The market for retired ninjago lego sets has quietly become one of the most lucrative corners of the LEGO secondary market. Since the theme launched in 2011, LEGO has released well over 400 Ninjago sets, and a significant portion of those have now been retired from production.
What surprises many collectors is that certain retired Ninjago sets have appreciated by several hundred percent from their original retail price within just a few years of retirement. The challenge, however, is knowing which retired sets are genuinely worth pursuing—and which ones are overhyped.
This guide breaks down the five most important things you need to know before buying, selling, or hunting down retired Ninjago sets, from identifying undervalued gems to avoiding counterfeit listings that plague online marketplaces.
Why Retired Ninjago Sets Appreciate in Value
LEGO retires sets for a simple reason: shelf space. Retailers can only stock so many products, and LEGO rotates themes and waves to keep the catalog fresh. Once a set is retired, the supply becomes fixed while demand continues to grow as new fans discover the Ninjago series through the long-running TV show and newer LEGO Ninjago movies.
This dynamic is precisely why retired ninjago lego sets have become such a reliable investment category for collectors.
The original 2011 wave of Ninjago sets—like the Fire Temple and Destiny's Bounty—are now considered collector staples. Early Ninjago sets featuring the original ninja team in their classic suits tend to command premiums because they represent the theme's origin story.
According to BrickEconomy, a site that tracks LEGO set values using real marketplace data, many retired Ninjago sets follow a predictable appreciation curve in the first 24 to 36 months after retirement. After that window, values stabilize or grow more slowly depending on the set's rarity and demand from collectors completing their collections.
What drives value most is not age alone. Sets tied to significant moments in the Ninjago storyline, limited-run exclusives, and sets containing rare minifigures consistently outperform the broader market.
A common scenario: a set with an exclusive minifigure like Lord Garmadon in his original four-armed form can outpace a larger, more expensive set from the same wave simply because minifigure collectors drive bidding wars. Savvy investors track retired ninjago lego sets with exclusive minifigures as their highest-priority targets.
How to apply this: Before buying any retired Ninjago set, check its value history on BrickEconomy to see whether it has already spiked or still has room to grow.
The Most Valuable Retired Ninjago Sets to Hunt
Not every retired set is a winner. The sets that consistently rank among the most valuable retired ninjago lego sets share a few traits: they are from early waves, they contain exclusive minifigures, or they were limited retail exclusives.
The Ninjago City set (70620), released in 2017, is frequently cited by collectors as one of the strongest performers. It was a large, display-focused set with intricate architecture and a substantial minifigure lineup. After retirement, its value climbed steadily as adult fans of LEGO (AFOLs) sought it for display builds.
Another standout is the original Destiny's Bounty (9446) from 2012, which captures the iconic flying ship in its first incarnation.
Early spinner sets from 2011—small, inexpensive at retail—are also notable. Because they were cheap and marketed to kids, fewer were kept sealed. Mint-in-box examples now trade at multiples of their original price. The lesson here is that condition matters enormously: a sealed set can be worth two to three times what an opened, complete set fetches.
When evaluating retired ninjago lego sets, sealed examples from the spinner era represent some of the best percentage returns available.
| Set Name | Set Number | Original Price | Current Market Trend | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninjago City | 70620 | $299.99 | Strong appreciation | Buy sealed if under $600 |
| Destiny's Bounty (2012) | 9446 | $79.99 | Steady growth | Verify minifigures complete |
| Fire Temple | 2507 | $119.99 | High demand, low supply | Check Bricklink daily |
| Temple of Airjitzu | 70751 | $199.99 | Moderate growth | Look for complete used copies |
| Ultra Sonic Raider | 9449 | $79.99 | Volatile pricing | Avoid overpaying in auctions |
How to apply this: Focus your budget on sets from 2011–2014 and the Ninjago City sub-line, as these have the strongest documented appreciation records.
Where to Buy Retired Ninjago Sets Safely
Buying retired ninjago lego sets requires more caution than buying current sets. The secondary market includes legitimate platforms and risky ones, and knowing the difference protects your money.
Bricklink is the largest LEGO-specific marketplace and the de facto standard for retired set valuation.
Sellers list exact condition details, and buyer feedback systems help you vet sellers. BrickEconomy provides independent value tracking so you can cross-check whether a Bricklink listing is fairly priced. eBay remains popular but requires more scrutiny—counterfeit LEGO, incomplete sets listed as complete, and resealed boxes are recurring problems.
One practical safeguard: always ask for photos of the actual item, not stock images, and request the set's unique production code if the box is sealed. For collectors specifically hunting retired ninjago lego sets, Bricklink's detailed condition notes make it the safest starting point.
Facebook Marketplace and local buy-sell groups occasionally produce bargains, especially from parents clearing out grown children's collections. The tradeoff is that you have no buyer protection, so inspect every piece before paying.
How to apply this: Start on Bricklink for anything over $100, and use BrickEconomy's price guide to confirm you are not paying above the market average before committing.
Spotting Counterfeits and Incomplete Sets
The biggest risk in the retired Ninjago market is not overpaying—it is buying a fake or incomplete set. Counterfeit LEGO has become more sophisticated, and high-value retired sets are prime targets. This is especially true for retired ninjago lego sets with high demand and limited supply.
Genuine LEGO bricks carry the LEGO logo on every stud. Counterfeit bricks often lack this marking or have blurry, misaligned logos. Minifigures are the most frequently faked component: check that torsos have the LEGO wordmark on the neck stud and that printing is crisp, not smudged.
For sealed sets, verify that the tape seals are original—resealed boxes typically show double tape, wrinkled cardboard, or misaligned flaps.
Incomplete sets are a quieter problem. A seller may list a set as "100% complete" based on a quick visual check, but missing a single rare piece can cost you $20 or more to replace.
The LEGO Group's official statement on product authenticity, available through LEGO's customer service page, confirms that genuine LEGO elements always feature the logo on studs and inside technic holes. If a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is. Counterfeiters specifically target retired ninjago lego sets because buyers are often in a hurry to secure rare items.
How to apply this: When buying used retired Ninjago sets, request a full inventory check against the set's official parts list on Bricklink before finalizing the purchase.
Selling Retired Ninjago Sets for Maximum Return
If you are on the selling side, timing and presentation determine your profit. Retired ninjago lego sets sell fastest—and at the highest prices—during specific windows: the holiday season, immediately after a new Ninjago movie or TV season releases, and when LEGO announces a new version of a classic set.
Presentation matters more than most sellers realize. A complete set with sorted pieces, original instructions, and the original box in good condition will consistently outsell an identical set sold loose in a plastic bag. Take clear photos in natural light, photograph the minifigures separately, and list every included piece count. Honesty about condition builds buyer trust and reduces disputes.
Sellers who specialize in retired ninjago lego sets understand that detailed listings with quality photos consistently outperform vague ones.
The As a seller, you should also understand platform fees. Bricklink charges lower fees than eBay for most transactions, but eBay reaches a broader audience. Many experienced sellers list on both platforms simultaneously, adjusting prices to account for fee differences.
How to apply this: Hold sealed sets until November or December, and always include the original box and instructions—these two items alone can add a meaningful premium to your final sale price.
Frequently Asked Questions About retired ninjago lego sets
What qualifies as a "retired" Ninjago LEGO set?
A retired Ninjago set is one that LEGO has officially discontinued from production and removed from its active catalog. Once retired, the set is no longer manufactured or sold through official LEGO channels.
You can verify retirement status by checking the set's page on LEGO's official website—retired sets are marked "Retired Product." Some retired ninjago lego sets still appear at third-party retailers for months after retirement while existing stock sells through.
How long should I wait before selling a retired Ninjago set?
Most collectors wait 18 to 36 months after retirement before selling, as this is when appreciation typically peaks for mainstream sets. However, sets tied to the original 2011 wave have continued appreciating for over a decade.
The exception is if you need liquidity or spot a market spike driven by a new movie release—then selling into the hype can outperform waiting. Tracking retired ninjago lego sets over time reveals that patience usually pays off.
Are retired Ninjago minifigures worth more than the sets themselves?
In many cases, yes. Exclusive minifigures from retired ninjago lego sets—like the golden ninja variants or early Lord Garmadon figures—can individually sell for more than the rest of the set's parts combined. Minifigure collectors are a distinct market segment with different buying patterns.
If you part out a set, you may net more total revenue, but it takes longer and requires more effort than selling the set whole.
Can I still find retired Ninjago sets at retail price?
Occasionally, yes. Discount retailers, liquidation stores, and clearance sections sometimes carry retired sets at or below original retail for months after retirement. International retailers may also have slower-moving inventory.
The key is checking stores that are not LEGO-specialty shops—general toy stores and department stores with slow inventory turnover are your best bet for finding retired ninjago lego sets at retail prices.
Do retired Ninjago sets ever get re-released?
LEGO has re-released a small number of Ninjago sets in updated form, but true reissues of retired sets are rare. More common is a spiritual successor—a new version of Destiny's Bounty or the Ninjago City line that references the original without being identical.
When a new version is announced, prices for the original retired set sometimes dip briefly as casual buyers shift attention, creating a buying opportunity for collectors who track retired ninjago lego sets closely.
Conclusion
- Retired Ninjago sets from 2011–2014 and the Ninjago City sub-line have the strongest documented appreciation records
- Condition is everything: sealed sets with original boxes and instructions command two to three times the price of loose, incomplete sets
- Use Bricklink for safe purchases and BrickEconomy for independent price verification before buying or selling
- Counterfeit and incomplete set risks are real—always verify the LEGO logo on studs and request inventory checks
The retired ninjago lego sets market rewards patience, research, and careful buying. Start by picking one set from the table above, setting a target price based on BrickEconomy's data, and watching Bricklink listings for a week before committing. Your first smart purchase will teach you more than any guide can.
