On 1 June 2023 (at least for the regions, I’ve checked), we will get another 6 traditional LEGO Harry Potter sets plus 3 Harry Potter themed Brickheadz sets. I will cover the latter in a separate post, and here focus on the six sets, which are a mix of play sets and display pieces. Here is what we get…
Before I get into the details, it has been a long time since my last post. Life has been busy – and my interests are wide. And while I haven’t been doing too much LEGO wise in relation to Harry Potter, I’ve had plenty of other projects, including building a large model of Radiator Springs from the Disney Pixar movie “Cars” and contributing to building a life-size model of a Mack Anthem truck, where more than 800,000 bricks were used!
But there has been plenty of LEGO Harry Potter news, and not a lot of time to get them down on (virtual) paper. Most important is of course the June 2023 wave of Harry Potter sets, with plenty of leaks and eventually official photos of all the six sets we will be getting.
The June wave in recent years have been quite heavy in terms of expensive sets, while the smaller wave earlier in the year have had more affordable sets. And this is once again the case. The cheapest set this time cost US$35! The small set we’ve typically seen as a low cost entry-level set is not there, like last year’s Hogwarts Carriage and Thestal set for US$20.
As noted above, we will also see three Brickheadz sets released, and they are priced at that $20 level. But I am still surprised we will not see a $20 minifigure-based set in 2023.
But let’s get to the details of the new sets…
Set 76421 – Dobby the House-Elf
Pieces: 403
Price: US$34.99, £24.99, €29.99, AU$52.99, DKK 280.00
In recent years, we’ve seen one or more sets each year being “display sets” rather than play sets. This model is a typical display set, targeting any collector of Harry Potter memorabilia, whether young or old. I’m curious if we will see future models of this scale? It may work well next to the maxifigures we got of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger we got in 2021 in terms of scale. But Dobby is built as a model of the character directly, not the LEGO representation of him.
Here is the official description (with minor edits to limit repeated parts):
Delight Harry Potter fans with the first-ever LEGO brick model of Dobby the House-Elf. The instantly recognizable brick-built figure has a posable head for different looks, and posable arms and fingers so Dobby can hold the included iconic accessories. There is a detailed buildable model of Harry Potter’s sock with Tom Riddle’s diary that Harry used to set Dobby free and Aunt Petunia’s ‘floating’ pudding cake to inspire memories of classic scenes.
Collectable build-and-display model
This buildable Dobby the House-Elf display model stands over 7.5 in. (19 cm) tall, 5 in. (12 cm) wide and 4 in. (10 cm) deep. Place the Dobby figure on the included stand with a nameplate to complete a display piece that’s sure to catch the eye of every passerby.
- The first LEGO® Harry Potter™ buildable model of Dobby™ the House-Elf (76421) – Your young Harry Potter fan can build and display a recreation of one the most beloved characters in the Wizarding World
- Posable head, ears, arms and fingers – Create different looks and adjust Dobby’s fingers so he can hold the brick-built accessories
- Iconic accessories – Kids can relive classic movie moments as they build Aunt Petunia’s ‘floating’ pudding cake and a detailed model of Tom Riddle’s diary with Harry Potter’s sock
- Made for display – Display the Dobby™ figure on the brick-built stand with a nameplate
Set 76414 – Expecto Patronum
Pieces: 754
Price: US$69.99, £62.99, €69.99, AU$104.99, DKK 600.00
The Patronus set is another typical display set, which allows the builder to create two different patronuses, Harry Potter’s stag and Professor Lupin’s wolf . It does feature a minifigure for each of those two model options, similar to how we had minifigures with the kinetic (flying) models of Hedwig, Fawkes and the Hungarian Horntail in recent years. The scale of the stag in particular looks rather impressive, but you would hope that for the price you pay (and considering only two minifigures are included). Like the Dobby set, this is something new – and could be the start of a series of “patronus” sets.
Here is the official description from LEGO (again with minor edits to limit repeated parts):
Build and rebuild protection from the Dementors with this spellbinding 2-in-1 LEGO Harry Potter Expecto Patronum display set (76414) for ages 14 and up. It features the bricks to build either Harry Potter’s Patronus or Professor Remus Lupin’s wolf Patronus. Each model option features translucent light-blue elements for a magical effect, posable legs and an integrated display stand with decorative elements and space for a minifigure.
Build, rebuild and display
An inspirational gift idea for creative Harry Potter fans, the set includes a Remus Lupin minifigure and a Harry Potter minifigure with a new-for-June-2023 wand accessory element – attach LEGO elements to the wand to create a ‘spell-casting’ effect.
- 2-in-1 LEGO® Harry Potter™ Expecto Patronum build-and-display set (76414) – Choose whether to build either Harry Potter’s stag Patronus or Professor Remus Lupin’s wolf Patronus
- 2 LEGO® minifigures – Remus Lupin and Harry Potter™ with a wand accessory element. Attach LEGO elements to the wand to create a ‘spell-casting’ effect
- Stag Patronus – Features posable legs, translucent light-blue elements for a ghostly look and an integrated display stand that has decorative elements and space for the Harry Potter™ minifigure
- Rebuild into the wolf Patronus – Use the same bricks to create a posable wolf Patronus and a display stand for the Remus Lupin minifigure
- Designed for display – The buildable stag Patronus model measures over 11.5 in. (29 cm) high, 8.5 in. (22 cm) long and 4 in. (11 cm) wide
Set 76416 – Quidditch™ Trunk
Pieces: 599
Price: US$67.99, £62.99, €69.99, AU$104.99, DKK 600.00
This set is partly a display set, but also in the category I will call “portable playset”, which include the Hogwarts Moments buildable book series from a couple of years ago and this year’s Hogwarts banners series. Basically, for older collectors, this may be bought for display, where for younger fans, it does provide the opportunity to play, with most if not all parts packed up within the Quidditch trunk, allowing you to bring it on the family holidays.
More importantly, the set provides Quidditch uniforms for all four Hogwarts houses, and some new nice looking capes too. But the price is rather steep for just 600 bricks and four minifigures (even if considering you do get extra minifigure parts along with it to customise your Quidditch players).
Here is the official description from LEGO (again with minor edits to limit repeated parts):
Kid will love to build this magical LEGO Harry Potter Quidditch Trunk toy (76416), which unlocks to reveal a Quidditch playing field, Hogwarts house banners and everything needed to play solo or 2-player Quidditch games.
Customizable characters
A great gift for Harry Potter fans aged 9 and up, the set features Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang minifigures, plus 10 extra heads (6 different skin tones) and 10 extra hairstyles to create unique players. The box also contains equipment to set up 3 different Quidditch games: shoot the Quaffle through the goal hoops, launch the bludgers at the beater and catch the Golden Snitch™. When the game is over and the house cup has been presented, everything packs away in the trunk ready for kids to take with them for play on the go.
- Play Quidditch™, LEGO® style – Kids will love this buildable LEGO Harry Potter™ Quidditch Trunk toy (76416) that unlocks to reveal a Quidditch playing field, plus characters and game accessories
- 4 customizable LEGO® minifigures – Harry Potter™, Draco Malfoy™, Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang, plus 10 extra heads (6 different skin tones) and 10 extra hairstyles to create unique players
- Authentic accessory elements – Includes the Golden Snitch™, a Quaffle, 2 brooms, 2 bludgers, 2 bats, a trophy, plus Gryffindor™, Slytherin™, Ravenclaw™ and Hufflepuff™ house banners
- Create 3 Quidditch™ games for 1 or 2 players – Shoot the Quaffle through the goal hoops, launch the bludgers at the beater and catch the Golden Snitch™
- Portable play – This lockable toy trunk measures over 7 in. (18 cm) high, 7 in. (18 cm) wide and 4 in. (11 cm) deep, making it easy to store or fit in a child’s backpack for play on the go
Set 76415 – The Battle of Hogwarts
Pieces: 730
Price: US$79.99, £74.99, €84.99, AU$139.99, DKK 800.00
This is an interesting variation of the typical “doll house” modular Hogwarts sets we’ve been getting recently (the Hogwarts sets released from 2021 onwards). It can be built in two ways – either as the Courtyard, which saw some of the most significant battles in the final movie, and the viaduct, which connects the Great hall with other parts of the castle. The latter in particular useful when combined with the other sets in the series, as it finally now when combined look somewhat like the actual castle.
Another interesting part of the set is that it include Scabior (a snatcher from the gang led by Fenrir Greyback), which is the first time he appears as minifigure. But otherwise, it is a bit disappointing for a larger set like this only to have six minifigures.
Here is the official description (with minor edits to limit repeated parts):
Reenact The Battle of Hogwarts from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 with this LEGO Harry Potter playset (76415) for ages 9 and up. It features a detailed LEGO brick-built section of the Hogwarts Castle building that can be broken apart during battles between Voldemort and Harry Potter in the courtyard. The castle modules can also be rearranged to make the bridge from another memorable location, and this modular set connects with others in the series to create an entire Hogwarts Castle.
Spellbinding action
Bring magical stories to life with the 6 LEGO minifigures, plus a Nagini figure. The Harry Potter and Voldemort minifigures each have a wand with attachable LEGO elements to create a ‘spell-casting’ effect, and Neville Longbottom has the Sword of Gryffindor.
- The Battle of Hogwarts™ toy playset (76415) – Build the Hogwarts Castle courtyard and reenact the Voldemort™ vs. Harry Potter™ duel from the climax of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ – Part 2
- 6 LEGO® minifigures – Harry Potter™ and Voldemort™, each with a wand and spell-casting element, Neville Longbottom™ with the Sword of Gryffindor™, Scabior, Molly Weasley™ and Bellatrix Lestrange
- Rebuilds into a bridge – The castle modules can be rearranged to make a bridge and recreate another iconic location. The set also includes a Nagini figure for creative play
- Build, play and display – This Hogwarts™ Castle model measures over 11 in. (28 cm) high, 17.5 in. (44 cm) wide and 4.5 in. (11 cm) deep in its basic formation
- Modular building toy – This LEGO® Harry Potter™ set is one of a series ofmodular sets that combine to create your own Hogwarts™ Castle
Set 76422 – Diagon Alley: Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes
Pieces: 834
Price: US$89.99, £84.99, €94.99, AU$159.99, DKK 850.00
This set is a bit of a surprise, I must admit, given Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes was part of the relatively recent Diagon Alley set. But it is almost three years ago, I guess, and given the price point was very high for that set, it makes sense to make an iconic building like that available for a lower cost. And it adds the Owl Post office, which is a nice addition (even if a rather tiny building) as we have never seen that before in a set.
I also like Romilda Vane is included as well as a post office worker.
Here is the official description (with minor edits to limit repeated parts):
Set the scene for hours of magical playtime fun with this colorful LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley: Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes toy building set (76422) for ages 8 and up. It features connectible, brick-built models of the Weasley family’s joke shop and the Owl Post, which have instantly recognizable exterior details and can be turned around for easy access to interiors that are packed with play-inspiring accessories. The joke shop includes Puking Pastilles, Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder, Nosebleed Nougat and other decorated buildable boxes, while the Owl Post features a mail-drop function.
Build, play, connect
The set includes 7 LEGO minifigures and an owl figure, plus Pygmy Puff, Fanged Frisbee and letter accessory elements, for kids to reenact movie scenes and play out their own spellbinding stories.
- LEGO® Harry Potter™ playset featuring 2 Diagon Alley™ buildings (76422) – Create detailed, connectible LEGO brick models of the Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes™ joke shop and the Owl Post from Diagon Alley
- 7 minifigures – Ginny Weasley™, Ron Weasley™, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Romilda Vane, Lavender Brown and an Owl Post worker, plus an owl figure and Pygmy Puff, Fanged Frisbee and letter elements
- Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes™ – Features authentic exterior decoration and a detailed 2-level interior full of colorful accessories, including buildable Fainting Fancies and Fever Fudge boxes
- Owl Post – Features a fun mail-drop function
- Build and connect – Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes™ shop measures over 8.5 in. (21 cm) high, 6.5 in. (17 cm) wide and 6 in. (16 cm) deep and can be connected to the Owl Pos
Set 76423 – Hogwarts Express & Hogsmeade Station
Pieces: 1074
Price: US$129.99, £114.99, €129.99, AU$189.99, DKK 1190.00
This brings us to the largest set of the year: A new release of Hogwarts Express. We have seen several Hogwarts Express trains released over time. Focusing on minifigure scale alone (thus disregarding the slightly bigger exclusive set from last year), this is the fifth version we have seen released, but it is the first time since 2003 Hogsmeade has been used as the station for one of these train sets. I’m looking forward to turn that into a snow covered station to match the Hogsmeade set from a few year’s back.
The train is also interesting as it is the first time it come with two carriages. And the roofs of the carriages are light grey – again a departure from previous models – though in many movie clips they do appear grey rather than the back that has been used historically.
Also this set has an interesting minifigure, with Lee Jordan making his first appearance as minifigure!
Here is the official description (with minor edits to limit repeated parts):
Recreate the arrival of new Hogwarts students with the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Express & Hogsmeade Station (76423) toy playset for ages 8 and up. The new-for-June-2023 LEGO brick model of the Hogwarts Express features an engine, coal car, 2 passenger carriages and the Trolley Witch’s confectionery trolley. Drive the train on the tracks or rotate the engine’s front buffer beam for off-track journeys. Hogsmeade Station includes a ticket office, Owl Post, restroom and platform and has many authentic details to delight fans.
Popular characters
An enchanting gift idea for kids, the set has 8 LEGO minifigures, including the first-ever minifigure of fan-favorite Lee Jordan, plus accessory elements such as a box of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans and the family photo album Hagrid™ gives Harry.
- LEGO® Harry Potter™ train toy playset (76423) – Recreate the memorable scene where Hagrid™ greets first-year Hogwarts™ students arriving at Hogsmeade™ Station on the Hogwarts Express™
- 8 minifigures – Harry Potter™, Ron Weasley™, Hermione Granger™, Draco Malfoy™, Lee Jordan, Rubeus Hagrid™, the Trolley Witch and the train conductor, plus a family photo album element
- Hogwarts Express™ and tracks – The buildable train features an engine, coal car, 2 passenger carriages and a confectionery trolley. Rotate the engine’s front buffer beam for off-track journeys
- Hogsmeade™ train station – Features a ticket office, Owl Post, restroom and platform, all packed with iconic details, plus a buildable sign with directions to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts™
- Build and play – The LEGO® Harry Potter™ Hogwarts Express™ toy train measures over 3 in. (8 cm) high, 23 in. (59 cm) long and 2 in. (6 cm) wide
So, how do I get them?
As noted earlier, the sets are available 1 June 2023 in Europe, North America, Australia and I assume most if not all other countries as well. Gone are the days of staged releases across different parts of the world.
If you are thinking about heading to LEGO.com to preorder/order, then please consider using our affiliate links to go there. It is the same price for you, but Blockwarts get a minor commission as well, which I use to help running this site.
Currently, depending on region, they may be listed as pre-order or “coming soon”. If the latter, you will have to wait a bit longer, but once it is available as pre-order, you can put your order in.
Conclusion
So without having had my hands on the sets, what are my thoughts? First of all, it is a rather expensive lot. Where is the cheap, entry level set we’ve normally seen in all mid year waves since 2018? But that aside, it is a really good selection of sets, with a bit for all tastes.
It is probably a bit light on playsets, but we had two of those back in March too.
Looking at the sets, I wonder if this is the last Hogwarts set we’ll see in this series. It seems complete now. Will 2024 be another reboot of a Hogwarts series?
On the other hand, the Diagon Alley: Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes could be the beginning of a new series of sets. The name (with the colon) almost suggests there will be more, which makes me rather exited! We might also see more figures like Dobby or the Patronuses in the future, so I am already starting to look forward to 2024…
But with the sets about to hit the shops, I better get some reviews written up for the March wave of sets before the new lot ends up in my shopping bags.
Till then, Build the Magic!
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