LEGO June 2023 review round-up: everything you need to know about this summer’s sets

LEGO reviewers from across the web – including Brick Fanatics – have gone hands-on with almost every new LEGO set launching in June, so here’s how they all stack up in the flesh.

Figuring out what to buy when you head to LEGO.com (or walk into a LEGO Store) on new release day can be a daunting prospect, and that’s never more relevant than on June 1 – typically the biggest release day of the year. More than 70 new LEGO sets are making their debut this summer, from themes including City, Friends, Star Wars, Marvel and beyond.

Whether it’s in our own reviews or from those across the web, we’ve collated opinions on each and every theme seeing new sets this summer, to give you the best idea of how to allocate your LEGO budget from June.

LEGO City – animals galore

LEGO City might just be the sleeper hit of the summer, with a longlist of innovative sets about to hit shelves – among which are a menagerie of new moulds and recolours. There’s a reason some reviews have focused specifically on the animals in this wave, because there are so many to pick up across the new deep sea/arctic subtheme that you’ll have trouble choosing where to start.

lego

Back in the city itself, there’s a fun range of urban and suburban sets headlined by 60380 Downtown, the biggest LEGO City set of all time. And critics have sung the praises of the 2,010-piece modular model, highlighting the varying design language of each of its buildings – from the barbershop and vet’s office to the hotel and apartment. City continues to go from strength to strength in 2023, following up its acclaimed January wave with another bumper assortment.

Don’t miss: 60377 Explorer Diving Boat and 60379 Deep-Sea Explorer Submarine
Two of the most animal-heavy LEGO City summer 2023 sets, 60377 Explorer Diving Boat and 60379 Deep-Sea Explorer Submarine between them include (deep breath): a hammerhead shark, manta ray, adult sea turtle, baby sea turtle, crab, great white shark, two standard sharks, two brick-built jellyfish and multiple fish (including some that glow in the dark!).

LEGO setPricePieces Release date
60362 Car Wash£17.99 / $32.99 / €19.99243June 1, 2023
60363 Ice-Cream Shop£29.99 / $39.99 / €34.99296 June 1, 2023
60364 Street Skate Park£49.99 / $67.99 / €54.99454 June 1, 2023
60365 Apartment Building£74.99 / $94.99 / €84.99688June 1, 2023
60366 Ski and Climbing Center£94.99 / $119.99 / €104.991,045June 1, 2023
60368 Arctic Explorer Ship£129.99 / $159.99 / €149.99815June 1, 2023
60376 Arctic Explorer Snowmobile£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.9970June 1, 2023
60377 Explorer Diving Boat£24.99 / $39.99 / €29.99182 June 1, 2023
60378 Arctic Explorer Truck and Mobile Lab£62.99 / $74.99 / €69.99489June 1, 2023
60379 DeepSea Explorer Submarine£94.99 / $109.99 / €104.99842June 1, 2023
60380 Downtown£179.99 / $199.99 / €209.992,010June 1, 2023
60391 Construction Trucks and Wrecking Ball Crane£44.99 / $59.99 / €49.99235June 1, 2023
60398 Family House and Electric Car£46.99 / $59.99 / €52.99462June 1, 2023

LEGO DC – Batman returns

LEGO Batman is back, just perhaps not how you were expecting it as, creatively speaking, the two sets coming this June could not be further away from each other. Where 76259 Batman Construction Figure takes an established design concept from sister theme LEGO Marvel, 76252 Batcave – Shadow Box throws out the entire rulebook and offers something never-before-seen (and likely not to be replicated any time soon either).

These disparate approaches to the two sets make LEGO Batman’s return to shelves this summer all the more fascinating, and it feels as much an existential comment on the past and future of the theme that is now over a decade old.

It’s supposed to be cold
Just as with LEGO Disney 43227 Villain Icons, LEGO Batman 76252 Batcave – Shadow Box offers something completely different and unexpected, and even asks LEGO fans to reconceptualise the very identity of a LEGO set.

In this particular case, that’s in its very form too, choosing to package a Batman Returns-inspired Batcave – complete with minifigure line-up and Batmobile – into a comic book panel-style presentation inside a box, behind a Bat-symbol window. It sounds barmy, it is barmy, but it just might be exactly what LEGO DC needs right now.

LEGO setPricePiecesRelease dateReview
76252 Batcave – Shadow Box£344.99 / $399.99 / €399.993,981June 5 (VIPs), June 8 (wide), 2023Review
76259 Batman Construction Figure£31.99 / $34.99 / €37.99275June 1, 2023Review

LEGO Disney – 100th anniversary

The LEGO Group is going big for the 100th anniversary of Disney with several models celebrating animation and stories from the legendary company. The range is especially diverse with all kinds of builds from mini-doll sets to displayable centrepieces. New minifigures can be found almost everywhere in the LEGO Disney 100th anniversary sets with new stories covered including Up, Big Hero 6, Finding Nemo and more. 

Rather than just location-based playsets, the new LEGO Disney sets have explored uncharted and unfamiliar territory including villains in 43227 Villain Icons, caricature figures in 43226 Disney Duos and the continuing legacy of LEGO DOTS in 43221 100 Years of Disney Animation Icons. Don’t forget about the exclusive minifigures and mini-dolls too, with highlights including those in 43227 Villain Icons and 43215 The Enchanted Treehouse. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re likely to find it in the LEGO Disney 100th anniversary builds. 

Wait for the sale: 43215 The Enchanted Treehouse
43215 The Enchanted Treehouse has amazing mini-dolls and a unique, standalone model, but it’s unfortunately around £50 / $50 / €50 too expensive for the volume of the contents. There’s much better value in some of the other Disney 100 sets for less, so you’d be wise to wait for a decent sale on this model.

LEGO set Price Pieces Release date Review
10997 Camping Adventure£46.99 / $49.99 / €52.9937June 1, 2023N/A
43215 The Enchanted Treehouse£149.99 / $159.99 / €159.991,016 June 1, 2023Review
43218 Anna and Elsa’s Magical Carousel£18.99 / $19.99 / €20.99175June 1, 2023N/A
43221 100 Years of Disney Animation Icons£49.99 / $59.99 / €54.991,022 June 1, 2023Coming soon
43226 Disney Duos£42.99 / $44.99 / €47.99553June 1, 2023Review
43227 Villain Icons£124.99 / $129.99 / €139.991,540June 1, 2023Review
43229 Ariel’s Treasure Chest£42.99 / $44.99 / €47.99370June 1, 2023N/A

LEGO Exclusives – big minifigure, little Land Rover

You may be forgiven for overlooking in-house theme Creator from time to time, but a particular duet releasing as part of June’s wave make that particular sin quite impossible. On the one hand we have the cutest and best-priced LEGO Land Rover yet, for the first time in minifigure scale and an excellent example of how some real-world design is just made for LEGO. And on the other hand comes another large-scale brick-built minifigure, way bigger than minifigure scale. Two sets completely unrelated to each other, housed within a theme that continues to jump from one idea to the next.

Meanwhile, there’s another addition to the blooming Botanical Collection with 40647 Lotus Flowers – described by reviewers as ‘attractive’, ‘delightful’ and ‘a bargain’ – and even a LEGO birthday cake. See how it stacks up next to a real piece of cake here. Finally, 40634 Icons of Play will celebrate women’s football ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in July, but there are no reviews of that one out there yet…

Hidden gem: 40650 Land Rover Classic Defender
Award for the cutest LEGO set releasing this June goes to 40650 Land Rover Classic Defender, coming in at pocket-money budget and almost pocket-size. As it is, this set would be at home in LEGO City, offering up a faithful minifigure-scale recreation of one of the world’s most iconic all-terrain vehicles in a LEGO design that will have you reminiscing of simpler LEGO sets from your youth, even with some modern tricks up its sleeve. One not to miss, particularly at this price.

LEGO setPricePiecesRelease dateReview
40634 Icons of Play£89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99899June 6, 2023N/A
40641 Birthday Cake£13.49 / $14.99 / €14.99211June 1, 2023N/A
40643 Jade Rabbit£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99288June 1, 2023N/A
40647 Lotus Flowers£10.99 / $12.99 / €12.99220June 1, 2023N/A
40649 Up-Scaled LEGO Minifigure£44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99654June 1, 2023Review
40650 Land Rover Classic Defender£13.49 / $14.99 / €14.99150June 1, 2023Review

LEGO Friends – summer renaissance

Review copies of the new LEGO Friends wave have unfortunately been delayed out of Billund, so most reviewers (including Brick Fanatics) are yet to get their hands on the new sets. That’s a shame if only because they do look genuinely brilliant on the whole, with clear stand-outs in 41737 Beach Amusement Park, 41747 Heartlake City Community Kitchen, 41748 Heartlake City Community Center and 41757 Botanical Garden.

Those four sets will probably find plenty of appeal beyond even traditional LEGO Friends fans, and one early look at the Botanical Garden has solidified our suspicions that it’s going to be a belter. From incredibly imaginative parts usages (fur collars for a Bonsai tree, green saxophones for a tropical pitcher plant) to an attractive assortment of animals (brown ducks, new butterflies), this is one set not to miss this summer.

Did you know?
41747 Heartlake City Community Kitchen can act as an extra floor for the already-towering 41748 Heartlake City Community Center, while its roof connects as a separate garden. If you buy one of these sets, you definitely need the other.

LEGO set  PricePieces  Release date  Review
41725 Beach Buggy Fun£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.9961June 1, 2023Coming soon
41734 Sea Rescue Boat£74.99 / $79.99 / €84.99717June 1, 2023Coming soon
41736 Sea Rescue Center£44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99376June 1, 2023Coming soon
41737 Beach Amusement Park£89.99 / $119.99 / €99.991,348June 1, 2023Coming soon
41744 Sports Center£84.99 / $94.99 / €94.99832June 1, 2023Coming soon
41745 Autumn’s Horse Stable£57.99 / $59.99 / €64.99545June 1, 2023Coming soon
41746 Horse Training£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99134June 1, 2023Coming soon
41747 Heartlake City Community Kitchen£62.99 / $67.99 / €69.99695June 1, 2023Coming soon
41748 Heartlake City Community Center£129.99 / $139.99 / €149.991,513June 1, 2023Coming soon
41749 Newsroom Van£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99446June 1, 2023Coming soon
41752 Sea Rescue Plane£17.99/ $19.99 / €19.99203June 1, 2023Coming soon
41753 Pancake Shop£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99157June 1, 2023Coming soon
41757 Botanical Garden£74.99 / $79.99 / €84.991,072June 1, 2023Coming soon
41759 Heartlake City Bus£49.99 / $49.99 / €49.99480June 1, 2023Coming soon

LEGO Harry Potter – magic old and new

This summer’s LEGO Harry Potter sets represent possibly the theme’s most varied wave yet, comprising minifigure-scale playsets, a new addition to Hogwarts, a vehicle (read: train), a buildable character, another play-fuelled trunk, a large display model and three BrickHeadz sets.

Reviews so far have picked up on the new wand pieces (made for Harry and Voldemort to face off with new spell elements), the genuine advances made by 76423 Hogwarts Express & Hogsmeade Station (it’s not just an extra passenger car – there are plenty of build improvements too), and where the smaller 76422 Diagon Alley: Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes actually does one thing better than the same building in 75978 Diagon Alley (its curved windows).

Whether you’ve been collecting Wizarding World sets since 2018 or are just dipping your toes into the theme’s magical waters, there’ll hopefully be something here for you.

Don’t miss: 76415 The Battle of Hogwarts
As illustrated by Cheesey Studios, 76415 The Battle of Hogwarts – a new school expansion based on the Deathly Hallows – can be reconfigured into two different sections of the castle. You might need two copies…

Set namePricePiecesRelease date
40616 Harry Potter & Cho Chang£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99267June 1, 2023
40617 Draco Malfoy & Cedric Diggory£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99262June 1, 2023
40618 Kingsley Shacklebolt & Nymphadora Tonks£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99250June 1, 2023
76414 Expecto Patronum£62.99 / $69.99 / €69.99754June 1, 2023
76415 The Battle of Hogwarts£74.99 /$79.99 / €84.99730June 1, 2023
76416 Quidditch Trunk£62.99 / $67.99 / €69.99599June 1, 2023
76421 Dobby the House Elf£24.99 / $34.99 / €29.99403June 1, 2023
76422 Diagon Alley: Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes£84.99 / $89.99 / €94.99834June 1, 2023
76423 Hogwarts Express & Hogsmeade Station£114.99 / $129.99 / €129.991,074June 1, 2023

LEGO Icons – retro gaming

10323 PAC-MAN Arcade is the only LEGO Icons model launching in June 2023, but it’s one not to miss. The nostalgic gaming icon finally has its own LEGO set, and it’s as functional as it is accurate to real arcade cabinets. Featuring over 2,500 pieces, 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade isn’t just the cabinet with a small diorama and extra PAC-MAN sculpture included to enhance the model or display separately. It makes storage easier too.

Bandai Namco is a new partnership for the LEGO Group and so far, it’s just PAC-MAN getting a LEGO set. The reveal of the model also came with the confirmation that the gaming character’s yellow colour is directly taken from the same shade the LEGO Group used back in the 1980s. 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade launches on June 1, 2023, for VIP members or June 4 widely and its functions are one of its best parts. The game is playable (to a degree) and there’s even movement in the scoreboard and additional diorama.

Did you know?
10323 PAC-MAN Arcade Machine’s working maze gameplay is operated in the same way as the level on the TV in 71374 Nintendo Entertainment System – a simple crank. You also get spares of the printed PAC-MAN icon 1×1 tiles. 

LEGO setPricePiecesRelease dateReview
10323 PAC-MAN Arcade£229.99 / $269.99 / €269.992,651June 1 (VIPs), June 4 (wide), 2023Review

LEGO Jurassic Park – 30 years of dinos

Those who thought the LEGO Jurassic World and Jurassic Park sets were behind us with the resolution of the Jurassic World movie series overlooked the 30th anniversary of the first film, where it all began. Luckily, the LEGO Group didn’t and has lined up five sets based around 1993’s Jurassic Park, albeit to mixed results.

These sets include a cheaper way to pick up a LEGO Ford Discovery; two first-time (and different to each other) appearances of the long, long-awaited Jeep Wrangler; the entire line-up of characters from the film (bar poor lawyer Donald Gennaro); and a plethora of dinosaurs including a brand new, first-time appearance in the theme for the Brachiosaurus. 

There’s a lot to love in this mini-collection of sets, even if most of them are saddled by high prices and low piece counts to make space for those big plastic dinosaurs. Even so, there’s no better way to mark the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park.

Don’t miss: 76958 Dilophosaurus Ambush
The lowest-priced set in this summer’s wave, 76958 Dilophosaurus Ambush demonstrates where a more modestly-sized dinosaur can unlock far better value for money and still offer so much LEGO goodness in the one box. Come for the Jeep Wrangler, stay for the expressions on Dennis Nedry’s face…

LEGO setPricePiecesRelease dateReview
76957 Velociraptor Escape£31.99 / $39.99 / €37.99137June 1, 2023Review
76958 Dilophosaurus Ambush£20.99 / $19.99 / €26.99211June 1, 2023Review
76959 Triceratops Research£46.99 / $49.99 / €52.99281June 1, 2023Review
76960 Brachiosaurus Discovery£74.99 / $79.99 / €84.99512June 1, 2023Review
76961 Visitor Center: T. rex & Raptor Attack£114.99 / $129.99 / €129.99693June 1, 2023Review

LEGO Marvel – less-than-super heroes

It’s slim pickings for LEGO Marvel fans in June, with only a tiny minifigure-driven playset and two buildable action figures to choose from. Early reviews of 76260 Black Widow & Captain America Motorcycles have criticised the lack of variation between the two bikes, though lauded the minifigures (more on that below).

76257 Wolverine Construction Figure and 76258 Captain America Construction Figure have suffered a little more heavily at the hands of critics: ‘weird’, ‘goofy’ and ‘pricey’ have all been banded around in discussion of these new action figures, and they’re likely to struggle to find an audience alongside everything else releasing June 1.

Hidden gem: Black Widow
The Natasha Romanoff minifigure in 76260 Black Widow & Captain America Motorcycles might look like old hat, but it’s actually a brand new design. One for minifigure collectors.

LEGO setPricePiecesRelease date
76257 Wolverine Construction Figure£31.99 / $TBC / €37.99327June 1, 2023
76258 Captain America Construction Figure£20.99 / $TBC / €26.99310June 1, 2023
76260 Black Widow & Captain America Motorcycles£12.99 / $TBC / €15.99281June 1, 2023

LEGO Monkie Kid – under the sea

LEGO Monkie Kid continues to quietly soldier on this summer, with four new sets joining the range of Journey to the West-inspired models. And the general sentiment surrounding this theme is perhaps best summed up by Cheesey Studios, who caps off his review of all four sets by admitting that he’s ‘kinda surprised’ he slept on Monkie Kid. “There is a team of very talented designers behind these sets, who are doing things that really have never been done with LEGO before,” he says.

Topping out the range is the enormous 80049 Dragon of the East Palace, which takes MK and the gang underwater, while 80047 Mei’s Guardian Dragon is apparently also worth your time (one review praises its ‘near-perfect articulation’). 

Hidden gem: all of them
It’s not unfair to say that Monkie Kid is still one of the most overlooked LEGO themes, thanks in part to its reduced availability. But all of these sets look to offer something new and unique, so they’re definitely worth a second look.

LEGO set Price Pieces Release date 
80046 Monkie Kid’s Cloud Airship £42.99 / $49.99 / €47.99 540 June 1, 2023 
80047 Mei’s Guardian Dragon £46.99 / $74.99 / €52.99 605 June 1, 2023 
80048 The Mighty Azure Lion £64.99 / $79.99 / €74.99 789 June 1, 2023 
80049 Dragon of the East Palace £169.99 / $189.99 / €189.99 2,364 June 1, 2023 

LEGO NINJAGO – a new era

It’s an exciting time for LEGO NINJAGO as the theme enters a new era with Dragons Rising. The new series’ first sets vary wildly in price, size and subjectmatter, but this is still NINJAGO so there are plenty of dragons, mechs, temples and colour co-ordinated vehicles. The LEGO NINJAGO design team have lined up 14 models for the new series, and there are a couple of important characters to collect from Sora to Wyldfyre, mostly scattered across multiple expensive and inexpensive sets. 

For longtime NINJAGO fans, there’s an easy way to catch up with a single set – 71792 Sora’s Transforming Mech Bike Racer – with both Sora and Arin included along with an all-new vehicle for the theme. The creativity on show in this wave is a sight to behold and the colours used evoke both nostalgia and fresh experiences – befitting the evolution of the show. Whether you are new to NINJAGO, coming back after a hiatus or have been with the team the whole time, there’s something to love in the Dragons Rising sets.

Save up for: 71799 NINJAGO City Markets
The most expensive LEGO set launching June 1 is also NINJAGO’s biggest set to date – but it’s absolutely one worth saving up to buy, because 71799 NINJAGO City Markets is another phenomenal addition to the NINJAGO modular building series.

LEGO setPricePiecesRelease dateReview
71777 Kai’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Flip£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.9972June 1, 2023Review
71778 Nya’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Drift£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.9957June 1, 2023Review
71779 Lloyd’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Spin£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.9956June 1, 2023Review
71789 Kai and Ras’s Car and Bike Battle£18.99 / $19.99 / €20.99103June 1, 2023Review
71790 Imperium Dragon Hunter Hound£18.99 / $19.99 / €20.99198June 1, 2023Review
71791 Zane’s Dragon Power Spinjitzu Race Car£29.99 / $34.99 / €34.99307June 1, 2023Review
71792 Sora’s Transforming Mech Bike Racer£42.99 / $47.99 / €47.99384June 1, 2023Review
71793 Heatwave Transforming Lava Dragon£46.99 / $54.99 / €52.99479June 1, 2023Review
71794 Lloyd and Arin’s Ninja Team Mechs£74.99 / $79.99 / €84.99764June 1, 2023Review
71795 Temple of the Dragon Energy Cores£84.99 / $94.99 / €94.991,029June 1, 2023Review
71796 Elemental Dragon vs. The Empress Mech£94.99 / $129.99 / €104.991,038June 1, 2023Review
71797 Destiny’s Bounty – race against time£129.99 / $159.99 / €149.991,739June 1, 2023Review
71798 Nya and Arin’s Baby Dragon Battle£26.99 / $34.99 / €31.99157June 1, 2023Review
71799 NINJAGO City Markets£319.99 / $369.99 / €369.996,163June 1, 2023Review

LEGO Star Wars – a first for the long-running theme

Just one LEGO Star Wars set is launching June 1, and it’s probably not designed for anyone reading this (unless you are four years old). 75358 Tenoo Jedi Temple joins the range of LEGO Star Wars sets bridging the gap between DUPLO and System, which typically means a high price for not too many pieces.

That much is true here – so say early reviews – but that doesn’t mean you should write 75358 Tenoo Jedi Temple off entirely. One reviewer has called out the community for giving the 4+ set ‘too much flak’, pointing to its three brand new and exclusive minifigures and smattering of printed pieces as strong reasons to buy. If you’re a LEGO Star Wars collector, it might be worth a second look – not least because it’s technically our first ever LEGO Jedi Temple.

Did you know?
The new High Republic Master Yoda minifigure uses a brand new head mould, reminiscent of the 2008 Clone Wars Yoda minifigure.

LEGO setPricePiecesRelease date
75358 Tenoo Jedi Temple£37.99 / $39.99 / €42.99124June 1, 2023

LEGO Technic – to infinity and beyond

Just three LEGO Technic sets are launching on June 1, including an unusual release in 42162 Bugatti Bolide Agile Blue – a direct re-colour of a March 2023 release, 42151 Bugatti Bolide. There are no reviews of the blue version out there yet, but given it looks functionally identical to its predecessor, you could probably just check those reviews out instead. (Here’s one that calls it ‘well designed’ with ‘useful parts’.)

Sitting at higher price points are 42158 NASA Mars Perseverance Rover and 42157 John Deere 948L II Skidder, both of which should appeal to traditional Technic fans for their subject matter and design. The rover has been hailed for its implementation in Technic rather than System bricks, while one review has championed the pneumatic-powered skidder as ‘everything a Technic set should be’. 

Don’t miss: 42158 NASA Mars Perseverance Rover
Brickset calls 42158 NASA Mars Perseverance Rover ‘one of the best Technic sets this year and a very welcome change from the usual fare of supercars’. High praise indeed.

LEGO setPricePiecesRelease date
42157 John Deere 948L-II Skidder£169.99 / $199.99 / €189.991,492June 1, 2023
42158 NASA Mars Rover Perseverance£84.99 / €89.99 / $99.991,132June 1, 2023
42162 Bugatti Bolide Agile Blue£44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99905June 1, 2023

Click here for a complete list of LEGO sets available from June 1, or head here for all our coverage of the new releases – including sets to buy at full price, and sets to hold fire on.

Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO using our affiliate links.

Author Profile

Chris Wharfe
I like to think of myself as a journalist first, LEGO fan second, but we all know that’s not really the case. Journalism does run through my veins, though, like some kind of weird literary blood – the sort that will no doubt one day lead to a stress-induced heart malfunction. It’s like smoking, only worse. Thankfully, I get to write about LEGO until then.

Chris Wharfe

I like to think of myself as a journalist first, LEGO fan second, but we all know that’s not really the case. Journalism does run through my veins, though, like some kind of weird literary blood – the sort that will no doubt one day lead to a stress-induced heart malfunction. It’s like smoking, only worse. Thankfully, I get to write about LEGO until then.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *