Blocks, the magazine for LEGO fans, goes back to the beginning of LEGO Harry Potter in Issue 144, marking 25 years since the Wizarding World first came to the brick.
It has been a quarter of a century since the first LEGO Harry Potter sets arrived, launching a theme that has continued to return to Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and the wider Wizarding World ever since. But the story of LEGO Harry Potter actually began before the first films reached cinemas – and Blocks has spoken to key people involved in those early days to reveal how it all came together.
The new issue explores how the LEGO Group began working with the publisher on the possibility of bringing Harry Potter to LEGO, the challenges of translating the books into models and why Warner Bros. employees rushed out of a meeting to make sure that the Hogwarts Express was going to look like a red steam train.
Issue 144 also explores the latest chapter in the theme with a review of 76476 The Ministry of Magic – Collectors’ Edition. With 3,491 pieces, the enormous new set recreates one of the Wizarding World’s most recognisable locations – but does it deserve a place on your shelf?
From LEGO fan to professional designer
Issue 144 features an extensive interview with Boone Langston, whose journey through the LEGO community has taken him from passionate fan and Beyond the Brick video creator to LEGO Masters contestant and, ultimately, professional LEGO designer.
Boone has been involved in some fascinating parts of LEGO fan culture, including the original AFOL Designer Program, before making the move to Billund. He now works on LEGO Star Wars sets, and in this in-depth conversation he tells the story of how he got there and what it is like to work as a designer for the LEGO Group.
The story behind Bionicle’s lore
Harry Potter wasn’t the only LEGO theme to arrive in 2001. Bionicle also made its debut that year, bringing with it an unusually expansive fictional universe that encouraged fans to engage with the characters and story alongside the buildable constraction figures at its core.
Greg Farshtey spent almost a decade helping to tell that story. In Issue 144, the author discusses creating Bionicle’s lore, working on LEGO Club magazine and writing books for Bionicle and Hero Factory.
Meet LEGO House Master Builder Justin Ramsden
LEGO House Master Builder Justin Ramsden talks to Blocks about his career and the experiences that have taken him to the home of the brick in Billund. It turns out that how this adventure started for him is very relevant to his latest role.
With LEGO House approaching its 10th anniversary, Justin also teases what might be coming for the attraction’s next major milestone.
Build, create and discover
There’s plenty of hands-on inspiration throughout the 116-page issue. Build a miniature version of 11383 Mayor Manor in time for Halloween, experiment with a SNOT sausage technique or construct a tree using barrel elements.
There are also impressive models to admire, including a spectacular collaborative Halo build, alongside imaginative medieval fantasy creations and a look at the 10 spookiest LEGO ghouls.
The latest LEGO releases are put through their paces too, with reviews covering new sets from Pokémon, SpongeBob SquarePants, Donkey Kong, Jurassic Park, The Fantastic Four, Olivia Rodrigo and more.
Get Blocks Issue 144
Blocks Issue 144 is available to order worldwide now, either as a single issue or as part of a subscription. It will be available in UK stores from October 2.
Subscribe to Blocks in print for 12 months before October 9 and you’ll receive a free 2026 Blocks brick and free Christmas cards. A two-year print subscription also includes a bonus free copy of 100 Incredible LEGO Builds, a special one-off edition packed with building inspiration.
Every subscriber is also automatically entered into the monthly prize draw, with Issue 144 offering the chance to win LEGO 43031 Olivia Rodrigo’s Dual Guitar.
Order Issue 144 or subscribe now.