Minifigures ( theme ) Minifigures , also known as Collectible Minifigures , is a theme introduced in May 2010 . Each series consists of polybag s which contain 1 of 16 unique and exclusive minifigures . A new series is released every three to four months , with sixteen new unique and exclusive minifigure s in each series ( excluding the 8909 Team GB Minifigures , which includes nine minifigures , 71001 Minifigures Series 10 , which includes 17 , 71017 The LEGO Batman Movie Series , which includes 20 , and 71018 Minifigures Series 17 which has 17 ) . The minifigures can be based on movies , sports , fiction , history , or just average " a - day - in - the - life " professions . Each minifigure contains new elements in the form of accessories or uniquely printed body parts . Thirteen regular series , and three special series , have been released to date . In addition to regular series , five sets based on the theme exist , 850458 VIP Top 5 Boxed Minifigures , 850449 Minifigure Beach Accessory Pack , 850791 LEGO Minifigure Birthday Set , 850486 Rock Band , 850487 Halloween Accessory Set , and possibly more to come . There have also been some other sets released that were affiliated with the theme . Most of the sets contain redesigned minifigures that have been already produced but some of them are completely new , different and exclusive . It had a MMORPG named LEGO Minifigures Online , but it was shut down in 2016 . Description . The Collectible Minifigures , or Minifigures theme was introduced in May 2010 . The first sneak peek of the theme was in the April 2010 LEGO Club Magazine , which included a poster of the minifigures . Each series , except the 8909 Team GB Minifigures and 71001 Minifigures Series 10 , contains sixteen minifigures drawn from a wide range of different settings : movies , sports , history , everyday life and almost any other source imaginable . They are intended to be collected and traded , and designed so interesting new minifigures could be acquired without purchasing an entire new set . Every minifigure features high detail including special , often purpose - made , accessories and a black display base , with the exception of 8909 Team GB Minifigures , which has a white display case . The theme features new accessories such as maracas , microphones , skirts , guitars , and other new elements such as hair styles , hat s , and helmet s . Series 1 and 2 include some spare accessories , but subsequent releases discontinued this practice . Many of these elements have not been produced in any subsequent sets . The minifigures are sold in individual opaque polybag s , meant to prevent buyers from identifying the contents . One way you can attempt to get a minifigure and knowing what is inside is by feeling the packaging . In the boxes , there are common ( 5 per box ) , uncommon ( 4 per box ) and rare ( 3 per box ) minifigures . However , barcodes on the backs of the polybags of Series 1 and 2 can be used to identify the respective minifigure , and in response , Series 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 and 7 , 8909 Team GB Minifigures and 8 use a " bump code " along the bottom of a package instead . These bump codes are designed to be much more difficult to distinguish . Each polybag contains 5 - 11 elements including a minifigure , accessories , a display base , and an instruction / checklist booklet . Each series is only available for a limited time , which is usually three to four months before the next series is released and will be able to replace its predecessor . Online games . Series 1 : Series 2 : Series 3 : Series 4 : Series 5 : Series 7 : Series 8 : Series 10 : Minifigures . The LEGO Batman Movie . The Lego Ninjago Movie