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Nanotyrannus Toy Line: Jurassic World Rebirth Strike Attack
Nanotyrannus is one of the most controversial dinosaurs among paleontologists.
Due to the lack of enough fossils, it is considered a separate possible species due to the presence of more teeth and a longer skull than the juvenile t-rex.
Still, this created a lot of debates from which we benefit from new possible variants of dinosaurs to occupy our imagination.
Nobody saw this one coming. A Nanotyrannus from Mattel, a dinosaur so scientifically contested that many paleontologists considered it a myth appearing as a mainline Strike Attack figure was genuinely surprising. It's not a perfect figure, but it earns its place on the shelf on sheer novelty alone. This is the first ever mainline Nanotyrannus toy Mattel has produced, and it arrived at exactly the right moment: a landmark October 2025 study confirmed Nanotyrannus as a valid genus just months after this figure hit shelves.
Science Update - October 2025
When this figure was released, Nanotyrannus was still one of paleontology’s most disputed genera. Many scientists considered the specimens to be juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex rather than a distinct species. A peer-reviewed study published in October 2025 changed that: it formally established Nanotyrannus as a valid genus and identified a second species, Nanotyrannus lethaeus. Mattel released this toy before the scientific community reached consensus, which means this figure now carries more biological weight than it did when it first appeared on shelves.
About the toys in the set
1. Sculpt
To be honest, I have never expected to see the Nanotyrannus in this toy line since the dinosaur is pretty controversial and still quite debatable by the big heads in paleontology. Still, I kind a like it that Mattel took the chance and decided to suprise us with a brand new never-before-released dinosaur.
The dinosaur is not included in the Rebirth movie, of course, but many of the toy line entries were not in it as well, but let’s face it, it is just a juvenile T-Rex and this is exactly what we get with this figure.
The sculpture is quite good-looking, with lots of details and an intricate color scheme. Personally, I am not fan of the color scheme, but I guess it will be liked by many due to its unusual, sharp nuance separating the body into two sections basically.
The head is like a miniature T-Rex version with very prominent and sharp-looking teeth. They are very good-looking and, most importantly, made out of soft rubber so they are kid-safe. There will be no severe cuts or bite marks with this toy.
The head and the neck part of the figure are colored in tan blue, as the rest of the body in very dark gray. The lower jaw color is light yellow, which is a bit unusual, but the whole toy is was unexpected, so there is that as well.
The legs are strong and covered in details like muscles and scars. The feet are a bit clownishly big, but let’s not forget that it is a miniature T-Rex and the big feet should be expected.
2. Articulation
The tail swivels to the right, pulling the head around into a lateral strike pose, the core “Strike Attack” action. It moves in one direction only: to the right, not the left. It’s a functional if limited, action feature that suits the species reasonably well. The jaw articulates separately and opens smoothly to display the teeth. Arm articulation covers forward and back movement; the rubber construction provides additional flexibility beyond what the joint alone would allow. Leg articulation is standard forward and back.
Here is a list of the rest of moving parts:
- Articulated tail activating the head/bite motion
- Swivable neck
- Posable front limbs
- Leg movement (forward and back)
- Tails swivel
Verdict — Should You Buy It?
The Nanotyrannus is a middling figure elevated by an outstanding reason to exist. The sculpt detail and skin texture are strong, the improved teeth are a genuine step forward for the Strike Attack line, and the blue colorway is cohesive if unremarkable. The oversized arms are hard to ignore, and the paint drops off past the hip. But none of that changes the fact that this is the first mainline Nanotyrannus Mattel has ever made, and with the October 2025 study confirming the species as scientifically valid, this figure has aged into something more interesting than it first appeared. Worth picking up for completists, collectors of new species entries, and anyone with an interest in the paleontology side of the Jurassic franchise.
How to unlock
How to unlock Nanotyrannus in Jurassic World Rebirth Collection?
Open up your Jurassic World Play App (previously known as the Jurassic World Facts App), press the Scan button and point it towards the DNA code here:
About the Nanotyrannus Dinosaur
Few dinosaurs have generated as much scientific controversy as Nanotyrannus lancensis. The specimens, a small skull discovered in Montana in 1942, and two more complete individuals found later, have been at the center of a decades-long debate: are they a distinct small tyrannosaurid, or simply juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex? The name itself, meaning “dwarf tyrant,” reflects the interpretation that these were fully grown small animals rather than young versions of something much larger.
In 2020, a major study by Thomas Carr argued that the specimens represented T. rex juveniles, nearly settling the debate in one direction. But a 2024 paper pushed back, arguing the specimens were nearly adult-sized and showed limb proportions, including notably longer arms, inconsistent with T. rex at any growth stage. Then, in October 2025, a new study formally established Nanotyrannus as a valid genus with two species: Nanotyrannus lancensis and the newly named Nanotyrannus lethaeus. The debate isn’t entirely closed as science rarely closes debates with a single paper, but Nanotyrannus now stands on firmer scientific ground than at any point in its history.
Mattel released this figure during the height of the uncertainty, which made the choice feel bold at the time. In retrospect, it looks almost prescient. The figure’s notably large arms, incidentally, are a curious design choice given that longer-than-expected arms were one of the key arguments for Nanotyrannus being a distinct genus rather than a juvenile T. rex.
As of October 2025, Nanotyrannus is considered a valid genus distinct from Tyrannosaurus rex, following a peer-reviewed study that formally established the classification and identified a second species, Nanotyrannus lethaeus. Prior to this study, the classification was actively debated. Many scientists considered the specimens to be juvenile T. rex. The current scientific consensus now supports Nanotyrannus as its own animal.
Yes. The Rebirth Strike Attack Wave 2 Nanotyrannus is the first mainline Nanotyrannus figure Mattel has produced for the Jurassic World toy line.
The tail swivels to the right, pulling the head around in a lateral strike motion. The movement is one-directional. The tail only goes right, not left. The jaw is also articulated separately and opens manually.
Open the Jurassic World Play App, tap the Scan button, and point it at the DNA barcode on the Nanotyrannus Strike Attack figure’s foot or packaging.
“This is such as cute little T-Rex, you just want to go and hug it.”
— Colin Trevorrow
