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Lego Harry Potter is a Lego theme based on the films of the Harry Potter series. Models of important scenes, vehicles and characters were made for the first five films released. The first sets appeared in 2001, to coincide with the release of the first film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States). Subsequent sets were released alongside the new films, up until Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

In January 2004, Lego owner and CEO Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen announced a change in direction for the company, which at the time was facing a DKK 1.4bn loss, and that the company would focus on core products and not "big, movie-related IP’s such as Harry Potter". [1] A week later, the company clarified that this did not mean any immediate "radical changes", and that the Harry Potter theme would continue. However, the theme was discontinued after 2007.

In June 2009, it was officially announced by LEGO that a video game, Lego Harry Potter: Years 1–4 is in production and will be released in May 2010.^[1]

Warner Brothers and LEGO announced on February 12th, 2010 that 6 sets including Hogwarts Castle, Hagrid’s Hut, Hogwarts Express and Quidditch Match will be released in October 2010. These sets will have newly decorated minifigures including Luna Lovegood and Bellatrix Lestrange. Also announced was a LEGO Harry Potter board game that will be available in August.^[2]

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

The first film (also known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the USA) saw the largest amount of sets, with fourteen being made in total. To start with, only eleven were produced, three more were made the following year in 2002.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The second film had ten sets made in total, four less than its predecessor.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The third film saw eleven sets released, including the only Harry Potter Mini set. In addition, the minifigures became fleshed toned, following Lego universal change from yellow toned figures for all minifigures based on real people or characters.

Mini-sets

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The fourth film saw only four sets released. This meant many key scenes and characters were missing, most prominently the Third Task, Cedric Diggory and Fleur Delacour. Still, the first 2 tasks and the climatic duel were still big.^[3][4] The Harry Potter minifigure headpiece was redesigned as well.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

There was only one set for the Order of The Phoenix.^[5] This originally was to mark the end of the theme but, in 2010, six more sets were announced to tie in with the Lego Harry Potter Video Game.

Harry Potter 2010

These new sets are scheduled for release in October, 2010. All the sets are re-makes of previous sets with re-designed and all together new mini-figures. Only The Burrow set is not a re-make of an older set. Also, most of these sets are "every year in one".

Freeing Dobby 4736

Harry Potter, Dobby, Lucius Malfoy

Quidditch Match 4737

Harry Potter, Madam Hooch, Draco Malfoy, Oliver Wood, Marcus Flint

Hagrids Hut 4738

Hagrid, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Aragog

The Burrow 4840

Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, Fenrir Greyback, Bellatrix Lestrange

Hogwarts Express 4841

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood

Hogwarts Castle 4842

Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Professor McGonagall, Argus Filch, Professor Flitwick, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Dementor (x2), Knight, Lord Voldemort

References

1. ^ "Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 First Impressions - Xbox 360 Previews at GameSpot". Press release. 1 February, 2010. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/adventure/legoharrypotteryears14/news.html?sid=6248878&om_act=convert&om_clk=newsfeatures&tag=newsfeatures;title&mode=previews. Retrieved 02 February, 2010. 
2. ^ http://mugglenet.com/app/news/full_story/3253
3. ^ Harry Potter Licensing Question FBTB.net. URL accessed on 22 December 2006
4. ^ Cedric and Fleur FBTB.net. URL accessed on 22 December 2006
5. ^ Only going to be one Set
6. ^ The Third Hogwarts Castle