New Lego Harry Potter Sets 2018
The best Lego Harry Potter sets
Included in this guide:
It's not hard to see why Lego Harry Potter sets are so popular. To state the obvious, Lego is a big deal and so is Harry Potter. The first Lego Harry Potter toys appeared in 2001 to coincide with the release of the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (or Sorcerer's Stone in the US). Things went quiet with the end of the movie series, but since 2018, Lego Harry Potter has returned in style, with a run of excellent sets that improve markedly on their predecessors in terms of complexity, design and imaginativeness.
Lego has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, evident in our round up of the best Lego sets for adults. And Lego Harry Potter is no exception. In this article, we bring together what we consider to be the best Lego Harry Potter sets of the modern era. Whether you're buying for yourself, your children or the Hogwarts fanatic in your life, read on to discover the very best Lego Harry Potter sets available today.
For more out-of-this-world Lego adventures, have a look at our picks for the best Lego space sets.
01. Lego Harry Potter Castle
The best Lego Harry Potter set overall
Specifications
Age: 16+
Number of pieces: 6020
Weight: 699g
Minifigures: 4 (+27 microfigures)
Model number: 71043
Reasons to buy
+Complex and detailed +So many film moments
Reasons to avoid
-Not the whole castle -Very expensive
If you're a truly passionate Lego Harry Potter fan, and time and money are no object, then there's no real question about it: you're going to want the Lego Harry Potter Castle. We say "time", because it's going to take quite a while for you to build this complex set, with over 6,000 pieces. And we say "money" because, well, it's certainly not cheap. But if you are prepared to invest both, then you'll get a lot back in return. Because this brilliant set, which measures around 60 x 75cm once constructed, really does pack a lot of classic Harry Potter moments into its multiple rooms and passageways.
It would take to long to list every single location and scene represented in this Lego Harry Potter castle, but suffice to say The Great Hall is beautifully realised, with nicely designed stained glass windows, flaming torches, and seating able to house a range of students and staff. Elsewhere you'll find Chamber of Secrets, Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, Dumbledore's office, Umbrage's office, the Transfiguration classroom and plenty more besides.
Given the huge number of scenes represented, many of these rooms are quite minuscule, and so rather than minifigures (of which there are just four), the set is centred around 27 microfigures, which are tiny enough to pose in multiple places. They're well designed and mostly recognisable, but of course they're not nearly as detailed, or satisfying, as minifigures.
Almost everywhere here, Lego's made brilliant use of space, from the devil's snare behind a rock to the moving staircases, which are actually rotatable. And that's not all: outside the building you also get a Whomping Willow and Hagrid's Hut to add to the value.
Please note, though, that this model doesn't actually replicate the entirety of Hogwarts as seen in the movie; it's basically just the front part of it. Lego's aim here has been more about echoing the big scenes rather than anything like an accurate architectural representation of the castle as it appears on screen. Also note that there's a large reliance on stickers to add many of the most important details, such as the door to the room of requirement, and that these can be quite fiddly to apply.
Beyond these little niggles, though, this Lego Harry Potter set will provide you with endless pleasure, in terms of both the initial construction and the inevitable series of modifications you'll want to make once you're done.
02. Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Express
The best value Lego Harry Potter set
Specifications
Age: 8+
Number of pieces: 801
Weight: 1.32kg
Minifigures : 5 (+ Dementor and Scabbers figures)
Model number: 75955
Reasons to buy
+Removable sides & door +Lovely platform design
Reasons to avoid
-No tracks included -Only one passenger carriage
Book-ending the beginning and end of each academic year, the Hogwarts Express chuntering through the countryside is one of the most iconic elements of the Harry Potter movies. And so we're overjoyed that the latest Lego Harry Potter set to represent it is really, really good.
The train itself is much more accurate than its predecessors, with much more representative wheels and a nice selection of interior details including fireplace, dials and valves. The carriage is great too; we love that you can remove both the side and the roof, making it very easy to get your minifigures positioned in there. And the platform design is the crowning glory, neatly divided as it is between the muggle and magical portions, with a swinging door to move your characters from platform 9 to platform 9¾.
Do be aware, however, that the headlights don't actually light up, as it portrayed on the box (naughty, Lego!). And that although the train does fit perfectly onto any Lego tracks, there aren't actually any tracks supplied with this set. Otherwise, though, this is a brilliantly designed Lego Harry Potter set that ticks all the boxes, and offers truly excellent value for the price.
03. Lego Harry Potter Quidditch
The best Lego Harry Potter set that's actually playable.
Specifications
Age: 7+
Number of pieces: 500
Weight: 680g
Minifigures : 6
Model number: 75956
Reasons to buy
+Let's you play Quidditch +Very affordable
Reasons to avoid
-Lacks second goal -Lacks stadium structure
A lot of Lego Harry Potter sets are more about "display" than "play", but this excellent Quidditch set scores on both counts. That's because the player characters can actually fire Quaffle pieces, and the keeper (who "flies" on a kind of stilt piece) can be manoevered to protect them from the three goal mouths.
The set also comes with four towers that represent Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff respectively, with room to fit one of the six minifigures at the top. The Hufflepuff tower doubles as a useable scoreboard, too.
And that, along with some accessories such as a very nice Golden Snitch, is basically your lot. You're not getting a full stadium then, or even a second goal piece, but considering the very affordable price, that's a compromise we feel is well worth making.
04. Lego Harry Potter Hagrid's Hut: Buckbeak's Rescue
The most cleverly designed Lego Harry Potter set
Specifications
Age: 8+
Number of pieces: 496
Weight: 721g
Minifigures included: 6
Model number: 75947
Reasons to buy
+Great design choices +Glowing fireplace
Reasons to avoid
-Expensive for what it is -Batteries not included
You might think the grittier, rougher sides to the Harry Potter world might not mesh so well with the clean, polished and precise nature of Lego... but this fantastic set will go a long way to changing your mind. Thoughtful design and colour choices means that Lego has brought a real sense of the earthy and rustic to this depiction of Hagrid's hut, in the scene from Prisoner of Azkaban where Buckbeak is due to be executed.
This set makes great use of space too. The two sections of hut, which open at the back, are filled with fascinating objects that are easy to both move and remove. And the interior highlight is the fireplace containing a dragon's egg; a battery-powered lightbrick that brings the fire to life very effectively.
Outside the huts, you also get two sections of pumpkin patch, a pole and tether for Buckbeak, and the hippogriff himself, with a head and neck that can be rotated, wings that can move up and down, and studs on his back to place minifigures. All in all, this set might be a bit pricey considering its relatively small size, but it's beautifully put together and really does add up to more than the sum of its parts.
05. Lego Harry Potter Rise of Voldemort
The most reasonably priced Lego Harry Potter set.
Specifications
Age: 7+
Number of pieces: 184
Weight: 277g
Minifigures: 4
Model number: 75965
Reasons to buy
+Cheap +Voldemort-rises action feature
Reasons to avoid
-Simple look -Not many pieces
The rise of Voldemort in Goblet of Fire is one of the most pivotal scenes in the Harry Potter saga, so it's great that this very affordable set does such a good job of depicting it. Given the price, it's not surprisingly quite basic: no buildings as such, and quite a small number of pieces. But there are some lovely touches, including a Grim Reaper that can be posed to grasp Harry in his clutches, a cool mini version of the TriWizard Cup, and both a baby and an adult version of the chief villain.
A very cool action feature allows you to make Voldemort rise from the dead with the pull of a lever. And best of all, unlike other Lego Harry Potter sets, the box art doesn't mislead you by suggesting features that aren't there: in this case, what you see really is what you get. All in all, this is a great budget buy for anyone wishing to recreate one of Harry's darkest hours .
06. Lego Harry Potter Beauxbatons' Carriage Arrival at Hogwarts
The prettiest Lego Harry Potter scene.
Specifications
Age: 8+
Number of pieces: 184
Weight: 430g
Minifigures: 4
Model number: 75958
Reasons to buy
+Lovely fairy-tale looks +Clever carriage design
Reasons to avoid
-Carriage sealed on one side -A little overpriced
If the grimness of the Voldemort graveyard scene isn't your thing, perhaps you'd prefer to recreating one of the franchise's most uplifting and fairytale-esque sequences? This beautifully designed set recalls the scene from Goblet of Fire where a flying carriage from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic arrives at Hogwarts. And it's all quite gorgeous, from the ornate carriage, peppered with attractive little details, to the enchanted equines with their posable wings.
This set is cleverly designed too, especially the carriage, which opens up at the top to offer what is essentially a second storey, complete with beds and furniture. Our favourite part, though, is the very dapper version of Hagrid, dressed in his Yule Ball costume and ready to win over Madame Maxime.
On the negative side, it's a little weird that one of the carriage doors doesn't open, the front harness piece seems a little unfinished, and it might be considered a bit pricey considering the number of pieces. But overall, this is a delightful set that pays brilliant tribute to one of the series' lighter and more uplifting moments.
07. Lego Harry Potter The Knight Bus
Lots of fun for fans with deep pockets.
Specifications
Age: 7+
Number of pieces: 257
Weight: 485g
Minifigures included: 3 (plus shrunken head & Hedwig)
Model number: 294868
Reasons to buy
+Nicely designed elements +Can remove upper floor
Reasons to avoid
-Expensive -Quite small
There aren't many particularly memorable vehicles from the Harry Potter series, but the crazy Knight Bus from The Prisoner of Azkaban is very much the exception. And this Lego set does a great job of bringing the surreal three-storey contraption and its associated characters to life (see our full Lego Knight Bus review).
At 12 x 15cm, it's not as big as you'd expect from the surprisingly high price. But it is cleverly designed to fit a lot in, from the shrunken head and chandelier, which actually swing as you glide the bus about, to the swing chair and bed, which both fit minifigures. It's cool, too, that the side of the bus is detachable, aiding access, plus you can remove the top layer of the bus altogether.
This design isn't flawless by any means: one gripe is that while the conductor fits on the side of the bus, he won't fit through the bus door itself. And overall, this set is pretty darned expensive for what it is. But as a Lego recreation of one of Harry Potter's wackiest scenes, it's does a very good job indeed.
08. Lego Harry Potter Expecto Patronum set
The best budget Lego Harry Potter set.
Specifications
Age : 8+
Number of pieces : 430
Weight: 200g
Minifigures : 4
Model number : 75958
Reasons to buy
+Very affordable +Patronus piece is beautiful
Reasons to avoid
-Not many pieces -Shoreline is too small
We'll be honest, here: the scene in Prisoner of Azkaban where Harry summons his Patronus is one that hits us square in the feels. So we were instantly attracted to this set, and what we love most is the Patronus piece itself. In a (very un-Lego like) transluscent light blue and speckled with glitter, it really stands out and effectively conveys the magical nature of both the apparition and the moment itself
This contrasts nicely with the (again, very un-Lego like) weird and creepy take on trees, bringing a vivid sense of darkness and despair into the scene. And so while the shoreline piece is, to our mind, a little too small, we think Lego should be applauded for trying something different here that really works. And overall, given the low price, we think that this set offers superb value.
09. Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar
The best Christmas gift for Lego Harry Potter fans.
Specifications
Age: 7+
Number of pieces: 305
Weight: 399g
Minifigures: 7
Model number : 75964
Reasons to buy
+Includes rare pieces +Includes exclusive pieces
Reasons to avoid
-Random feel to some items -Some pieces tough to construct
This Lego Harry Potter advent calendar contains 24 free mini-bags, containing Lego pieces that you can use to assemble Christmas scenes. So to start with there are a lot of accessories, including seating areas, a Christmas tree, cultery, food, snowman, fireplace, and presents. There are also minifigures, a statue pedestal, a Hedwig figure and a micro Hogwarts Express train.
Some of the pieces are very small and hard to put together, which might be seen as a bug or a feature, depending on how much you like a challenge. Meanwhile, some collectors might want this set just for the exclusive (at time of writing) items, such as Hermione in her winter outfit and Harry's acceptance letter to Hogwart's. There's even an exclusive character in the form of a gold figure of Hogwart's architect.
Or maybe you just want something to open each day over the Christmas season, that isn't a disappointingly small square of chocolate. Whatever your reasoning, this is a nice and inexpensive buy for Lego Harry Potter fans.
10. Lego Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Minifigures Series 1
The best Lego Harry Potter set for minifigure collectors.
Specifications
Age: 6+
Number of pieces: 8
Weight: 259
Minifigures: 22
Model number: 71022
Reasons to buy
+Lots of great characters +That invisibility clock
Reasons to avoid
-Too much packaging -Expensive
This set offers exactly what it promises: 16 minifigures from the Harry Potter and six from the Fantastic Beasts series. Each comes in a sealed 'mystery' bag together with one or more accessory elements, plus a collector's leaflet and a unique display base plate. Unfortunately, that does add up to a lot of unnecessary packaging, which doesn't quite mesh with Lego's general focus on environmental responsibility.
The Lego Harry Potter minifigures themselves, though, are all very nice, and our favourite inclusion has to be Harry's Invisibility Cloak, which has an iridescent treatment that really shines, both literally and metaphorically. Be warned, though: the set as a whole is very expensive, and so how you feel about the Fantastic Beasts series will probably make a big impact on whether you think this is worth the cost.
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Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specialising in design, photography and tech. He is author of Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books. He has previously been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine.
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New Lego Harry Potter Sets 2018
Source: https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/lego-harry-potter
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