The Top 10 Most Expensive LEGO Big Figures (Big Figs)

16th June 2022

The LEGO minifigure has been with us now since 1978 and they’ve come a long way in that time. Clever part design, sophisticated moulds, and a huge repertoire of colours and finishes have allowed characters from all corners of real and fictional worlds to be successfully and lovingly represented in minifigure form.

Since its introduction, the dimensions of the minifigure have remained largely set in stone, and this rigidity brought limitations, particularly around the issue of scale. This was overcome with variations of some parts, such as shorter legs to depict children and smaller characters. Longer torso parts and headpieces also worked well to depict characters slightly taller than the average human. However, as LEGO branched out to themes based on worlds from the realms of fantasy and science fiction, it inevitably encountered beings of much larger proportions. This posed a challenge as LEGO couldn’t credibly show the difference in height between a human and a towering colossus from another universe through small part variations. They needed to go beyond the archetypal minifigure.

To answer this need, the big figure, or “Big Fig”, was invented. As the name suggests, this is a term used to describe a figure greater in size than the standard minifigure. What can arguably be referred to as the first Big Fig came out in 1999 with the release of the Rock Raiders theme. This was based on a team of miners searching for energy crystals who would occasionally encounter adversaries, with the biggest being Rock Monsters that were gigantic humanoid creatures comprised of solid stone. We thus got Rock Monster Big Figs, which were a primitive form of Big Figs we have today, because they had no moving parts and were virtually non-poseable.

The modern Big Fig did not come for another 9 years, when Giant Trolls were introduced in 2008 as part of the Fantasy Era Castle theme. Sophisticated is not a word often used to describe trolls, but compared to the Rock Monster, they were just that. They could stand upright, move, and had handpieces that allowed for wielding weapons. To date, there have been over 40 different Big Figs so we take a look to see what ones have price tags to match their proportions.

This list has been compiled using sales data of new and used Big Figs from the past 6 months on Bricklink.

10. Darkseid

Current Value: £21 / $25

Darkseid is one of the most powerful characters in the DC Universe and so it’s appropriate that he was given a Big Fig form. There are certainly more detailed Big Figs on this list, as Darkseid lacks any arm and leg printing. However, he is one of the rarer DC characters, as the archenemy of the Justice League has appeared only once in 26028 Darkseid Invasion, which partly explains why he makes this list. Superheroes and supervillians are also hugely popular amongst all generations, and subsequently, their LEGO minifigure counterparts are extremely desirable. It’s therefore no surprise that they make up half of the top ten list.

9. Sand Green Troll with Black Armour

Current Value: £24 / $29

As mentioned previously, Giant Trolls from the Fantasy Era Castle theme are considered the first modern Big Figs. Five different variants appeared in the theme, this once being one of two that were in the 7097 Trolls' Mountain Fortress set from 2009. All five were very similar, with small differences to their spiked armour and colouring. By today’s standards, this figure is somewhat blocky and lacks any detailed printing, but it would still make for an excellent addition to any Castle MOC.

8. Bane

Current Value: £28 / $33

There have been several Bane minifigures, but only one Big Fig of Batman’s powerful adversary. The Big Fig version depicts his extreme strength, which he achieves through means of a pumping mysterious drug called Venom into his body whilst in Arkham Prison. The tube system controlling the drug’s administration to Bane is carried on the figure’s back and nicely shows the Venom in mid-flow. Like several LEGO DC supervillains, Bane has only appeared once in Big Fig form and is highly sought after, which pushes up the market value.

7. Cave Troll

Current Value: £28 / $33

Just edging into seventh place is another troll, this one being the legendary Cave Troll that the Fellowship of the Ring encountered in the Mines of Moria. Compared to the Giant Troll, it looks a lot more polished. The moulding of the body is much more rounded and realistic, and its toes are visible instead of being square blocks. We also get lovely printing on the back and that on its face is much more detailed. Most LEGO Lord of the Rings sets and their figures are very expensive these days, so it’s no surprise that the Cave Troll makes the top ten.

6. Killer Croc

Current Value: £28 / $33

This Big Fig is the second of two variants of Killer Croc, which was released in 2017 in 70907 Killer Croc Tail-Gator. This figure is one of the most sophisticated Big Figs, being composed of 18 separate parts. Fans of DC will know Killer Croc as Batman’s supervillain opponent who possesses super-strength and is covered by near impenetrable scaly skin. The giant claws and protruding headpiece contribute to a very menacing and impressive figure, and for that reason it’s one of my personal favourites.

5. Hulk with Silver Helmet and Black Pants

Current Value: £29 / $35

The Hulk is the character most often appearing in Big Fig form, with nine variants to date. Most are fairly plain and lack detailing, but the same cannot be said for this version, which may explain why it’s more desirable than many others. The gleaming helmet, torso printing, and giant blue shoulder pad, make this a striking and unique figure. This Big Fig is among the newest on the list, having been released in 2017 in the 76088 Thor vs. Hulk: Arena Clash set.

4. Red Hulk

Current Value: £32 / $38

Of all the Hulk Big Figs this is definitely the most unusual and distinctive variant, and it’s also the most expensive. The reason for the change in colour scheme is that the Red Hulk is not Bruce Banner, but General Thaddeus E. Ross, who ends up as an adversary to the regular green Hulk we know so well. With there having only been one Red Hulk ever made by LEGO, it has become highly desirable to collectors of Marvel minifigures.

3. Eruptorr

Current Value: £32 / $38

Over the two-year lifespan of the Power Miners theme, it brought us a number of different Big Figs depicting the various subterranean monsters that attempt to thwart the Power Miners attempts to collect Energy Crystals. Eruptorr is composed of molten rock and is by far the most detailed of the Power Miner monsters. It features some excellent moulding on the torso and has a very vibrant translucent orange colour scheme. The flame pieces on its back also look fantastic. Eruptorr was exclusive to the 8191 Lavatraz set of 2010.

2. Killow

Current Value: £55 / $66

Killow is a character from the Ninjago theme, who featured in the 70642 Killow vs. Samurai X set from 2018. Killow is a testament to how far Big Figs have come from the early days. He has some intricate tattoos and printing on his waistcoat and well as a spectacular horned, orange headpiece. In the set he also comes with roller-skates, a brick-built club and stud-shooting backpack. With the level of detail of this figure, it fittingly takes second spot.

1. Rancor

Current Value: £73 / $88

Taking the top spot by some margin is the Rancor from Star Wars. The famous scene in which it attempts to crush Luke Skywalker is one of the most memorable in the original trilogy. Many of the minifigures from past sets based on the original trilogy have skyrocketed in price and are amongst the most expensive you can buy. This is due to the insane popularity of the franchise, which has only increased in recent years, and the legions of collectors of Star Wars memorabilia. Unless there is a remake of the 75005 Rancor Pit set, it’s unlikely that we’ll get another Rancor, so purchasing this figure is the only way LEGO fans can get their hands on one. The figure itself is excellent and captures the aesthetic of the monster remarkably well.

If you’ve enjoyed this article, you may find our other article on the 25 most expensive LEGO animals interesting.

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