Tech
Alien: Earths game-changing ending, explained
After eight episodes of terrifying new creatures, Alien homages, and existential questions about the future of humanity, Alien: Earth Season 1 has come to a close. And what a close it was.
The finale, titled "The Real Monsters," flips the power dynamic that's been in place for the entire season. By the end of the episode, the hybrid Lost Boys, led by Wendy (Sydney Chandler), have gained total control over their keepers, including Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin) and Dame Sylvia (Essie Davis). This power shift has been in the cards since Alien: Earth's first episode, but how do we get here? Let's break it down.
Alien: Earth's hybrids finally realize how strong they are.

Credit: Patrick Brown / FX
From the first moment Alien: Earth introduces Wendy in her super-strong, super-fast, super-durable hybrid body, it's clear that she and her fellow Lost Boys could absolutely wreck Prodigy's Neverland security team if they wanted to. That idea doesn't cross their minds, though. Instead, the Lost Boys are still children in consciousness, and they believe Neverland to be a safe paradise for them.
However, this idea erodes over the course of Alien: Earth's first season, as the Lost Boys lose confidence in the people they've been told to trust. They're endangered and experimented on. Nibs' (Lily Newmark) traumatic memories were manipulated. Isaac (Kit Young) died while tending to the alien specimens. Morrow (Babou Ceesay) threatened to kill Slightly's (Adarsh Gourav) family. Each horrifying incident wears away at the Lost Boys' childlike innocence, turning the idyllic Neverland into a hell on Earth.
Ironically, these incidents only increase the Lost Boys' feelings of powerlessness, even though they're the most powerful beings on Prodigy's remote island. But it's also in one of those scenes of powerlessness — when Prodigy forces corner Nibs, Wendy, and her brother Joe aka Hermit (Alex Lawther) on their escape boat in episode 7 — that the Lost Boys begin to realize their power. Nibs fully rips a soldier's jaw off, leaving Hermit to shoot (but not kill) her. Here, a horrified Wendy learns two things. First: Humans, including her brother, are terrified of the hybrids. Second: They have good reason to be. The hybrids are extremely dangerous. So why not embrace that?
That's the realization Wendy comes to in Alien: Earth's Season 1 finale. "All this time, we've been afraid of them," she tells the Lost Boys as they sit trapped in a Neverland cage. "But I think they should be afraid of us."
The Peter Pan allegories come to a head in the Alien: Earth Season 1 finale.

Credit: Patrick Brown/FX
Embracing the Neverland staffers' fear of them is the final stage in the Lost Boys' loss of their childish innocence. Or, in terms of Boy Kavalier's relentless Peter Pan references, this is them finally "growing up." However, that's exactly what the Prodigy founder and the rest of Neverland don't want to happen. As Wendy puts it, "We're all in this cell because we can't be kids anymore, but they won't let us be adults."
Nibs has another suggestion for what they are, one that's especially fitting after seeing the graves of their dead human bodies. "We're all ghosts," she says.
So what do these ghosts do? They turn Neverland into a haunted house, with Wendy using her in-built connection to the facility to manipulate video feeds, elevators, and doors to terrify every last soldier and scientist. Of course, having a Xenomorph at your beck and call helps too.
The entire episode serves as both a liberation for the Lost Boys and an identity crisis for Wendy, otherwise known by her human name, Marcy. She tells her brother, "I don't know what I am. I'm not a child. I'm not a grown-up. I'm not Marcy. I'm not Wendy. And I can't be what everyone wants me to be."
(Earlier in the season, Joe even questions whether Wendy truly holds his sister's consciousness, yet another blow to one of the pillars of Wendy's identity.)
Wendy's statement reflects the binaries in the world of Alien: Earth. Child and adult. Human and synthetic. Hybrids exist somewhere in between, blurring boundaries and creating a new kind of personhood. Wendy and the Lost Boys have spent the entire series having not just new names but entirely new identities imposed on them by exterior forces. Now, they get to make their own. Fellow hybrid Curly (Erana James) embraces her former name, Jane, as Wendy reminds each of the Lost Boys of theirs — a move the late Isaac, formerly Tootles, only enjoyed for an afternoon.
Wendy's identity crisis also explains her affinity for the Maginot aliens, whom she considers "honest." These creatures are wholly themselves, unlike liars such as Boy Kavalier. As Wendy points out, he considers himself Peter Pan, but he was never truly a boy. He was always a "mean, angry little man," just like his abusive father. Ouch. I'm not sure he'll be picking up a copy of Peter Pan any time soon after that.
"Now we rule."

Credit: Patrick Brown / FX
"The Real Monsters" ends with Wendy and the Lost Boys holding all of the authority figures in their lives hostage in the same cage they were formerly incarcerated in, prompting Wendy's declaration that, "now, we rule." Even Kirsh (Timothy Olyphant), their Prodigy synth senior, and Morrow, their cyborg antagonist, now answer to them.
The hybrids finally taking control is undoubtedly worthy of Alien: Earth's last hard-rocking needle drop. But it's certainly not the end of the Lost Boys' story. After all, the Weyland-Yutani forces are still encroaching on the island with numerous Prodigy forces still left, hinting at more conflict ahead. Plus, the alien orchid is loose, and T. Ocellus has found a new host in the chestburst corpse of Arthur Sylvia (David Rysdahl). That's a lot of threats for these still-young hybrids to deal with. How will they be able to fight off their enemies and learn how to rule their island?
That question of what it will look like for hybrids to "rule" hints at an intriguing new literary reference point for a possible Alien: Earth Season 2. If Season 1 was the Lost Boys growing up in the style of Peter Pan, then Season 2 might just see them learning to survive on an island in the vein of Lord of the Flies. With that in mind, who's Piggy, who's Ralph, and will the Xenomorph's head somehow wind up on the end of a pointy stick?
Alien: Earth is now streaming on Hulu.
Tech
Shark FacialPro Glow review: The pore de-clogging is legit, but it may not be right for every skin type
Shark's debut skincare device, the Shark CryoGlow face mask, which I absolutely love, came out a year later than most of the other top red light masks. We eventually found out that Shark was merely biding its time to perfect the CryoGlow with features no other LED masks can claim. While the wait was well worth it that time, Shark is two steps ahead of the rest of the at-home beauty industry with its second skincare device release: The Shark FacialPro Glow was released on Oct. 17, and I was excited to unbox it and yap about my early thoughts.
After spending about 45 days with the beauty tool, I'm ready to share a bit more.
What even is the Shark FacialPro Glow?
Shark officially describes the FacialPro Glow as a "complete at-home hydro-powered facial system." I honestly think that description is misleadingly vague — it makes the FacialPro Glow sound like just another facial steamer or something, and it's not that at all. The FacialPro Glow's type of at-home facials is so much more dynamic.
Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
The FacialPro Glow system consists of two swappable facial heads that get powered up by the included handheld battery pack.
The official FacialPro Glow attachment has a water tank and conducts legitimate deep cleansing through hydro-powered extractions of oil or dirt built up in your pores. Four nozzles are included to customize suction based on your skin type and sensitivity, and whether you need to exfoliate your cheeks or the T-zone that day.
The second included attachment is actually the Shark Depuffi, which resembles a stainless steel gua sha and offers instant hot or cold contrast therapy — the first at-home device to ever do so. (See, I told you Shark was ahead of its time this time.) The heated setting is ideal for lymphatic drainage and a circulation boost, and Shark recommends using this setting to loosen the gunk in your skin ahead of extraction. The cooling setting is great for soothing your skin post-extractions, as well as general sculpting and de-puffing. Both temperatures are adjustable and hit their desired temperature in literal seconds, just like the InstaChill under-eye pads on the CryoGlow mask.
Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Right away, I could tell that morning sculpting on the cool setting is going to be one of those things that I go to bed thinking about. It feels like a metal spoon taken out of the freezer to fight under-eye bags, but if it were also giving you a light sculpting face massage at the same time. As a gua sha, the curved design is perfect for sculpting your cheekbones and jawline.
Dreame's three new beauty releases dupe the Dyson Airwrap and Supersonic, plus the Shark FlexStyle
The Depuffi is set to be released as a standalone purchase sometime in 2026. I must say, I appreciate SharkNinja's dedication to adding a random "i" onto the end of its products when possible — the Ninja Slushi and the Shark Glossi welcome you.
Also included are two serums: An AHA + BHA exfoliating gel called Derm Detox and a BHA hydrator with hyaluronic acid called Hydro Infuse. I read that you're supposed to apply Derm Detox and let it sit for three minutes before actually using any suction. Apparently, this gives it time to sink down into your skin to dissolve dead skin cells and soften that stubborn sebum buildup.
How does the FacialPro Glow work?
Upon opening the FacialPro Glow, I was intimidated. It felt like there were a lot of pieces and way more steps than the CryoGlow routine I'm used to: put mask on and take mask off. Luckily, Shark seemed to anticipate that there might be a learning curve, so there were stickers with labels, arrows, and directions all over everything. For extractions, all you really have to do is fill the water tank with water, choose your nozzle and intensity with the plus sign button, then let 'er rip.
I also found Shark Beauty's YouTube tutorial with esthetician Sofie Pavitt to be super helpful. This is where I learned how to evenly drag the FacialProw Glow across my face. The nozzles have a suction cup-like edge, and pressing the nozzle on your skin creates a seal that you can feel. Then, you just glide the device upwards at an angle across your cheeks, jaw, forehead, and such, each little swipe ending with a kiss sound to let the air out.
Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Suction intensity can be adjusted, but even the most powerful one doesn't hurt or anything. It's just… very targeted suction. You're simply the inside of a fish tank, and the FacialPro Glow is one of those sucker mouth fish that suction cup to glass. However, I'd probably recommend easing into it even if you think there's a super-clogged area that needs a good scrub. I think I went after the sebaceous filaments near the corners of my nose a little too hard, leaving the area a bit red and irritated.
The FacialPro Glow stops buzzing after three minutes, so you know when to move on. The final step involves going back and doing everything you just did, but with the Hydro Infuse serum in the tank this time. This locks in hydration by pushing hyaluronic acid and a firming peptide complex far deeper into your skin than patting with fingers could permeate.
My FacialPro Glow results after 24 hours
Within minutes of using this beauty tool for the first time, there's a lot of physical proof that this thing is really cleansing your skin. There's definitely more instant gratification here than with the CryoGlow mask's "see best results in eight weeks" situation.
There are actually two tanks to monitor: the one that you fill up with water or serum, and a larger dirty water tank that holds everything that the nozzle drained from your skin. My water from my first go was slightly cloudy with a few little specks floating around. According to the gunk decoding chart on the back of the box, that means the device removed excess oil and dead surface skin cells. The resulting liquid may be gross at first, but truthfully, I'd be pissed if it wasn't — it just means the hydro-abrasion is actually doing something. Maybe it's a placebo effect, but the sebaceous filaments on my nose that once resembled blackheads looked lighter when I was up close and personal in the mirror.
I'd dare to say that the Shark FacialPro Glow literally felt like it was pumping life back into my skin. It felt so soft and plump after just a single extraction session at night and a single de-puffing session the next morning, and even that feels like a testament to its effectiveness.
My FacialPro Glow results after 1.5 months: I love the glow, but I have to use it sparingly
I used the FacialPro Glow for the first time near Halloween. Now, mid-December, I've been trial and error-ing to find the right balance of de-clogging and over-exfoliation.
Here's the sitch: My T-zone is the most oily, clog-prone part of my face, but parts of that T-Zone are also the most sensitive (around my nostrils and around my mouth). Basically, the skin that could really use at-home extractions the most is also the skin that gets red and irritated the most. Of course. So, I've found that even just once-a-week use of the FacialPro Glow is too much for me sometimes.
If you have sensitive skin or use Tretinoin, use your discretion
While the ultimate goal of spa-level hydration sounds innocent enough, the FacialPro Glow still utilizes both a chemical exfoliant (AHA and BHA in the Detox serum) and physical exfoliation of sorts from the suction — and my finicky skin barrier just can't handle that very often. Even the gentle nozzles go too hard sometimes. This isn't the device's fault, but something to consider if you know your skin gets angry easily. To prevent further irritation, be sure to disinfect the nozzles with hypochlorous acid before and after each use. The last thing you want to do is drag bacteria across your whole face.
I also use Tretinoin almost every day, which I know isn't technically exfoliation, but it's still a powerful active ingredient that's triggering quick cell turnover. If you also use a retinoid or high-grade retinol, be extra careful that you're not FacialPro Glow-ing too often.
That said, I stand by my initial claim that the Shark FacialPro Glow works incredibly well on sebaceous filaments. The parts of my nose and chin that aren't sensitive — my actual nose bridge and tip, and the direct middle of my chin — are still pretty clear of the prominent black dots that felt permanent before I got the FacialPro Glow. Though I don't reach for the FacialPro Glow every single week, my skin definitely feels softer each time I do use it. Not for nothing, the DePuffi's cool setting is a little treat I look forward to daily.
At the risk of sounding ridiculously lazy, I sometimes just don't feel like using the FacialPro Glow. I swear it takes longer than the 10 minutes that Shark advertises, so don't expect it to be a quick skincare step in the morning. Between swapping out nozzles for different parts of your face and going over everything a second time to infuse the hydration serum, it has kind of fallen into the category of daunting tasks that my squirrel brain keeps putting off.
Is the Shark FacialPro Glow worth it?
You can just tell when your skin feels like it's suffocating from grime. If regular cleansing and exfoliating don't feel like they're going deep enough — and if getting an in-office extracting facial is too expensive to keep up with — I think the Shark FacialPro Glow could be a worthwhile purchase. The average professional Hydrafacial costs between $150 and $300, so paying $399.99 once for the opportunity to give yourself a similar facial at home whenever feels justifiable.
I don't think the FacialPro Glow can necessarily suck out an active pimple, but it's an amazing tool for mitigating oily buildup, sloughing off dry skin, and thoroughly washing off makeup. I've named it as one of the best gifts for teenage girls for this reason. Plus, it's hard to argue with the FacialPro Glow's effectiveness on sebaceous filaments that no serums or red light therapy can unearth.
But you should think twice about buying the Shark FacialPro Glow if you have extremely sensitive skin. I'm not saying this device is a net negative for that skin type, but you may be using it less often than you feel like you should be using a $400 device. However, I do think literally anyone would get daily use out of the DePuffi attachment's heat and cooling settings. It's seriously such a nice little source of pampering to pull you out of zombie mode or warm up your face before skincare. Shark is releasing the DePuffi on its own in early 2026.
In terms of preventing acne, I think my skin responds better to the bacteria-killing blue light of my Shark CryoGlow face mask. An LED mask obviously can't physically extract sebaceous filaments, so you really just have to weigh which skin concern is more… concerning to you.
Shark FacialPro Glow

Shark FacialPro Glow

Shark FacialPro Glow

UPDATE: Dec. 13, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EST Since first publishing this review on Oct. 31, 2025, I've added a more long-term review to my first impressions. I've now been using the FacialPro Glow for one and a half months.
Tech
The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat bladeless tower fan and heater is out to end the thermostat wars
If you’re lucky enough to live with someone who has the same temperature preferences as you do, you might consider keeping that partnership alive for a lifetime. Many of us suffer through living with others who have wildly different temperature preferences. It’s a battle for control of the thermostat year-round. Shark is out to ease the stress of temperature wars.
The SharkNinja brand makes some of our favorite kitchen appliances, air purifiers, and vacuums. The Ninja Slushi has given us frozen margs on demand, while the Shark PowerDetect with Clean and Empty System is a Mashable favorite for vacuuming up stubborn pet hair. But now we’ve stumbled onto the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat Bladeless Tower Fan and Heater, and this is worthy of a top-tier SharkNinja award. Aside from the long name, I’ve been impressed with nearly every feature while testing it out.
A one-and-done situation, with a kid-friendly design
One of the strongest selling points about the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat is that it’ll serve as extra warmth in the winter and a cooling breeze come summer. Both of these functions are housed in the slim and sleek design. That means you won’t have to unpack and then pack away the space heater and find where that dusty box fan went when the seasons change.

Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable
I found the slim profile of the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat to be awesome for both storage and carrying from room to room. Because of this, I think it could be a perfect year-round addition to a small apartment, dorm room, or bedroom. Plus, the bladeless design makes it more child-friendly, although keep in mind the exterior can get hot.
A satisfying pivot
The arms of the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat move in two different ways. First, both arms can tilt together to fully vertical, horizontal, or anywhere in between. Then, each arm has a separate airflow adjustment, allowing you to position the airflow directly where you’d like it to go in fan mode. In heating mode, the air comes out of only the center vent, but you can still choose vertical or horizontal.

Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable
In both heat and cool mode, the TurboBlade can oscillate up to 180 degrees, which is really great if you’re sitting on the couch trying to heat or cool more than just yourself. You can also set smaller oscillation rotations, like my preferred 45 degrees.
The versatility of the TurboBlade Cool + Heat
I tested out the TurboBlade Cool + Heat during a chilly fall in the Pacific Northwest, which meant I stuck mostly to the heater function’s three modes. Thermo IQ allows you to select your desired temperature between 60 and 90 degrees, and the heater will take it from there. The comfort mode is designed for all-day use at a sustained temperature, and the focus setting is perfect if you come home from work wanting nothing more than to sit on the couch with warm air pointed in your direction.
I used the cooling fan during two scenarios: while sleeping and while working out. I hate a hot room when working out, but it’s not worth turning down the central heating for my 30-minute rowing session since that would cool the entire house. Instead, I carried the TurboBlade Cool + Heat with me, positioned it in front of the rower, and took off on my workout in cooling bliss. Plus, the wind made my stationary rowing machine feel a lot more like I was actually out on the water and not stuck working out inside, thanks to December rain.

Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable
In an Instagram Reel, Shark showed a person using the cool fan setting of the TurboBlade while cooking in a hot kitchen. I’m really bummed I didn’t think of this because I was a sweaty mess in the kitchen on Thanksgiving while trying to cook, bake, and sauté while wearing a wool sweater. The TurboBlade would have made that a lot more comfortable.
Another instance that made me love the TurboBlade Heat + Cool was when I was sleeping. Shark advertises that the fan function can create an “air blanket” thanks to the design. With the arms in the horizontal position, the fan can sit at the foot of the bed and blow blissfully cool air to both sides of the bed. There are 10 speeds to choose from with the fan mode.
I already thought the pivot on each arm was a great feature, but this is where I really loved it. I’m a hot sleeper, so a fan is a must. But I’m also a light sleeper, and if I position a fan directly onto me, that airflow will cause wispy hair to tickle my face, and that’s an infuriating situation. So the ability to have a cool breeze over the bed, positioned exactly so that it missed my face and hair, is pure beauty. While using it at night, I was also impressed by how quiet the fan is, even at the highest speed.
Can you love a remote control? Because this one is good.
The remote control that comes with the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat has probably ruined most remotes for me from here on out. For one, the remote magnetically attaches to the main body of the fan. And it’s not some half-assed magnet — this is a powerful magnet that really wants to nest itself back home, and I appreciate that. It also has a shocking operation range. I was able to turn the heater on in the morning while I was still in bed in the other room. Since both my partner and I sleep hot, we turn the heat off entirely at night. It's common for me to be chilling (literally) in a 58-degree office when I log on for work at 6 a.m. Walking into a pre-heated room thanks to the Shark TurboBlade was a level of spoiled I didn’t know I could swing.

Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable
If you don’t love the remote, the display and control face on the fan itself is also useful. In another thoughtful design touch, you can alter the brightness of the display between four levels. That’s awesome if you’re an annoyingly light sleeper like me and don’t want the display on at all.
Not the best for large rooms
In my testing, I found the heating and fan on the TurboBlade Cool + Heat to be pretty darn effective. The ability to heat rapidly was slightly less efficient than my beloved Vornado AVH10 space heater, but that thing is a beast of a heater that I adore. I wouldn’t count on the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat to warm a large room with an open floor plan, but I found it great for heating a bedroom or office, and I think it would be ideal in a small studio apartment.
Is the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat worth the price?
If you want a portable fan and space heater that doesn’t look aesthetically unpleasing, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat is a great option. It’s extra ideal for small spaces since you can get use out of it year-round, instead of finding a seasonal storage area. It’s also a nice solution for someone in your family who’s always uncomfortable with whatever temperature the majority can agree on — and it would be great to let family or friends use it in a guest room if you’re hosting.
I’m always inclined to break down price into a cost-benefit ratio, so here we go: Use the SharkTurbo blade for every day in a single year, and you’re at about $1 per day if the tower fan is sitting at full price, plus whatever your local energy cost is, of course.
Tech
The 30 best new Lego sets run the gamut from Game Boy to The Goonies and the U.S.S. Enterprise
Yes, Legos are for adults, and yes, buying Legos is a valid way to spend adult money.
The plastic brick brand is constantly releasing new sets, and for collectors and casual hobbyists alike, this past year has been a great time to be a Lego fan. As of Dec. 2025, Lego's expanded its lineup to include iconic fixtures from Star Trek and The Goonies, as well as some creative decor in the form of their aquarium and fortune firecracker sets.
Lego has dropped the Icons Stranger Things: The Creel House to celebrate the show's final season
I spent my time combing through all of the best new Legos to pick out the best of the best, from the affordable options to larger investments. You can find them below, along with more of the best releases from earlier in the year, including the Lego Game Boy and a new Star Wars set that's officially the largest Star Wars Lego model of all time.
Best new Lego sets as of Dec. 2025
Lego Creator 3-in-1 Space Exploration Telescope

Credit: Lego
What's just as cool as space? The fact that this 278-piece set can be built into three different configurations, including an adjustable telescope on a tripod, an adjustable microscope, or a UFO. It's the perfect set for the space enthusiast in your life, young or old, and best of all, it's just $34.99. Preorders ship out on January 1, 2026.
Lego Fortune Firecracker

Credit: Lego
Lunar New Year isn't until February, but you can get prepared by pre-ordering this Lego Fortune Firecracker. The eight firecrackers "crackle" when they're moved, and the entire set can be mounted on the wall. The center can also be opened to reveal one of two scenes of your choice — a firework display or God of Fortune celebration scene. Preorders will ship out on January 1.
Lego Editions FIFA World Cup Official Trophy

Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Lego
In classic Lego style, this replica brings you more than meets the eye. The 2,842-piece set functions as a 14.5-inch brick version of the iconic World Cup trophy, but unlike the real deal, the top can also be opened to reveal a World Cup scene. The actual World Cup isn't until July of next year, but preorders for this set ship out on March 1, 2026.
Lego Ideas The Goonies

Credit: Lego
The Goonies turned a whopping 40 years old this year — what better way to celebrate than building this nearly 3,000 piece set, featuring the iconic Inferno pirate ship housing vignettes from the film? And unlike the full-scale ship built for the movie, it won't be devastating if you want to scrap this one and build it all over again. At the time of writing, this set is on backorder, but should be ready to ship out (no pun intended) 60 days from purchase.
Lego Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D

Credit: Lego
The crew of the Lego U.S.S. Enterprise may be used to more exciting voyages than the one to your office shelves or living room sideboard, but the Star Trek fans will probably appreciate being greeted by the display every single day.
This Next Generation-themed 3,600-piece set comes with nine minifigures, a detachable command saucer, secondary hull, warp nacelles with distinctive red and blue detailing, an opening shuttlebay, 2 mini shuttlepods, and an angled display stand with a schematic and ship statistics. Also currently on backorder, it will ship out 60 days after purchase.
Lego Icons Tropical Aquarium

Credit: Lego
This set may be a whopping 4,154 pieces, but after the initial build, it'll be way less work to maintain a real aquarium. Plus, it even comes with knobs and levers so you can "move" the sea life inside, from a striped brickfish to sea anemones and, of course, a sunken treasure chest. This backordered set will ship out 60 days after purchase.
Best Lego sets coming soon
The following sets aren't available to preorder, but will be available come January 2026.

Lego Minecraft The Fox

Lego Bugs Bunny

Lego Botanicals Peace Lily


Lego Icons Shopping Street


Best new Lego sets as of Oct. 2025
Lego Time Machine from Back to the Future

Credit: Lego
It's relatively common to see Lego sets from popular IPs, but less so to see them at an under-$50 price point. This quaint 357-piece set is the perfect coffee table addition for Back to the Future fans. It's on preorder until its ship date of Jan. 1, 2026 (not 1955). This isn't the first time Marty McFly's DeLorean has been brickified, but this more-affordable set is part of the Lego Speed Champions line.
Lego Up-Scaled Santa Minifigure

Credit: Lego
Not to pit sets against each other, but I wasn't wowed by the $330 Christmas Tree (and neither were reviewers on Lego's site so far). This oversized Santa minifig is a much more palatable $54.99, has the positive reviews to back it up, and stands at a nice 10.5-inches tall, making it a great addition for any holiday setup.
Lego Gingerbread AT-AT Walker

Credit: Lego
Star Wars fans have another huge (literally) release lower down on this list, but for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit while honoring their love of Star Wars lucked out with this Lego Gingerbread AT-AT Walker. It's just a bit smaller than the now-retired 1,267-piece AT-AT Lego originally released, but at 697 pieces and 7.5-inches tall, it's still plenty to ring in the holidays with.
Lego Super Mario Game Boy

Credit: Lego
I don't know if there's a combination of words more nostalgic than Lego Super Mario Game Boy. This set was announced for preorder in July, and as of Oct. 1, is finally available. As a small catch, it is on backorder for up to 60 days, so if you're looking to gift it to the gamer in your life this holiday season, I'd grab it sooner rather than later. The set comes with a customizable display and game paks, but if you want to play actual games on this Lego replica, you'll have to go the same path as this modder.
Lego Ideas Mineral Collection

Credit: Lego
They're (Lego) minerals, Marie. One of the latest releases from the Ideas line is an 880-piece set that allows you to create a nice display of Lego golden pyrite, purple amethyst, reddish-pink rhodochrosite, blue fluorite, watermelon tourmaline and tangerine quartz.
Lego Batman Logo

Credit: Lego
It may be hard to come by your own personal bat signal if you don't live in Gotham, but Lego made it easy with this Batman Logo set. The 678-piece set celebrates 20 years of Lego Batman, hence the golden Batman and anniversary coin. Also included is the display stand, supports for wall-mounting the piece, and a code to unlock a character in Lego Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight. As of now, it's only available for preorder, and will ship on March 1, 2026.
Lego Wicked Emerald City & Kiamo Ko Castle

Credit: Lego
We're closing in on the release to the Wicked sequel. If you're looking to kill some time before the film's release, this relatively small (but adorable) 860-piece set will do the trick.
Lego Ideas Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Credit: Lego
Come with me, and you'll be, in a world of 2,205 plastic bricks that make up the iconic scenes from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. This set comes with nine minifigures (you'll never guess who five of them are), along with depictions of the chocolate waterfall and Wonkatania boat.
Lego Icons Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Ship

Credit: Lego
The enduring power of Pirates of the Caribbean's popularity can be found in two facts about this Lego set. One, it's part of the Icons series, meaning it joins the ranks of other iconic IPs. Two, it's on backorder for the next 60 days, so if you're wanting to get an impressive display piece sooner rather than later, I recommend adding it to your cart ASAP.
Lego Star Wars Death Star

Credit: Lego
Step aside, $850 Lego Millennium Falcon. The Lego Death Star hits a $999.99 price point, making it the most expensive Lego from the brand. While its price point has raised some eyebrows, this is one of the top ten biggest sets Lego's ever made, and the biggest Lego Star Wars set to date, clocking in at a whopping 9,023 pieces, including 36 minifigures and two droid figures.
Best new Lego sets as of Aug. 2025
Lego Jack-O'-Lantern Pickup Truck

Credit: Lego
The correct day to start celebrating Halloween season is Sept. 1, but as someone who absolutely loves Halloween, I will allow Aug. 1. This quaint Jack-O'-Lantern set (with a pumpkin you can open!) nails the vibe for adorable Halloween bookshelf decor for under $20.
Lego Arcade Machine

Credit: Lego
What is the point of being a gamer if not collecting adorable accessories through which to channel your passion? I guess actually playing games, but when your eyes need a break from your screen, building this mini arcade machine could do. The 468-piece set opens up to a mini gaming room for the included minifigure.
Lego Halloween Wreath

Credit: Lego
Between the bats, spiders, pumpkins, and ghosts, the only Halloween heavy hitter missing on this wreath is a skeleton (though it does feature bones). While this wouldn't be the best outdoor option, Lego's Halloween Wreath comes with a string for easy hanging in your home, making it a great option for getting in the spooky spirit.
Lego 'Mario Kart' Piranha Plant Power-Up Pursuit

Credit: Lego
Don't quite have the funds to get your hands on the new Mario Kart game just yet? This set requires no Switch 2 to enjoy, featuring Koopa Troopa, Toadette, the Tanooki Kart and Cat Cruiser, and of course, a piranha plant you can attach to either kart.
Lego Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees

Credit: Lego
Lego Botanicals fans: we did it. We finally got a set of bonsai trees that don't have any flowers or leaves actually made up of tiny pink frogs. (No shade to the frog fans, it's just a little unnerving for some of us!).
Lego Botanicals Hibiscus

Credit: Lego
If there's a Lego Botanicals flower set that isn't gorgeous, I've yet to come across it, and the Hibiscus set is certainly no exception. The 660-piece life-size flower set comes with posable petals in a pretty lilac shade, making it an excellent accent piece.
Lego One Piece Battle at Arlong Park

Credit: Lego
The Arlong Park arc of One Piece is what some fans consider the real hook — no small feat considering the original anime is over 1,000 episodes long (and still ongoing). Luffy's rubber powers get a fun feature in the arm-lengthening pieces, and a tap to the top of the pagoda causes it to explode in a nod to the show's unforgettable fight scenes.
Lego Nike Dunk x Lego

Credit: Lego
There's a Lego collab for everyone, including Nike and basketball fans. This 1,180 set comes with a couple of tricks up its sleeve (or down its shoe?), in the form of a storage compartment in the sneaker (where you can drop the minifig or extra shoe lace colors to swap later) and the ability to spin the basketball. That's a slam dunk of a fun set.
Lego Star Wars Wicket the Ewok

Credit: Lego
Ewoks are the most adorable creature in the Star Wars universe, argue with the wall. While I think Lego could've made real magic with a life size Ewok set, this 1,010 piece that stands around nine inches tall is pretty adorable, too. And true to canon, he comes equipped with a spear and a little treat.
Lego Marvel Spider-Man vs. Oscorp

Credit: Lego
This Spider-Man set packs in the heavy hitters from the beloved series: Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, and Venom — just to name a few of the minifigures found among the 808 pieces that make up this set. The city model features Miles Morales' apartment, the Oscorp building, and Venom's apartment, giving you plenty of opportunities for staging the perfect Spider-Man scene.
Lego Icons Shelby Cobra 427 S/C

Credit: Lego
Early buyers of the Shelby Cobra 427 S/C set are impressed: the attention to detail paid to the design makes the car look great from afar and up close. The working steering wheel is a nice touch, alongside Caroll Shelly's signature on the glovebox.
Lego Star Wars AT-ST Walker

Credit: Lego
If you missed out on the Lego AT-AT set before it was discontinued (and fair — it was $849.99), this AT-ST set is much more reasonably priced at $199.99, and it doesn't require quite as much shelf space, making it overall a much more practical option. And it's still just as iconic to the Star Wars universe.
Lego Architecture Neuschwanstein Castle

Credit: Lego
Lego's architecture line depicts some of the most famous structures from around the globe, from Notre Dame in Paris to the Himeji Castle in Japan. For this latest release, Lego brings us to the impressive Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. It requires you build through 3,455 pieces, but it looks like the view is well worth it.
Lego One Piece The Baratie Floating Restaurant

Credit: Lego
That's right — we have two iconic One Piece scenes on our list. With 3,402 pieces for building this set, you'll create the floating restaurant with detailed rooms where you can place 10 included characters and wanted posters.
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