LEGO Releases 1,226-Piece E.T. Figure With Light-Up Heart

LEGO released a new 1,226-piece E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial set on August 1, 2024, as part of its LEGO Ideas collection. This buildable figure is designed for adult collectors and captures the iconic alien's signature details, including an extending forefinger and a pot of sunflowers referencing a memorable scene from the 1982 film. A key feature of the set is an integrated light brick that illuminates E.T.'s glowing heart, a central symbol of empathy in Steven Spielberg's beloved movie.

The set was originally conceived by a fan designer and was voted into production through the LEGO Ideas platform, which allows fans to submit and vote on potential new LEGO products. The E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial film, released in 1982, was a significant cinematic achievement, holding the title of the highest-grossing film of all time for over a decade after its release. Its enduring appeal lies in its emotional resonance, focusing on themes of connection, vulnerability, and belonging, rather than solely on spectacle.

Steven Spielberg's film became a cultural phenomenon, with its imagery, such as the bicycle silhouetted against the moon, becoming instantly recognizable and even serving as the logo for Spielberg's production company, Amblin Entertainment. The phrase "E.T. phone home" remains one of cinema's most quoted lines, embodying the film's exploration of longing and the desire for home. The LEGO set aims to translate this enduring emotional impact and iconic visual language into a tangible building experience for fans of the film and LEGO enthusiasts alike.