The Best LEGO Sets Based on Books – Part One

Following the reveal that a LEGO version of the Cullen House from Twilight (our favourite 2000s teen vampire series) has just entered LEGO Ideas production, this got us thinking – there have been plenty of LEGO sets released over the years based on film adaptations of successful book series, but how often do we see a model based solely on a book?

On the subject of Twilight, our office was divided, with some proclaiming it to be a film franchise first and foremost, while others said it would always be considered a book series for them. And the debate doesn’t end there, with plenty who revere the Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings books over the films and visa-versa.

One of our favourite LEGO models from recent years was Charles Dickens Tribute 40410, released as a purchase add-on for a limited time in November 2020. As the set name suggests, the small diorama was a brick tribute to author Charles Dickens and his most famous work, A Christmas Carol.

This quintessential Christmas tale has been adapted into numerous films, including the 90s classic, The Muppets Christmas Carol. Nevertheless, this set was primarily based on the original story, with the base forming the physical hardback of the novel itself as a stylish and creative addition.

Beyond this, it is hard to think of any LEGO sets specifically based on a book, although plenty of book-to-film examples exist.

Read on as we explore our favourite LEGO sets based on movie and book series. In our next blog, we’ll also consider which books we want to see adapted into LEGO brick form…

The Best LEGO Book To Film Sets

Here are a few of our favourite LEGO models from recent years, which we think have mastered the balance between book and film interpretation –

The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell 10316

“Rivendell was the perfect house, whether you liked food or story-telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear and sadness.” – from The Hobbit, by J.R.R Tolkien.

We loved the LEGO model of this idyllic Middle Earth location so much that we created a display case for it to include an illustrated background of the Hidden Valley and the Misty Mountains beyond. The set itself is almost flawless, with vivid coloured bricks on the roof and foliage combining to create the location’s magical atmosphere. A full cast of minifigures includes the entire Fellowship along with legendary elven figures such as Elrond and his daughter Arwen. There’s so much detail included in each area that we would need an entire blog post to describe it all.

Hogwarts Express – Collectors’ Edition 76405

“A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, 11 o’clock. Harry looked behind him and saw a wrought-iron archway where the ticket box had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three Quarters on it. He had done it.” – from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling.

It’s almost impossible to pick out one book-to-movie set from the huge Harry Potter LEGO theme, but in the end, we had to go with 2023’s epic brick-built edition of the iconic red Jacobite steam train used to ferry young witches and wizards to the school.

The LEGO model is based on the films. However, the look of the train matches all the descriptions in the book and closely matches the depiction of the train seen on the front cover of the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Our enjoyment of this set led us to create a display case with a printed backdrop so collectors can show the train sitting on the tracks at Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Station.

Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter 10327

“An unmarked ornithopter squatted nearby, humming softly on standby like a somnolent insect.” – from Dune, by Frank Herbert.

Dune is a legendary sci-fi novel that finally received a worthy cinematic adaptation in 2021 in the form of David Villeneuve’s epic version (the quality of the 1984 instalment is debatable for us). The LEGO model of the ornithopter (an insect-like, flying winged ship that looks like a helicopter) is currently available to pre-order and will be released on 1^st February 2024. This unique craft hits the heights of sci-fi conceptual design and closely follows the book’s description, with smart shades of dark and light grey on the fuselage. The set also comes with Paul Atreides, Lady Jessica, Gurney Halleck, Chani, Leto Atreides, Liet Kynes, Duncan Idaho and Baron Harkonnen in minifigure form, with the extra-tall, floating baron being a set highlight.

Winnie the Pooh 21326

“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” – from Winnie-the-Pooh, by A.A. Milne.

This now-retired LEGO treehouse is based on the popular series of children’s books, which were adapted to screen by Disney’s animation studios. The model includes a beautiful rendition of the big oak tree with the honey-loving bear’s home nestled beneath. Pooh’s friends and companions are also included in the form of Piglet, Tigger, Rabbit and Eeyore, and there are plenty of accessories referencing all their adventures, including Poohsticks, a honey pot, and a big red balloon.

Make sure to comment below with any of your favourite models we may have missed, and stay tuned for our next blog as we get creative by considering which future LEGO sets we would like to see based on famous books.