Although LEGO fans are often spoiled for choice when it comes to Star Wars, Harry Potter, and many other incredible movie universes, fans of The Lord of the Rings have been left wanting more for many years due to the short life of the LEGO theme centered around J.R.R Tolkien’s incredible world of Middle Earth.
LEGO Lord of the Rings is a theme of LEGO sets based on the popular movies and books. First releasing in 2012, the theme consisted of 12 main sets in addition to some polybag-type extras. The largest set in the theme is Tower of Orthanc 10237, with 2359 pieces. The theme was short-lived, and by the end of 2013, all of the sets had retired. The LEGO Group later released a new range of sets based on The Hobbit movies, which are an extension of the line-up of sets based on The Lord of the Rings.
Since the retirement of the final sets in 2013, LEGO fans and Lord of the Rings fans alike have been hungry for more sets. So what Lord of the Rings sets were released during this time? Let’s find out!
Gandalf Arrives 9469
RRP: $12.99
Year Released: 2012
Pieces: 83
Minifigs: 2
LEGO Gandalf Arrives 9469 depicts a scene from The Fellowship of the Ring, when Gandalf arrives at The Shire for Bilbo Baggins’ birthday party. It is an iconic scene in the first movie of The Lord of the Rings, and a must-have for any LEGO LOTR collector out there.
This set is complete with 2 minifigures – Frodo Baggins, and Gandalf. Neither of the minifigures are exclusive to this set, with Frodo also appearing in a small set – Frodo with cooking corner 30210 – and Gandalf also appearing in three sets from the LEGO The Hobbit theme. The Gandalf Arrives set also comes with a horse and carriage, wizards staff, and an array of fireworks. It’s too bad we didn’t get actual firework molded parts here – that would have been amazing!
The first LEGO Lord of the Rings set, according to its set number, is LEGO Gandalf Arrives 9469. It was released in June 2012 to kick off the wave, along with a handful of other sets. Gandalf Arrives 9469 retired in July 2013, and had a shelf life of just over one year. Since its retirement, the set has grown significantly in value, and can now be found for more than $100 on Amazon in the US.
Shelob Attacks 9470
RRP: $19.99
Year Released: 2012
Pieces: 227
Minifigs: 3
The second set in the wave of LEGO Lord of the Rings sets is Shelob Attacks, set number 9470. With 227 pieces in the box, this set shows a scene from The Return of the King.
This set comes complete with the minifigures for Frodo Baggins, Gollum, and Samwise Gamgee. All three of these particular minifigure variants are unique to this set. We also get a brick-buildable spider, Shelob, as the central focus of this set.
LEGO Shelob Attacks 9470 was released in July 2012 and retired in September 2013, which gave it a shelf life of around a year and two months. Since retirement, the value has increased significantly, with this set selling for more than $150 on eBay in the United States ten years after retirement. From a retail price of $20, that’s pretty substantial growth!
Uruk-Hai Army 9471
RRP: $29.99
Year Released: 2012
Pieces: 257
Minifigs: 6
Uruk-Hai Army 9471 is a LEGO set that is focused on the events from Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
This set consists of 6 minifigures, and could almost be considered a ‘battle pack’, with the minifigures being the core focus of this set. We have Eomer, Rohan Soldier, Lurtz, and three Uruk-Hai fighters included in the box. Also included are a handful of weapons, a horse, a buildable ballista weapon, and a part of the wall of Helm’s Deep.
LEGO Uruk-Hai Army 9471 was released in June 2012 and retired in December 2013, for a shelf life of over a year and a half.
Attack on Weathertop 9472
RRP: $59.99
Year Released: 2012
Pieces: 430
Minifigs: 5
LEGO Attack on Weathertop 9472 is a set from The Fellowship of the Ring, which depicts the pivotal moment when the hobbits, with their guide Aragorn, try to fend off the advancing Ringwraiths, led by The Witch King.
This set has 430 pieces, and comes complete with 5 minifigures, including Aragorn, Frodo Baggins, Marry, and two Ringwraith minifigures. Four of these minifigure variants are unique to this set, with Aragorn also appearing in The Battle of Helm’s Deep and Pirate Ship Ambush. We also get a horse, some fruits and vegetables, and an interesting depiction of the top of Weathertop.
LEGO Attack on Weathertop was released in June 2012 and retired in July 2013, giving it a shelf life of just over a year. Since retirement, the value of this set has not grown as fast as some of the other sets in the Lord of the Rings series.
The Mines of Moria 9473
RRP: $79.99
Year Released: 2012
Pieces: 776
Minifigs: 9
The Mines of Moria 9473 is a LEGO set from The Fellowship of the Ring, the first movie in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It depicts the intense scene where The Fellowship are ambushed by Goblins and a Cave Troll in the underground Mines of Moria, and have to fight their way to freedom.
This set is complete with 776 parts, and includes a massive 9 minifigures. The minifigures included are Boromir, Cave Troll, Gimli, Legolas, two Moria Orcs, Pippin, and two Skeleton minifigures. The cave troll is an incredible molded part that is unique to this set, and over time this part has become highly sought after, with its value rising massively online. The Boromir and Pippin variants in this set are also unique to Mines of Moria 9473, and Gimli and Legolas both appear in other sets.
LEGO Mines of Moria 9473 was released in June 2012 and retired in December 2013, which gave it a shelf life of a year and a half.
The Battle of Helm’s Deep 9474
RRP: $129.99
Year Released: 2012
Pieces: 1368
Minifigs: 8
The Battle of Helm’s Deep 9474 was a LEGO set from The Two Towers, the second movie in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It depicts the massive battle that acts as the climactic close for the movie. This set is arguably one of the most iconic in the LEGO Lord of the Rings theme, and the majestic design makes for an epic display piece.
Battle of Helm’s Deep contains 1368 pieces and 8 minifigures. Included in this set are the minifigures for Aragorn, Gimli, Haldir, King Theodin, berserker, and three Uruk-Hai warriors. The epic core of this set is made up of a large buildable wall, tower, and gate to Helm’s Deep, with a ramp leading up to it. We also have a ladder, horse, and an array of weapons included.
The Battle of Helm’s Deep 9474 was released in June 2012 and retired in December 2013, which gave it a shelf life of around a year and a half.
The Orc Forge 9476
RRP: $39.99
Year Released: 2012
Pieces: 366
Minifigs: 4
The Orc Forge 9476 is a LEGO set from The Fellowship of the Ring, the first movie in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This set is centered on the underground forge that Saruman the White has built to forge an army of orcs.
This set contains 366 pieces and 4 minifigures inside of the box. The minifigures included are Lurtz, two Mordor Orcs, and an Uruk-Hai fighter. This variant of Lurtz is unique to this set, and so is one of the Mordor Orcs. The Uruk-Hai and second Mordor Orc both appear in other sets. Also included in this set are a handful of weapons and helmets, and an incredible buildable forge, which can be operated.
LEGO The Orc Forge was released in June 2012 and retired in July 2013, which gave it a shelf life of just over a year. Since retirement, the set has grown significantly in value, and although it is not at the top of the list when it comes to Lord of the Rings sets that have increased in value the most, it has performed better than half of the other sets in the theme.
Tower of Orthanc 10237
RRP: $199.99
Year Released: 2013
Pieces: 2359
Minifigs: 5
LEGO Tower of Orthanc 10237 is perhaps the set from the LEGO Lord of the Rings theme that is most memorable for a lot of people. Measuring a whopping 28 inches high, this looming set looks incredible when displayed on the shelf of any Lord of the Rings or LEGO fan. It is from The Two Towers, the second movie in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
This set contains a massive 2359 pieces, and 5 minifigures in the box. The minifigures included are Gandalf the Grey, Grima Wormtongue, Saruman the White, one Uruk-Hai fighter, and one Mordor Orc. Saruman and Wormtongue are both unique minifigures to this set. Also included with this set is a buildable Treebeard, a mold of Gwaihir, the giant eagle, an array of weapons, wizards staffs, and other items, and of course the massive Tower of Orthanc.
LEGO Tower of Orthanc 10237 was released in July 2013 and retired in July 2015, which gave it a shelf life of 2 years – above the average shelf life of the theme. Although many fans expected this set to grow massively in value during retirement, it actually ended up being one of the sets in The Lord of the Rings theme that has grown the least in value since it retired.
The Wizard Battle 79005
RRP: $12.99
Year Released: 2013
Pieces: 113
Minifigs: 2
LEGO The Wizard Battle 79005 is a set in The Fellowship of the Ring line-up of sets, which depicts the face-off between Gandalf the Grey and Saruman the White that takes place in the Tower of Orthanc.
The set has 113 pieces and 2 minifigures, including Gandalf and Saruman. Both of these particular instances of the minifigures are unique to this set. We also get a palantír (also known as a ‘seeing stone’) and a buildable Saruman’s Throne.
LEGO The Wizards Battle was released in June 2013 and retired in December 2014, which gave it a shelf life of just over a year and a half.
The Council of Elrond 79006
RRP: $29.99
Year Released: 2013
Pieces: 243
Minifigs: 4
LEGO The Council of Elrond is a set from The Fellowship of the Ring, the first movie in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It depicts the crucial part from the film when the fellowship is first created in Rivendell, and given the important task of travelling to Mordor to destroy the Ring of Power.
This set is complete with 243 pieces and 4 minifigures, including Elrond, Frodo Baggins, Arwen, and Gimli. This variant of Frodo, Elrond, and Arwen are all unique to this set. The set also includes a buildable portion of Rivendell, where the council takes place.
LEGO The Council of Elrond 79006 was released in June 2013 and retired in December 2014, giving it a shelf life of around a year and a half, which is approximately the average shelf life of this theme.
Battle at the Black Gate 79007
RRP: $59.99
Year Released: 2013
Pieces: 659
Minifigs: 5
LEGO Battle at the Black Gate 79007 is a set from The Return of the King, the third and final movie in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It depicts the epic battle that takes place outside of the black gates to Mordor. Arguably there were not enough sets in the theme that revolved around the incredible third installment in the series, and this is a welcome set.
This set contains 659 pieces and 5 minifigures, including Aragorn (in King of Gondor clothing), Gandalf the White, the Mouth of Sauron, and two Mordor Orcs. Four of the minifigure variants are exclusive to this set and don’t appear elsewhere.
LEGO Battle at the Black Gate was released in June 2013 and retired in December 2014, which gave it a shelf life of around a year and a half, which is the average of the theme.
Pirate Ship Ambush 79008
RRP: $99.99
Year Released: 2013
Pieces: 756
Minifigs: 9
LEGO Pirate Ship Ambush 79008 is a set that is focused on a pivotal scene during the battle at Minas Tirith during The Return of the King.
This set contained 756 pieces and 9 minifigures, including Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, King of the Dead, two Mordor Orcs, two Soldiers of the Dead, and a Pirate of Umbar. The minifigures of the Army of the Dead and the Pirate of Umbar are exclusive to this set and don’t appear in any other set. The Army of the Dead in particular have risen in value significantly online as a result of their rarity.
LEGO Pirate Ship Ambush was released in June 2013 and retired in December 2014, which gave it a shelf life of just over a year and a half. Since the retirement of this set, it has not grown in value as much as many of the other sets in The Lord of the Rings theme of LEGO sets, but it remains a popular entry into the series.
Interested in Learning More About Collecting LEGO?
The line-up of Lord of the Rings LEGO sets is incredibly impressive, and loved by fans and collectors all around the world. We only wish there were more sets!
The values on many of these sets have continued to increase dramatically since they retired. If you would like to learn how you can invest in LEGO sets as they grow in value, we talk about it on our YouTube channel. Click here to check out our videos.
A lot of the data to compile this list was sourced from this site. If you want to see more epic lists of LEGO sets, check out this list of every LEGO modular building ever released.
