Margin Makers: Guide to LEGO merchandise

2016 was another good year for Warner Bros and LEGO in the UK. Although the publisher’s software market share decreased compared to 2015 (from 9.9 per cent in units to 6.4 per cent in 2016), there were still four LEGO games in the year’s Top 50.

LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens made it to No. 14 and LEGO Marvel’s Avengers landed at No.16, while, further down the charts, LEGO Jurassic World charted at No.33 and LEGO Dimensions at No.38.

2017 also looks like a promising year for the TT Games-developed series. First, a couple of new packs for
toys-to-life franchise LEGO Dimensions are hitting shelves today, one based on TV series Knight Rider and the other derived from The LEGO Batman Movie, which opens in UK cinemas today.

After that, sandbox game LEGO Worlds will land on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam on March 10th, while former Wii U exclusive LEGO City Undercover is due to arrive during Q2 on the same platforms.

Warner Bros will also jump on the Switch train later this year, with both LEGO Worlds and LEGO City Undercover launching on Nintendo’s new console at some point this year.

More pop culture brands will no doubt be adapted into LEGO games throughout the year, which will give retailers plenty of opportunities to sell figures, apparel and other tie-in items. In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of what’s already on shelves. 

LEGO Dimensions Batman Movie 

The LEGO Batman Movie hits theatres today, alongside a new expansion for LEGO Dimensions. The Batman Movie Story Pack features Batgirl and Robin minifigures (as well as a buildable Batwing) and lets gamers play the complete movie through six new levels. The Batman Movie Fun Pack includes an Excalibur Batman minifigure (with the sword, which gives new abilities in-game) and his Bionic Steed. 

SRP: £14.99 (Fun Pack) – £39.99 (Story Pack)
Manufacturer: Warner Bros
Distributor: CentreSoft
Contact: 01216 253 388

The LEGO Movie – Minifigure Edition

The LEGO Movie delivered its fair share of awesomeness back in 2014. For the few who haven’t seen it yet, there’s still time to catch up and the best way to do so is certainly this special edition, which includes a LEGO minifigure of Vitruvius.

SRP: £9.99
Manufacturer: Warner Bros
Distributor: Warner Bros
Contact: 020 7984 5200

LEGO Angry Birds – King Pig’s Castle

Angry Birds is one of the many games franchise that have been turned into a LEGO collection. In this box, fans can build the King Pig’s castle and then enjoy destroying it. 

SRP: £79.99
Manufacturer: LEGO
Distributor: LEGO
Contact: 01753 495 000 

LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Minifigure Clock 

Everyone loves Star Wars, everyone loves LEGO and everyone loves to know what time it is. So everyone should love this 9” LEGO Star Wars clock.

SRP: £24.99
Manufacturer: LEGO
Distributor: LEGO
Contact: 01753 495 000 

LEGO Dimensions – Sonic the Hedgehog Level Pack

Sega’s iconic character made the move to LEGO Dimensions last year, as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. This Level Pack obviously features a Sonic figure, as well as two vehicles (the Sonic Speedster and the Tornado bi-plane).

SRP: £29.99
Manufacturer: Warner Bros
Distributor: CentreSoft  
Contact: 01216 253 388

LEGO boys T-shirt

We tend to forget about it, but LEGO used to be for children – yes, we can’t believe it either. So here’s a classic LEGO Wear boys’ T-shirt if you’re looking for a new outfit for your kid.

SRP: £14.99
Manufacturer: LEGO Wear
Distributor: Kabooki 
Contact: info@kabooki.com

LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary (Updated and Expanded)

Here’s the bible every LEGO Star Wars fan should own. It covers 15 years of LEGO Star Wars models and figures and it includes a retro-looking Luke Skywalker minifigure.

SRP: £16.99
Manufacturer: DK Books
Distributor: DK Children
Contact: sales@uk.dk.com

LEGO Minecraft The Iron Golem

We can’t think of a better fit than Minecraft and LEGO, really. This pack is only one of the many products the two squared brands have launched together, so fans have plenty of items to choose from.

SRP: £19.99
Manufacturer: LEGO
Distributor: LEGO
Contact: 01753 495 000