03 December 2025

Review: 11370 Stranger Things – The Creel House from LEGO® Icons

Posted by Elspeth De Montes

It has been a while since the last LEGO® Stranger Things minifigure-based set, but LEGO® Icons 11370 Stranger Things: The Creel House is due to release 1 January 2026 for LEGO® Insiders. If you purchase it at launch, you will also receive 40891 Stranger Things: WSQK Radio Station as a free gift with purchase (GwP) – our review of that will be coming shortly.

I haven’t actually watched Season 5 yet, so spoilers in this review are limited, but inevitably there are spoilers within the images of this set and also in some of my commentary based upon what I do know, so be warned – sensitive folks should back away from the review of this spooky house now. 


Products in this article were gifted by The LEGO Group; the author's opinions are their own.
This article contains affiliate links to LEGO.com; we may get a small commission if you purchase.

11370 Stranger Things: The Creel House

  • Release date: 1 January 2026 for LEGO® Insiders early access; 4 January for all
  • Pieces: 2593

Price: 

Other countries click here

Lego Icons 11370 Stranger Things – The Creel House

 

It's actually been 5½ years since we took a look at the new elements in 75810 Stranger Things: The Upside Down and quite a lot has happened in the town of Hawkins since then, too. The LEGO Group has continued their Netflix collaboration with a couple of LEGO® BrickHeadz™Stranger Things sets, but The Creel House is only the theme's second minifigure playset. 

The Creel House set is based on the old dilapidated mansion in Hawkins that used to belong to Victor Creel and his family. It appears in Season 4 and the current Season 5 of the show.  

In Season 4, the Creel family moved into their dream home in Hawkins but soon the family experiences some unsettling events. 

"We wanted to celebrate the essence of Stranger Things, and the Creel House is where Henry first discovers his powers. This is the first ever transforming LEGO house set; the model can shift from the dilapidated 1980s version of the house to an imagined 'exploded' version, revealing a look into the Mind Lair we see in Seasons 4 and 5..."
– LEGO® Design Team;  quote from instruction manual

New moulds

New minifigure moulds are shown later, but here are the new pieces that could find use in your constructions.

Brick Special 4 x 4  x 1 with Axle Holes with stops (7796)

  • 2x Brick Special 4 x 4 x 1 with Axle Holes with stops in Light Bluish Gray (6575836 | 7796)
This seems to be an element to aid vehicle chassis construction and strength; perhaps relating to vehicle-based sets in another theme? The 1x4 brick section on each side has a central axle hole with stop, and the two central studs are recessed – just like a 1x2 Technic brick. The middle section is a 2x4 plate area.


On first glance it may seem to be POOP, but it should be noted that the two axle holes are not through holes.  They have a stop as otherwise an axle would collide with the studs on the central 2x4 plate portion. The stop does however permit an 3.2mm bar to travel across both axle holes without any issue.

Although the stop prevents the axle from continuing through the axle hole, there's very little difference in the overall length of axle left extended out. For example in this case the 3L axle inserted fully into the axle hole with stop (the lower axle) and through axle hole (upper) have very similar lengths; inevitability there will be a small difference due to the stop.


The main sibling element we could think of was Brick Special 2 x 4 x 1 1/3 with Axle Holes and 2 x 2 Recessed and Hole (67446). In reality, 67446 actually has just about as many differences as it has similarities to the new mould; it's more of a distant cousin, twice removed!

Deformed Left Hand with bar (7985)

  • 1x Deformed Left Hand with bar in Dark Red (6586495 | 7985)
This representation of the evil Vecna's left hand has a bar for the minifigure hand to hold and then the curled deformed digits cover the minifigure hand. The good news about this element is that you get two hands in the set, as one is a spare, but the bad news it that they are of course both the same, left hand. 

It's a specialised element, but certainly of use elsewhere as an organic shape – and surely will be recoloured for use in LEGO® Botanicals products?


Vecna's left hand joins a small family of elements with bars for minifigures to hold, including but not limited to:

New prints

  • Panel 1 x 2 x 3 [Side Supports / Hollow Studs] in Trans-Clear with Stained-Glass Window print (6577430)
  • Hair and Hat, Cap with Curly Hair in Bright Light Orange with Black print (6570652)

©2024 Netflix

The window with a stained-glass rose gets a welcome new print; thankfully depicting the window before Robin throws a brick through it! When compared to the window in the series, there are some differences in colour and detail but it's obviously a necessary simplification.

The printing on my particular element was misaligned; it is blurred with fuzzy edges. Let Customer Services know if you experience the same issue with yours.

Recolours


  • 2x Panel 1 x 3 x 1 in Blue (6587104 | 23950)
  • 2x Window 1 x 2 x 2 Plane, Round Hole in Blue (6586464 | 7276)
  • 1x Bicycle Frame, No Handlebars in Nougat (6598626 | 6348)
  • 1x Hinge Panel 6 x 3 in Light Bluish Gray (6586462 | 2440) – note this element has appeared in the old light gray but not light bluish grey until now
  • 1x Equipment Telescope 1 x 1 x 1 2/3 in Blue (6598218 | 64644)
  • 1x Panel 1 x 4 x 3 [Side Supports / Hollow Studs] in Dark Green (6587803 | 60581)
  • 2x Brick Arch 1 x 3 x 2, Straight End in White (6575575 | 5850) – this is the first recolour for this new element. See our analysis of Brick Arch 1 x 3 x 2 (part 5850) in 21363 The Goonies
  • 1x Brick 1 x 1 x 5 with Solid Stud in Dark Blue (6595205 | 2453)
  • 1x Minifig Hipwear Skirt Long in Dark Azure (6595712 | 7221)
  • 26x Tile Special 1 x 2 Diamond Plain in White (6586470 | 35649)
  • 1x Slope 4 x 6 x 2/3 Double in Blue (6593084 | 32739)
  • 1x Plate 4 x 12 in Olive Green (6586469 | 3029)
  • 2x Wedge Plate 4 x 8 Cut Corners in Olive Green (6593081 | 68297)
  • 1x Cape in Bright Light Orange (6586348)

Return of the element

A handful of pieces return to production after several years' absence.
  • 9x Cone 1 x 1 Inverted with Bar at Bottom in White (6593092 | 11610) – last seen 2017
  • 1x Slope Curved 6 x 4 x 2/3 Quad Curved with 2 x 2 Studs in Dark Red (6593079 | 98281) – last seen 2016
  • 2x Wedge Curved 16 x 4 Triple in Reddish Brown (6593080 | 45301) – last seen 2011
  • 4x Wheel Arch, Mudguard 4 x 2 1/2 x 1 in Dark Red (6586466 | 98282) – last seen 2012

Rare elements

In one other set

  • 2x Wedge Curved 16 x 4 Triple in Reddish Brown (4626950 | 45301) – last seen 2011
  • 1x Brick Sloped 4 x 4 Corner in Black (6531017 | 7241) – read our analysis of Brick Sloped 4 x 4 (1241) in 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Ship 
  • 1x Brick Round, Half 1 x 2 in Bright Green (6526750 | 68013)
  • 9x Cone 1 x 1 Inverted with Bar at Bottom (Ice Cream Cone) in White (6187283 | 11610)
  • 5x Bracket 1 x 1 - 1 x 2 in Dark Blue (6572731 | 79389)
  • 1x Slope Curved 6 x 4 x 2/3 Quad Curved with 2 x 2 Studs in Dark Red (6146958 | 98281) – last seen 2016
  • 1x Tile 3 x 3 Curved, Macaroni in Reddish Brown (6547793 | 79393)
  • 6x Bracket 1 x 2 with 1 x 2 Vertical Studs in Light Bluish Gray (6569354 | 4585)
  • 2x Technic Link 1 x 16 in Reddish Brown (6227894 | 2637) – only ever appeared in 41195 Emily & Noctura's Showdown from 2018

Sticker sheet

There are two sticker sheets.


The first sheet of stickers mainly decorates parts of the Creel House to depict the Upside Down views, showing Vecna's Mind Lair in the Upside Down.

There are Easter eggs and nods to the Stranger Things world, of course. Having not watched Season 5 I won't go into detail but here's an overview. 

Stickers 12 to 19 are used to decorate the WSQK radio station van, while sticker 23 shows Henry's Mind Flayer sketch. Henry's spider obsession includes a book on spiders lying on a bed in the house. The white rabbit could be related to the dead rabbit the Creel family find when they first move into the house. At first I thought sticker 24 was the sketch of two stick people that Jane "Eleven" Hopper draws while in the Hawking lab but it's missing the labels "papa" and "11", so perhaps this relates to something I'm yet to see in Season 5?

Minifigures


There are 13 minifigures included in the set; details of the new prints, hair and recolours for the characters are listed below.

Henry Creel aka 'Mr Whatsit'

Henry Creel is the son of Victor Creel and his family move into the Creel House in 1959. Henry is a sociopath and has telekinetic powers. He kills his mother and sister and then tries to kill his father. Henry ends up being 001, the first child test subject at Hawkins National Laboratory, which is where Eleven first encounters him.  He is known to Holly Wheeler as 'Mr Whatsit'; her protector and imaginary friend.

  • Hair in Ochre Yellow (6596239 | 98726) – a recolour
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat (6577448)
  • Torso with print in Dark Orange (6596245)

©2025 Netflix

As Mr Whatsit, Henry Creel is wearing his Season 5 suit, waistcoat and red tie. His minifigure has an alternative hat option along with his ochre yellow hair.

Vecna

Henry Creel became Vecna after being sent to the an alternate dimension by Eleven. His deformed, mutilated appearance is a result of living in the Upside Down, transforming into the monster Vecna.

  • 1x Minifig Head with print in Dark Red (6577439)
  • 1x Torso with print in Dark Red (6595782)
  • 1x Legs with print in Dark Red (6577440)
  • 1x Deformed Left hand with bar in Dark Red (6586495 | 7985) – new mould

Friends don't lie

The main group of friends consists of Mike Wheeler, Will Byers, Eleven, Lucas Sinclair and Dustin Henderson. All of their minifigures get an older version from the original Stranger Things minifigures.

Mike Wheeler


  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat
  • Torso with print in Light Aqua (6595613)

Will Byers

  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat
  • Torso with print in Blue (6595658)

Eleven

  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat
  • Torso with print in Light Bluish Gray (6596858)
  • Legs, dual moulded in Red and Light Bluish Gray (6596984)

Lucas Sinclair


  • Hair in Black (6575786)
  • Minifig Head with print in Reddish Brown (6577451)
  • Torso with print in Dark Azure (6595425)

Dustin Henderson

  • Hair and Hat, Cap with Curly Hair in Bright Light Orange (6570652) – new print
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat
  • Torso with print in White (6595784)

Robin Buckley

Robin worked with Steve at the Family Video store in Hawkins, as well as being a student at Hawkins High School. She helped the others to investigate the deaths of fellow Hawkins students and discovers the link with the 1959 deaths within the Creel family.

  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat
  • Torso with print in Black (6596009)

Holly Wheeler

Mike and Nancy’s youngest sister, Holly Wheeler plays a more significant role in Season 5 but here we see her in her outfit from Season 4. She has a blue pinafore dress, her turquoise boots and the yellow cape on, not forgetting the red Scouting scarf that belongs to Henry Creel.
  • Hair Parted in Center, Two Front Ringlets in Ochre Yellow (6587973) – a new mould
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat
  • Cape in Bright Light Orange (6586348)
  • Torso with print in White (6595709)
  • Minifig Hipwear Skirt Long in Dark Azure (6595712 | 7221)

Nancy Wheeler

Nancy is the older sister of Mike Wheeler, the former girlfriend of Steve Harrington, and the current girlfriend of Jonathan Byers. She was a reporter for the newspaper The Weekly Streak and helped to solve the mysterious deaths around Hawkins.


  • Torso with print in Magenta (6595791)

Jonathan Byers

He is the older brother of Will Byers who vanished in Season 1, and boyfriend of Nancy Wheeler. 
  • 1x  Torso Shirt, Sand Green and Dark Red Plaid in Dark Bluish Gray (6553519) also in 76454 Hogwarts Castle: The Main Tower 

Steve Harrington

Steve previously worked with Robin at Family Video and the ice cream place Scoops Ahoy. In season 5 he helps Robin and Dustin investigate the mysterious deaths that mirror the Creel family's tragic deaths.


  • Hair with quiff in Reddish Brown (6595786 | 76925) – recolour
  • Torso with print in Dark Orange (6595788)


Maxine (Max) Mayfield

Max becomes best friends with Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Will and Lucas but ends Series 4 with her mind tapped in the Upside Down by Vecna.

  • Hair in Dark Orange (6598264)
  • Torso with print in Olive Green (6595440)

At the time of writing, the set is unreleased so it's impossible to match the Light Nougat heads to their new element IDs just using the tiny images at the back of the building instructions. The only obvious one was Henry Creel's new face print thanks to his glasses! The other new light nougat head prints have the following EIDs and we will match them once the set has been released:
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat (6577428)
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat (6577431)
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat (6577434)
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat (6577436)
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat (6577443)
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat (6577443)
  • Minifig Head with print in Light Nougat (6577446)

The Build

WSQK "Squawk" van

Credit: Ross Duffer, Director & Producer,Netflix Stranger Things 

The first of two vehicles to be built is the van relating to a mobile radio station with the call sign WSQK ("The Squawk"). It has a removable radio transmitter and some cool, retro paint work showing coloured zig-zag stripes coming out of a hawk's mouth like a soundwave.  


The teal, red and bright light orange stripes are half brick-built (well, plate-built) and half stickers. Many of the newly recoloured blue elements are used for the side panels, round windows and the roof.

The underside is nice and tidy, and although it is not as detailed as the chassis of 77255 Lightning McQueen, we can appreciate the exhausts and then added grille tiles to keep the front bumper neat.


Once the stickers are on, the van looks great. It's not a complex build but it's a nice added feature from Season 5, although its role is still uncertain to me! The only issue is that it's a little tricky to access the interior and place minifigures in. The transmitter needs to be removed and then the front section of the roof popped off – not a disaster, but a little fiddly.

Steve Harrington's 1983 BMW 733i



The two new 4 x 4 x 1 with Axle Hole with stop (7796) are used for the chassis of Steve's 1983 BMW 733i to quickly construct a stable vehicle base.


2 x 3 Nexo-Knights shields in black (35341) are used for front section to represent the distinct angles of this BMW.

The only sticker used is for the registration plate at the rear. Overall, this simple model is a pretty good depiction of Steve's 'beamer'. Interestingly, the registration plate differs from the one in the series: the LEGO car simply uses 11370, the set number. 

Unlike the van, it is easy to access the interior by removing the roof and popping minifigures in. The interior fits two minifigures comfortably.

Creel House

Sliding base



The main play feature of the house is a transformation that occurs, and this all begins with a sliding mechanism in the base. The slide not only moves the sections apart but also rotates the middle section where the fronts steps and main door will be located. 


The sliding mechanism also activates a 2 x 2 splat gear (35442) in the upstairs landing, which rotates a wall. When closed, the wall looks normal with wallpaper (top image above) but on opening the house the wall spins round to reveal Vecna’s inter-dimensional Mind Lair. in the Upside Down (bottom image above).

Techniques


There's a nice little technique for attaching the angled wall in the lounge. The table lamp uses an espresso filter (32828) into a hollow 1x1 stud connection to attach the 45 degree-angled wall.  The same connection is used at the top to neatly hold the entire wall securely in place.


Once the wall is complete and the roof on top, the lovely angled wall looks great, all the while being held with just those two pieces!  

You can also see that the white architectural details use a mixture of elements including the newly recoloured Tile Special 1 x 2 Diamond Plain in White (6586470 | 35649) and the Cone 1 x 1 Inverted with Bar at Bottom in White (6593092 | 11610) which was last seen in 2017.



Many of the wall sections are actually attached using less conventional methods, despite looking simpler when the house is closed. Because of the tilting and sliding mechanism, there's equally quite a lot of clever techniques used to make sure the walls tilt and return to a 'normal' position.  One example is the use of clips and hinges to ensure the section of wall moves easily when the dormer roof is raised.



The stickered tile on the table shows the front page of The Hawkins Post with the headline "Local Teens Rescue Principal from Tragic Tumble" – a reference to the Stranger Things: The First Shadow stage production.





There are lots of fun little builds within the rooms; my two favourites were the couch in the lounge and the dining chairs in the dining room.The couch uses a lot of small elements ,while in contrast, the chair uses just four elements including the 2x2 corner posts panel in reddish brown (6494116 | 3131), used for the legs.

Transformation feature



The Creel House transformation feature is truly an amazing sight to behold. This complex cascade of mechanical functions – designed by the engineering guru of LEGO Icons, Mike Psiaki – occurs when the trees at either end of the model are pulled apart.  It's really impressive, and needs to be seen and activated in person to truly be admired.  

The pulling apart of the trees slides the base apart which in turn pulls a series of LEGO Technic arms, and rotates a splat gear to tilt and lift the exterior walls and spin an interior wall, revealing the 'upside down' central portion of the house.

Consider me very impressed!

When closed, the exterior walls are all in position and the interior doesn't have any of the Upside Down stickers on view. The open back gives access to a hallway, dining room, sitting room, Alice’s and Henry’s bedrooms, the upstairs landing and 2 attic spaces. There are eight rooms in total with the middle room being taken up mainly with the revolving wall panel. The attic area shows Henry Creel's obsession with both spiders and candles.



The rising of the dormer window section utilises some LEGO Technic arms to lift and tilt in rather a dramatic fashion.




When the dormer section moves, the grandfather clock from Max's visions in Season 4 appears. The Grandfather clock is rather an ominous vision, as those who see it seem to be targeted by Vecna.

Conclusion


Stranger Things is a successful and popular Netflix series, even if the stories don't entirely make sense sometimes. The mix of 1980s nostalgia, coming-of-age drama and the supernatural makes for a fun program to watch, especially for me as a child of the 1980s!

On the positive side, the Creel House looks great, the transforming feature is mind-blowing and those two vehicles are really nice additions for play and display. The minifigures look the part, especially the main characters and an effort has been made to introduce new prints for most of the characters (you'll see Jonathan Byers among my negatives). 

There are some lovely building techniques to make the house walls work, and some fun details within the rooms, which are a little cramped for play, as always. In order to have the interior actually viewable, the open back was necessary although there will always be some who are unhappy with 'half a house'.



There are only a few negatives for me. I'm not a big fan of the two scrawny looking trees on either side; their foliage is rather sparse. Sadly the printing on the rose window in my review set was a blurred misprint, but hopefully this was just a one-off rather than a wider problem. The budget for this US$299.99/ £249.99/ 279.99€/ AU$449.99 set was obviously in jeopardy when it came to the Jonathan Byers minifigure, as he didn't get a single new print. 

While the transformation mechanism is very impressive, you just need to be careful when resetting the mechanism as a few gaps can show if you are too gentle or don't quite push hard enough, but in general this is understandable, I would be complaining that parts were colliding and pinging off! 

I was also missing one of the 1 x 2 white diamond tiles, which you may have noticed in the final model.  These things occasionally happen and Customer Service are excellent at sending any missing parts.



If you purchase 11370 Stranger Things: The Creel House at launch, you will also receive 40891 Stranger Things: WSQK Radio Station as a GwP. 


READ MORE: New LEGO® City January 2026 moulds: Designer interview with Christopher Leslie Stamp

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