The 2025 LEGO Ideas review results have officially reshaped the landscape for adult fans of LEGO (AFOLs), confirming a diverse slate of fan-designed projects that will soon become official retail sets. Throughout the calendar year 2025, the LEGO Review Board evaluated over 100 projects that reached the 10,000-supporter milestone, ultimately greenlighting a selection that includes nostalgic intellectual properties (IP), intricate botanical displays, and innovative functional machinery.
As of early 2026, we now have a complete picture of the projects from the Third 2024 Review (announced in mid-2025) and the First 2025 Review (announced in late 2025), as well as the recently finalized Second 2025 Review results. These sets are currently in various stages of professional redesign by LEGO model designers, with release dates staggered across late 2026 and 2027.
Understanding the 2025 LEGO Ideas Review Cycle
The LEGO Ideas platform remains the premier crowdsourcing destination for the toy industry. For a project to reach the "Review" stage, it must garner 10,000 individual votes from the community within a specific timeframe. Once this threshold is met, the project enters a formal evaluation period where the LEGO Review Board—consisting of designers, product managers, and marketing experts—assesses the model based on strict criteria.
The Evaluation Criteria
The 2025 reviews were notably rigorous. The board evaluates every "10k" project against the following metrics:
- Production Capacity: Does the set require new molds, or can it be built with existing elements?
- Playability and Stability: Does the fan design meet the "LEGO Building Standard" for structural integrity?
- Brand Fit: Does the subject matter align with LEGO’s values (avoiding mature themes, realistic modern weaponry, or religious iconography)?
- Market Conflict: Is LEGO already developing a similar product internally?
- Licensing: If the set is based on a movie, show, or brand, can LEGO secure the necessary IP rights?
In 2025, we saw a record number of "rejected" projects despite their popularity, often due to overlap with the upcoming 2026 "Icons" or "Creator Expert" lineups.
The First 2025 Review Results (Announced October 2025)
The First 2025 Review period covered projects that reached 10,000 supporters between January and May 2025. This batch was particularly competitive, featuring 48 individual submissions. In October 2025, LEGO confirmed that two standout projects had been selected for production.
The Moon: Earth’s Companion
This project captured the imagination of both space enthusiasts and art collectors. Unlike traditional NASA-branded sets, this model focuses on a high-relief, "3D-style" depiction of the lunar surface. It utilizes thousands of small plates and tiles to recreate craters and lunar mares with topographical accuracy.
- Why it was chosen: The LEGO Group has seen immense success with the "Art" and "Icons" space themes. This set bridges the gap between a display piece and a scientific model, fitting the 2025 trend of "adult-targeted home decor."
The Vintage Steam Engine
A nod to the legendary "Trains" theme, this project serves as a detailed mechanical recreation of a 19th-century locomotive. While LEGO has moved away from a dedicated train line in recent years, the Ideas platform continues to be the primary source for high-fidelity rail models.
- Technical Detail: The approved version is expected to include "Power Functions" compatibility, allowing it to be integrated into existing city layouts. The Review Board cited the model’s ingenious use of Technic elements for the piston movements as a deciding factor.
The Second 2025 Review Results (Announced February 2026)
Though the submissions reached 10,000 votes in late 2025, the results were held until the start of 2026. This review cycle was dominated by "Lifestyle" and "Modular" style builds.
The Botanical Garden (Expansion)
Following the success of the Friends-line Botanical Garden, this Ideas version is a much larger, Victorian-style glasshouse designed for the Icons scale. It features a removable roof, rare plant species built from unique element recolors, and a full interior cafe.
- Market Strategy: This approval confirms LEGO’s commitment to the "Botanical Collection." By selecting a fan-designed garden, they satisfy the demand for more complex, architectural greenery that complements the existing flower bouquets.
Retro Radio
A functional-looking 1950s radio that features a "brick-built" speaker grill and knobs that actually rotate. While it does not play actual radio frequencies, the design allows for a smartphone to be tucked inside to act as the audio source, mimicking the resonance of an old-school cabinet.
Summary of 2025 Review Outcomes
The following table summarizes the key projects approved during the 2025 review windows and their current development status as of early 2026.
| Project Name | Review Cycle | Estimated Piece Count | Primary Theme | Status (as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Italian Riviera | 3rd 2024 (Announced 2025) | 2,100 | Architecture / Travel | Finalizing Packaging |
| The Goonies (Sloth & Chunk) | 3rd 2024 (Announced 2025) | 600 | 80s Nostalgia | Production Ready |
| The Moon: Earth's Companion | 1st 2025 | 1,800 | Science / Art | In Design Phase |
| Vintage Steam Engine | 1st 2025 | 2,400 | Transportation | In Design Phase |
| Botanical Garden | 2nd 2025 | 3,000+ | Nature / Architecture | Pre-Production |
| Retro Radio | 2nd 2025 | 1,200 | Lifestyle / Decor | Pre-Production |
Why Popular Projects Were Rejected in 2025
Every review cycle brings disappointment to fans of "rejected" projects. In 2025, several high-profile builds based on Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and Wednesday (the Netflix series) were notably absent from the approved list.
Licensing and Saturation
The primary reason for rejections in 2025 was licensing conflict. If a project is based on an IP that LEGO already has plans for (such as a licensed theme like Star Wars or Harry Potter), they will almost never approve an Ideas version. Additionally, the "Modular Building" category is notoriously difficult to pass; LEGO usually produces one modular building per year internally, and they rarely want an Ideas set to compete with their flagship Creator Expert line.
Complexity and "The Illegal Build"
Many fan designs use "illegal" building techniques—connections that put too much stress on the plastic or don't meet safety standards for children. In the 2025 reviews, several stunning architectural models were rejected because the Review Board determined that the structural stability could not be fixed without completely changing the aesthetic of the fan's original vision.
From Approval to Shelf: The Development Process
Once a set is approved in the 2025 review, it does not immediately go to stores. The process is lengthy and involves several critical steps:
- The Handover: The fan designer meets with professional LEGO designers to discuss the core "DNA" of the model.
- Model Refinement: LEGO designers rebuild the set from scratch. They must ensure it can be built by someone following instructions and that it won't fall apart if moved. This often leads to a change in piece count—sometimes the set gets larger, but often it is streamlined for price efficiency.
- Element Briefing: If the set requires a new color for a specific brick, this must be coordinated with the factory in Billund, Denmark.
- Graphic Design: New stickers or printed elements are created. This is especially important for the 2025 "Goonies" set, which requires accurate character likenesses.
- Instruction Manual: A team writes the building steps and includes a "Meet the Fan Designer" section.
Historically, the sets approved in 2025 will begin appearing on store shelves between September 2026 and June 2027.
Trends Observed in the 2025 Review Cycle
The 2025 results highlight a significant shift in what the LEGO Group values from the Ideas platform. While early years of Ideas (formerly CUUSOO) focused on small, $35-$50 sets like Research Institute, the 2025 winners are almost exclusively large, high-price-point models aimed at adults.
- Display Over Play: Four out of the six approved sets are designed primarily for display on a shelf or desk rather than active play.
- Niche Nostalgia: Instead of "mass-market" movies, LEGO is leaning into cult classics (like The Goonies) that have a dedicated, affluent adult following.
- Scientific Accuracy: The approval of The Moon suggests that the partnership between LEGO and scientific communities (like NASA and ESA) continues to be a major driver for the brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 2025 LEGO Ideas project had the most supporters?
During the First 2025 Review, a project based on The Simpsons: Krusty Burger actually reached 10,000 supporters faster than any other model. However, it was ultimately rejected by the Review Board, likely due to licensing complexities with Disney or existing plans for the Simpsons IP.
How much will the 2025 approved sets cost?
While official prices are not set until the release date, industry analysts expect the Botanical Garden to retail for approximately $249.99 USD, while the Retro Radio is expected to sit in the $99.99 USD range. LEGO typically aims for a price-per-piece ratio of roughly $0.10, though licensed IP sets often command a premium.
Can I still buy the sets from the 2025 reviews?
No, the sets approved in the 2025 reviews are not yet available for purchase. They are currently in the "Design and Production" phase. The first sets from the 2025 review announcements are expected to launch in late 2026. You can, however, still purchase sets approved in 2023 and 2024, such as the Red London Telephone Box or The Insect Collection.
How can I submit my own project for the next review?
To submit a project for the 2026 review cycles, you must upload your design to the LEGO Ideas website. You will need to provide high-quality renders or photos of a physical build, a description, and a title. You then have a limited window (up to two years with milestones) to gather 10,000 votes from the community.
Will there be any "Gift with Purchase" (GWP) sets from 2025?
Yes, LEGO Ideas often runs separate "Challenges" for smaller GWP sets. In 2025, a challenge for a "Reading Nook" build was completed, and that set is expected to be a promotional item in late 2026 for customers spending over a certain threshold on LEGO.com.
Final Recommendations for Collectors
If you are a collector looking forward to the 2025 review results becoming reality, the best course of action is to budget for late 2026. The Botanical Garden and the Vintage Steam Engine are expected to be high-demand sets that may see temporary stock shortages upon release.
Furthermore, keep an eye on the "Retiring Soon" lists for existing Ideas sets. As these new 2025-approved models enter the warehouse, older favorites like The A-Frame Cabin or The Orient Express Train will likely be phased out to make room. If you missed out on the 2025 review announcements, you can stay updated by following the official LEGO Ideas Blog for the upcoming Second 2026 review results.
