This set is jaw-dropping! At 3,104 pieces, it builds out to a model over three feet long. This is no weekend project; check the videos for builds on YouTube and you’ll see having this model around is almost a complete hobby in itself! It has a 225 page manual, with detailed, easy-to-follow instructions. In 2002 when this product came out, it was the biggest model set ever made. It was also innovative in introducing “greebles,” small bricks with aesthetic detail you could use to detail the engineering scale of the model.

LEGO Star Wars Tantive IV 

“You came in that thing? You’re braver than I thought!” No one would dispute that the Millennium Falcon is one of the most iconic, easily-recognized space ships in science fiction history. This model, a rare find these days, was released in 2004 and features the Hoth version of the Falcon, complete with the Empire Strike Back crew of Solo, Leia, Chewy, and C-3PO. This model was one of the most popular ever released in the Lego Star Wars line, with movable gun turret, an interior revealed from flip-open top plates, drop-down boarding ramp, and more.

For a change, this is a Lego set that forgoes the playset mentality to focus on the art form of Lego modeling itself. The set contains very few specialized pieces, being mostly bricks and instructions, producing this handsome bust with a stand for display. Darth Maul, while almost teased in his Phantom Menace appearance, is a fan favorite character with a striking appearance, beautifully recreated here.

One of the most iconic scenes in the Star Wars universe is the culmination of the opening chapter of Return of the Jedi. The core cast gradually reassembles at the lair of galactic criminal overlord Jabba the Hutt – and you know you’re doing a good job bluffing as a bounty hunter when even Boba Fett has to favor your mojo with a recognizing nod! But they all wind up on the sail barge in a chaotic battle scene where the clearest victor is the well-fed Sarlac pit. This set faithfully includes everything you need to recreate every thrilling moment of the sail barge scene, with a huge cast of figures in on-point costume including Leia in her slave outfit. It even comes with props, from Leia’s slave shackles to slimey little critters for Jabba to snack on. This is a set that never fails to impress, reviewed at the top of any Lego Star Wars list.

The AT-AT is so iconic that you simply cannot call yourself a Star Wars fan without having some version of this model around. This Lego set was released in 2003, and has been highly respected in the fandom since. At 1068 pieces it’s a mid-size model, but satisfying. Comes with the complete Imperial Hoth forces of snowtroopers, Luke Skywalker in his famous pilot gear, the snow speeder bike, and more. You’ll want to take this right out into the snow!

When you’re building this model, remember that “do, or do not; there is no ‘try’!” The most famous Force master was released as one of two large sculptures in the Ultimate Collector Series line – the other being the Darth Maul bust. As a large sculpture kit, it comes with few custom pieces, only traditional bricks and an instruction book. You can’t judge this set from the box; the completed model is much more impressive and will be a model you will display with pride for years to come.

A must-have for every classic Star Wars fan, this set, while only having a modest 682 pieces, is a full kit which brings together four TIE Fighter models, several Imperial pilots, and of course Darth Vader himself, at his most impressive brandishing his red lightsaber. The TIE Fighter ships have an impressive level of detail with many custom pieces and authentic touches such as the Imperial logo on the wings and detailed control panels in the cockpits. A versatile set with complete Star Wars action, whose individual pieces will work excellently as part of many other Star Wars tableaus.