If you don’t pay much attention to toy trends, you might think that LEGO sets for kids are all that’s available. That hasn’t been the case for a while – in fact, the brick-building company makes plenty of sets for adults.
Over the past five years, LEGO’s definition of what it means to be an “adult” set has changed significantly. It used to be a label strictly applied to the difficulty of the build, rather than its outcome. In some instances, it still signifies that. But in many other instances, the age recommendation is a reflection of interest rather than proficiency. Is it built for play? Or is it built for display?
LEGO has honed this adult outreach recently, by designing builds for framing or arrangement in vases. It’s LEGO as a lifestyle – as an art installation on a wall or a decorative keepsake on a coffee table.
Here are the best LEGO Adults sets in 2025 – the builds that are changing perceptions of what it means to be a LEGO fan. You can also check out our picks for the best LEGO sets overall for more options.
TL;DR Best LEGO Sets for Adults in 2025
Optimus Prime
LEGO Optimus Prime
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We built Optimus Prime at the time of its launch, and we can’t stop saying good things about it. This set actually transforms – from vehicle mode to autobot mode and back again – and it looks equally proportioned and convincing in both of its settings. Its followup, Bumblebee, is no slouch either, and gives us more of the same for a slightly lower price point.
Lord of the Rings – Rivendell
LEGO Lord of the Rings – Rivendell
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For Tolkien fans with deep pockets, this intricate set depicts the serene elvish enclave from the movies. With landmarks such as the stone bridge over the River Brunein, the House of Elrond, and Bilbo’s study, the LEGO Rivendell set lets you recreate numerous, memorable moments, including the council meeting where the Fellowship comes together to destroy the One Ring.
TIE Interceptor
LEGO TIE Interceptor
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A striking homage to the souped up TIE Fighter from Episode VI, this model is mounted at an upward angle, which makes it seem like it’s on the offensive, ready to blast Rebel scum out of the sky.
See our larger list of the best Star Wars LEGO sets for more Star Wars gift ideas.
River Steamboat
LEGO River Steamboat
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We built and reviewed this set at the time of its launch, and quite frankly, we were floored. This is an expert-level LEGO build for people who love LEGO. The River Steamboat includes a pilothouse, a crew deck, and a swanky restaurant and jazz lounge. You can display the steamboat on a stand, or you can push it along a flat surface, which causes the big paddle wheel to turn.
Vincent van Gogh: Sunflowers
LEGO Vincent van Gogh: Sunflowers
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Designed in collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands, this is a three-dimensional relief of Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. We reviewed and photographed this set, and we were impressed by both its size and its attention to detail.
Motorized Lighthouse
LEGO Motorized Lighthouse
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A homage to the classic New England lighthouse, this Ideas set comes with a battery box and motor, which powers the building’s rotating light. The details on this build – such as the rocky path at the foot of the lighthouse and the small cottage that houses the lighthouse keeper, make this build into one of LEGO’s best.
Tiny Plants
LEGO Tiny Plants
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For a relatively low price, you get nine potted plants, which are perfect for window sill display. The nine plants are as follows: Jade Plant, False Shamrock, Laceleaf, Venus Flytrap, Red Sundew, Pitcher Plant, Succulents, Prickly Pear, and Pincushion Cacti.
Pac-Man Arcade
LEGO Pac-Man Arcade
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Some of us are old enough to remember going to the arcade and playing Pac-Man, back near the dawn of video gaming. This set brings back those memories of dumping in quarter after quarter, and even lets you move the hungry yellow character through the maze.
See our list of the best Nintendo LEGO Sets for more ideas.
Our roundup of the best LEGO Disney sets has more favorite characters for young and old.
Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet
LEGO Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet
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We built and reviewed this set for Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re buying a gift for your significant other, or you just want to build a set to put on your desk, the LEGO Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet is a solid pick. This is one of the best LEGO Flower sets you can add to your collection.
Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City
LEGO Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City
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We reviewed this set for its launch and were floored by its attention to detail. Gotham City has an art deco aesthetic and measures two-and-a-half feet wide. It is perfect for hanging on a wall, provided you have the surface space. Its buildings are explorable, and removing the exteriors reveal the hero and villains’ hideouts.
Check out our guide to the best Batman LEGO sets for more.
Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera
LEGO Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera
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This set lets you build the classic Polaroid camera, one block at a time. It comes with a buildable film pack, complete with photos of Minifigures. You can even load a photo into the finished camera, press the shutter button, and the photo comes out.
The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr
LEGO The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr
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We built this set at its launch, and we were consistently impressed by its size and scope. Measuring nearly three feet tall, it’s topped with a massive, backlit Eye of Sauron for maximum intimidation. If you have the budget, it’s the perfect way to show your allegiance to the Dark Lord.
Great Deku Tree
LEGO Great Deku Tree
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The first Legend of Zelda LEGO set in history, the Great Deku Tree is a 2-in-1 build. You can either build the Ocarina of Time version or you can build the Breath of the Wild version. We photographed both versions when the set launched. And we found the Breath in the Wild iteration – with its pink leaves, exposed roots, and more weathered appearance – to be especially eye-catching.
The Endurance
LEGO The Endurance
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Sir Ernest Shackleton’s doomed Antarctic vessel is a no-frills, irony-free build. From the sails to the riggings to the cabins below deck, it’s as close to old-fashioned model-making as LEGO gets, with no cartoonish minifigures that would otherwise break the immersion.
Jaws
LEGO Jaws
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One of LEGO’s coolest dioramas, this set, based on the movie Jaws, captures the climactic showdown between Bruce the shark and the three-man crew of The Orca. Bruce is a separate build from the boat, and you can either mount him on a separate stand, or you can incorporate him into the water and have him eat Quint.
The Insect Collection
LEGO The Insect Collection
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Do you like insects? Here are three brilliantly colored, life-sized creepy-crawlies: a blue morpho butterfly (Morpho peleides), Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules), and a Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis). These are perfect for a unique desk display or a hair-raising prank.
How Many Adult LEGO Sets are There?
The LEGO official website allows you to search and sort by age range. According to their self-categorization, there are currently 201 adult LEGO sets available for purchase as of April 2025. When browsing through them, you’ll notice the diversity of them—how they range from home decor to agriculture to massive pop culture recreations to operable models and toys. There’s no one, correct way to be an adult – or to play like one.
For more ideas, you can check out all the LEGO sets on the IGN Store. Or move your tinkering beyond LEGO, with our best LEGO alternatives.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Threads.
