Millennials get a lot of flak for being overly nostalgic, but I don't think that's fair. When the modern-day world has nothing to offer us but AI slop, shrinkflation and a sad acceptance that we can't be bothered to do anything about global warming. It's easy to see why we yearn for the days of Pogs, the Backstreet Boys, and Saved by the Bell.

One area that we definitely had it good in the 90s was sci-fi, when legendary shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Stargate SG-1, and — of course — The X-Files ruled our TV screens long before the age of streaming services. You can relive those glory days of alien conspiracies, spooky happenings and cell phones the size of a brick with the Lego Ideas The X-Files set.

This 1478 piece set is essentially two dioramas crammed into a single display piece. The top of the model depicts a spinning UFO floating above one of those iconic coniferous forests that dominated 90s sci-fi. Why? Because — thanks to some generous tax credits — it was cheaper to shoot in Vancouver, so that's where they all flocked.

Beneath the woodland scene, though, is the real star of the show: Mulder's office, squirrelled away in the basement of the FBI's J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C. This dingy little office is where Scully meets "Spooky Mulder", kicking off a glorious sci-fi odyssey that would last for eleven seasons (and two movies).

Mulder's dingy little base of operations has been stunningly recreated here, with both overt references and subtle nods that X-Files fans will appreciate. The iconic "I want to believe" poster adorns the wall, alongside photographs of crop circles and a newspaper clipping from a paper called "The Lone Brickman" — a nice nod to "The Lone Gunmen". There's even an actual X-File sitting on the desk, and a cute Lego spoof of the "Face on Mars", with a photo on the wall that shows a Lego head on the moon.

It's been a hot minute since I watched The X-Files (that DVD box set beside my TV is calling to me), but even so, I had a blast building my way down memory lane, remembering episodes as I assembled the diorama. I love the little touches, like the display cabinets filled with artifacts, the VHS tapes scattered around the office and the black oil spillage on the floor.

As with most Lego sets, the minifigures are half the joy. You get Mulder and Scully, obviously, with the dynamic duo of FBI agents both rocking flashlights (no smartphones with built-in lights back in the 90s). Mulder is wearing dark blue, while Scully is rocking an orangey brown suit, with both of them sporting an FBI badge.

Outside of the principal pair, you also get Skinner, Mr X, and the Cigarette Smoking Man. Mulder's partner-turned-nemesis Alex Krycek also gets a suitably devious-looking minifig. It's the gloves, they just make him look like a bad man (which, to be fair, he is). Finally, to ramp up the paranormal scale, we also get a pair of monster minifigs: a grey alien and Flukeman minifigures. The grey alien was a must-have, especially given the UFO floating atop this display piece, but the one-off monster of the week, Flukeman, felt like a weird choice.

Also, this John Doggett erasure will not stand. Sure, he could never replace Mulder, but Robert Patrick's seasons eight and nine run was excellent and he deserved a spot here.

And while I'm voicing minor gripes, the usual Lego FOMO tricks were in force with this set; if you pre-ordered, you got an exclusive gift set — Scully's Lab — free of charge. This extra little diorama isn't necessary, but it does feel like the collection is incomplete without it and it's not for sale separately, so you'll have to try your luck with eBay scalpers if you want it.

Speaking of Scully, Gillian Anderson has stated that after season 11 wrapped in 2018, she was done with the role. That wasn't entirely accurate, though, as she donned the lab gloves one more time for the Lego X-Files set advert. It's a short bit of fan service, but a nice touch, and, once again, it sparks those 90s neurons.

All these delicious Member Berries come at a price, though, and that's the price. This blast from the past will set you back $199 (£179 in the UK). That's no small chunk of change. But then again, anyone who wants this set is in their thirties or forties and can probably afford that outlay for the nostalgia trip. And look at it this way: when The X-Files debuted back in 1993, the price would only have been about $86.

I had a great time building the Lego X-Files set and if you're a fan of the series, you will too. Nostalgia often feels like a cheat code to our hearts, but there's nothing wrong with that. We deserve to remember the good times and the truth is that The X-Files was about as good as it ever got for sci-fi fans.

You can buy the Lego X-Files set now, available for $199/£179 from the Lego store.

Disney's Marvel movies have had their ups and downs, but James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy has never missed. Now, thanks to this deal, you can get 40% off this Lego version of Baby Rocket Raccoon's Ship, as seen in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. However, you'll have to hurry as this set has been retired by Lego and is selling fast.

Get the retired set of Lego Marvel Baby Rocket Raccoon's Ship, on sale for $21 at Walmart.

Put together this 330-piece set and you have a blocky replica of the vessel that Rocket Raccoon used to make his escape from—well, that would be getting into spoiler territory. But if you're a fan of this fuzzy little guy, you will want this Lego Marvel Baby Rocket Raccoon's Ship on your shelf. Just remember, this is a retired Lego set so when it's gone it's gone.

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Alongside the usual interstellar shenanigans, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 revealed the origin story of Rocket Raccoon. This Lego model, which comes with an utterly adorable model of Baby Rocket, captures one of the most dramatic moments of the film, Rocket's escape from his captor. And if you're fast, you can grab this Lego Marvel Baby Rocket's Ship at a bargain price.

Made up of 330 pieces and for builders aged 8 years and up, this should only take you a couple of hours to build, maybe longer for little fingers. It's a seriously striking ship, and is sure to entertain Guardians of the Galaxy fans of all ages. Aside from Baby Rocket, it also comes with a minifigure of grown-up Rocket Raccoon, both of which can be perched in the opening cockpit.

Pilot's seat aside, there are several other play-friendly features. You can also lower the landing gear and given how light it is, you or younger builders can swoosh this striking ship around the house. Why not make up your own Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4? Maybe you can catch up with Doctor Doom and prevent Avengers: Doomsday from happening.

You will need to hurry, though, because this set has been retired by Lego and this could be your last chance to get your hands on it, outside of paying double or triple the price on eBay. And for more MCU builds, we have rounded up the best Lego Marvel sets.

Key features: 330 pieces, for builders age 8+, Baby Rocket and Rocket Raccoon minifigures, 9 × 4.5 × 2.6 in. / 23 × 11 × 7 cm size.

Launched: April 2023

Price history: This set has dropped to $25 in the past when other retailers were selling their stock off, but this is the cheapest we've seen it at.

Price comparison: Walmart: $21 | Amazon: $38

Reviews consensus: Over at Walmart, this set's reviews are almost universally positive, praising it as a fun, straightforward build, with some of the praise coming from non-Marvel fans. At this price, you really can't go wrong.

✅ Buy it if: You want an easy-to-build, entertaining set that not only looks great on a shelf, it's fun to play with too.

❌ Don't buy it if: You want a lot of minifigures. Instead, consider some of the best Lego Marvel sets, such as this Lego Endgame Final Battle set.

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Star Wars' starships are almost as memorable the saga's character and thanks to Lego's Star Wars range, you can build your own replicas of these iconic craft. We've rounded up the very best, from a palm-sized version of Darth Vader's Tie Fighter to a massive, table-hogging Star Wars Clone Wars-era Venator Star Destroyer.

While several of these sets are display pieces, we've included some play-friendly models, such as this mid-sized Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon that can be swooshed around your living room and this Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer which, with seven mini-figures and removable roof, will delight younger Star Wars fans.

Read on and build the largest fleet the galaxy has ever known.

You can keep your space camels, the AT-ST is Star Wars' coolest land vehicle, and now this Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-ST is $39 off at Amazon, the cheapest this set has ever been.

Save $39 on this Lego Star Wars UCS AT-ST at Amazon.

Like the rest of Lego's Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series, this Lego Star Wars AT-ST is a seriously detailed model. It has some interactive features, including rotating guns and an opening hatch, but at 14.5 inches tall, this is very much a display model. Want to expand your collection further? We've also rounded up the Best Lego Star Wars sets.

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What's not to love about Star Wars' AT-ST? First glimpsed in The Empire Strikes Back and heavily featured in Return of the Jedi are typical of the Empire; designed to instil fear, but laughably impractical. I can just imagine the Emperor laughing.. "Yes.. yes.... more like a chicken!" as his engineering team roll their eyes. And now, thanks to Lego, you can own this super-detailed Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-ST.

Made up of 1,513 pieces, it's for builders aged 18+ or over. It comes with an information plaque and a minifigure of an AT-ST driver. It is designed to be fun to build as well as looking striking as a display piece. It does include an AT-ST pilot minifigure but at 14.5 inches tall, it's much bigger than minifigure scale, which is why he'll stay perched next to the plaque.

It's posable to a degree; you can move the cockpit and peek inside it, but the legs are fixed; this is not a play-friendly set. If you're buying for children, consider instead this Lego Star Wars Smart Play Attack on Endor set. Yes, the AT-ST is a hilariously impractical vehicle, easily foiled by a gang of teddy bears, but that's half of its appeal.

Key features: 1,513 pieces, 14.5 × 8.5 × 8.5 in. / 37 × 22 × 22 cm, builders aged 18 or over.

Product launched: August 2025

Price history: Launched last year, this is the cheapest this set has ever been.

Price comparison: Amazon: $161 | Lego: $200 | Target: $172

Reviews consensus: The reviews from Lego and Amazon purchasers are almost universally positive, with people praising how fun it is to build and how fantastic it looks when finished.

✅ Buy it if: You want to build a stunning, detailed display model of Return of the Jedi's iconic vehicle.

❌ Don't buy it if: You want a playset. Despite the minifigure, this is purely a display model.

Given how much I enjoyed the Project Hail Mary movie, I was beyond hyped to get my hands on the Lego Project Hail Mary set. And now that I've built it, I'm thrilled to say it does not disappoint. You could even say that it's amaze, amaze, amaze!

The titular Hail Mary is the spaceship from "Project Hail Mary", the Andy Weir novel-turned-Hollywood blockbuster that carries Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) across the stars to save humanity. While the design of the ship is certainly described in the book, this is definitely a Lego rendition of the movie version. So, if you're an Andy Weir fan who imagined it looking a little different, you can blame the studio.

Coming in at $99.99 with just under 900 pieces, it's a lot smaller than we expected (and hoped for). If you're after something comparable to the hefty NASA Artemis Space Launch System or gargantuan Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser sets, then you'll be disappointed. However, the Lego Project Hail Mary has a heck of a party trick to make up for its diminutive size: A spinning mechanism that simulates the centrifugal gravity system of the ship.

Lego Project Hail Mary review: Build

The Lego Project Hail Mary is constructed from 830 pieces, split across six numbered paper bags, with a few large pieces in a separate plastic bag. I built the kit over the course of two nights, but you could easily smash it out in a single evening if you wanted to.

The build starts with a little diorama, showcasing the Ryland and Rocky minifigures on either side of a window (the barrier that separates them when they first meet and learn to communicate in the movie). It's a cool little display that can work well on its own or can be attached to the stand of the ship itself.

From there on, four out of the six bags are almost entirely dedicated to the display stand and the incorporated spinning mechanism, with the final section of bag four attaching the ship’s crew module to the spinning mechanism. Thanks to the intricate mechanism inside it, the stand not only spins, but also retracts and extends the crew section of the ship, simulating the centrifugal gravity system from the movie. While it's a complicated mechanism that means a lot of Technic pieces, but the build itself is straightforward thanks to the clear instructions.

At last, the final two bags will see you constructing the ship itself. This consists of the main body where the thruster is housed, the three fuselage sections, and the solar panel array that provides power to the ship. Some builders might be disappointed that the actual spacecraft is a remarkably small part of the build process, but I think the spinning display stand is cool enough to offset that. Also, there are no stickers, which is always a huge win for me.

Lego Project Hail Mary review: Design

As I mentioned earlier, the display stand is surprisingly hefty and draws the eye away from the beautiful ship – a bit more than you might want from a display piece. That's the downside, but the upside is that it's an awesome party piece. Turning the handle on the front of the stand in either direction rotates the entire ship, simulating its spin in the movie. If you turn the handle clockwise, the crew module extends outward, while turning it counterclockwise retracts it.

The ship itself is a great recreation of Grace's eponymous craft, the Hail Mary. It's quite small, as Lego spaceships go, so there are no interior details or easter eggs hiding within the construction. Despite that, it captures the distinctive silhouette of the craft well, and includes all the major details, like the astrophage-powered engines that make the whole mission possible. From the three main pillars of the ship, which are the fuel tanks that store the astrophage, to the solar panel arrays that stick out from the main body, it all looks great.

I really love the little mini-diorama scene that you can create between Grace and Rocky, recreating their tentative first contact. It's a clever bit of design too, as you can attach their individual plinths to the main display and tuck the glass divider away in the stand. The minifigures themselves are great too. Grace has a custom red NASA flight suit, while Rocky is barely a minifigure — he's an eccentric collection of pieces mashed together, but I can't deny the end result is unmistakable Rocky.

Should you buy the Lego Project Hail Mary?

Overall, the Lego Project Hail Mary is a wonderful set that should thrill fans of the movie (more so than fans of the book, although I’m sure they’ll enjoy it too). The ship looks fantastic, and the spinning mechanism is wonderful to see in motion. There are actually some enterprising companies out there selling motorized mod kits for it, which is something I'm seriously considering checking out myself.

With that said, the prominent nature of the stand and somewhat gimmicky spinning feature does limit its appeal as a display model. Plus, those who aren’t big into technic-like builds may want to pass on this one and just admire it from afar.

Finally, while the build itself is only suitable for older teens and adults due to the complex nature of the internal workings, the finished model will definitely delight younger kids thanks to the interactivity it offers.

Playmobil is known for crafting imaginative playsets, taking kids (and adults) on big adventures from the comfort of their homes. When it comes to the exploration of space, they've got a lot to offer. Not only has Playmobil created two mega Star Trek sets, releasing the Playmobil USS Enterprise long before LEGO released its own version and the Playmobil Klingon Bird of Prey back in 2023 (both of which we've reviewed and loved), but they've even collaborated with the real-life European Space Agency (ESA).

As Nadia Lüders, ESA's partnership and brand licensing officer, said in a statement: “This partnership ensures that the curiosity and wonder of space continue to spark young imaginations — nurturing a new generation ready to explore, innovate and shape the Europe of tomorrow.”

Playmobil's dedication to weaving space exploration and learning into imaginative play is demonstrated in the sheer amount of space and sci-fi sets they have to offer, of which we'll jump into all 13 of them below. Ranging in price from the Playmobil Space Ranger for $15 to the Star Trek USS Enterprise for $354, there are playsets for a range of ages, interests, and budgets.

Not a fan of Playmobil, or can't find the right set? We've also rated and ranked the best Lego Star Wars, Lego space, and Lego Marvel sets you can buy.

The best Star Trek Playmobil sets we recommend 2026

Playmobil USS Enterprise

Playmobil launched the Star Trek USS Enterprise years ahead of LEGO’s November 2025 release date, and it made us ask the question: Playmobil versus Lego, which is the best USS Enterprise set? For starters, the Playmobil set comes in cheaper. And while it’s got 150 pieces in comparison to Lego’s 3,600, it’s still a lot bigger, measuring over 3 feet (1 meter) in length.

When our expert testers gave the Playmobil Star Trek USS Enterprise a full review, it earned a whopping 4 ½ stars, delighting with its authentic light and sounds, and an ease of build that results in a gorgeous replica. Yes, it’s expensive and it has a lot of stickers, but if you’re a fan of both Star Trek and Playmobil, it’s an excellent model you can keep in your home forever. Recommended for ages 10 years and up.

Playmobil Klingon Bird of Prey

Playmobil followed up its Star Trek USS Enterprise with another impressive model, the Klingon Bird of Prey. Now considered a collectible, it’s a little harder to get your hands on, though we found it at an online toy store for $350.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the investment, in our expert Playmobil Klingon Bird of Prey review, we called this set “among the most impressive toys and models Space.com has had the pleasure of reviewing.” Impressive detail, great lights and sounds, and figurines that are a lot of fun are just some of the reasons we gave it 4.5/5 stars. And after the build is done, it looks fantastic on its included display.

It’s on the larger side, though (19.5 x 23 x 7.25 inches / 50 x 58 x 18 cm), so make sure you have room to display it before you buy. Recommended for ages 10 years and up.

Playmobil Star Trek figures

To accompany your Star Trek investments, or just to have as part of a wider Playmobil space collection, you can also secure the four Playmobil Star Trek figurines. James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. Leonard McCoy and Nyota Uhura all come in this pack alongside individual accessories.

Kirk comes with his phaser, Spock a tricorder disguised as a bag, McCoy with a so-called hypospray and Uhura with a skirt to change outfits. For any Trekkies, it's an affordable addition for any ultimate fan's collection. This one's recommended for ages 10 and up.

The best space ESA-collaborated Playmobil sets we recommend 2026

Playmobil ESA Starter Pack Space Mission

Playmobil and ESA have built a partnership, and an accompanying six different play sets, to inspire a love of intergalactic exploration. And the Starter Pack Space Mission is a great introduction to building out a Playmobil collection dedicated to all things space, especially as the sets can be mixed, matched and expanded.

In the pack, you get an astronaut figure, lunar rover with two lights, antenna, solar panel, satellite dish, rock samples and other accessories. Recommended for ages 4 years old and up, it's a gift for any space lover, whether they're a kid or adult.

There's also a nod to the ESA with the organization's logo emblazoned on both the rover and astronaut's spacesuit. As the production description states: "The astronaut discovered unusual soil samples during a tour with the lunar vehicle. The samples now have to be analyzed very quickly in the mobile station and the results transmitted via satellite. What will the results be?"

Playmobil ESA Astronaut with Robot

A smaller set that works alongside the others in the Playmobil/ESA range, the Astronaut with Robot is a two-figure build consisting of 42 pieces. As the pack explains: “Together with his reliable companion robot and a nimble Mars crawler, the astronaut collects fascinating soil samples on the Red Planet.”

And you don’t only get a robot and astronaut (able to sit and stand) with the set, but a backpack, ground scanner analysis station, rock samples, base plate, gripper arm and more, too. Suitable for young explorers from age 4 years and up, it's an excellent addition to the larger Mars mission, working alongside the rest of the themed Playmobil sets.

Playmobil ESA Mars Exploration Rover

With the Playmobil ESA Mars Rover, you can launch your own mission to Mars in this 76-piece set. It comes with drill, cameras and high-tech sensors, as well as rock samples and other accessories to build your great space exploration adventure. And it's also focused on the types of powerful scientific instruments you'd find on the actual Mars Rover, as well as reenacting the way you'd store and analyze the samples.

As with any of these sets, imagination is key, but that's helped along with the inclusion of everything you need to bring authentic space exploration to life. The Playmobil ESA set is perfect for fans and includes rotating drills, movable cameras and a sturdy six-wheel drive to make discovery possible.

Playmobil ESA Space Glider

This speedy space glider is the perfect way to zip around on the surface of Mars, using its in-built claw to retrieve rock samples and even crystals. With a rotating turret and powerful blasters, there's a lot of fun to be had at only $25.

The set comes with a female astronaut, accessories, tools, projectiles, a gripper arm and glowing rock samples to dream up your own adventure. One of the smaller Playmobil ESA collaboration playsets, it has 48 pieces and is recommended for ages 4 years and up.

Playmobil ESA Mars Expedition

Less widely available is the Playmobil Mars Expedition playset. Recommended for ages 6 and up, it's an older playset with plenty to do, with 173 pieces and a whole lot of accessories.

Inside the playset, you get a full Mars Rover with drill attachment and various other tool attachments, including an extendable, moveable arm, gripper and blaster. The rover also includes functioning light and sound effects, as well as gripper arm action, driving sounds and an alarm.

The best space Playmobil sets we recommend 2026

Playmobil Mars Research Vehicle

Alongside Playmobil's ESA collaboration and the Star Trek playsets, Playmobil also has its own themed collection dedicated to space, including their own Mars Research Vehicle. Thanks to a removable roof, you can get inside the vehicle with space for four adult figures. You can also enter and exit the side via the ramp, and the movable arm can hold three different attachments, including a claw gripper, drill and laser gun.

Recommended for ages six and up, there are 74 pieces to build, as well as the opportunity to enjoy the functioning lights and sound effects (though you'll need to buy 2 x AAA batteries separately).

Playmobil Mars Mission Play Box

Not to be confused with the ESA Space Mission set, the Mars Mission Play Box comes with a large research station that can be opened via two front panels, with an accompanying astronaut and robot who work together to study the water crystals found on Mars.

The beauty of this playset is that it’s ready for on-the-go play as all the pieces can be stored inside the research station, while the top can be used as a handle. As well as the figures, it also comes with a satellite, walkie-talkie and other accessories. Recommended for ages 4 years and up.

Playmobil Mission Space Drone

The Mission Space Drone set comes with a space drone, astronaut figure with spacesuit and space shoes, space rock and other accessories for a full space flight adventure. Even better, under the drone are two fully-functioning cannons which shoot out launch missiles.

Create your own space mission by exploring alien planets with your astronaut and space drone at the ready. With 57 pieces, it's recommended for ages 4 years and up, meaning space exploration can start early. Right now, it's on offer at Amazon, but at time of writing, there were only 4 left in stock.

Playmobil Satellite Meteoroid Laser

With an astronaut quite similar to the Mission Space Drone set, instead of a drone, you're equipped with a functioning meteoroid laser. As the pack says: “Keep the mission on track and destroy any space debris that blocks your way with the satellite meteoroid laser!”

To use, you lay the meteoroid in front of the laser, simultaneously pressing in the center on both sides to shatter it into pieces. You can even connect your astronaut straight to the vessel with a connected arm attachment. The set includes an astronaut, satellite, break-apart meteoroid, laser darts and other accessories. Recommended for ages 4 years and up.

Playmobil Space Ranger

Expand your Playmobil space sets with this affordable Space Ranger kit, consisting of 64 pieces and recommended for ages 4 years and up. The set includes one figure, speedster, helmet, vest and lots of other space gear for your other figures to wear and play with.

When you're ready to fly the speedster, Playmobil has even designed it so the landing feet fold up, ready to make it as streamlined as possible for flight. As a gift set, it has a label that can even be personalized to the space fan in your life.