Brick Fanatics’ top 10 LEGO minifigures of 2024

From stand-out Collectible Minifigures to long-awaited licensed gems (and a few off-kilter additions), here are Brick Fanatics’ top 10 LEGO minifigures of 2024.

Just shy of 1,000 new minifigures joined the LEGO line-up across 2024, which means to narrow them down to the top 10 we have literally had to pick out the top 1%. That makes these tiny plastic people the cream of the crop from the past 12 months, nominated and rewarded here for their individual quality regardless of whether you could buy them in a blind box for £3.49 or had to save up for a £400 set to get your hands on them.

Dive into our favourite LEGO minifigures released in 2024 below, and don’t forget to check out our top 10 sets of the year while you’re at it. Let us know your favourite minifigures this year in the comments or on our socials.

This list was compiled with input from across the Brick Fanatics team.

10 – The Lady of Pain

LEGO theme: Collectible Minifigures LEGO set: 71047 Dungeons & Dragons

Yet another LEGO Collectible Minifigures series packed to bursting with multiple must-have characters this year was 71047 Dungeons & Dragons. From the exotic Gith Warlock and imposing Dragonborn Paladin to the bird-like Aarakocra Ranger and menacing Mind Flayer, the sheer diversity of minifigures, printed pieces and new elements that were introduced in the series was quite staggering.

From that impressive line-up, it was the Lady of Pain that really caught our eye. With a striking stoic mask, unique cape design and a printed Cubic Gate accessory, there was a level of detail and storytelling that instantly won us over. Whether you’re a seasoned tabletop gamer or have never given D&D a second thought, this is one character from 71047 Dungeons & Dragons that stands out above the rest for its incredible and mysterious design alone.

9 – Sauron

LEGO theme: Icons LEGO set: 10333 The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr

LEGO The Lord of the Rings’ return has been monumental, starting with a massive Rivendell model and then finally offering us the towering 10333 The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr. This second set includes one minifigure that The Lord of the Rings fans have been waiting years if not decades for – Sauron. The iconic villain finally has an official LEGO minifigure after previously appearing only in digital form, complete with a variety of new and specific elements.

The 2024 LEGO Sauron minifigure probably doesn’t need such a label as it’s hard to imagine the LEGO Group bringing this minifigure to another model so quickly. He’s right at home in 10333 The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr and is yet another reason (if you need it) to save up for this behemoth. That long wait for a physical LEGO Sauron has ultimately paid off, because his first minifigure doesn’t disappoint.

8 – Gambit

LEGO theme: Marvel LEGO set: 76294 X-Men: The X-Mansion

Anyone who grew up on 1990s X-Men knew that Gambit was the coolest of the bunch, from his ability to charge any item he touched with kinetic energy to his unique style and appearance. So of course when the LEGO Group moved into X-Men territory many of us were counting down the days until Gambit’s minifigure debut.

It came in 2024’s 76294 X-Men: The X-Mansion and does not disappoint, capturing everything iconic about Remy LeBeau’s appearance and character to a tee, from that pink armoured bodysuit to the long brown trench coat and doing so in a high-quality print that is rich in colour and detail. Long-awaited, the Ragin’ Cajun’s debut in LEGO form has long been worth it.

7 – Vampire Knight

LEGO theme: Collectible Minifigures LEGO set: 71045 Series 25

In truth, we could probably have filled this list exclusively with characters from 2024’s Collectible Minifigures series, because it’s difficult to think of a stronger year in recent memory for the blind-boxed theme. But that would have been no fun, so we’ve limited it to those that were nominated time and again by the Brick Fanatics team – and featuring high on that list is 71045 Series 25’s Vampire Knight.

He is to Series 25 what the Wolfpack Beastmaster is to Series 27, which is to say a throwback to a choice era in LEGO Castle lore. The Vampire Knight draws heavily on the ‘90s-era Fright Knights, and more specifically Basil the Bat Lord, reimagining this terrifying villain with incredible printing, a unique cape and even a trans-red axe. He’s the real deal, and we can only hope the Minifigures theme continues to resurrect legacy Castle characters as well as this.

6 – Jedi Bob

LEGO theme: Star Wars LEGO set: 75388 Jedi Bob's Starfighter

Of the many new LEGO Star Wars minifigures in 2024 – including those released for the 25th anniversary of the theme – there’s one that isn’t necessarily rife with detail, but which has managed to become a fan favourite thanks in no small part to the power of nostalgia. Jedi Bob is officially back after first appearing in 2002’s 7163 Republic Gunship and no other time would be appropriate for his return.

Jedi Bob’s legacy is mostly made by the fans, who gave the Jedi his name which in turn has now been adapted into Bobarian Afol in Rebuild the Galaxy, sneaking another reference in too. Jedi Bob’s updated minifigure is more of the same, keeping much of the original minifigure’s design with some added scuffs to indicate a childhood’s worth of play. Jedi Bob’s return has been bigger than anyone could have anticipated, perfectly tying together the biggest year for LEGO Star Wars so far.

5 – Ice Planet Explorer

LEGO theme: Collectible Minifigures LEGO set: 71046 Series 26 Space

Choosing just one minifigure from 71046 Series 26 Space’s stand-out line-up isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination (which is why we’ve actually chosen two for this list – spoilers). However, for LEGO fans of a certain age, one of the stand-outs is easily the Ice Planet Explorer, an updated spin on a classic subtheme from the early ‘90s. The character shines with a unique moulded helmet, separate printed blue armour breastplate with shoulder pads, a trans-orange chainsaw and a robo-penguin sidekick.

Beneath that impressive headgear is a female Ice Planet Explorer, who may well be the returning Doctor Kelvin, a character who was included in the original subtheme decades ago. Despite trans-neon-orange not currently being part of the LEGO designers’ portfolio, this modern take on the classic minifigure still acts as an evolution of the original version and is music to the ears of ‘90s LEGO Space fans.

4 – Adult Link (Ocarina of Time)

LEGO theme: The Legend of Zelda LEGO set: 77092 Great Deku Tree 2-in-1

There are few characters in popular culture that have inspired as much minifigure speculation over the years as Adult Link from The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time. LEGO fans have debated how this Nintendo 64 icon would look as a minifigure for decades, and anyone who’s ever attended a fan convention will have seen some suspicious I-Can’t-Believe-It’s-Not-LEGO Zelda bootlegs that were the best anyone could get hold of for quite some time.

In 2024, finally, we were given the real thing, and Link looks exactly like he always did in the LEGO fan community’s collective imagination. Rarely does a minifigure that’s this hotly anticipated end up looking so pixel perfect. The only real downside to this minifigure is that it’s exclusive to a single (expensive) set, 77092 Great Deku Tree 2-in-1, so the vast majority of LEGO Zelda fans are left daydreaming of owning this minifigure – not because it isn’t on store shelves, but simply because it’s far too costly to own.

3 – Jedi Vader

LEGO theme: Star Wars LEGO set: 75389 The Dark Falcon

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy had a strong cohort of fans before it even aired thanks to minifigures like Jedi Vader. Every Star Wars fan has always wondered what could have been if Anakin turned back to the light earlier – or never turned to the dark side – and Jedi Vader answers that question.

The attention to detail is impressive, taking this beyond just a simple recolour through to the lights on his torso turning from red to blue and green. The all-white mask is striking, along with the printed Jedi robes on his legs to fully transform Vader from a Sith, resulting in a minifigure that’s become an instant collectible.

2 – Alien Tourist

LEGO theme: Collectible Minifigures LEGO set: 71046 Series 26 Space

The best LEGO Collectible Minifigures are those for which you can find uses elsewhere, whether as complete characters or for their individual parts. The beauty of 71046 Series 26 Space’s Alien Tourist is that he can slot in basically anywhere.

Whether it’s a prickly band of pirates ransacking Eldorado Fortress or Ron and Hermione preparing to infiltrate Gringotts Wizarding Bank, the Alien Tourist will be ready with camera in hand to watch the havoc unfold. The simplest LEGO minifigure designs are often the best, and everything about this cute little extra-terrestrial is conceived and executed pitch-perfectly – hopefully you stocked up on them when they were on shelves…

1 – Darth Malak

LEGO theme: Star Wars LEGO set: 75379 R2-D2

LEGO Star Wars fans were blessed with many minifigures we wouldn’t have ever expected to see and Darth Malak is one of the most impressive. Considering the challenges involved in accurately rendering his OG appearance – the gaping and gory jaw – the LEGO designers neatly sidestepped that issue with a new element to recreate his mouthpiece. This could easily have been a printed detail, along with the face tattoos, but it’s a welcome addition that works far better.

While a lot of Sith tend to be garbed in plain clothing, Darth Malak prefers drama and the printed details on his red torso and legs capture that same flair. All in all, it’s a star minifigure for us in a year stacked with them – and one that works well enough alone that you don’t need to splash out on all the 25th-anniversary minifigures if you don’t want to. You’ll find Darth Malak in 75379 R2-D2, itself one of the surprise gems of 2024.

Brick Fanatics' top 10 LEGO minifigures of 2024

Further reading

• Brick Fanatics' top 10 LEGO sets of 2024

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