The King of the Dinosaurs is coming back, but it's not looking like the Rex you grew up with. With Jurassic World Rebirth officially slated for July 2025, the toy industry is currently in a state of high-octane panic and excitement. Basically, every time a new movie drops, Mattel and LEGO have to reinvent the wheel. Or, in this case, the lizard. But the Jurassic World Rebirth T rex toys are hitting a weird nerve with fans this time around because the movie itself is a massive soft reboot. We aren't in the Lockwood Manor anymore. We’re dealing with a stripped-back, "isolated tropical environment" vibe, and that means the toys are following suit with a shift in aesthetics that some people are going to hate.
I’ve spent way too much time looking at the leaked distribution schedules and manufacturing rumors out of the 2024 trade shows. Honestly? It’s a mess, but a fascinating one.
The Mattel problem: Can they top the "Hammond Collection" Rex?
Mattel has held the license since 2018, and they’ve been killing it. They saved the brand after Hasbro’s disastrous 2015 run—remember those hollow, screw-hole-ridden dinosaurs? Horrible. But now, Mattel is in a "what now?" phase. The Jurassic World Rebirth T rex toys have to compete with Mattel's own back catalog of "Super Colossal" and "Epic Evolution" figures.
The buzz among industry insiders like those at Jurassic Outpost suggests the new Rebirth Rex will lean heavily into "bio-mechanical" or "environmentally integrated" play features. Since the new film stars Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey and centers on a team trying to extract DNA from the "three most colossal creatures," the toys are expected to reflect this "extraction" theme. Expect a Rex with some sort of "DNA harvest" gimmick. It sounds a bit like the old Kenner "Dino-Damage" from the 90s, which, let’s be real, was the peak of toy engineering.
Why the 2025 sculpt looks different
If you look at the leaked silhouettes, the snout is narrower. It's less "Rexy" (the classic 1993 veteran) and more of a sleek, modern predator. This is because Gareth Edwards is directing. He’s the Godzilla (2014) and The Creator guy. He likes scale. He likes grit. He doesn’t like monsters that look like rubber puppets. The toys are reflecting this by moving away from the "chunky" look of the Dominion figures.
Pricing reality check for 2025
Let's talk money because it's getting ridiculous. Inflation hasn't skipped the toy aisle. You used to get a solid Rex for $20. Now? A "Strike Attack" Rex is pushing $25, and the high-end stuff is hovering around $60.
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For the Jurassic World Rebirth T rex toys launch, we're looking at three distinct tiers:
First, there’s the "Core" line. These are the ones you’ll see at Target and Walmart filling up three whole shelves. They’ll have the "hidden" scan code for the Jurassic World Play app. I’ve heard rumors that the app is getting a massive "Rebirth" overhaul to include AR tracking in real-time.
Then you have the collector tier. This is where the Hammond Collection lives. Word on the street is that a Rebirth-specific Rex will debut in this line with more than 20 points of articulation. If they don't give us glass eyes and a rubberized tongue at this point, the fandom might actually riot.
Finally, the "Colossal" scale. These things are literally three feet long. They’re great for kids to trip over in the middle of the night. Mattel usually drops one of these per movie cycle.
LEGO's involvement: More than just bricks
LEGO is the other big player. They’ve been very quiet about their 2025 sets, but we know the "T. rex vs. Anything" formula is a license to print money. The Jurassic World Rebirth T rex toys in LEGO form will likely be part of a $100+ "Encounter" set.
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Actually, here's a detail most people miss: LEGO's T. rex molds have barely changed in a decade. But with Rebirth, rumors from the LEGO-leaker community (shoutout to the folks on Eurobricks) suggest we might finally get a new head mold to match the slimmer profile of the Gareth Edwards-era dinosaur. It’s about time. The old mold is starting to look a bit "blocky," even for LEGO.
What's actually changing in the toy design?
- Skin Texture: They are moving toward a more matte, "leathery" finish. The shiny plastic look of the Fallen Kingdom era is out.
- The "Gimmick": Instead of just a "roar," the new figures are rumored to have "tactile feedback." Basically, when the Rex bites, the handle vibrates. Sorta cool, sorta gimmicky.
- Color Palettes: Expect a lot of jungle greens and muddy browns. The "desert" tan of the last movie is being phased out for the new tropical setting.
The "Realism" vs. "Playability" debate
There is this constant tug-of-war in the Jurassic community. You’ve got the "Scientific Accuracy" crowd who wants feathers and forward-facing eyes, and then you’ve got the "Movie Accuracy" crowd. The Jurassic World Rebirth T rex toys are firmly in the movie camp.
Dr. James Kirkland, a real-world paleontologist who has consulted on various dino-media, has often noted that Jurassic Park dinos are "movie monsters," not animals. Rebirth isn't changing that. The toys will still have those oversized feet so they can stand up on a carpet without falling over. It’s a physics thing. If you made a T. rex toy with "accurate" feet, it would face-plant every five seconds.
Where to find the best deals at launch
Don't buy these on Day 1. Seriously.
The hype cycle for Jurassic World Rebirth is going to be massive. The first wave of toys usually hits shelves in April or May 2025, ahead of the July release. Retailers like Amazon and Target usually do a "buy two, get one free" sale on toys around early June to clear out old stock before the movie hits. That is your window.
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Also, keep an eye on "Battle Damage" variants. They are usually Walmart exclusives and tend to hold their value way better on the secondary market than the standard releases. If you see a Rex with a "bloody" scratch or a removable piece of flesh, grab it. It sounds morbid, but that’s where the collector money is.
The surprising return of Kenner-style branding
There's a nostalgia play happening. Mattel has realized that the people buying these toys aren't just 8-year-olds; they're 35-year-olds who miss the 1993 packaging. Some of the Jurassic World Rebirth T rex toys are expected to ship in "Legacy-style" boxes with the classic sunset logo.
It’s a smart move. It bridges the gap between the "New Era" of Scarlett Johansson and the "Old Guard" of Sam Neill.
Actionable steps for collectors and parents
If you're looking to get ahead of the curve for the 2025 release, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Follow the "Leaker" Accounts: Set notifications for Collect Jurassic and Jurassic Outpost on social media. They usually get "in-hand" photos of these toys months before they hit stores.
- Check the "UPC" Lists: Serious collectors use BrickSeek to check inventory at local stores using UPC codes. Once the Jurassic World Rebirth T rex toys codes leak in early 2025, save them.
- Prioritize the Hammond Collection: If you only have space for one Rex, wait for the Hammond Collection version. The "Mainline" toys are built for rough play; the Hammond stuff is built for your shelf.
- Avoid Third-Party Scalpers: Do not pay $100 for a $35 toy on eBay in May. These are mass-produced. There will be tens of thousands of them. Just wait for the restock.
- Look for the "DNA" Symbol: Ensure you’re getting the "Rebirth" version by checking the foot for the updated scan code. The new app integration will likely not be backward compatible with older "Dominion" toys.
The Jurassic World Rebirth era is basically a gamble. Universal is betting that we still care about the T. rex even without the original cast. Based on the early look at the toy prototypes, they're betting on a grittier, more "back to basics" approach that favors quality over quantity. Whether you're a parent buying for a kid or a collector looking for the "perfect" Rex, the 2025 lineup is shaping up to be the most significant shift in the brand's history since 2018.