LEGO Marvel Investment Picks 2025: Best Retiring Sets
Published: 10 hours ago
Last Updated: 10 hours ago
LEGO Marvel 2025 Watchlist: Daily Bugle, Final Battle & More
Marvel and LEGO have been teaming up since 2012, bringing superheroes, villains, and iconic battles to brick form. Approx 350 sets have launched in that time, making LEGO Marvel one of LEGO’s largest licensed themes. For collectors, it’s a way to build their own Marvel universe. For investors, it’s a theme with plenty of opportunities — but one that requires careful set picking.
Some retired Marvel sets have soared in value. Others have faded into obscurity. The difference often comes down to timing, exclusive minifigures, and whether the set captures an iconic Marvel location or moment. With a slate of big retirements scheduled for the end of 2025, investors have a prime chance to lock in future winners.
Quick Summary Picks by Budget
If you only want the highlights, here are Investabrick’s top Marvel buys for 2025, broken down by budget tier:
- High end (£299.99 / $349.99):
76178 Daily Bugle — 25 minifigures, 18 exclusive, projections of +58% / +109% / +137% (1y / 3y / 5y). An all-time Marvel grail. - Mid-tier (£89.99–£109.99 / $99.99–$109.99):
76261 Spider-Man Final Battle — No Way Home tribute with three Spider-Men. Projections +34% / +70% / +94%.
76291 Avengers Assemble: Age of Ultron — Modular, packed with Avengers figs. Projections +32% / +67% / +95%. - Accessible (£59.99–£69.99 / $69.99–$79.99):
76285 Spider-Man’s Mask — Display helmet with strong adult appeal. Projections +36% / +63% / +80%.
76295 Avengers Helicarrier — Compact but iconic. Projections +32% / +66% / +93%. - Wildcard:
40670 Iron Spider-Man BrickHeadz — Smaller format, but niche Marvel BrickHeadz often double in value within a year of retirement.
Theme Performance: LEGO Marvel Investments
The LEGO Marvel Super Heroes theme launched in 2012 and now counts over 350 sets. As a whole, it has delivered an average 7% annualised growth across retired sets — not as strong as LEGO® Star Wars or LEGO® Ideas, but far from weak. More importantly, Marvel is a set picker’s theme: the right sets have been excellent performers.
Some examples from recent years:
- 76005 Daily Bugle Showdown (RRP $50) → now $238 (16% annualised growth).
- 76081 The Milano vs. The Abilisk (RRP $50) → now $157 (16% annualised growth).
- 76114 Spider-Man’s Spider Crawler (RRP $40) → now $125 (27% annualised growth).
- 76078 Hulk vs. Red Hulk (RRP $60) → now $177 (18% annualised growth).
- 76038 Attack on Avengers Tower (RRP $60) → now $170 (13% annualised growth).
- 76057 Spider-Man Bridge Battle (RRP $100) → now $296 (15% annualised growth).
- 76108 Sanctum Sanctorum (RRP $100) → now $190 (12% annualised growth).
- 76209 Thor’s Hammer (RRP $100) → now $195 and climbing (49% annualised growth).
The trend is clear: when Marvel sets tie into iconic locations, battles, or characters, their resale value thrives.
Minifigures That Move Prices
For Marvel sets, minifigures can make or break investment outcomes. Collectors chase unique versions of their heroes and villains, and exclusivity matters.
- Daily Bugle (76178): This is a minifigure goldmine — 25 figs total, with 18 exclusives. Highlights include Daredevil (sh724), Punisher (sh722), Blade, and Black Cat. Spider-Man variants and J. Jonah Jameson are also firsts in this set.
- Spider-Man Final Battle (76261): Includes the holy trinity of Spider-Men — Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland — alongside villains like Green Goblin and Electro. Spider-fan minifigs are notoriously sticky performers on the resale market.
- Age of Ultron (76291): Brings together Hawkeye, Black Widow, Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor, plus Hydra troopers and a large Hulk figure. Sets that consolidate core Avengers in one box often do well long term.
- Other exclusives to note: The X-Men X-Jet (76281) introduced Wolverine, Cyclops, and Storm in updated forms, and while not a 2025 retirement, it shows how mutants are entering the LEGO ecosystem again. Investors should watch for tie-ins with upcoming films.
Lesson? Exclusivity sells. Sets with one-off characters tend to sustain higher premiums post-retirement.
Top Sets Retiring in 2025
76178 Daily Bugle
- RRP: £299.99 / $349.99
- Pieces: 3,772
- Retirement: December 2025
- Projections: +58% / +109% / +137% (1y / 3y / 5y)
This is the Marvel set to own. Standing over 32 inches tall, the Daily Bugle is a four-storey recreation of Spider-Man’s world, packed with action. The removable floors, roof, and facades reveal interiors like J. Jonah Jameson’s office, while outside a taxi and exploding window add energy.
Investment-wise, it’s a minifigure powerhouse: 25 figs, 18 exclusive, including Daredevil, Punisher, Blade, and Black Cat. Spider-Verse variants, Green Goblin, Venom, and Sandman round out the cast.
Comparable past winners like 76005 Daily Bugle Showdown and 76057 Spider-Man Bridge Battle show Spider-Man sets consistently deliver. Add in the exclusivity (only sold direct through LEGO) and strong aftermarket demand (already selling above $500 when out of stock), and the case is clear: Daily Bugle is an investor’s must-buy before it retires.
76261 Spider-Man Final Battle
- RRP: £94.99 / $109.99
- Pieces: 900
- Retirement: December 2025
- Projections: +34% / +70% / +94%
This set captures the climax of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the crossover event that united three generations of Spider-Men. The build itself is 360 degrees, with play features like a removable roof exposing Sandman, portals, and midair supports for dynamic display.
The nine minifigures are the star: Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland Spider-Men, plus villains Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and Electro, supported by MJ, Ned, and Doctor Strange. For collectors, this is the first — and likely only — set to unite the three Spider-Men in one box.
Past crossover Marvel sets like 76057 Bridge Battle and 76108 Sanctum Sanctorum show strong growth. With No Way Home’s enduring popularity, Final Battle looks primed to follow.
76291 Avengers Assemble: Age of Ultron
- RRP: £89.99 / $99.99
- Pieces: 613
- Retirement: December 2025
- Projections: +32% / +67% / +95%
Based on the climactic battle of Avengers: Age of Ultron, this modular playset includes five buildable sections that can be reconfigured or combined into a large display. Accessories include a push-along vehicle, Hydra weaponry, and action features.
Minifigure lineup includes Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Hulk, and three Hydra troopers — essentially the full core Avengers in one set. Historically, sets like 76038 Attack on Avengers Tower and 76078 Hulk vs. Red Hulk have doubled or tripled post-retirement, largely due to minifig collectability.
At under $100, this set is accessible while still packed with investment potential.
76285 Spider-Man’s Mask
- RRP: £59.99 / $69.99
- Pieces: 487
- Retirement: December 2025
- Projections: +36% / +63% / +80%
Part of LEGO’s “helmet” line, Spider-Man’s Mask brings display appeal to Marvel collectors. At 7.5 inches tall on a stand with nameplate, it matches the Star Wars and DC helmet series that have proven popular with adult builders.
While not minifig-driven, these helmet-style sets have shown surprising aftermarket strength with some hitting 50–100% above RRP within a year or two of retirement. With Spider-Man’s evergreen popularity, this mask looks set to follow that pattern.
76295 Avengers Helicarrier
- RRP: £69.99 / $79.99
- Pieces: 509
- Retirement: December 2025
- Projections: +32% / +66% / +93%
The Helicarrier is one of Marvel’s most iconic vehicles, and this compact model makes it achievable for adult fans without the footprint of the massive UCS-style versions. With Quinjets on the runway and a sturdy base, it works as a display piece as well as a play model.
Past Marvel vehicles — like 76081 Milano vs. Abilisk — have delivered strong returns, and the Helicarrier benefits from nostalgia across multiple Avengers films. At under $80, it’s a relatively low-risk entry point for investors.
40670 Iron Spider-Man BrickHeadz (Bonus Pick)
- RRP: £9.99 / $9.99
- Retirement: 2025
- Projection: Likely to double within 12 months post-retirement.
While not a mainline Marvel set, this BrickHeadz exclusive taps into Spider-Man fandom with a collectible, stylised design. With low RRP and limited runs, Iron Spider-Man looks set to repeat that trend.
Exit Strategy & Risk Notes
Marvel investing is not without risk: tie-ins can flop, and smaller sets often flood the market. But there are reliable strategies:
- Hold Time: Aim for 2–3 years post-retirement, and maybe longer for the bigger sets. Year 1 usually sees a bump, but the real gains come once sets become scarce.
- Discount Entry: Target 20–30% discounts pre-retirement, but don’t hesitate to buy at RRP if stock dries up.
- Film Release Boosts: Upcoming Marvel films can turbocharge retired set prices. A new Spider-Man is slated for 2026, and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2026) and Secret Wars (2027) will put Avengers back at the forefront. Expect surges for related sets.
- Risk Notes: Stick to large, minifig-heavy sets. Smaller “mech” and play-focused models often stagnate.
FAQs
Are movie tie-ins risky?
Yes. Movie sets sometimes fade if the film underperforms. But with Spider-Man and Avengers, evergreen popularity offsets much of that risk.
Do exclusive minifigs hold value?
Absolutely. Daredevil, Punisher, and Blade from Daily Bugle are prime examples. Collectors pay premiums for one-off figs.
What’s the ideal hold time?
For Marvel, 1-3 years post-retirement is the sweet spot. By then, scarcity drives collector demand.
Final Thoughts
Marvel is one of LEGO’s most dynamic themes, offering both evergreen heroes and timely tie-ins. For 2025, the retirements present standout opportunities:
- 76178 Daily Bugle — the flagship, must-buy set.
- 76261 Final Battle and 76291 Age of Ultron — mid-tier winners with killer minifig lineups.
- 76285 Spider-Man’s Mask and 76295 Helicarrier — lower-price display sets with proven growth patterns.
- Plus, 40670 Iron Spider-Man BrickHeadz as a quick flip wildcard.
With average retired Marvel growth at 7% but top sets far exceeding that, careful picking is key. Stick to the icons, and you could see Spider-Man-sized returns.
