We're readying ourselves for Avatar: Fire and Ash and going blue for a while, which means it's time to rewatch the previous Avatar movies and scout the best Lego Avatar sets released so far.
At the time of writing, we haven't seen what The Lego Group and other toymakers have prepared for Avatar: Fire and Ash, but we aim to update this list of our favorite Lego Avatar sets with the latest as they're announced and set to hit the market. Mind you, there are plenty of stunning scenes from the first two movies worth recreating in detail with colorful bricks and cute minifigures. Even Col. Miles Quaritch is adorable when turned into a Lego.
Lego Avatar — Toruk Makto & Tree of Souls
The only flying creature on Pandora (that we know of) that banshees fear is the great leonopteryx (Toruk), and that rare aerial predator translates into a beautiful figure that also comes with an excellent diorama of a Na'vi congregation around the mighty Tree of Souls. Of course, Jake is riding the Toruk, thus becoming the Toruk Makto, who can bring the Na'vi peoples together against the human invaders.
If we had to pick a single Avatar set to gift to a huge fan of James Cameron's movies, it'd be this one. It packs everything you'd want out of a Lego Avatar box: iconic fauna and flora (there's even a direhorse), plenty of Na'vi and enough environmental chunks to display the whole thing in a satisfactory manner without the need for extra sets.
The two highlights are how flexible and intricate the Toruk build is, and how gorgeous the Tree of Souls ends up being (especially if you use adequate lighting to make it pop) thanks to the glow-in-the-dark elements. The substantially higher piece count and age recommendation underlines how this one's aimed at older fans, but if your children enjoy a good challenge, why shouldn't you dive into it with them?
Lego Avatar: The Way of Water — Payakan the Tulkun & Crabsuit
Though the Payakan the Tulkun & Crabsuit Lego set, which brings to life some of the main players of Avatar: The Way of Water's final act, isn't the most complex or cheap build (it's technically retired, but stock is still being sold by some stores), it's clearly a must for Tulkun fans. Kids who loved the surprising side character that Payakan turned out to be won't let go of the completed figure either.
The set also includes a human Crabsuit driver inside the mech-like build, and Lo'ak and Tsireya complete the recreation of one of the movie's latter scenes. Though they didn't take advantage of the opportunity to craft a cohesive diorama with this one, the two bits of underwater terrain and flora that come with it work well if used alongside other Way of Water sets we're about to recommend.
Of course, the main reason anyone will grab this one is Payakan, and the whale-like alien doesn't disappoint in its brickified form. The main twist here is that he's fully posable and can be elegantly displayed with a custom stand, so this isn't a rushed package designed only for the youngest fans.
The Way of Water — Metkayina Reef Home
A perfect set to pair with the Payakan one is the Metkayina Reef Home box, which includes four Na'vi characters — Neytiri, Kiri, Ronal and Tonowari — a striking Metkayina clan dwelling, a canoe and the flora and terrain that elevate it above the water. This one's heavy on little accessories and small details, too; those objects and Pandora's fish are perfect for more complex custom builds.
While the official description doesn't shy away from the fact that it's primarily targeted at kids who want to relive scenes from the first Avatar sequel, it also states it was really designed with 'play and display' in mind. Considering how rickety these smaller and more detailed Lego sets can be, it feels like a perfect candidate to carefully set up and embellish alongside other oceanic sets, like the Payakan one we just recommended.
Notice the piece count is also lower, which makes it an easier recommendation for children who haven't crossed the 10-year barrier, as long as you're happy to help assemble the more delicate parts. In our experience, these mid-sized sets can be very deceiving. Regardless, the guide that comes with it and the digital LEGO Builder app will put anyone on the right track.
Lego Avatar — Neytiri & Thanator vs. AMP Suit Quaritch
As part of Avatar's first push into Lego, we also received the Neytiri & Thanator vs. AMP Suit Quaritch set, which focused on letting kids and fans build and display (or play with) the main players of the final duel of the original movie.
The Thanator is among everyone's favorite creature designs from Avatar, so it came as no surprise that creators approached it with reverence to craft a pretty sweet posable figure.
Neytiri can also be used alongside or on top of the Thanator. She has her lethal bow and is ready to strike down villain Col. Miles Quaritch, who's still a human at this point, but has jumped into an imposing mech (AMP) suit with weapons of its own. In a way, this Lego set perfectly captures the two colliding aesthetics of the Avatar movies: Pandora's colorful but deadly organisms and the RDA's striking, advanced and chunky technology.
The downside is that the set is light on environmental extras that can enhance the scene if you're going for a diorama build. We like the design on those colorful plants, but we would've celebrated something more ambitious when it comes to representing the location of the scene.
Lego Avatar — Jake & Neytiri’s First Banshee Flight
There's something that's particularly enchanting about the Ikran (banshees) across all the Avatar movies. The wyvern-like flying reptiles sport eye-catching colors and Na'vi use them as their go-to air mounts. The bond between a rider and their banshee doesn't break, and chances are your bond with this two-figure set won't either.
Jake's first flight remains one of the most memorable scenes of the movie series, full of epic thrills and some hints of the approaching romance. Traditional Sci-Fi moviemaking at its finest. This set perfectly captures that freeing sense of wonder with two Ikrans, the accompanying riders (Jake and Neytiri) and a big-enough rock formation to place both of the creatures on. The full thing can be assembled together, perfect to be displayed out of the box (once you're done building it).
At the same time, given the completed banshees' size and the pterodactyl-like features, this set is an easy win with young ones, who will no doubt spend hours running around the house, recreating Jake and Neytiri's first flight together. This is what Lego has always been all about.
Lego Avatar — Floating Mountains: Site 26 & RDA Samson
Last but not least, we're wrapping the list up (for now) with the Site 26 & RDA Samson set, which works perfectly in tandem with the Neytiri & Thanator vs. AMP Suit one we also recommend. If you remember (time to rewatch the original movie if not), the final duel in Avatar took place right next to the Site 26 mobile link station, with Jake Sully's human form also in the mix. We think the other (otherwise excellent) set was a bit dry when it came to environmental extras, so this one's the perfect companion if you have the extra money.
But of course, you'll be eyeing this one because of its unambitious but perfect rendition of the iconic SA-2 Samson helicopter, taken away from the RDA by Jake's allies. It can also be placed on a natural-looking build with glow-in-the-dark elements, so you don't have to just leave it placed on a flat surface next to Site 26 and the minifigures. Overall, this unassuming but varied package works well on its own, but also adds to the Neytiri vs. Quaritch set, making them an ideal combo pick, especially if you manage to catch a good deal.
Looking at other Lego Avatar sets, this one also hits a sweet spot between the complex build process of the top-notch ones and the more kid-friendly boxes that may not be as enticing on their own. We know it's light on Pandoran flora and fauna, but don't let it fly under your radar.
