Let’s be real — not a single set this year did anything for me.
Okay, that’s not completely true. There was one — the soccer ball stadium. I thought it was super cute. Honestly, adorable. But I’m not a sports fan, and I have no idea how much overlap there really is between hardcore LEGO people and sports people. LEGO also just isn’t known for sports sets. So if you wanted that one and got it, seriously, good — I’m glad somebody got a win out of this year.
Me? I’m here for comics, sci-fi, and general geekery — and I know I’m not alone there. That’s where a lot of LEGO fans live too.
If you’ve been following our blog here at Grown Up Kids, you already know I’m not going to fake excitement just because a company dropped another release. I recently wrote about whether LEGO has lost its shine, and this year has done nothing to change my mind.
As of this morning, LEGO has pumped out a staggering 595 sets across 42 different themes in 2026 alone. That is an absurd amount of plastic. And bluntly? Most of it has felt like noise. This year has mostly been one long failed launch at Smart Bricks — with LEGO refusing to release the actual Smart Brick, then properly remaking iconic sets just so they could jam that Smart Brick in there and try to sell everybody another $200 box.
That’s why the LEGO Ideas 21369 X-Files reveal on July 21 hit so hard. It was the first set all year that made me stop and think, oh my God, I want it.
Not "that’s neat." Not "maybe on clearance." I mean actually want it.
Finally, LEGO — you’ve got my attention.
A Massive Set for a Massive Mystery
If you grew up in the 90s, you didn’t just watch The X-Files — you lived it. You spent Friday nights wondering if the government was hiding aliens somewhere in the desert and whether Mulder was ever going to find his sister.
This set nails that feeling. At 1,478 pieces for $199.99, it’s a big, satisfying build made for adult collectors (18+). This isn’t something you toss in a toy bin. It’s television history in brick form.
The design is smart. It’s split into two stacked scenes:
- The Basement Office: A three-walled recreation of Mulder’s iconic, windowless FBI office. It’s cluttered, messy, and absolutely perfect.
- The Forest Clearing: A stackable upper section featuring a dark forest and a hovering, silver UFO suspended on a transparent stand.
It looks great, and more importantly — it actually looks like the show I love.
The Minifigure Lineup is Top-Tier
We’ve had some weak minifigure lineups this year — looking at you, Star Wars anniversary sets — but this one is a grand slam. We’re getting eight figures, and the choices are dead on:
- Fox Mulder & Dana Scully: Obviously. The printing on their FBI badges is incredible.
- Walter Skinner: Mulder’s long-suffering boss.
- The Smoking Man (Carl Busch): Complete with his signature look.
- Alex Krycek & Mr. X: Essential for any deep-state conspiracy.
- The Flukeman: One of the most terrifying "Monster of the Week" creatures.
- A Grey Alien: Because what’s an X-Files set without a little extraterrestrial visitor?
I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time zooming in on the Flukeman photos. That level of detail is exactly what I’ve felt was missing from LEGO’s recent output.
It’s All About the Easter Eggs
As a collector, this is the stuff I care about. The set was designed by Brent Waller (aka wetwired), the same fan designer behind the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 and Seinfeld sets. He’s clearly one of us — a real fan — and it shows.
The office is packed with references that made me geek out:
- A printed "I Want to Believe" poster tile.
- A tiny "The Truth is Out There" tile.
- Pencils stuck in the ceiling tiles (if you know, you know).
- Scattered sunflower seeds on Mulder's desk.
- Stacks of case files and evidence boards.
This is the difference between a corporate product and a passion project. When I see the pencils in the ceiling, I know the person behind this actually cared about the source material.
The "Scully’s Lab" GWP : Don't Miss It
Now here’s where your wallet takes a hit.
If you grab this set during the initial launch window (Aug 1-10), you can get the Scully’s Lab (40896) Gift With Purchase (GWP). It’s a 221-piece vignette of Dana’s medical lab, complete with a lab-coat Scully minifigure.
I’m usually skeptical of GWPs — a lot of them feel like glorified leftovers — but this one actually matters. You can’t give me Mulder’s basement office and not tempt me with Scully’s lab too. It’s the perfect companion piece.
Mark your calendars:
- LEGO Insiders Early Access: August 1, 2026
- General Release: August 4, 2026
- Where to find it: LEGO.com/X-Files or your local LEGO Store.
Why This Matters to Us at Grown Up Kids
You might be wondering why I’m this fired up about a set that’s currently a LEGO Store exclusive.
Because I’m a fan first. At Grown Up Kids, we specialize in the Marvel Legends, DC Multiverse, and retro action figures that shaped our childhoods. We sell the stuff that actually means something to us.
When LEGO finally gets it right — when they stop content-dumping and make something for people who actually care about the story — that deserves some love. It’s the same energy behind our curated bundle deals. I’m not just trying to sell you a box. I want to help you get the thing you’ve wanted on your shelf since 1993.
I’ll be refreshing my browser on August 1st right along with you. I’m tired of the junk. I’m ready for the truth.
What about you? Is this the set that pulls you back into LEGO, or are you still waiting for your one big hit? Come find us on Whatnot or drop me a message — let’s talk shop.
Trust no one... except maybe your fellow collectors.
( William)
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