Mattel’s Jurassic World toy line has been a dream come true for fans, offering everything from kid-friendly action figures to highly detailed collectibles. Among the premium offerings, the Hammond Collection and Legacy Collection stand out as two of the most sought-after sub-lines. Both deliver movie-accurate sculpts, detailed paintwork, and premium packaging, but they serve very different purposes and appeal to different collectors. So, which one is better? Let’s dive into the history and details of each line to find out.
The Hammond Collection: The Successor to Amber Collection
2. Dimorphodons (Amber Collection, Mattel, 2021)
The Hammond Collection, introduced in 2022, is Mattel’s most detailed and articulated Jurassic Park toy line. It was created as a spiritual successor to the Amber Collection, which ran from 2019 to 2022. The Amber Collection focused primarily on 6-inch scale human figures and dinosaurs that matched the scale of the human figures, such as the Raptors and Dimorphodons. However, the Amber Collection struggled for several reasons. The biggest issue was inconsistent scaling—since the figures were 6-inch scale, they didn’t match the rest of Mattel’s Jurassic World toy line, which is built around the traditional 3.75-inch scale. This made it difficult for collectors to integrate them into their existing displays. Another problem was the limited variety of dinosaurs, as the line was heavily focused on Velociraptors and other similarly sized species. Eventually, fan feedback led Mattel to rethink its approach, paving the way for the Hammond Collection.
Right: Dilophosaurus (Hammond Collection, Mattel, 2022)
The Hammond Collection aimed to fix these issues by adopting the 3.75-inch scale, making it fully compatible with Mattel’s standard Jurassic World figures, vehicles, and playsets. It introduced highly articulated human and dinosaur figures, featuring superior sculpting and paint applications to deliver the most screen-accurate Jurassic figures Mattel has ever produced.
The line also introduced a more structured size classification system, categorizing dinosaurs into small, medium, and large classes. Small dinosaurs, such as Velociraptors and Gallimimus, are well-articulated and proportionally accurate. Medium-sized dinosaurs, such as Triceratops and Ceratosaurus, feature bendable tails and multiple points of articulation. Large dinosaurs, such as the Tyrannosaurus rex and Brachiosaurus, serve as the centerpieces of the line, boasting impressive sculpting, premium paint applications, and extensive articulation.
Some of the standout figures in the Hammond Collection include the Tyrannosaurus rex from Jurassic Park, widely considered Mattel’s best T. rex to date, with great articulation and a highly detailed sculpt. The Triceratops is another highlight, as it’s the first properly scaled and movie-accurate Triceratops in Mattel’s lineup. The Velociraptor figures, available in several movie variants, offer greater proportional accuracy compared to previous releases. On the human side, figures like Dr. Ian Malcolm feature improved articulation and better likenesses compared to their mainline counterparts. For collectors who value poseability, screen accuracy, and premium details, the Hammond Collection is easily the best option.
The Legacy Collection: A Nostalgic Favorite
The Legacy Collection first launched in 2018, shortly after the release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, as a way to celebrate the original Jurassic Park trilogy. Unlike the Hammond Collection, which prioritizes articulation and realism, the Legacy Collection originally centered around small dinosaurs, often repaints, but later evolved into more elaborate packs, vehicles, playsets, and scene recreations from the classic films. It shares the same 3.75-inch scale as the mainline figures, making it easy for collectors to mix and match with other Mattel releases.
One of the defining aspects of the Legacy Collection is its focus on classic Jurassic Park vehicles, dioramas, and multi-figure packs. While it doesn’t have the hyper-articulated designs of the Hammond Collection, it delivers an unmatched nostalgia factor, bringing to life some of the most iconic moments from the franchise. Over the years, the Legacy Collection has released several fan-favorite sets, such as the Jurassic Park Ford Explorer, complete with movie-accurate details and breakaway features, and the Jurassic Park Jeep Wrangler, often bundled with figures like Ellie Sattler or a Velociraptor. Other highlights include the Tyrannosaurus Rex Ambush Pack from The Lost World, which includes the male T. rex, the Mercedes vehicle from the film and a new figure of Ian Malcolm.
In 2025, Mattel introduced Legacy Collection Reimagined, an evolution of the original Legacy line which blends characters and dinosaurs from the movies with vintage toy concepts.
Head-to-Head: how do they compare?
Both lines have their strengths, and many collectors find that combining them creates the best possible Jurassic collection. The Hammond Collection’s highly detailed figures can be displayed alongside Legacy Collection vehicles and playsets, making for a truly immersive setup. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal collecting style and display preferences.
| Feature | Hammond Collection | Legacy Collection |
| Focus | Highly articulated, screen-accurate figures | Nostalgic vehicles, playsets, and characters |
| Articulation | ✅ High articulation | ❌ Standard articulation |
| Paint & Detail | ✅ Premium paint and sculpt | ❌ Similar to the main line |
| Vehicles & Playsets | ❌ Only Mattel Creations exclusive sets | ✅ Many classic vehicles and dioramas |
| Character Selection | ✅ Focus on key dinosaurs & humans | ✅ Wider variety of characters |
| Collector Appeal | ✅ Best for high-end collectors and toy photographers | ✅ Best for kids, nostalgic fans & scene builders |
If you’re looking for the most detailed and articulated Jurassic figures ever made, the Hammond Collection is the clear winner. It’s designed for serious collectors who want screen-accurate, poseable figures that stand out in display cases. However, if you love playsets, vehicles, and scene recreations from the original films, then the Legacy Collection is the better choice. It provides nostalgic, film-inspired toys that let you recreate your favorite moments from the Jurassic Park franchise.
At the end of the day, both lines offer something special. Whether you’re drawn to the hyper-articulated realism of the Hammond Collection or the nostalgic world-building of the Legacy Collection, Mattel has created an incredible range of toys that allow fans to relive the magic of Jurassic Park in their own way.
Which line do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
