Since their inception in 1978, LEGO Minifigures have become an indispensable part of any LEGO set. Initially, these mini figures were simple and plain without distinctive features. However, over time, they have evolved and become the beloved characters we know today. Everything began when LEGO designers started experimenting with creating smaller figures to fit inside LEGO sets. As the popularity of the mini figures grew, so did the attention to detail on their bodies and faces. Today, LEGO Minifigures have become icons with countless themes that cater to LEGO enthusiasts of all ages, ranging from classic knights and pirates to modern superheroes and movie characters. The evolution and history of LEGO Minifigures is indeed remarkable.
Since their introduction in 2010, the LEGO Minifigure series has become extremely popular as a collectible item. These figures are often called “blind bags” as the small opaque packaging conceals a surprise miniature Lego person. Each bag contains a different character, making it a fun and exciting experience for both kids and adults alike. The first set was launched with 16 different characters including a caveman, a cheerleader, a circus clown, a zombie, a skater, a robot, and more. Due to the success of the first series, LEGO has maintained a pattern of releasing three collections every year usually in January, May and September. These collections have included different themes such as Disney, The Simpsons, The LEGO Movies, The LEGO Batman Movies, Ninjago, Harry Potter, DC Comics, The Muppets, as well as the more traditional characters.
As well as the general sets of minifigures (see our article here), in 2012 LEGO branched out in Licensed sets, the first being for the 2012 London Olympics with the TEAM GB Complete set and the Team GB Sealed Box and have subsequently gone onto to release 17 series of each so far.
Theme Analysis
We have looked at all of the sets over the last 10 years.
The 17 Complete Sets would have cost you a total of just over £750 (for 271 Minifigures) and would now be worth double that amount at just over £1,500 having provided average annualised growth over the years of 18%.
The 16 Sealed Boxes would have cost you a total of just under £2,500 (for 912 minifigures) and be worth just under double that at £4,800 currently giving annualised growth of 14%
Both have provided excellent returns on their original investments. Below we take a look at some of the best ones!
LEGO Minifigures Team GB Complete Set and Sealed Box
The Team GB sets are the first, and by far the best performing sets in the series with the LEGO Minifigures Team GB Complete set now worth over £200 from an RRP of just £18 (annualised growth
of 26%) and the LEGO Minifigures Team GB Sealed Box now worth over £1000 from an RRP of £119 (annualised growth of 23%).
| Set Name | Number of Minifigures | Retired Date | RRP | Current Value | Total Growth | Annualised Growth |
| Team GB Complete Set 9 | 9 | August 2012 | £18 | £208 | 1061% | 26% |
| Team GB Sealed Box | 60 | August 2012 | £119 | £1121 | 839% | 23% |
LEGO Minifigures Harry Potter Complete Set and Sealed Box
Not surprisingly, Harry Potter is another strong theme for LEGO Minifigures (the first series were called Wizarding World). Annualised Growth across the 4 ranges from 9% up to 21% for the Wizarding World Complete Set.
| Set Name | Number of Minifigures | Retired Date | RRP | Current Value | Total Growth | Annualised Growth |
| Wizarding World Complete Set | 22 | December 2018 | £66 | £151 | 130% | 21% |
| Harry Potter Series 2 Complete Set | 16 | January 2021 | £56 | £72 | 29% | 12% |
| Wizarding World Sealed box | 60 | December 2018 | £179 | £309 | 72% | 13% |
| Harry Potter Series 2 Sealed Box | 60 | January 2021 | £209 | £258 | 23% | 9% |
Other Sets
Other licensed themes that have done well include Disney (click here for our preview of the LEGO Minifigure Disney 100 sets that are soon to be launched), LEGO Minifigures Simpsons, LEGO Minifigures DC Super Heroes, LEGO Minifigures Ninjago Movie and LEGO Minifigures Marvel Studies.
Conclusion
The majority of the Licensed Themed Minifigures complete sets and sealed boxes have offered decent investment returns. We would keep an eye out for upcoming Minifigure sets and would look to buy those which had a theme we thought would do well.
