Which LEGO theme, launched in 1999, became the company’s first licensed product line?

LEGO Star Wars, launched in 1999, was LEGO’s first licensed product line.

The partnership joined LEGO’s construction system with characters, vehicles and locations from the Star Wars films. Early sets included models inspired by the original trilogy, such as spacecraft and ground vehicles, and the range quickly became one of LEGO’s most recognisable themes.

The agreement was significant because LEGO had traditionally built themes around its own inventions, including town, space and castle settings. Licensing allowed the company to reach fans who already knew the stories and characters, while still letting builders reinterpret them with bricks.

LEGO Star Wars is sometimes confused with LEGO’s first film-related theme generally. Star Wars was the first major licensed line, while later partnerships brought brands such as Harry Potter, Marvel and Disney into LEGO products.