LEGO January 1 releases over £100: Everything you need to know before you buy

January 1 is just days away, so here's a closer look at everything you need to know about some of the highest-priced releases of the new year.

There are more than 150 sets launching on January 1, so we've picked out some of the highlights of the lot to help you cut through the noise. Below, find a closer look at the most talked about sets over £100. Keep an eye out in the coming days for similar features at different price points, but for now, let's dive in...

71515 Tiger Shark Tank

Despite a quieter-than-usual year in 2025, the upcoming January wave of LEGO DREAMZzz models proves there’s definitely still plenty of life left in the homegrown theme. That’s especially evident in 71515 Tiger Shark Tank, the largest and most expensive of those new sets, and one that’s priced at £129.99 / $139.99 / €139.99 for 1,548 pieces.

That’s not to say that LEGO DREAMZzz fans won’t get plenty of bang for their buck though, with the model’s ability to transform from an orange and black striped aquatic predator on massive treads to a huge ship that repurposes those same treads for sails. Both playability and multiple display options are the order of the day, with the set looking suitably impressive whichever path builders choose.

In addition to the main build itself, 71515 Tiger Shark Tank also boasts yet another impressive line-up of minifigures and other characters. As well as Mateo, Izzie, Mr. Oz, the Nightmare Emperor and Arika minifigures, the LEGO DREAMZzz set is rounded out with Z-Blob, a Grimspawn, two dreamling figures and three spiders, plus Green and White Treasure Creature, with the latter representing what could be a new stealth line of collectibles within the theme.

“On the one hand, this is the third time we get a big shark vehicle. I get that it's supposed to be DREAMZzz's equivalent to the Destiny's Bounty, but we got more sharks than ships in the same year. Holy guacamole, this thing is incredible. Even as a guy who isn't too big into tanks/vehicles, the tank parts of this thing are awesome, and the shark is sublime.”

GrimBrickCreations on Reddit

Our verdict: A stunning set that proves when it comes to imagination, playability, and way-out concepts, the LEGO DREAMZzz theme still can’t be beaten

42691 Garden Restaurant

While LEGO Friends often gets passed over by older LEGO fans, 42691 Garden Restaurant is a timely reminder that some unique architectural creations can be found in the theme. Even if you're not a mini-doll fan, the vibrant tiles and coral and dark pink walls are a splash of colour that contrasts beautifully with the green and blue tiled roof. The palm trees and roof tiling also embody some nifty building techniques that would add some diversity to any brick-built street.

It wouldn't take much to adapt this set to minifigures either, so if you're looking for a tranquil idyll for your LEGO people to relax in, look no further than 42691 Garden Restaurant. Admittedly, it comes at a fairly steep price of £119.99 for just shy of 1,500 pieces, but you really can't find this style or range of colours elsewhere.

“Really cool set! North African architecture/cuisine is something that's not exactly common in LEGO, and this take on it is absolutely gorgeous. Maybe the best use of the new warm pink color so far, too.”

Lyichir, Brickset commenter

Our verdict: Your annual reminder that you shouldn't overlook the LEGO Friends theme comes in the form of 42691 Garden Restaurant

76466 Philosopher’s Stone Collectors’ Edition

76466 Philosopher’s Stone Collectors’ Edition is the centrepiece of the January wave, and we hazard a guess it will be the centrepiece of many a LEGO Harry Potter collection soon. It strikes a rare balance of delivering both in terms of play and display, set to look great on a shelf but with enough interactive features to really bring the magic to life.

Every section of the build is either new or an upgrade to what's come before, whether that's an authentic brick-built Philosopher's Stone or some of the best LEGO wizard chess pieces released so far. While it's certainly an investment at £139.99, it's one that is richly rewarding for fans of the first Harry Potter book and movie.

“76466 Philosopher’s Stone Collectors’ Edition is a true delight to build. Priced at £139.99 / $169.99 / €159.99, it will be well worth it for fans of this theme...The fun finds throughout the build experience, the genuinely engaging interactive features, and the punch it packs as a display model make this a hearty recommendation.”

Brick Fanatics

Our verdict: 76466 Philosopher’s Stone Collectors’ Edition makes every brick count for a set that is just as fun to play with as it is good to look at

76344 Iron Man Mark 3 Collectors’ Edition

We’ve had multiple LEGO iterations of Iron Man over the years, from a helmet, bust and BrickHeadz to playsets, brick-built figures and minifigures, but 76344 Iron Man Mark 3 Collectors’ Edition is in a league all of its own. Not only does the LEGO Marvel set definitely look the part, but it should also prove to be an extremely satisfying build for older and more experienced fans, coming in at £119.99 / $129.99 / €129.99 for 1,297 pieces.

76344 Iron Man Mark 3 Collectors’ Edition succeeds in numerous ways, from its spot-on proportions and poseability options to the perfect placement of red and gold pieces and a real attention to detail. In fact, no matter which angle you view the completed LEGO Marvel creation from, there’s always something to admire or appreciate about the design of the set.

What’s even more impressive is the overall smoothness of 76344 Iron Man Mark 3 Collectors’ Edition that really helps to seal the deal. The LEGO Marvel design team has obviously taken great pains to ensure that its latest buildable figure is more than a match for its big-screen source material and the results certainly speak for themselves.

“We’re not overselling how intuitive and eye-opening building 76344 Iron Man Mark 3 Collectors’ Edition is – this may release on the first day of the new year but it is very much a strong contender for the best set of 2026.”

Brick Fanatics

Our verdict: A triumph of a LEGO Marvel set, fans shouldn’t hesitate to add this brick-built armoured suit to their collections on launch day

11370 Stranger Things: The Creel House

The LEGO Group is going back to Hawkins in January to celebrate the final season of Stranger Things, and rather than simply revisiting the concept of the Upside Down and Right-Side Up in a single set like 2019’s 75810 The Upside Down, this time around, it’s leaning into elaborate functionality to give 11370 Stranger Things: The Creel House a showstopping gimmick.

Pull apart each side of the house and it will split open to reveal Vecna’s mind lair. The effect is genuinely one of the best things we’ve seen in a LEGO set for adults in ages, and it makes for both an interesting build and a winning display piece. It does mean a couple of visual compromises around the back, but the mechanism is actually fairly well-disguised. And while not all the minifigures are top-tier, pretty much every cast member you could want is here, along with a couple of vehicles that are just as engaging to put together.

“LEGO sets built on core gimmicks – especially at this price point – don’t always succeed, especially when they prioritise functionality over aesthetics. The novelty of opening Vecna’s mind lair will wear off eventually, after all. Yet 11370 Stranger Things: The Creel House serves up not only an engaging build and fun transforming feature, but also a wonderfully-realised finished model, relevant side builds and excellent minifigure selection.

"The result is a set that will easily pull attention from rather than be buried among the growing number of January 1 releases, particularly for its day-one GWP.”

Brick Fanatics

Our verdict: Stranger Things fans should shoot for this on day one to get at least two gifts-with-purchase, including the set-specific 40891 Stranger Things: WSQK Radio Station

71861 The Old Town

One of the biggest LEGO sets launching early next month is 71861 The Old Town. The huge NINJAGO model is the star of the anniversary line, thanks in no small part to the array of long-awaited minifigures. The selection includes the likes of Faith, a proper Mystake and the first Dr Julien, and NINJAGO fans will be ecstatic to see the debut of the First Spinjitzu Master.

LEGO NINJAGO 71861 The Old Town features a huge town build with a few interior spaces to explore, and it’s brimming with stickers to make up several references to NINJAGO episodes, games, comics and more. This is evidently a set made for the fans, but its price doesn’t necessarily reflect that. At 23 minifigures and 4,851 pieces, 71861 The Old Town could have been a pricey package, but it’s reasonable at £269.99 / $299.99 / €299.99. That’s the same price as 76300 Arkham Asylum for six more minifigures and nearly 2,000 more pieces.

“The Old Town gets top ranks for aesthetics and play features, although I would have loved to see a more faithful rendition of the Ninja outfits, as I pointed out earlier. With all that said, $300 seems like a fair price for such a large and impressive set.”

The Brothers Brick

Our verdict: Thanks in no small part to the price, 71861 The Old Town has left a good impression on both fans of and newcomers to NINJAGO

11371 Shopping Street

This year’s LEGO modular building has split opinion so far, with some embracing its quirky footprint and unusual approach while others decry its high price and diminutive size (relative to the full scope of its baseplate). For our part, 11371 Shopping Street very much feels like the start of a new era for the Modular Buildings Collection, prioritising geometry first and foremost and then going completely overboard on detail.

To that end, it’s not quite as immediately eye-catching as 10350 Tudor Corner or 10326 Natural History Museum – it’s maybe just a little bit too busy – but it definitely comes across better in the flesh than in images. That said, its £30 / $20 / €20 price bump over previous modular buildings, paired with its distinctive aesthetic, is probably reason enough to wait for a sale here if you’re on the fence.

“The Shopping Street looks good, and I love the intriguing setup – with the angled walls providing an interesting build and end result. Those angled walls do come with a big downside though: due to their awkward shape, the alleyway, and the model being split into two buildings, there is very little floorspace. This results in cramped rooms with not enough space to fully dress up the interior.”

New Elementary

Our verdict: It’s not an easy insta-buy like Tudor Corner, but there are things to enjoy in 11371 Shopping Street, so pass it up at your own peril

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