All Star Wars LEGO Death Star Sets, Ranked

Dec 31, 2023

The Death Star is the ultimate weapon in the Star Wars galaxy and fans can add the creation to their collection thanks to these great LEGO models.

LEGO and Star Wars are a match made in heaven and the brick brand has worked with LucasFilm on a range of truly impressive builds. Some structures from the galaxy far, far away are a lot more complex to adapt into the world of plastic than others. There have been a variety of attempts to bring the monumental Death Star into the collection of Star Wars enthusiasts, and some have really perfected the brief.

The Death Star has so many components, and it's going to be difficult to know where to start when attempting to create a scale model of the weapon of mass destruction. Over the years, other toy companies have tried to create a Death Star copy, with the retro cardboard iteration still holding fond memories for many. But LEGO's contributions are definitely among the best, even if some of their models are more fully formed than others.

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The 2012 mini Death Star model left a lot to be desired. The smaller pack came with a tiny TIE Interceptor, a beloved starfighter design that really worked in this format. It was also accompanied by a TIE Fighter Pilot Minifigure, although alas it was far too big to fit in the Fighter ship itself. Regardless, those additional elements elevated a set that admittedly wasn't very ambitious.

The TIE Fighter is easy to construct with 65 pieces, but the Death Star itself is even more basic by comparison. The set came with a sphere that was broken into two pieces. All LEGO fans had to do was slot these two sides together, and they got a basic Death Star. While there was some attention to detail on the sides of the piece, it was very streamlined and lacked imagination. The fact that there was really nothing to build, no special features or interactive elements meant that this largely acted as a decoration.

Mini models are pretty common for the LEGO brand as they are cheaper to buy, easy to put together, and don't take up much room. These collectible products have been adapted to represent many different Star Wars ships and vehicles. In 2023 LEGO released the Death Star II as part of its Return Of The Jedi anniversary celebrations.

With 289 pieces the set is small in stature, but it's also a fun novelty item. The set is designed to make it look as if the Death Star is still under construction along its sides, and it comes with an optional blast ray to add a bit of action to the weapon. The set comes on a small stand that boasts the anniversary logo, making it an ideal piece of memorabilia. With moveable panels hiding a few surprises including a representation of the Vader and Skywalker duel, alongside the reactor core, there's a good level of detail in the design.

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LEGO have really stepped up its game when it comes to its movie-inspired dioramas. While a few different franchises have benefited from this initiative, Star Wars has definitely dominated the space. Among their models is the 2022 Death Star Trench Run Diorama, which depicts Luke Skywalker's heroic X-Wing getting chased along the surface of the space weapon by a couple of TIE Fighters.

Inspired by the events of A New Hope, this isn't a full Death Star display, but rather a tiny section of the exterior. But, there are a lot of neat inclusions in the 665-piece design, including blaster guns and precisely placed greebles. The ships themselves are picture-perfect, but the scale could certainly be bigger. There's a lack of interactivity with this set, but the moveable weaponry and laser blasts are dynamic inclusions. It's appealing in its aesthetic and perhaps one of the most accurate sets, but certainly isn't playable.

The super weapon is perhaps an overused trope of the science fiction genre that Star Wars really paved the way for, but it's hard to deny the iconic silhouette of the terrifying Death Star. LEGO has released a few different sets that have attempted to truly capture the breathtaking piece of film history and the set released in 2008 did an ample job of that.

Sitting at an impressive 3803 pieces, the look of the model is truly compelling. This is designed to place play at the center of the build and features an array of compartments and Minifigures adapting moments from the movies. No stone has been left unturned, with the set even completed with an in-use laser ray which is actually moveable. It's expansive, pretty accurate, and packs in plenty of hidden secrets including other interactive elements like a moving elevator. From the trash compactor to the meeting room, there are a lot of recognizable locations, but LEGO has outdone itself in other sets.

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The creation of the Death Star II really cemented a new era in Star Wars, as the desperation of the Empire to grasp back control on the galaxy became more apparent. This second Death Star isn't depicted as often as the first, but LEGO did create a design that acts as a stunning diorama of the construction of the weapon. It might not be playable, but it's definitely a visual masterpiece.

The 2005 set contains 3441 pieces, which should hint towards its scale. It's a more complicated build than most, but the end result is worth it. The set comes with a mini Star Destroyer which attaches to the side of the Death Star, making it look even larger in comparison. A huge laser blast completes this showcase piece, but a lack of interactivity and a hollow center does detract from the model. It's a great buy for those looking for a display item that feels movie accurate.

LEGO are always looking back on old sets and trying to identify how they can make improvements. The 10188 Death Star was a brilliant base to build from, but in 2016 LEGO came out with a brand-new iteration which was made up of a staggering 4016 pieces. This was intended to be the ultimate Death Star and for many players and collectors alike it really knocked it out of the park.

With a brilliant range of Minifigures still available with the set, further playability and interactivity, and a little more focus on movie accuracy, there's little else that could be improved on the release. Some areas are exactly the same as the original build, but the overall refinement is plain to see. Granted, some collectors may want options to cover the sides, but what LEGO has achieved with this complicated build should be celebrated. It's a great display piece too, since it packs in plenty of movie moments to reminisce on.

Politics graduate, freelance writer and all around film geek. If George isn't lecturing someone on the history of the MCU, he's probably ranting about the political consequences of Putin's latest horse riding trip.