A new Lego Spongebob Squarepants set seems to have leaked, and fans are in agreement that it looks incredible.
The toy-maker is no stranger to hyper-accurate recreations (just look at the best Lego sets if you want an example), but this cartoony Lego Spongebob Squarepants set has struck a chord. "Holy shit it's peak," writes Smitty__0099 on the reddit thread outlining the kit. Ok-Range6568 goes one further by calling it "outrageously good looking. One of the best licensed sets Lego has ever put out."
I get where they're coming from. Supposed promotional images show Bikini Bottom in a picture-perfect cartoon style that nails the show's signature look, and at a glance it could have been ripped from your TV screen. It's weighed down with extras too, from minifigs of Spongebob, Patrick, and Squidward to a host of references fans should recognize right away.
SpongeBob: Icons 11386 Bikini Bottom and BrickHeadz 40858 (via Buggy) from r/Legoleak
So, the obvious question is: can we believe this leak? It apparently comes from new leaker buggyleaks on Instagram, and while their lack of content makes me suspicious, they've been on the money so far. They successfully tipped everyone off about August's Lego ET a few days before the official announcement, for example. That means I'm more willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Plus, the apparently leaked photos match Lego's style for both lifestyle images (the kit in a homey environment, usually on a shelf or table) and back-of-box photography (the set's rear can be seen against a black background). Everything from the minifigures to accessories matches between those two shots as well, which wouldn't be the case if this was constructed using something like AI.
If it does indeed end up being real, I'm stoked for it. We've seen a Lego version of Bikini Bottom before in a 2012 model, but that one was far less detailed and has been long out of print. By comparison, this is way more screen-accurate and feature-rich.
That does come at a literal cost, though; the leaked Lego Spongebob Squarepants set will apparently set you back $219.99 when it launches "either September or November 1, 2026."
We'll have to wait and see if this set is legit, but if those promo shots are real, I can't imagine we'll be hanging around long.
It looks as though it's going to be a good few months for Lego fans, because a leaked Lego Donkey Kong set looks like it might continue a trend I'm loving so far. As for other cool but confirmed gear, why not drop in on our guide to the best toys?
