Somewhere in the region of 120 new LEGO sets are about to hit shelves, so here’s everything you need to know before you head to your local LEGO Store in June.
With so many sets to comb through, this month’s guide picks out the most interesting new addition to each theme, from LEGO City’s 60501 Lava Land to LEGO Creator’s 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship. That’s alongside heavy hitters such as 11377 The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith, 76354 The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier and 76473 Hogwarts Castle: East Wing.
For each set we’ve broken down everything you need to know, listed pros and cons, offered insight from early reviews and the community and given our verdict on whether it should be on your wishlist this summer. Dive in below.
This guide has been compiled with input from across the Brick Fanatics team.
11377 The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith
Theme: Icons Price: £579.99 / $649.99 / €649.99 Pieces: 8,278 Release date: June 1, 2026
Almost a decade and a half on from the first LEGO The Lord of the Rings sets, the LEGO Group has finally tackled the White City in bricks – and the sheer scale of this one proves it could only ever have happened today, in an era when sets are happy to push past 6,000, 7,000 or even 8,000 pieces in the pursuit of doing justice to their subject matter.
That’s what was required for 11377 The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith, an absolutely enormous centrepiece of any Middle-earth collection that will require not only deep pockets to acquire but deep (and wide) shelves to display. You’re getting a lot in return, though: a microscale exterior combined with a minifigure-scale interior, 10 minifigures and, if you buy day one, 40893 The Lord of the Rings: Grond as a gift-with-purchase. – Chris
“I’m so happy with how this set turned out. The model looks absolutely stunning from any angle, and the interior is an absolutely incredible display of its own. The build process itself was very enjoyable, never felt repetitive, and captures the spirit of the miniature and ‘bigature’ models that many of us have studied in great detail throughout The Appendices.”
| 11377 The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith pros | 11377 The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith cons |
|---|---|
| Clever combo of scales to bring Minas Tirith to life | How long will it stay perfectly white? |
| Tonnes of detail and references throughout | Could have done with a few more minifigures |
| The new characters are all excellently realised | Requires a big spend (and a big shelf) |
If you have the cash and space for this one it may just be a day-one purchase (especially for that GWP), not least for how long we’ve waited for LEGO Minas Tirith…
76473 Hogwarts Castle: East Wing
Theme: Harry Potter Price: £229.99 / $269.99 / €249.99 Pieces: 2,164 Release date: June 1, 2026
The jury is out on whether LEGO Harry Potter’s ‘most detailed Hogwarts ever’ is wrapping up with 76473 Hogwarts Castle: East Wing, but this wouldn’t be a bad way to go. The biggest standalone section of the wizarding school to date incorporates the Chamber of Secrets, a brand new Basilisk, the library’s Restricted Section, Slytherin common room and more across a sprawling slice of the wider castle layout.
It’s accompanied by an equally sprawling minifigure selection that includes debuts for the Bloody Baron and Lee Jordan, new versions of Tom Riddle and Gilderoy Lockhart, plus a doe Patronus figure as part of the theme’s 25th-anniversary celebrations. At this point – and this deep into the current Hogwarts system – you’ll probably already know whether you want this one or not, but it might just be tempting enough to start the collection if you haven’t already… – Chris
“Such an amazing wave of sets! Especially the new expansion. It looks incredible and the design work to integrate this with the existing sets so seamlessly is commendable. Please don’t let this be the end of the Hogwarts castle series. Would love to see the clock tower and astronomy tower add-ons and be able to connect the Herbology greenhouses properly too!”
| 76473 Hogwarts Castle: East Wing pros | 76473 Hogwarts Castle: East Wing cons |
|---|---|
| Fills out another big chunk of the school | It’s another expensive addition to the line-up |
| Lots of fun story details from the Chamber of Secrets | Doesn’t really stand on its own as well as some sections |
| Magical minifigure line-up with multiple debutants |
If you’re all-in on Hogwarts this is an essential purchase at some point, but like the rest it’ll probably drop in price within a few months, so patience may be the key here.
71871 Battle at the Dragon’s Blade
Theme: NINJAGO Price: £79.99 / $99.99 / €89.99 Pieces: 1,016 Release date: June 1, 2026
One of three LEGO NINJAGO Legends models coming this summer is 71871 Battle at the Dragon’s Blade. The set is based on the upcoming Duskfall project, which we know nothing about aside from the title, and was briefly spotted in animated form in a 15th anniversary teaser trailer. What we do know is that the display-centric model depicts a dragon’s skull and a giant sword and comes with four uncommon or exclusive minifigures.
While some fans’ excitement for 71871 Battle at the Dragon’s Blade might be through the roof, there’s a distinct lack of interactive features. Whereas other NINJAGO Legends models have something significant to use beyond the base build, 71871 Battle at the Dragon’s Blade leans into display more than ever. Whether that’s good news or bad will depend on your personal preference. – Jack
“I would get this even if the LEGO Group didn’t send it to me, but in terms of what I want to see from NINJAGO, this is really not it. Display sets can be cool, and there’s a lot of display sets I love, but this one leans too heavily into display where there’s not enough left over.”
| 71871 Battle at the Dragon’s Blade pros | 71871 Battle at the Dragon’s Blade cons |
|---|---|
| Fantastic display model... | ... but offers little to interact with |
| Rare or exclusive minifigures with new pieces | The display base looks bare without the dragon's skull |
| Well-priced relative to the contents |
An appealing set at first glance may have a narrower audience than you’d first expect, but if this set is calling your name, it probably won’t let you down.
75461 Up-Scaled Darth Vader Minifigure
Theme: Star Wars Price: £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 1,028 Release date: June 1, 2026
In hindsight, it was probably only a matter of time before LEGO Star Wars embraced the up-scaled minifigure format, and Darth Vader – he of helmet and bust fame already – was the obvious choice to start with. Or was he? This Sith Lord is certainly the most recognisable Star Wars character of all time, but nailing his helmet at this scale was never going to be easy.
It gets away with the execution a little bit thanks to the cartoonish proportions of a minifigure to begin with, but the helmet is probably going to be the real dealbreaker here. If you’re happy with it, 75461 Up-Scaled Darth Vader Minifigure might just be a fun day-one purchase – although it is noticeably more expensive than the rest of the range, thanks in part to the increased piece count for the helmet and lightsaber and no doubt that big fabric cape. Shame it has so many stickers, then… – Chris
I want this so bad, but also can't stand the head at the same time. $100 is rough, but this has so much more than the blue spaceman. The lightsaber is epic.
| 75461 Up-Scaled Darth Vader Minifigure pros | 75461 Up-Scaled Darth Vader Minifigure cons |
|---|---|
| Has Darth Vader ever been cuter? | The helmet is tricky to pull off at this scale |
| Great torso detailing and the fabric cape is a bonus | More expensive than regular up-scaled minifigures |
| The lightsaber is genuinely very well done | Details are all stickers rather than prints |
Collecting all the up-scaled minifigures? This one should be on your list. It’s probably not a LEGO.com exclusive, though, so hopefully it’ll come down in price in a few months…
80121 Ancient Moon-Gazing Inn
Theme: Seasonal Price: £99.99 / $129.99 / €109.99 Pieces: 1,530 Release date: June 1, 2026
Launching alongside 80120 Prosperity Carp Leaping as one of two LEGO Chinese Traditional Festivals sets for summer 2026, 80121 Ancient Moon-Gazing Inn arrives with 1,530 pieces for £99.99 / $129.99 / €109.99. For that price, you’re looking at an impressively-detailed Seasonal build that comes with a total of nine minifigures.
80121 Ancient Moon-Gazing Inn boasts two buildings connected by a bridge and there are multiple Easter eggs and something new to discover in almost every nook and cranny. Combining a very reasonable price and the option to pair the model with other themes, such as NINJAGO, this is one LEGO Chinese Traditional Festivals set you won’t want to miss. – Matt
“80121 Ancient Moon-Gazing Inn is an amazingly detailed Chinese-themed LEGO model. This set is incredible value for money when you take into account that it includes nine minifigures attired in traditional Chinese costumes and one white horse. There is an amazing amount of detail in the building's interior which can easily be viewed when each level is separated.”
| 80121 Ancient Moon-Gazing Inn pros | 80121 Ancient Moon-Gazing Inn cons |
|---|---|
| Packed with details | Not much functionality |
| Nine impressive minifigures | Fans of true modulars will want to look elsewhere |
| Impressive price-per-piece ratio |
LEGO Chinese Traditional Festivals sets might not be for everyone, but 80121 Ancient Moon-Gazing Inn is just so appealing that it deserves to be added to any collection.
60501 Lava Land
Theme: City Price: £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 1,165 Release date: June 1, 2026
LEGO City’s run of referential roller coasters continues with 60501 Lava Land. Though it shares the same layout as the retired 60421 Robot World, 60501 Lava Land puts the focus on Power Miners rather than Exo-Force. It uses over 1,000 pieces to pay tribute to the action-packed underground theme, boasting two rides instead of one.
Early reactions to 60501 Lava Land have been quick to make the Power Miners connection, thrilling nostalgic members of the community despite the identical layout to Robot World. Some are even speculating that the LEGO Group is testing the waters for something more. – Jack
LEGO City 60501 Lava Land is not to be missed, whether you love Power Miners, roller coasters or the wider concept of LEGO. This is a standout release in the summer 2026 selection, importantly innovating where it matters most, and with a reasonable price tag to boot.
| 60501 Lava Land pros | 60501 Lava Land cons |
|---|---|
| A great tribute to Power Miners | Roller coaster layout is getting too familiar |
| Fantastic minifigure selection with exclusive parts | The back isn’t quite as full as Robot World |
| Feature-filled beyond the coaster itself |
60501 Lava Land may share the layout with many other LEGO roller coasters, but it stands out thanks to the many Power Miners references throughout the landscape and figures.
72423 Shrek, Donkey & Puss in Boots
Theme: Shrek Price: £109.99 / $129.99 / €119.99 Pieces: 1,403 Release date: June 1, 2026
LEGO Shrek feels like such an obvious collision of brands that it’s surprising it didn’t happen sooner, but then the LEGO Group loves an anniversary, and the original Shrek movie turns 25 this year, so…
Anyway, the LEGO Group also loves a buildable character at the moment, so the very first Shrek LEGO set is a pair of them (plus a minifigure). It’s not necessarily where we expected this theme to go, particularly to begin with, but it’s nice to see it come in at a somewhat reasonable price tag – especially compared to the flagship Pokémon sets that dropped earlier this year.
72423 Shrek, Donkey & Puss in Boots really looks the part, too, so it’s bound to find its way into a few homes this June. Here’s hoping we get some proper minifigure-scale sets in time for Shrek 5 next year, though. – Chris
Overall, this isn’t a set I expected from LEGO. With more focus on display than play, I assumed we would be getting something akin to Shrek’s Swamp. But with that aside, this is a great conversion to brick. I’m not saying it is perfect, but it is immediately recognisable.
| 72423 Shrek, Donkey & Puss in Boots pros | 72423 Shrek, Donkey & Puss in Boots cons |
|---|---|
| Nails Shrek and Donkey at the first time of asking | Buildable characters are a bit played out by now |
| Fun Easter eggs and details to spot | Puss in Boots isn’t to scale with the others |
| Excellent Puss in Boots minifigure |
The first LEGO Shrek set might not be what you expected, but it’s a fine way to celebrate 25 years of everyone’s favourite green ogre. Get out of my swamp (and get to your local LEGO Store).
31387 Iconic Pirate Ship
Theme: Creator 3-in-1 Price: £89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 1,074 Release date: June 1, 2026
Swashbuckling adventure awaits with 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship, a Creator 3-in-1 model that’s due to sail next week. Priced at £89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99, the build offers up a swarthy pirate vessel, castle or two twin boats to assemble, complete with four pirate minifigures that boast new prints, a skeleton and a tentacled sea monster.
31387 Iconic Pirate Ship is essentially a replacement for the now-retired 31109 Pirate Ship, which was released back in 2020. Despite it being slightly smaller and including less pieces than the previous Creator 3-in-1 set, the updated model has more minifigures and different alternate builds compared to its predecessor, so should definitely still appeal to fans of classic LEGO Pirates builds. – Matt
“The ship’s shaping, smoothness and colours are the key winners here. I especially love how the back of the boat is a steep slope, something that looks a lot better than the much more cantilevered design of the old set. Plus, the squid is a win!”
| 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship pros | 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship cons |
|---|---|
| Three piratical builds in one | Smaller and with fewer pieces than 31109 Pirate Ship |
| More minifigures than previous version | Lack of colour |
| Great price | Creator 3-in-1 sets don’t have fabric elements |
31387 Iconic Pirate Ship should be considered an essential purchase for fans of Classic LEGO Pirates and one that won’t cost you a treasure chest full of doubloons to purchase.
42705 Cosy Autumn Forest Cabin
Theme: Friends Price: £89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 1,229 Release date: June 1, 2026
LEGO Friends looks to knock it out of the park across the board in the summer 2026 wave. Whether it's a theme park or camping model, there’s not a bad egg in the wave, but 42705 Cosy Autumn Forest Cabin is one of the biggest and best sets in the upcoming range. It depicts a cosy cabin on a rocky hill with nearby hot springs and a full interior. It’s caught the eye of many LEGO fans already, even those with no prior experience with Friends.
In fact, the excitement for 42705 Cosy Autumn Forest Cabin is palpable online. Much of the discussion has come from the designer’s behind-the-scenes post regarding the model, but the community consensus is that this is one build to look for next month. – Jack
"Spectacular work, guys! I feel like we are truly in a golden age especially when it comes to the LEGO Friends line. The shapes and colours are all so compelling and appealing. I love it."
| 42705 Cosy Autumn Forest Cabin pros | 42705 Cosy Autumn Forest Cabin cons |
|---|---|
| Cosy, cute and detailed build | More mini-dolls would have been appreciated |
| A full interior with enough space | |
| Priced well, considering the bountiful contents |
A generous piece count relative to the price, inviting details and application beyond mini-dolls make this a standout LEGO Friends summer 2026 entry.
77082 The Rave Cave
Theme: Fortnite Price: £179.99 / $229.99 / €199.99 Pieces: 1,963 Release date: June 1, 2026
LEGO Fortnite’s biggest summer 2026 set is explicitly based on the Battle Royale mode with a direct recreation of Chapter 3: Season 3’s Rave Cave. 77082 The Rave Cave uses nearly 2,000 pieces to recreate the colourful cave and giant Cuddle Team Leader bust. Fans of the game will find a lot to appreciate in this set and its minifigures, and others will likely find themselves confused at the concept, but oddly intrigued.
Many of the early reactions to this set are notably excited about the build. Even fans with no Fortnite knowledge state that the execution of the recreation is well-done and that they’ll need to find a spot for 77082 The Rave Cave in their home. – Jack
“I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do with this set, but I need it. It's just too good.”
| 77082 The Rave Cave pros | 77082 The Rave Cave cons |
|---|---|
| A quirky but colourful model | Possibly too quirky for some fans, and with a high price tag |
| Great Fortnite Easter eggs beyond the new minifigures | |
| Rare roller coaster function matches gameplay |
77082 The Rave Cave is an excellent tribute to Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode and lore, featuring a swathe of relevant or exclusive minifigures.
77985 Dinosaur Fossils: Triceratops
Theme: Jurassic Park Price: £89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 1,154 Release date: June 1, 2026
The LEGO Group is following up last year’s 76968 Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex with 77985 Dinosaur Fossils: Triceratops, and the first thing you’ll notice about this one is that it’s much cheaper. Suspiciously so, in fact. Well, the catch is that it’s also much, much smaller and is by no means to scale with its predecessor. That doesn’t stop this being a very effective set in its own right, though.
It’s also much more affordable and accessible for those of us on a smaller budget this June, which is no bad thing. You lose some of the detail of the T. rex by going smaller, so there are compromises beyond just the size, but this is an interesting left turn for the fossils range that’ll hopefully be followed up by something to a similar scale in 2027. Or we’ll just keep going smaller… – Chris
“I'm giving this set a recommendation: it does a great job of depicting the Triceratops, it was an enjoyable build, beats paying $5.5 million, and will go fantastically with the other LEGO dinosaur fossils you (probably) already own. I hesitate to suggest a day-one purchase if there's no gift with purchase, but I definitely think it's a good value set that wouldn't require much more incentive for me to buy.”
| 77985 Dinosaur Fossils: Triceratops pros | 77985 Dinosaur Fossils: Triceratops cons |
|---|---|
| A wallet-friendly fossil that looks the business | It’s not quite as stable as the T. rex |
| Exclusive Dr. Gerry Harding minifigure | And it’s not to scale with the T. rex |
| Plenty of articulation | And it’s just not as cool as the T. rex, let’s be honest |
It’s a bit of a mismatch for the T. rex, but it’s still worth unearthing a little extra budget to grab this buildable dino skeleton when you can.
21368 Peanuts: Snoopy’s Doghouse
Theme: Ideas Price: £69.99 / $89.99 / €79.99 Pieces: 964 Release date: June 1, 2026
Based on Robert Becker’s (aka Bossofdos64’s) winning submission, 21368 Peanuts: Snoopy’s Doghouse is the first LEGO set to be based on cartoonist Charles M. Schulz’s classic character. Coming in at 964 pieces for £69.99 / $89.99 / €79.99, the LEGO Ideas build features brick-built versions of the monochromatic beagle, complete with typewriter, along with his yellow bird friend, Woodstock.
Both can be placed on top of a red doghouse or displayed freestanding, and there’s also a pleasing bit of functionality too, as the interior walls can fold open to reveal a starry night sky scene. You can then choose to construct a small campfire diorama if you so wish and have Snoopy and Woodstock toast marshmallows together. – Matt
“Although this is another display-focused set, it’s a charming celebration of Snoopy. The additional elements included in the set are worthy additions and not there just to inflate the price. But the set is also another great showcase of the LEGO Ideas theme and the creativity of fan builders.”
| 21368 Peanuts: Snoopy’s Doghouse pros | 21368 Peanuts: Snoopy’s Doghouse cons |
|---|---|
| First-ever LEGO Snoopy set | No minifigures included |
| Two poseable brick-built characters | Original fan design has changed somewhat |
| Doghouse opens up into a night sky scene |
Packed with charm, display options and some interesting new elements, 21368 Peanuts: Snoopy’s Doghouse proves to be yet another winning LEGO Ideas design that successfully honours Charles M. Schulz’s classic character.
40926 SEGA Genesis Console
Theme: Sonic the Hedgehog Price: £34.99 / $39.99 / €39.99 Pieces: 479 Release date: June 1, 2026
Following last year’s 40769 SEGA Genesis Controller gift-with-purchase comes yet another video game build inspired by the iconic company. 40926 SEGA Genesis Console offers up a 479-piece set for £34.99 / $39.99 / €39.99, a small-scale recreation of the beloved gaming platform that was also known as the Mega Drive in Europe, Japan and Australia.
Despite its reduced dimensions, there’s still plenty to appreciate about 40926 SEGA Genesis Console, from its two wired controllers and the ability to customise the build with additional stickers and elements to a removable cartridge and a tiny Sonic the Hedgehog mosaic hidden inside. – Matt
“To be honest I love it. I admired the Nintendo 8-bit, the Atari and the PAC-MAN set, but I didn't buy them because of the price. I was charmed by the SEGA controller GWP, which I got, and obviously the Game Boy. This set looks lovely.”
| 40926 SEGA Genesis Console pros | 40926 SEGA Genesis Console cons |
|---|---|
| First brick-built SEGA console | Smaller than the original console |
| Multiple customisation options | Controllers lack accuracy |
| Affordable price | No Sonic minifigures |
40926 SEGA Genesis Console combines affordability and customisation, but it does come at the expense of a much smaller brick-built video game machine.
43296 Stitch & Scrump
Theme: Disney Price: £59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99 Pieces: 713 Release date: June 1, 2026
LEGO Disney continues its series of buildable alien rascals with 43296 Stitch & Scrump, a 713-piece model priced at £59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99. Following in the extraterrestrial footsteps of 43249 Stitch, the latest movie-based creation offers plenty of charm and some poseability, allowing for a selection of display options.
In addition, 43296 Stitch & Scrump also comes with a grass skirt and ukelele accessory, as well as a small version of the plushie-style Scrump. Fans of the character will no doubt want to add the latest LEGO Disney set to their collections, although they might want to wait a while for a slight price drop. – Matt
“It’s such a fun technique for the grass skirt… [and] I love that we get a new version of [Stitch] here, especially now that we have a standing version and a sitting version. I think that’s really fun.”
| 43296 Stitch & Scrump pros | 43296 Stitch & Scrump cons |
|---|---|
| Accurately captures the look of Stitch | Not that different from 43249 Stitch |
| Improved design | Could have included more accessories |
| Comes with some fun extras | Limited poseability |
A worthy follow-up to 43249 Stitch that offers a more refined design, but likely only really a set that fans of the character will want to pick up.
77260 Fast & Furious Toyota Supra MK4
Theme: Speed Champions Price: £22.99 / $29.99 / €27.99 Pieces: 292 Release date: June 1, 2026
The obvious next candidate for a LEGO Speed Champions Fast & Furious set, Brian’s Toyota Supra MK4 has already enjoyed the Technic treatment and now comes down to an eight-wide System car in 77260 Fast & Furious Toyota Supra MK4. There’s a healthy mix of prints and stickers and it’s a recognisable recreation of the Supra all-round at this scale, so there’s not much more you can ask for.
That’s assuming you’re happy with the hood-down version of the car, anyway. And you’re happy to pay a little extra in the US, because Speed Champions sets are getting another little price bump across the pond this summer… – Chris
“I just can’t get over how good these wheels look. I think this is a solid Supra model. It would have been cool if they gave us the option to have the roof added. I feel like people will be able to figure out how to do that, but other than that this thing looks amazing.”
| 77260 Fast & Furious Toyota Supra MK4 pros | 77260 Fast & Furious Toyota Supra MK4 cons |
|---|---|
| A convincing recreation of the real-life car | It’s another price bump in the US |
| Plenty of prints (including those funky rear wheel arches)… | …but also plenty of stickers |
| Some seriously shiny rims | Heavy reliance on a new element |
The Fast & Furious Speed Champions collection expands in the direction you’d expect in a very satisfying way. An easy day-one purchase this June.
76354 The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
Theme: Marvel Price: £329.99 / $399.99 / €369.99 Pieces: 3,057 Release date: May 1, 2026
The huge LEGO Helicarrier is finally getting a much-needed makeover in 76354 The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. The new Helicarrier recreation is packed with more accurate details, interior scenes and new minifigures with fresh prints. That comes with a higher price tag than before, and a lack of printed statuette figures.
Much like our own review, the general consensus from early reviewers on 76354 The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier is that the set has a great build, stellar minifigures and thoughtful Easter eggs, but with a price that is hard to justify. It’s one to consider with a gift card or discount, though. – Jack
“Needless to say, there’s a lot to like about this set. Judging this one on its own merit, I like it a lot, I definitely think it delivers, but I don’t know if I like it quite as much as the original. I don’t know that it’s worth $400, despite those amazing minifigures.”
| 76354 The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier pros | 76354 The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier cons |
|---|---|
| Movie-accurate shaping | No individual display stand for the minifigures |
| Incredible minifigures | A higher price point that is hard to understand |
| Fantastic Easter eggs throughout |
There's no denying that 76354 The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier is a massive improvement on the original Helicarrier set in terms of the design and the minifigures. However, those upgrades don’t necessarily justify this new price completely.
21594 The Skeleton
Theme: Minecraft Price: £39.99 / $39.99 / €44.99 Pieces: 502 Release date: June 1, 2026
Minecraft’s latest round of buildable figures returns to the iconic skeleton this summer. 21594 The Skeleton is made up of over 500 pieces and comes with a detachable helmet, a bow and arrow, and an unlockable cosmetic item to use in-game. That latter feature is present with different items across the new LEGO Minecraft models, too.
Minecraft enthusiasts have taken particular notice of 21594 The Skeleton since its reveal, drawing comparison between it and the older buildable figure. Everyone acknowledges that the 2026 model is significantly better, though. – Jack
“I think the newer skeleton set looks better because of the shading on the bones and helmet.”
| 21594 The Skeleton pros | 21594 The Skeleton cons |
|---|---|
| Game-accurate shaping | Erm… your dog might eat it? |
| Useful details that don’t inflate the price | |
| Bonus cosmetic item to use in-game |
If there’s just one LEGO Minecraft set you grab this summer, this is going tibia great pick.
21066 New York City – The Big Apple
Theme: Architecture Price: £129.99 / $139.99 / €139.99 Pieces: 1,465 Release date: June 1, 2026
The LEGO Architecture theme has veered off at an odd tangent of late, recently delivering a brick-built picture postcard in the form of 21064 Paris – City of Love. That evolution continues this summer with 21066 New York City – The Big Apple, a 1,465-piece model that can be purchased for £129.99 / $139.99 / €139.99 and is essentially a love letter to Manhattan.
Sacrificing architectural detail and accuracy for a more emotional and aesthetic approach, 21066 New York City – The Big Apple delivers a simple snapshot of the iconic location, one that includes a monochromatic backdrop inspired by its namesake. The result is a unique display build for sure, although it’s one that’s likely to be controversial with long-term followers of LEGO Architecture. – Matt
“I’m just not a huge fan of the artsy feel of this new Architecture line. The whole point of the original theme, in my mind, was to simply showcase iconic structures with the idea that the architectural design would speak for itself. These are nice looking LEGO Art sets but I’m sad we lost the skyline series for this.”
| 21066 New York City – The Big Apple pros | 21066 New York City – The Big Apple cons |
|---|---|
| Distinctive display version of the iconic city | Lacks detail and accuracy |
| Contains micro versions of famous buildings | Limited colour palette |
| Hidden Easter eggs to spot | Not a set for dedicated LEGO Architecture fans |
21066 New York City – The Big Apple continues to push LEGO Architecture in new directions, although this won’t be the kind of set many fans will have been waiting for.
42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 with Crane
Theme: Technic Price: £109.99 / $129.99 / €119.99 Pieces: 1,189 Release date: June 1, 2026
LEGO Technic is returning to the Unimog and pneumatic-driven cranes with 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 with Crane. This new set is on a smaller scale than usual, but packs in the expected features and a lower price tag to boot.
Reactions to 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 with Crane since its reveal have been sparse, mostly drawing comparison to the older Unimog sets, which were much bigger. Fans at least agree that it’s good to see the pneumatic system alive and well within LEGO Technic, though. – Jack
“Seems like a basic redo of 8110 but with fewer parts and less mechanics. I had hopes for something bigger.”
| 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 with Crane pros | 42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 with Crane cons |
|---|---|
| LEGO pneumatics are alive and well | This was an opportunity to innovate |
| The same Unimog as usual, but more affordable | |
| Included accessories expand the play and display potential |
42242 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 with Crane has all the essential features you’d expect from a LEGO Unimog, and it’s much more affordable than usual – a recipe for success.
11505 Woodland Mushrooms
Theme: Botanicals Price: £69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 Pieces: 806 Release date: June 1, 2026
LEGO Botanicals is going off-piste this summer by stepping away from potted plants and bouquets and heading out into the wild, a phrase which here means your local forest. New meets old in 11505 Woodland Mushrooms, though – a set that explores fresh territory while also returning to the roots of this theme by conjuring up creative uses for existing elements.
This one’s garnered a lot of attention in the run-up to release and is likely to be a best-seller this summer, so if you’re hoping to add it to your collection you may want to bump it to the top of your wishlist on release day. – Chris
“This is probably my favourite set in the Botanicals theme to date… The shapes are interesting, and the techniques involved are simple and effective, without being overly repetitive or too complicated for the novice builder. The final result is delightful and brings lots of potential for the builder to experiment with rearranging the mushrooms and flowers before moving on to more exotic shapes.”
| 11505 Woodland Mushrooms pros | 11505 Woodland Mushrooms cons |
|---|---|
| Something genuinely different for Botanicals | Price is maybe a tiny bit high |
| Brilliant display piece | |
| Lots of innovative part usage |
If you’re bored of bouquets and past caring about potted plants, this one’s for you. Expect it to go on back order pretty quickly on June 1.
43018 Lionel Messi – Celebration
Theme: Editions Price: £159.99 / $199.99 / €179.99 Pieces: 1,427 Release date: June 1, 2026
LEGO Editions is going all in on FIFA World Cup 2026, with numerous models based around the upcoming football tournament. That includes 43018 Lionel Messi – Celebration, a brick-built tribute to the GOAT that comes in at £159.99 / $199.99 / €179.99 for 1,427 pieces.
For that price you’re looking at a basic set that features Lionel Messi in full victory pose, complete with the player’s iconic number 10 shirt and distinctive arm tattoos. The LEGO Editions model also features a number of Easter eggs, including an exclusive goat figure decked in the Argentine team’s kit colours, and can be displayed freestanding or placed on a wall. – Matt
“It perfectly encapsulates Lionel Messi celebrating another Argentina goal. The artwork behind Messi shows the pitch and the sky, with a lot of brand-new recoloured pieces, and his arm also includes some interesting parts to recreate his iconic tattoo. ”
| 43018 Lionel Messi – Celebration pros | 43018 Lionel Messi – Celebration cons |
|---|---|
| Should appeal to fans of the player | No Lionel Messi minifigure in the set |
| Well-timed for this year’s World Cup | Lacks functionality |
| Exclusive goat figure | Non-Messi followers won’t be bothered |
Those who worship at the feet of the GOAT will most likely want to add 43018 Lionel Messi – Celebration to their collections, but the LEGO Editions set will have little wider appeal.
Head here for a complete list of LEGO sets launching June 1.
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