It's no secret that some have retired LEGO kits can consistently exceed expectations in the resale market. And with several high-profile sets approaching retirement in 2026, the next two years could be particularly lucrative for those who know where to look. However, recent history suggests that the ceiling for some LEGO builds is higher than others, and finding value comes down to scarcity, licensing and sheer ambition.
That said, there is one quality that most overlook when predicting retirement value: difficulty of replacement. Larger (and more expensive) sets, or sets deeply tied to a specific cultural moment, are often more difficult for LEGO to reissue, and demand tends to persist long after retail shelves are emptied. As such, the following discontinued LEGO sets stand out not only for their impressive builds, but also for the fact that history suggests their current prices may look modest in retrospect, almost double.
Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter Icon Set (#10327)
The Duna Atreides Royal Ornithopter is a rare example of LEGO hitting a cultural phenomenon at just the right time. Released during the peak DuneA mainstream revival, this iconic set captures a vehicle that is inseparable from the films of Denis Villeneuve. Its 1,369 pieces, intricate wings and eight exclusive minifigures give it a level of completeness that licensed display sets don't always achieve.
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Current price: $164.99
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He retires on July 31
Ornithoptera is also in a unique position due to lack of precedent. There is no older LEGO Dune set up to anchor expectations and no obvious alternative if it disappears. That uniqueness could drive up resale prices once availability dries up after the July 31 end, especially in the future Dune films continue to maintain interest. Evergreen franchises like Star Wars it usually benefits from saturation, but it's a solid bet that DuneA narrow LEGO presence could make this set feel twice as indispensable to collectors in retrospect.
Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale Ideas Set (#21348)
At almost 3800 pieces, Dungeons & Dragons: Tale of the Red Dragon he is already the center before his retirement. The build brings a dense, multi-level tavern, dungeon, and tower, all wrapped up in classic Faerun fare. His relationship with games like Baldur's Gate 3 and its further expansion Dungeons & Dragons the minifigures also add greatly to the appeal of the set, especially considering the included monster builds like the (quite cleverly designed) Beholder.
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Current price: $359.99
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He retires on July 31
WITH Dungeons & Dragons minifigures as their own standalone project, LEGO has yet to reach the scope of this set and doesn't seem to be interested in it any time soon. It will go away The story of the red dragon as the definitive D&D LEGO experience. Even so, however, a larger, self-sustaining fantasy will historically do well once they retire. In two years it could easily be considered a steal at this price.
Millennium Falcon Star Wars Set (#75192)
The latest collectible Ultimate series Millennium Falcon set is undoubtedly the safest bet on this list, and that's not too hard to believe given how popular it is Star Wars LEGO sets are. At 7,500 units and a retail price that truly demands dedication to the hobby, it's more than likely that this set will follow the exact price trajectory set by previous Falcons once they're gone. Earlier versions were much less detailed and now command anywhere from the high hundreds to several thousand dollars, with the earliest sealed Falcons approaching absurd territory in the resale markets.
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Current price: $849.99
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He retires on December 31
What sets #75192 apart from its predecessors is its timing and refinement, as when Star Wars may be in the cultural trough in general, the set will appeal to both original trilogy loyalists and fans of the sequel era through interchangeable minifigure options. After retirement, this will likely remain the definitive Falcon build for some time. Between these “definitive” and “unavailable” brands is where the value explodes and LEGO Millennium FalconThe company's history suggests that a doubling in price over the next two years could be likely.
Honorable mentions worth watching closely
With so many sets retiring this year, Venator-class Republic attack cruiser (#75367) deserves attention purely on the basis of previous precedent Star Wars Deployed LEGO sets. The far smaller 2009 Venator now sells for several times its original price despite being objectively less detailed. With over 5,000 pieces and exclusive Clone Wars characters, the modern version of UCS feels poised for a similar trajectory once retired.
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Current price: $649.99
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He retires on December 31.
Why size and specificity matter as much as brand
Despite how much Star Wars sets appear on this list, it's worth noting that one of the biggest misconceptions about LEGO investing is that the brand itself guarantees a return. While Star Wars branding certainly helps, not every licensed set is valued equally. The best performers tend to transcend brand boundaries, as they're big display-first builds that feel connected to a specific era or creative vision.
When LEGO revisits a theme, it usually does so with compromises to hit new price points or audiences. This leaves retired premium kits occupying a unique lane with no real replacement. This is why smaller game sets, even popular ones, rarely see the same growth curve; they are easier to remake and easier to ignore. In contrast, sets like Atreides royal ornithopter or UCS Millennium Falcon they're statement pieces, and once they're gone, they're gone in spirit as well as in inventory.
The two-year window that matters most
Although these sets will likely continue to grow in value for years, the first two years after retirement are often where the sharpest growth occurs. That's the window where casual collectors realize the set is gone and speculative sellers haven't flooded the market yet. The tone set by this early jump is what turns a $350 purchase into a $700 conversation. Collectors willing to think of the economic value of their racks beyond their building experience should be warned: if history holds true, today's hesitation may become tomorrow's doubly painful regret.
