List of Lego themes
A Lego theme is a product line of Lego construction toys produced by The Lego Group based on a central concept.
Before 1978, Lego produced several construction sets with common themes, but they were not necessarily branded as part of a single series or theme. Following the introduction of minifigures in 1978, owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen pushed a new strategy of creating and marketing a series of sets he termed a "system within the system"[1] and the three original environments (based on the present, past and future, respectively) were launched: Town, Castle,[2] and Space.[3] In 1987, Lego created themes within these environments, as well as introducing branding that identified a set as part of a theme. The company also produced product lines that used pieces outside of the standard Lego System such as Technic and Fabuland. Since then, many new themes have been introduced and discontinued, including the inclusion of licensed themes in 1999 such as Star Wars. Not all sets produced are necessarily part of any official theme including store exclusive sets, one-off licensed sets, and most advanced construction sets released prior to the introduction of Creator Expert.
Current themes[]
Name | Subject | Licensed | Produced |
---|---|---|---|
Architecture[4] | Buildings | Various | 2008–present |
Art[5] | Artwork Portraits | Various | 2020–present |
Batman | Batman | DC Comics | 2018–present |
Boost | Robotics | Lego | 2017–present |
BrickHeadz[6] | Buildable characters | Various | 2016–present |
City | City life | Lego | 2005–present |
Classic | Assorted Bricks | Lego | 2015–present |
Creator 3-in-1 | Models using few specialized bricks | Lego | 2003–present |
Creator Expert | Models using few specialized bricks | Lego | 2003–present |
DC Super Heroes | DC Comics | DC Comics | 2011–present |
Lego Disney[7] | Disney Princess and characters | Disney | 2016–present |
DOTS[8] | Arts and Crafts | Lego | 2020–present |
Duplo | Large blocks for preschoolers; two times as big as regular Lego and mostly interlockable with them | Lego, Various | 1969–present |
Friends | Five best friends | Lego | 2012–present |
Frozen II[9] | Frozen II | Disney | 2019–present |
Harry Potter | Wizarding World | Warner Bros. | 2001–2011, 2018–present |
Ideas | Community Supported Builds [10] | Various | 2008–present |
Jurassic World[11] | Jurassic Park/World | Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment | 2015, 2018–present |
Lego Brick Sketches | Brick-built Portraits | 2020–present | |
Lego Education[12] | For use by schools, particularly STEAM learning. | 1999–present | |
Lego Originals[13][14] | Giant-sized minifigures | 2019 | |
Super Mario[15] | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | 2020–present |
Marvel Super Heroes | Marvel Comics | Marvel Comics | 2011–present |
Mindstorms | Mindstorms - Robotic Lego sets and kits aimed at teaching coding and robotics. | Lego | 1998–present |
Minecraft | Minecraft | Mojang | 2012–present |
Minifigures | Collectible minifigures | Lego | 2010–present |
Minions: The Rise of Gru[16] | Minions: The Rise of Gru[17] | Universal Pictures and Illumination | 2020–present |
Monkie Kid[18] | Journey to the West, Monkey King | Lego | 2020–present |
Ninjago | Ninjas | Lego | 2011–present |
Overwatch[19] | Overwatch | Blizzard Entertainment | 2019–present |
Power Functions | Electric motors for Mindstorms sets | ? | |
Powered Up | Motorized Sets | ? | |
Serious Play | "innovation and business performance" | ? | |
Speed Champions | Racing | Lego, Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche | 2015–present |
Spider-Man | Spider-Man | Marvel Comics | 2019–present |
Star Wars | Star Wars | Lucasfilm Ltd. (1999–2012) Disney (2012–present) |
1999–present |
Stranger Things[20] | Stranger Things | Netflix | 2019–present |
Expert Builder/Technic | Gears, axles, functional machinery | Lego |
|
Xtra | Accessories | 2018–present |
Discontinued themes and environments[]
Town, Space, Castle, Pirates, Aquazone, and Time Cruisers are more accurately called Systems or Environments than themes. The relationship between themes and factions is complicated.
Theme or Environment | Subject | Factions/Themes | Licensed | Produced |
---|---|---|---|---|
Creative Building | Children 4 years old or more | Lego | 2006–2008 | |
Lego 4+[21] | Children 4 years old or more | Lego, Marvel | 2003–2004 | |
Lego Adventurers | Adventurers and exploration |
|
Lego | 1999–2003 |
Lego Agents | Agents | Lego | 2008–2009 | |
Lego Alpha Team | Secret agents | Lego | 2001–2005 | |
Lego The Angry Birds Movie[23] | The Angry Birds Movie | Columbia Pictures Rovio Animation |
2016–2017 | |
Lego Aqua Raiders | Not to be confused with Aquazone theme of the same name | Lego | 2007–2008 | |
Lego Aquazone | Underwater exploration |
|
Lego | 1995–1999 |
Arctic | Arctic exploration | 2000–2001 | ||
Lego Atlantis | Underwater exploration | Lego | 2010–2011 | |
Lego Avatar: The Last Airbender | Avatar: The Last Airbender | Nickelodeon | 2006[24] | |
Lego Baby | Baby | Lego | 1983–1990, 2000–2001, 2004–2005 | |
Lego Batman | Not to be confused with current theme of the same name | DC Comics | 2006–2008 | |
Lego Belville | Girl-oriented designs | Lego | 1994–2009 | |
Lego Ben 10: Alien Force[25] | Ben 10: Alien Force buildable figures | Cartoon Network[26][27][28] | 2010 | |
Lego Bricks and More | Children 4 years old or more | Lego | 2009–2010 | |
Bionicle | Māori-inspired biomechanical beings fighting over powerful masks from the forces of evil. | Lego | 2001–2010, 2015–2016 | |
Ships/Boats | Lego builds that float on water. |
| ||
Lego Cars | Cars Cars 2 Cars 3 |
Disney, Pixar | 2010–2012, 2017-2018 | |
Lego Castle | Castle, medieval themes. |
|
Lego | 1978–1998 |
Castle II | Reboot of Castle theme. | 2007–2009 | ||
Castle III | Second reboot of Castle theme. | 2013–2014 | ||
Hidden Side[29][30] | Ghost, Supernatural and Mystery solving with interactive Augmented Reality[31] | Lego | 2019–2020 | |
Knights' Kingdom | Like Castle. |
|
2000 | |
Knights' Kingdom II | Based on Knight characters of different primary colors. Similar in concept to Ninjago. | 2004–2006 | ||
Kingdoms | Similar to Castle. | 2010–2012 | ||
Lego Clikits | Girl's jewelry |
|
Lego | 2003–2006 |
Lego Dacta | Education |
|
Lego | 1960–2003 |
Lego DC Super Hero Girls | DC Super Hero Girls | DC Comics | 2016–2018 | |
Lego Dimensions | Toys-to-life |
|
Lego TT Games 20th Century Fox BBC Cartoon Network Columbia Pictures DC Comics Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Midway Games New Line Cinema Paramount Pictures Sega Sony Pictures Universal Studios Valve Warner Bros. |
2015–2017 |
Lego Dino[32][33] | Dinosaurs | Lego | 2011–2012 | |
Lego Dino Attack[34][35] | Theme where dinosaurs attack people. The builds are designed to capture dinosaurs. | Lego | 2005 | |
Lego Discovery | Discovery Channel | Discovery Channel | 2003 | |
Divers | Present-day deep-sea exploration | 1997–1998 | ||
Lego Elves | Elves | Lego | 2015–2018 | |
Lego Exo-Force | Mecha | Lego | 2006–2008 | |
Extreme Team | Builds of vehicles, typically of vehicles used in unusual or extreme sports. | 1999 | ||
Lego Fabuland | Fabuland, similar to Duplo. Did not use Duplo brick system. Meant for young children. | Lego | 1979–1989 | |
Lego Factory | Service that allowed fans to design their own Lego sets on a program, and then order the set from Lego. | Lego | 2005–2008 | |
Lego FORMA[36] | Fish model | Lego | January 2019–December 2019[37] | |
Lego Fusion | The combination of construction sets and game app. | Lego | 2014–2015[38] | |
Lego Galidor | Galidor | Lego / Tom Lynch Company | 2002 | |
Lego Games | Board games |
|
Lego | 2009–2013 |
Lego Ghostbusters | Ghostbusters | Columbia Pictures | 2014–2020 | |
Lego Hero Factory | Hero Factory | Lego | 2010–2014 | |
Lego Life of George | The combination of construction sets and game app. | Lego | 2011–2013 | |
Lego The Hobbit | The Hobbit | Warner Bros. New Line Cinema Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer WingNut Films The Saul Zaentz Company |
2012–2014 | |
Lego Homemaker | Lego | 1971–1982 | ||
Lego Indiana Jones | Indiana Jones |
|
Lucasfilm Ltd., Paramount Pictures | 2008–2009 |
Lego Island Xtreme Stunts | Stunt performers | Lego | 2001–2003 | |
Lego Jack Stone | Sets centered on a character, Jack Stone. Action themed, utilized normal Lego bricks, but figures were of a new type. | Lego | 2001–2002 | |
Lego Juniors | Easy to build |
|
Lego, Various | 2014–2018 |
Lego Legends of Chima | Legends of Chima | Lego | 2013–2015 | |
The Lego Movie[39] | The Lego Movie (franchise) |
|
Lego | 2014–2015 2018–2019 |
Lego Little Robots | Little Robots | CBeebies | 2003–2006 | |
Lego The Lone Ranger | The Lone Ranger | Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films | 2013–2014 | |
Lego The Lord of the Rings | The Lord of the Rings |
|
Warner Bros. | 2012–2013 |
Lego Master Builder's Academy | Master Builder's Academy | Lego | 2011–2013 | |
Lego Mickey Mouse | Mickey Mouse | Disney | 2000–2002 | |
Mixels | A tribe of robot creatures that can combine into a Mix, Max, or a Murp with the help of Cubits and face off pesky Nixels from ruining there fun. |
|
Lego | 2014–2016 |
Lego Model Team | Advanced vehicle models | Lego | 1986, 1990–1999, 2004 (re-release) | |
Lego Monster Fighters | Monster Fighters, Monsters, Zombies and Ghosts | Lego | 2012–2013 | |
Lego Muji[41] | The combination of Lego bricks and foil decals[42] | Muji[43][44] | 2009–2011 | |
Ninja | Ninjas |
|
Lego | 1998–2000 |
Nexo Knights | Sci-Fi/ Medieval Fantasy mashup | Lego | 2016–2018 | |
Outback | Rural Australia | 1997 | ||
Paradisa | Tropical vacations | 1992–1997 | ||
Lego Pharaoh's Quest | Based on archaeologists and fighting mummies. | Lego | 2010–2011 | |
Lego Pirates | Pirates |
|
Lego | 1989–1997 |
Pirates II | Similar to Pirates | 2009 | ||
Pirates III | Similar to Pirates | 2015 | ||
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean | Pirates of the Caribbean | Disney | 2011 2017 | |
Lego Power Miners | Mining, underground monsters | Lego | 2009–2010 | |
Lego The Powerpuff Girls[45] | The Powerpuff Girls | Cartoon Network | 2018–2019 | |
Lego Prince of Persia | Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time | Disney | 2010 | |
Lego Quatro | Very large blocks; two times as big as Lego Duplo and mostly interlockable with them | Lego | 2004–2006 | |
Lego Racers | Racing |
|
Lego, Lamborghini, Ferrari | 2001–2012 |
Res-Q | Rural rescue | 1999 | ||
Lego RoboRiders | Motorcycle-based robots | Lego | 1999–2001 | |
Lego Rock Raiders | Mining, underground monsters | Lego | 1999–2000 | |
Lego Scala |
|
Lego | 1979–1980, 1997–2001 | |
Lego Scooby-Doo[46] | Scooby-Doo | Warner Bros. Hanna-Barbera |
2015[47]–2017 | |
Lego The Simpsons | The Simpsons | 20th Century Fox | 2014–2015 | |
Throwbots | Disk-throwing robots | Lego | 1999–2000 | |
Lego Space | Space exploration |
|
Lego | 1978–1999 |
Life on Mars | Mars exploration | 2001–2002 | ||
Mars Mission | Mars exploration | 2006–2009 | ||
Space Police | Reboot of Space Police theme | 2009–2010 | ||
Alien Conquest | Alien invasion | 2011–2012 | ||
Galaxy Squad | Conflict between humans and aliens in space |
|
2013 | |
Lego Speed Racer | Speed Racer | Tatsunoko Productions | 2008 | |
Lego Spider-Man | Spider-Man |
|
Marvel Comics, Columbia Pictures | 2002–2004 |
Lego SpongeBob SquarePants | SpongeBob SquarePants | Nickelodeon | 2006–2012 | |
Lego Sports | Sports | Lego/ NBA / NHL | 2000–2006 | |
Lego Spybotics | Spy-based robotics | Lego | 2003 | |
Lego Studios | Film studios |
|
Lego/ Steven Spielberg / Universal Pictures / Marvel Comics | 2000–2004 |
Lego Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Viacom | 2013–2014[48] | |
Lego Thomas & Friends | Thomas & Friends | Hit Entertainment, PBS Kids | 2005–2009 | |
Time Cruisers | Time Travel |
|
Lego | 1996–1997 |
Lego Toy Story | Toy Story Toy Story 2 Toy Story 3 Toy Story 4 |
Disney, Pixar | 2009-2010 2019[49] | |
Town | Modern suburban life |
|
1978–1999 | |
Trains | Electric Trains | 1986–1996, 1999 | ||
Trolls World Tour[50] | Trolls World Tour | Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation | 2020-2021 | |
Lego Ultra Agents | Agents | Lego | 2014–2015 | |
Lego Unikitty! | Unikitty! | Lego / Cartoon Network | 2018 | |
Lego Vikings | Vikings | Lego | 2005–2007 | |
Lego Vidiyo[51] | Music Video Maker | Universal Music Group[52] | 2021–2022 | |
Lego Wild West | Wild West | Lego | 1996–1997, 2002 | |
Lego Williams F1 | Williams F1 | Williams F1 | 2002–2003 | |
Lego Winnie the Pooh | Winnie-the-Pooh | Disney | 1999–2001, 2011 | |
Lego World Racers | World Racers | Lego | 2010 | |
Znap | Wire-frame sets | Lego | 1998–1999 |
References[]
- ^ "Lego Space". Lego. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
In 1978, LEGO owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen introduces a new business model: the “System within the System”.
- ^ "Lego Castle". Lego. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ "LEGO Legend Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen to be Inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame". What's the Buzz. Toy Industry Association. 2008-02-11. Archived from the original on 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
- ^ "List of Lego Architecture Sets". Brickset. November 10, 2008.
- ^ Lego Group (1 July 2020). "Transform your passion into art: the LEGO Group puts pop-art back in the picture for adult builders". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
- ^ Lego Group (12 July 2018). "NEW MOBILE APP LETS YOU FREE BUILD YOUR FAVORITE LEGO® BRICKHEADZ™". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ Lego Group (14 May 2021). "THE LEGO GROUP INTRODUCES NEW LEGO® DISNEY MICKEY AND FRIENDS RANGE FOR PRESCHOOLERS". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "LEGO DOTS have landed – how does this new 2D tile concept shape up?". Creative Bloq. January 28, 2020.
- ^ Lego Group (4 October 2019). "The magic is in your hands with LEGO® Disney Frozen 2". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
- ^ "How It Works". ideas.lego.com. Lego Group. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Universal Brand Development and The Lego Group Expand Jurassic World Partnership With Extensive Line of Construction Sets, Lifestyle Collections and All-New Animated Content". Universal Brand Development. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- ^ Lego Group (14 January 2020). "LEGO® Education Celebrates 40 Years of Reimagining the Way Children Learn with New Hands-on STEAM Learning Solution". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- ^ Lego Group (1 December 2014). "LEGO Originals assets". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ Lego Group (29 October 2019). "Igniting nostalgia and celebrating brand heritage - new LEGO® Originals™ series launches with a 5:1 upscaled wooden minifigure". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ Lego Group (11 March 2020). "The LEGO Group and Nintendo partner to take legendary brick-building to a new level". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Universal Brand Development, Illumination and The LEGO Group Announce Expanded Partnership to Include Building Sets Inspired by Minions: The Rise of Gru". Universal Brand Development. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ Assis, Claudia (14 February 2019). "Mattel to launch 'Despicable Me' inspired toys ahead of 2020 'Minions' sequel". MarketWatch. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
- ^ Lego Group (15 May 2020). "LEGO® Monkie Kid™ - a new hero is born, a new story is waiting to unfold". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ Lego Group (27 August 2019). "July 25: Tune into the first ever LEGO Overwatch Twitch rivals tournament". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ Lego Group (May 15, 2019). "Something strange is going on... - as the town of Hawkins, Indiana arrives in LEGO® brick form". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ Herman, Sarah (2012-07-09). Building a History: The Lego Group. Grub Street Publishers. p. 183. ISBN 978-1-78340-804-7.
- ^ Farshtey, Gregory; Lipkowitz, Daniel; Hugo, Simon (2020-10-01). LEGO® Minifigure A Visual History New Edition. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-241-50202-0.
- ^ Crecente, Brian (June 8, 2015). "Angry Birds Lego official Lego sets coming next year". Polygon. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ^ "Six licensed LEGO themes that ended way too soon". Brick Fanatics. 8 October 2021.
- ^ "Ben 10: Alien Force". Brickset.com. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Ben 10 LEGO Construction Toys Coming from Cartoon Network Enterprises". Animation World Network. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
- ^ "LEGO Builds Deal for Ben 10 Toys". Animation Magazine. 2 June 2009.
- ^ "LEGO Systems Unveils New Construction Toys and Launches Into Board Game Category at 2010 American International Toy Fair". PR Newswire. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
- ^ Lego Group (14 February 2019). "The LEGO Group introduces LEGO® HIDDEN SIDE™, combining building with augmented reality to create a new way to play". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
- ^ Lego Group (6 December 2019). "LEGO® Hidden Side™ introduces new sets for 2020 and a multiplayer game mode". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ "Announcing a new theme - Hidden Side!". Brickset. February 14, 2019.
- ^ "2012 LEGO sets: LEGO DINO pictures!". thebrickblogger.com. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- ^ "Revisiting LEGO DINO from an AFOL's view". thebrickblogger.com. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ "A Look At LEGO…. Dino". Bricksfanz.com. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ Farshtey, Gregory; Lipkowitz, Daniel; Hugo, Simon (2020-10-01). LEGO® Minifigure A Visual History New Edition. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-241-50202-0.
- ^ Lego Group (27 September 2018). "LEGO® CREATIVE PLAY LAB TAKES PILOT PROJECT TO INDIEGOGO FOR OPEN INNOVATION". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "LEGO FORMA Not Launching Any Further". The Brick Fan. December 20, 2019.
- ^ "Fusion". Brickset.com.
- ^ Lego Group (20 November 2018). "LEGO Group Reveals Building Sets Based on the Upcoming Theatrical Release "The LEGO® Movie 2: The Second Part"". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
- ^ Lego Group (23 June 2017). "THE LEGO GROUP ANNOUNCES BUILDING SETS BASED ON THE LEGO® NINJAGO® MOVIE". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^ "Muji LEGO sets to be available outside of Japan soon!". Brickset. 6 January 2011.
- ^ Sanker, Dan (2012-02-28). Collaborate: The Art of We. John Wiley & Sons Inc. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-118-11472-8.
- ^ Kuang, Cliff (2009-11-20). "Design Nirvana: Lego Teams Up With Muji". Fast Company. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
- ^ "Lego And Muji Join Forces". DesignFetish. 22 November 2009.
- ^ "LEGO The Powerpuff Girls Sets Confirmed for August". thebrickfan.com. February 14, 2018.
- ^ Lego Group (23 January 2015). "LEGO Group Partners with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to Announce First-Ever LEGO® Building Sets Inspired by Classic Animated Series Scooby-Doo™". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
- ^ Marc Graser (2015-01-23). "Lego Joins the 'Scooby-Doo' Gang – Variety". Variety.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
- ^ "Mattel® & Nickelodeon™ to expand licensing partnership with Mega Bloks® Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® in 2016". WKRG. February 12, 2015. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015.
- ^ Dan Grabham (May 15, 2019). "Lego debuts Toy Story 4 sets ahead of the summer movie release". Pocket-lint.com. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ^ "DreamWorks Animation's Trolls World Tour Takes Center Stage As UBD Announces Global Consumer Products Campaign". Universal Brand Development. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ Lego Group (26 January 2021). "THE LEGO GROUP AND UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCE LEGO® VIDIYO™ - A NEW MUSIC VIDEO MAKER EXPERIENCE TO CAPTURE THE BEAT OF YOUR WORLD!". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- ^ Lego Group (27 April 2020). "THE LEGO GROUP AND UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP JOIN TO EXPAND CHILDREN'S CREATIVE PLAY THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC". Lego.com. Lego. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
External links[]
- Official website
- Theme Inventory on Peeron
- Theme Inventory on LUGNET
- Lego themes
- Lists of toys