 | |
| Other names | Lego Exclusives (2000-2012) Lego Creator Expert (2013–2022) |
|---|---|
| Sub‑themes | Adidas,Aircraft, Castle System,Sculptures, World Buildings,Trains,Maersk,Modular Buildings, Vehicles,Fairground, Landmark, Pirates System, Winter Village, Space, Space System,Vestas, Botanical Collection, Licensed and Miscellaneous |
| Subject | Advanced models |
| Licensed from | The Lego Group |
| Availability | 2000–Present |
| Total sets | 80 |
| Official website | |
Lego Icons (formerly known asLego Creator Expert and stylized asLEGO Icons) is a series ofLego construction toys aimed at a demographic ofadolescents and adults. Beginning in 2000 without an established logo or icon, Icons features models such asaircraft,sculptures, and world buildings, selling as exclusives with numerous specialized elements and complex building techniques. Icons is considered a challenge to both the target audience and Lego designers. All Icons sets are classified into specified sub-themes; however, the entirety of Icons is classified as a sub-theme ofLego Creator.
Advanced Lego models began being featured in the mid-1980s under the Lego Model Team subtheme (a subtheme of Lego System) and were discontinued in 1999 (with the exception of a re-release in 2004). Future advanced models received packaging without a logo and sold as Lego exclusives, beginning with the Statue of Liberty set in 2000.[1] In this timeframe, multiple subthemes were released, such as theModular Buildings,[2] a series of resident, retail, and restaurant buildings introduced in 2007; and Winter Village Collection, a series ofwinter-holiday themed models, sometimes delving into deep fiction,[3] introduced in 2009.
In 2013, advanced models were officially classified as under Lego Creator Expert, a subtheme ofLego Creator, and received their own logo (which was updated multiple times in the future), beginning with thePalace Cinema modular building.[4] This established theme of advanced models was considered to help shape Creator Expert's reputation for unorthodox techniques and distant design from typical models, with old exclusives receiving updated packaging and being merged into the newly created subtheme.
In 2020, The Lego Group announced that they will be retiring the Lego Creator Expert branding and replace it with 18+. The Lego Group cited the reason as to make it easier for adults to see which sets were meant for their age range. The Lego Creator Expert theme remains, however, boxes do not feature the logo and feature an all-black design.[5][6][7]
In 2022, The Lego Group announced the Lego Creator Expert theme will rebranded as Lego Icons in June 2022 and will be on packaging on 1 January 2023.[8]
Even though most sub-themes are not official and are rather classified by the majority of the Lego community, some, such as the Modular Buildings, are officially classified and recognized by the Lego company.
In the early2000s, Lego created various uncategorized exclusive sets relating to aircraft and sculptures, beginning with the Statue of Liberty andSopwith Camel sets, which eventually evolved into sub-themes themselves. These sets featured large-scale sculptures and planes based on real-world aircraft, such as a model based on theWright Flyer.[9]
While the Sculptures sub-theme ended shortly one year after its debut, the Aircraft sub-theme continued; with three consecutive sets from 2001 to 2003 and two sets in 2006 and 2012, where the subtheme officially ended with an overhaul of the original Sopwith Camel set.[10][11]
A 2083-pieceConcorde set was released on 7 September 2023.
In the early-to-mid-2000s, more sub-themes were created. World Buildings, a sub-theme centered on recreating famous landmarks (similar toLego Architecture) began with a set depicting theEiffel Tower.[12] The sub-theme has continued on, with releases such as theOld Trafford—Manchester United,Colosseum andReal Madrid – Santiago Bernabéu Stadium sets.[13][14][15]
A model of theEiffel Tower was released on 25 November 2022, and it holds the record for the tallest Lego set at 4 feet and 10 inches as well as having the second most pieces at 10,001 (which includes the Brick Seperator).[16][17][18]
In 2007, Lego released the Café Corner modular building. The set depicted a near 2,000 piece, three-story structure that gave the builder the option to remove individual floors to access the interior (which was empty) accompanied byminifigures and semi-complex building techniques. In the following time, one set was released consecutively each year mirroring the original design of the Cafe Corner, creating an official sub-theme and rapidly gaining popularity amongst its target audience of adults and teenagers with its assortment ofretail,real estate, eatery, office, and other buildings, becoming one of the most renownedCreator Expert subthemes.
20 Modular Buildings sets have been created as of 2025. In addition, a Mini Modulars set consisting of minituarized versions of the first 5 modulars released in 2012.
In 2008, an exclusive model was released depicting aVolkswagen Beetle 1960 'Charlotte' model. In following years, numerous large-scale sets mimicking real-lifemotor vehicles were released such as the Volkswagen T1 Camper Van,James BondAston Martin DB5, and theFiat 500.[19][20][21][22][23] Since 2014, at least one set has been released every year, therefore beginning an organized sub-theme.[24] In 2016, Lego introduced a new version of the Volkswagen Beetle that was released in 2008.[25][26] The sub-theme continued on with the release of thePorsche 911, a two-door2+2 high performancerear-enginedsports car, in 2021.[27] In 2022,Vespa 125 was released on 1 March 2022.[28] Back to the Future Time Machine was released on 1 April 2022 and based on theBack to the FutureDeLorean time machine.[29][30][31]Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was released on 1 August 2022.[32][33] In 2023,Land Rover Defender 90 was released on 1 April 2023.[34][35][36]
In 2009, a sub-theme named Winter Village Collection was introduced, focusing on winter-holiday themed sets. Since 2009, Lego has been releasing one set every year such as the Winter Village Market, Santa's Workshop, and the Winter Village Fire Station.[37][38][39][40] In 2015, Lego rereleased the first set in the collection, the Winter Toy Shop. The sub-theme continued on with the release of the Elf Club House in 2020.[41][42] Lego introduced a Holiday Main Street which was released in October 2022.[43][44] Lego introduced an Alpine Lodge which was released in October 2023.[45]
In 2009, Lego released the Grand Carousel, marking the start of a series of sets depicting attractions found in amusement parks such as the Ferris wheel and the roller coaster.[46][47] All sets offer the builder the option to use additional Power Function or Powered Up elements to enhance the playability of the set such as automation, music, and sound effects.[48][49] In 2020, Lego released the Haunted House, the first to officially use the Fairground Collection name and retroactively included the sets before it.[50][51][52] Loop Coaster was released in July 2022.[53][54][55][56]
In 2020, Lego announced that an Icons sub-theme named Botanical Collection inspired by flowers, plants and other flora would be introduced in January 2021 with the two sets Flower Bouquet and Bonsai Tree.[57][58] Sets inspired bybird of paradise flowers,orchids,succulents, theFour Gentlemen and other types of plants followed.[59][60][61][62]
In November 2024, Lego announced that the Botanical Collection would become its own Lego theme in 2025 and renamed to simplyBotanicals.
Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck was released on 1 May 2022 and based on theHorizon Forbidden West videogame. The set consists of 1,222 pieces and one minifigure of Aloy with a Watcher.[63][64]
A set based onOptimus Prime from theTransformers franchise was released in June 2022. The set consists of 1,508 pieces and can transform between robot and truck modes.[65][66][67][68] Lego designer Joseph Patrick Kyde commented, "This idea came about because two toy companies were able to say, look, we have this amazing icon of pop culture and we’re going to work together to try and give Optimus Prime a new form that he hasn’t really had before," and continued, "It’s a testament to the importance of the Transformers brand. It’s such a strong icon that everyone on both sides wanted to make this happen for the fans. We’re all so excited about it."[69] A second set based onBumblebee in a similar style is set to release in July 2024.
Atari 2600 was released on 1 August 2022 and based on theAtari 2600home video game console developed and produced byAtari, Inc. The set consists of 2532 pieces and one minifigure of Atari Video Game Player, and includes brick-built dioramas ofAsteroids,Adventure, andCentipede.[70]
Rivendell was released on 8 March 2023 and based onThe Lord of the Rings film trilogy. As the largest set of the line, it consists of 6,167 pieces, fifteen Minifigures and three sections. Its Minifigures include the entire Fellowship of the Ring, Elrond, Arwen, Bilbo Baggins, Gloin and two elves.[71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80] Lego Design Master Mike Psaiki explained, “We know many of our fans have been anticipating a set like this for a long-time – but a great Lego The Lord of the Rings set is never late, it arrives precisely when it means to! It was important to us that we created something really special in this recreation of Rivendell. We aimed to add as much detail as possible and create an engaging experience throughout the build to delight fans recreating scenes or proudly displaying Elrond’s home. We are really pleased with the final design and how we have brought Rivendell to life in brick form.”[81]
In May 2023, Pac-Man Arcade was released on 1 June 2023 and based on thePac-Manarcade game. The set consists of 2,651 pieces and one minifigure of Pac-Man Arcade Game Player.[82][83][84][85]
A brick-built replica of theAdidas Superstar shoe released in 3 July 2021. The set consists of 731 pieces and is packaged in a box resembling shoeboxes.[86][87]
To celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Lego, sets directly inspired by those from the classic Space, Castle, and Pirate themes were released; Galaxy Explorer on 1 August 2022, Lion Knights' Castle in 8 August 2022, and Eldorado Fortress in 7 July 2023.[88][89][90][91][92][93]
Other sub-themes includeTrains (sets depicting various types of trains),Maersk,Vestas,[94] andSpace (a small amount of sets revolving around real-life spacecraft).[95][96][97] Many other licensed sets follow a similar packaging template but are classified under their own themes, such as the Temple of the Golden Idol being part of theIndiana Jones theme.
A set based on theTitanic was released in November 2021. The set consists of 9,090 pieces.[98][99]
Everyone is Awesome was released in May 2021. The set consists of 346 pieces and 11 minifigures. The set was created to celebrate diversity and theLGBTQIA+ community.[100][101][102][103][104]
A 1:1 scale model set based on theKingfisher Bird was released on 1 February 2024, consisting of 834 pieces. The instruction booklet highlights that it is specifically based on theAzure Kingfisher.
Icons designer Jamie Berard has commented multiple times on the challenges of set design. TheSydney Opera House set was mentioned as one of the most difficult sets to design, and past attempts had always resulted in failure.[105][106]
Prior to that, Jamie Berard also mentioned Green Grocer was a difficult model to design, and became one of his favorites due to the set's result.[107]
Café Corner was also commented as a difficult model to design due to piece limitation. The designer, Jamie Berard, wanted to add a bicycle piece into the set but the machine was temporarily broken, and he also had to work with instruction designers to implement set techniques onto the instructions since most were different from regular set design.
Fairly high reception has been provided to Icons. Newsweek praised theTaj Mahal set,[108][109][110] due to its design, construction, and high piece count. Also, a reviewer named Joe Meno pointed out that the Green Grocer modular building had clear instructions and "so many fun surprises and tricks used in the model."
In March 2022, The Lego Group reported that theLego City,Lego Technic,Lego Icons,Lego Harry Potter andLego Star Wars themes had earned for the full year of 2021. Revenue for the year grew 27 percent versus 2020 to DKK 55.3 billion and consumer sales grew 22 percent over the same period, outpacing the toy industry and driving market share growth globally and in largest markets.[111]
On 28 September 2022, The Lego Group reported that theLego Star Wars,Lego Technic,Lego Icons (formerly Creator Expert),Lego City,Lego Harry Potter andLego Friends themes had earned for the six months ending 30 June 2022. Revenue for the period grew 17 percent to DKK 27.0 billion compared with the same period in 2021, driven by strong demand. Consumer sales grew 13 percent, significantly ahead of the toy industry, contributing to global market share growth.[112]
In February 2023, Eiffel Tower, Titanic, Colosseum and Taj Mahal were listed on "The biggest Lego sets of all time" by Lego fansiteBrick Fanatics.[113]
In March 2023, The Lego Group reported that theLego City,Lego Technic,Lego Icons,Lego Harry Potter andLego Star Wars themes had earned for the full year of 2022. Revenue for the year grew 17 percent to DKK 64.6 billion and consumer sales grew 12 percent in 2022, achieving growth in all major market groups with especially strong performance in the Americas and Western Europe.[114]
In August 2023, The Lego Group reported that theLego Icons,Lego Star Wars,Lego Technic andLego City themes had earned for the first six months of 2023. Revenue was DKK 27.4 billion, a growth of 1% compared with H1 2022. Consumer sales grew 3% outperforming a declining toy market and contributing to strong market share growth.[115]
In 2019, Roller Coaster set was awarded "Toy of the Year" and also "Playset of the Year" by theToy Association.[116]
In 2022, Flower Bouquet (set number: 10280) was awarded "Toy of the Year" and also "Grown-Up Toy of the Year" by the Toy Association. Everyone is Awesome (set number: 40516) was awarded "Toy of the Year" and also "Specialty Toy of the Year" by the Toy Association.[117] Everyone is Awesome (set number: 40516) also won British LGBT Awards for 2022.[118]
In 2022, adidas Originals Superstar (set number: 10282) was awarded "Best Licensed Product“ in the category "Toys, Games, Novelties (ages 8 and up)" by Licensing International in Las Vegas.[119]
