On June 11, 1993, Jurassic Park roared into cinemas and forever changed how we saw dinosaurs, adventure, and yes, action figures. Over three decades later, the legacy lives on through collectibles, fan communities, and an ever-growing dino toy empire.
To celebrate 32 years of wonder, awe, and plastic raptors, we’ve dug deep into the toybox to bring you 32 fun facts about Jurassic Park toys, from rare releases and strange accessories to behind-the-scenes quirks and fan favorites. Whether you’re a longtime collector or a casual fan, there’s something in here to surprise you.
1. The original Jurassic Park toy line included collector’s cards packaged with each figure, featuring stunning illustrations by paleoartist Brian Franczak. His dynamic dinosaur art gave the toys an extra burst of realism — and made the cards collectible in their own right
2. Kenner’s original molds were reportedly destroyed, making accurate reissues of the 1993 toys nearly impossible today.
3. The JP logo number system (like “JP03”) wasn’t just cool branding — it helped kids track which dinosaurs they had collected.
4. “If it’s not Jurassic Park, it’s extinct!” wasn’t just a catchy slogan — it was a bold declaration stamped across toys, lunchboxes, and packaging to set official merch apart from generic dinosaur knock-offs. In a toy aisle full of nameless T. rexes and plastic Stegosaurs, this tagline told kids (and parents) exactly which dinos had Spielberg’s seal of approval..
5. Rumor has it that Ariana Richards was brought to tears when she learned there would be no Lex Murphy action figure in Kenner’s original toy line — making Lex one of the few main characters left out, despite surviving the entire movie.
6. Dino-Damage first appeared in the original Kenner line — because what’s a Jurassic toy without a wound? The gimmick stuck around, leaving its scar on every major line since, including Mattel’s.
7. The original Alan Grant figure came with what looks like a handheld nuclear device — an accessory so strange and out-of-place, it’s still puzzling fans 32 years later. It never appeared in the film, but somehow made perfect sense in 1993.
8. Many toys of the first three Jurassic Park films were based on pre-production concept art, not the final movie — hence why some dinosaurs and especially human figures look totally different than on-screen.
9. The Series II Carnotaurus is one of the rarest JP figures ever made, released in limited numbers in 1994.
10. The Jurassic Park: series II toy-line featured a motorcycle with a giant “capture claw”, which is exactly as 90s as it sounds.
11. The iconic Bull T. rex from The Lost World toy line was actually a repurposed design — originally developed as the canceled “Omega T. rex” for Kenner’s Jurassic Park Series II line. With a new paint job, it roared back to life as one of the line’s most memorable toys.
12. The Lost World toy line included some of the most memorable vehicles in the franchise — including the Mobile Command Center that opened up like a playset, complete with a firing missile and sound effects
13. Jurassic Park: Chaos Effect wasn’t just a wild toy line — rumors swirled that it was tied to a planned animated series that never made it past development, making the toys a rare glimpse into what could have been.
14. In 1999, Hasbro released repaints of Kenner molds under “Jurassic Park: Dinosaurs”, reusing old favorites in wild colors.
15. Jurassic Park III introduced the Spinosaurus as the new apex predator — its toy was one of the most impressive models in the entire line, featuring electronic roaring and a snapping jaw. However, the animatronic mechanism is extremely delicate, and finding one today that still works is a rare treasure for collectors.
16. Hasbro’s 2015 Jurassic World line was widely criticized for hollow, simplified figures — a sharp contrast to Kenner’s legacy.
17. A Dilophosaurus toy from Hasbro’s 2016 Jurassic World Dino Hybrid line makes a brief but memorable appearance in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom — spotted among the debris as the crew explores the destroyed Main Street on Isla Nublar.
18. In 2018, Mattel took over the Jurassic World toy license and immediately won back fans with articulated, movie-accurate designs and deep collector appeal.
19. Mattel’s Legacy Collection was created to honor the original Jurassic Park trilogy, bringing back classic characters, vehicles, and dinosaurs.
20. The Amber Collection was Mattel’s 6-inch collector line, often compared to Star Wars Black Series — but short-lived.
21. The Hammond Collection became the definitive collector series — with premium paint, articulation, and screen accuracy.
22. When Mattel unleashed their Brachiosaurus, it wasn’t just a toy — it was a towering colossus, the tallest Jurassic Park figure ever released at the time, commanding attention and awe from collectors and fans alike.
23. The Lava Surge Playset has connecting pieces on both sides, hinting it was designed to link with a larger playset lineup — a plan likely scrapped when Toys “R” Us went bankrupt, leaving fans wondering what could have been.
24. In 2023, Mattel launched a crowdfunding campaign to produce an ultra-detailed Jurassic Park Gates set — complete with lights, sounds, a Ford Explorer, and The Lost World’s Buck T. rex. Despite fan buzz, the project didn’t hit its funding goal and was never produced, making it one of the franchise’s biggest “what could have been” collector pieces.
25. Mattel uses a coded system on the bottom of each dino’s foot to track production waves.
26. The Amber Collection human figures were carefully designed to be in scale with the Super Colossal T. rex, allowing collectors to create epic, realistic scenes with accurate size proportions.
27. In March 2024, Mattel and Universal made it official — renewing their global licensing agreement for Jurassic World toys. That means Mattel continues to be the main creator of action figures, playsets, role-play gear, plush, and more for the franchise, ensuring dinos will stay on toy shelves for years to come.
28. The first Jurassic Park-themed LEGO sets debuted in 2001, inspired by Jurassic Park III and released as part of LEGO’s broader Studios line — blending brick-building fun with dino adventure for the first time.
29. A modified Kenner Jurassic Park Pteranodon got screen time in 1995’s Toy Story, appearing in Sid’s room as a cool Easter egg and tribute to the beloved toy line.
30. Unlike the original Kenner line, Mattel succeeded in turning every main character from the first Jurassic Park into an action figure — finally giving fans long-awaited figures like Henry Wu, Lex Murphy and a screen-accurate Donald Gennaro (yes, even with a toilet).
31. Mattel’s Classic ‘93 line paid tribute to the original Kenner toys with retro-style packaging, bold color schemes, and nostalgic nods — even reviving the iconic Red Rex and reimagining figures like Grant, Malcolm, and Nedry. It was a love letter to collectors who grew up in the toy aisles of the ’90s.
32. Jurassic Park was released on June 11, 1993 — and 32 years later, we’re still collecting the toys. That’s not just nostalgia… that’s life finding a way.
