Fans of the 2008 vampire film Twilight have been treated to news of a new Lego set based around an interesting house that appears in the movie. Although the movie came out 17 years ago, its popularity has only grown since then, prompting the Danish toymaker to release the set.
Lego used to primarily release generic sets that depicted anything from the American Old West to a pirate ship. But that changed in 1999 after the release of a Star Wars Lego set to coincide with the release of Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.
Since then, all manner of films and television shows have been brought to life using the popular bricks. Here are 11 of the best film and television-inspired Lego sets.
Twilight
The newest addition to the large selection of film Lego sets, fans will appreciate this house from the Twilight movies for its detail as well as cool Easter Eggs. All members of the Cullen vampire family, on who are central to the film's plot, are represented in minifigure form, as well as Kristen Stewart's Bella character and her father Charlie Swan in his red pickup truck. The best thing about this release is the prospect that if enough fans ask for it, any film or television show could get its own Lego set.
Batman: The Animated Series
There have been many Batman Lego sets over the years, with each film featuring the Dark Knight receiving the building block treatment. This set released to celebrate the popular animated series is very much a display piece. It doubles as a live portrait of Gotham City featuring the rogues’ gallery of villains and the many vehicles and weapons Batman uses to defeat them. The set successfully translates the memorable art deco design of the show, maintaining a feeling fans know very well.
Harry Potter
The Harry Potter franchise is another that has received many Lego sets, but one stands above the rest. There’s no location in the films that is more significant than Hogwarts castle, the wizardry school where Harry Potter receives his education while preparing for the return of he who must not be named. This massive set features details from every film, even including locations from outside the castle to make it more vibrant.
Jaws
Another set made for a film classic, this time for one that helped create the summer blockbuster. Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is one of those rare gems that gets even better with time and features a great number of scenes. None is more memorable than the shark attack on the boat, which is memorialised in this set. Not as large as most of the sets on this list, this one should be a quick fun experience to build and a great addition to any cinephile’s collection.
Indiana Jones
There are many Indiana Jones sets that could have made it to this list, as they all depict some of the best scenes from the long-running franchise. Taken from Raiders of the Lost Ark's first sequence, featuring the Temple of the Golden Idol, this set is especially great because of the complexity of the scene. Serving as an introduction to the characters in the film, as Indiana Jones enters a temple housing a golden artefact, the set has all the traps and shrubbery, making it a must buy for fans.
Friends
Possibly the most famous American sitcom, Friends has been honoured with two Lego sets. The first is a Central Perk cafe set, familiar to fans as the place Ross, Rachel, Joey, Phoebe, Monica and Chandler met often. But the second and bigger one is the set that has the two apartments that feature heavily in the show. Fans will really appreciate all the Easter Eggs, including the ability to recreate some of the greatest jokes. A great bit of detail is that it features the lights used to illuminate the show’s filming set, breaking the fourth wall in the process.
The Office
Another popular sitcom, The Office Lego set is a brilliant recreation of the paper company’s offices in the show. This set features mini figures of all the characters, with little details that complete their workplace antics. Fans can recreate whole scenes from the show using all the props provided, ensuring hours of fun even after the set is built.
Home Alone
The McCallister home from the first Home Alone film is a location etched into the mind of every person who watched the hit film growing up. The way in which a young Kevin McCallister equips his house to become an agonising series of traps for the thieves attempting to break in, is both hilarious and satisfying. The experience can be recreated with this Home Alone Lego set, which features the entire house and all the traps.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
A film enjoyed both during Halloween and Christmas, this cult classic produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick has become more and more popular since its release in 1993. The Nightmare Before Christmas Lego set celebrates the film and its beautiful and whimsical gothic style.
Dune
The Denis Villeneuve Dune films contain many locations and vehicles that could be wonderful Lego sets. The most intriguing, though, is the Ornithopter, a flying vehicle that has wasp-like wings on either side. The Ornithopter is used by House Atreides after they land on the desert planet Arrakis and features in many memorable scenes. The Lego set also allows for the wings to be flapped for added effect.
The Lord of the Rings
Also known as the Dark Fortress, Barad-dur is the tower that houses the all-seeing Eye of Sauron in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings fantasy trilogy. This tall set will be the focal point of any collection as it towers above most other sets. Inside the set sits Sauron himself on his throne alongside other characters including Frodo and Smeagol. The Eye, which sits at the top, can be backlit for an even more menacing look.
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
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The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
