Coming in at 2,187 pieces, the The City of Lanterns (80036) is a big build that delivers on the details from the Monkie Kid lineup. It debuted in 2022 at $159.99. The set includes 9 minifigures, adding play and display value.
Dollar for dollar at $0.073 per piece, this is one of the better deals in Monkie Kid.
With this piece count and build quality, the The City of Lanterns earns its place in the Monkie Kid lineup. Good for builders and collectors alike.
Key Features
2,187 pieces — Big enough to be impressive, packed with interesting techniques
9 minifigures — Solid roster of characters for play and display
$0.073 per piece — Strong price-per-piece for this theme
Season 3 collection — Sought-after corner of the Monkie Kid lineup
From 2022 — Modern LEGO design and packaging quality
Theme Background
As a 2022 addition to Monkie Kid, part of the Season 3 subcollection, the The City of Lanterns slots into a meaningful entry point in the Monkie Kid range. Monkie kid is part of LEGO's broader product lineup, and at $159.99 this set is priced accordingly. At $0.073 per piece, it punches above its weight on value.
Collectors following Monkie Kid specifically should note the Season 3 subtheme — it's a category that tends to draw attention and hold value, especially as sets in this tier age out of production.
Why This Set Is Special
#1 most-wanted in Monkie Kid. With 1,702 collectors wanting this set, it ranks #1 out of 51 Monkie Kid sets by demand — top 2.0%.
Part-out value 2.3x retail — The individual parts are worth $367.49 on BrickLink — 2.3x the $159.99 retail price. Exceptional part-out value.
#2 most minifigures in Monkie Kid — The 9 minifigures in this set rank #2 in the entire Monkie Kid lineup.
Top 2 most owned in Monkie Kid — 3,046 collectors report owning this set — #2 of 51 in Monkie Kid.
Top 10% value in Monkie Kid — At $0.073 per piece (#3 of 51), this is one of the best value-for-money sets in Monkie Kid.
Frequently Asked Questions
[{"q": "How many pieces are in the LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036)?", "a": "The LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) contains 2,187 pieces, making it a large-scale display set. This makes it one of the largest sets in the entire Monkie Kid theme, ranking #4 out of 51 sets. This is a build that will keep you engaged for several hours, with plenty of intricate details and techniques to enjoy."}, {"q": "What minifigures come with the LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036)?", "a": "The LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) includes a large selection of 9 minifigures. Minifigures are a key value driver for LEGO sets \u2014 exclusive or rare minifigures can appreciate significantly in value on their own, sometimes commanding high prices on the secondary market. With 9 figures included, this set provides strong collectible value beyond the build itself."}, {"q": "How much does the LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) cost?", "a": "The retail price (MSRP) for the LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) is $159.99 in the United States. Regional pricing is \u00a3119.99 in the UK, CA$199.99 in Canada, \u20ac139.99 in Europe. This works out to $0.07 per piece. That places it in the top 25% of Monkie Kid sets for value \u2014 you get a lot of pieces for the price you pay."}, {"q": "Is the LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) a good investment?", "a": "The LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) shows strong investment potential based on several factors. Key investment signals include: high piece count, strong minifigure lineup, excellent price-per-piece value. Monkie Kid sets have historically been among the best-performing themes for post-retirement appreciation. As with any LEGO investment, buying at or below retail price maximizes potential returns. Use the BrickBucks price tracker to find the best entry point."}, {"q": "What age is the LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) suitable for?", "a": "The LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) is recommended for ages 9+. The build is designed to be approachable for younger builders while still providing an enjoyable experience."}, {"q": "How big is the LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036)?", "a": "The LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) measures approximately 58.20cm \u00d7 37.80cm \u00d7 11.80cm (W\u00d7H\u00d7D). This is a substantial display piece \u2014 make sure you have adequate shelf space before purchasing."}, {"q": "Is the LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) still available?", "a": "The LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) retired on December 31, 2024 and is no longer available at retail. You can find this set on secondary markets including Amazon, eBay, and BrickLink. Retired Monkie Kid sets often trade at a premium above their original retail price, with demand typically increasing over time as sealed inventory decreases."}, {"q": "Where can I buy the LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036)?", "a": "The LEGO The City of Lanterns (80036) is retired and only available on secondary markets. Check Amazon, eBay, and BrickLink for current listings. Use the BrickBucks price tracker to compare prices across retailers and find the best deal."}]
