When we think of Christmas movies, the classics like Home Alone, Elf, or Die Hard (if you’re on that team) often come to mind. But what if I told you that Jurassic World (2015) has its own claim to the holiday movie throne? Hear me out.
The opening scene of Jurassic World sets the festive tone with a subtle but unmistakable nod to Christmas. As the family prepares for their kids to head off to Isla Nublar, the soundtrack plays none other than “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” This quiet moment, complete with snowy landscapes and cozy family vibes, lays a surprising holiday foundation for what becomes a thrilling dinosaur adventure.
Sure, Jurassic World might not feature a Santa hat-wearing Velociraptor (although wouldn’t that be great?), but the holiday themes of family, togetherness, and wonder are present throughout. Plus, who doesn’t want to gather around the tree with loved ones to watch dinosaurs wreak havoc on screen?
But let’s step away from the debate and dive into the toys. 2015 brought us not only a blockbuster film but also a plethora of Jurassic World merchandise. Among the countless dino-themed items, here are five of the most curious and memorable toys released that year:
When Jurassic World roared into theaters in 2015, the accompanying toy line from Hasbro stirred both excitement and controversy. Here’s a look at five of the most curious releases from that year:
Brawlasaurs. These wind-up battling dinosaur toys were designed for head-to-head combat. Each toy came with a scannable code to unlock its digital counterpart in Jurassic World: The Game. While the integration with the game was innovative, the simplistic wind-up mechanism and limited playability left fans divided.
Chomping T. rex. Hailed (or rather mocked) as one of the worst Jurassic toys ever, the Chomping T. rex featured a single action—a button on its back that made its jaws snap shut. Unfortunately, its poor sculpt and lack of realism turned it into an infamous example of what fans didn’t want in a Jurassic toy.
Hero Mashers. Part of Hasbro’s larger Hero Mashers line, this series allowed kids to mix and match dinosaur parts with other figures from franchises like Marvel and Transformers. While the idea of hybrid dinosaurs was creative, the figures were criticized for their overly cartoony appearance and lack of movie accuracy.
Titan Raptors. The budget-friendly Titan Raptors—featuring Charlie, Delta, and Echo—offered basic articulation but lacked the signature sickle claw of Velociraptors. This glaring inaccuracy sparked frustration among fans, who felt the omission overlooked a fundamental aspect of raptor anatomy.
Mountain Dew Rex. Nicknamed “Mountain Dew Rex” due to its odd neon-green coloring, this T. rex had an action feature where its head moved when the tail was manipulated. However, the bizarre color choice and lackluster design left fans shaking their heads, and the toy quickly became a meme among collectors.
The 2015 Jurassic World toy line might not have been perfect, but it certainly gave fans plenty to talk about—good, bad, and downright strange. Whether you were mixing and matching Hero Mashers or battling it out with Brawlasaurs, these toys brought dino-fueled fun in their own unique way.
So, did any of these prehistoric treasures find their way under your Christmas tree in 2015?
