12 LEGO and pop culture anniversaries to watch in 2026

Across the LEGO Group's original franchises and wider pop culture, 2026 is going to be a major year for anniversaries that will be worth watching.

Whether you prefer Bionicle or Indiana Jones, 2026 is packed with anniversaries for various franchises and properties, many of which fall under the LEGO Group's portfolio in one way or another. Even those outside of the LEGO Group's current scope may include a few that are going to be worth watching in 2026.

Read on for your guide to LEGO and wider pop culture anniversaries that will be worth keeping an eye on next year.

NINJAGO's 15th anniversary

The LEGO Group has already confirmed the plans to celebrate the 15th anniversary of NINJAGO next year, including special minifigures scattered across sets and available individually in stores. Whether there will be anything later in the year has yet to be confirmed.

LEGO Harry Potter and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone's 25th anniversaries

Both LEGO Harry Potter and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Sorcerer's Stone in the US) are turning 25 years old next year, and the LEGO Group will be celebrating both at once through sets such as 76450 Hogwarts Castle: Sorting Hat Ceremony and 76466 Philosopher’s Stone Collectors’ Edition.

Bionicle's 25th anniversary

Bionicle also turns 25 years old next year, but any celebration for the anniversary has yet to be confirmed. Given that this is a legendary LEGO-original franchise, it would be nice to get something, and we'll let you know as soon as any kind of 25th-anniversary commemoration is announced.

LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean's 15th anniversary

2026 marks the 15th anniversary of LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean and the corresponding game. Even if the LEGO Group has no plans for a specific anniversary set, you can still pick up 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Ship from earlier this year. The set revisits one of the first LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean models, and it being on shelves would be sufficient for the anniversary on its own.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory's 55th anniversary

The Gene Wilder Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory movie turns 55 years old next year, but don't expect the LEGO Group to offer anything new for the anniversary. 21360 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is already on shelves after a 2025 release, and a second Willy Wonka set seems unlikely anytime soon.

Pokémon's 30th anniversary

Another franchise celebrating a major anniversary next year would be Pokémon, which turns 30 in 2026. We know that the LEGO Group is doing something for this major event by debuting the new LEGO Pokémon theme. When the theme will start has yet to be confirmed, but it's not a bad way of celebrating the anniversary.

LEGO Creator's 25th anniversary

LEGO Creator has changed a lot since its debut in 2001, but the theme of the same name will still mark its 25th anniversary in 2026. No 25th-anniversary models have been announced yet. Given the other original theme anniversaries taking place next year, it's likely not a high priority for the LEGO Group.

Star Trek's 60th anniversary

Star Trek's 60th anniversary is taking place in 2026, and the LEGO Group recently launched 10356 USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D, the first LEGO Star Trek set. It will likely remain on shelves throughout next year to sufficiently celebrate the anniversary with a variety of new and exclusive minifigures, to boot.

Beauty and the Beast's 35th anniversary

Disney's Beauty and the Beast was released in 1991 and therefore turns 35 years old next year. While the LEGO Group may yet reveal a new LEGO Beauty and the Beast set, 43263 Beauty and the Beast Castle remains available and will be on shelves over the course of the 2026 anniversary.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark's 45th anniversary

LEGO Indiana Jones has been retired again, just over a year before the franchise turns 45 in 2026. Raiders of the Lost Ark was released in 1981, starting what would become a major movie franchise. No LEGO Indiana Jones sets remain available, and it's looking unlikely that we'll see any LEGO Indiana Jones representation next year.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring's 25th anniversary

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring will mark its 25th anniversary next year, and despite LEGO The Lord of the Rings going from strength to strength recently, any further content for the anniversary has yet to be confirmed. In the meantime, 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell is still available.

Cars' 20th anniversary

Disney and Pixar's Cars movie will turn 20 years old next year, and the LEGO Group will be marking the occasion with at least 77255 Lightning McQueen. You can take a much closer look at the unique Speed Champions set by clicking here.

Shrek's 25th anniversary

Another pop culture sensation celebrating an anniversary next year is Shrek, which turns 25. There has never been a LEGO Shrek set, and absolutely nothing is confirmed, but it's probably worth keeping the anniversary in mind just in case.

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