussing the best sets of 2023, Rivendell has mostly been at the center of the discussion, and personally, this set is my top recommendation and the best LEGO set of 2023.
For a more complete unboxing report:
LEGO 10316 "The Lord of the Rings" Rivendell Unboxing Report: Combining Exquisite Appearance, Rich Story Elements, and Black Technology Building Techniques! A Contender for Best Set of 2023!?
The above are the 10 must-buy LEGO sets of 2023 carefully selected by the Toy People editorial department. Of course, there are a few other sets I really wanted to include but reluctantly left out, such as "10312 Jazz Club", "21338 A-Frame Cabin", "10317 Land Rover Classic Defender 90", and "10320 El Dorado Fortress". The yet-to-be-released but certainly excellent "10326 Natural History Museum" is also not included in this recommendation list for now. We hope that in the future, we at Toy People can create unboxing reports for all of you!
If this [Top 10 Must-Buy LEGO Sets of 2023] has helped you, our fellow toy enthusiasts, discover some unmissable products, then that's fantastic! Of course, if you have different opinions or any LEGO sets you think are absolutely worth getting, feel free to discuss them with us in the comment section.