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Jurassic Park the movie launched the T-Rex dinosaur to stardom, and decades later, this dinosaur is still one of the most beloved characters in movie history. So, It’s hardly surprising that the best LEGO T-Rex sets are among the most popular models in the LEGO Jurassic World theme.
Some of the first sets LEGO published within this theme were based on this legendary dinosaur. Since then, T-Rex has become one of the main protagonists in sets LEGO publishes within this theme. The biggest set LEGO released in this theme was inspired by the T-Rex dinosaur from the Jurassic Park movie.
In this article, I’m going to walk you through the process of choosing the best LEGO T-Rex set, and I’ll recommend several models for LEGO builders with different experience levels. Please read our guide to the best LEGO Disney sets if you’d like to learn more about the most popular sets in this theme.
At a Glance – The 9 Best LEGO T Rex Sets
Model | Piece count | Age group | Price range |
T. rex Breakout 76956 | 1212 | 18 or older | $$$$ |
Dinosaur Fossils 21320 | 910 | 16 or older | $$$ |
T. rex & Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout 76948 | 466 | Eight or older | $$$ |
Jurassic Park: T. rex Rampage 75936 | 3,120 | 16 or older | $$$$$ |
T. rex Dinosaur Breakout 76944 | 140 | Four or older | $$$ |
T. rex Dinosaur Exhibition 76940 | 198 | Seven or older | $$ |
T. rex and Triceratops Dinosaur Breakout 10939 | 36 | Two or older | $$ |
T. rex Tower 10880 | 22 | Two or older | $$$ |
T. rex Transport 75933 | 609 | Seven or older | $$$$ |
Bottom Line Up Front
The T. rex Breakout 76956 set will be the best active LEGO T-Rex set once it hits the market in late April 2022. I recommend choosing the T. rex Dinosaur Exhibition 76940 if you’re looking for a small playset suitable for first-time builders.
Selection Criteria
Even though the Jurassic World theme is only a few years old, LEGO released more than forty sets within the theme, and many of these sets are inspired by T-Rex. In addition, T-Rex is also featured in LEGO sets released within other LEGO themes such as Ideas or Duplo.
Although choosing the sets the best T-Rex sets wasn’t easy, I utilized several search parameters that made the selection process smoother. Here are some of the key criteria I used to pick the LEGO T-Rex sets you’ll find in this article.
- Release date – My goal was to create an overview of LEGO sets inspired by T-Rex, the company released from 2015 onwards. The final selection contains a combination of retired, active, and upcoming T-Rex sets.
- The complexity of the assembly process – The number of pieces and recommended age group are some of the parameters I used to assess the complexity of the assembly process of each set I included in the article and identify models suitable for novice and experienced LEGO builders.
Our guide to the best LEGO City sets can help you discover the best active models in this theme.
A Brief Guide to the LEGO T-Rex Sets
LEGO released its first one-piece T. Rex figure in a set from the Duplo theme in 1997. The blue version of this figure appeared in 2821 Dinosaur Fun Forest and Dinosaur Babies 2803 sets published within the Dino subtheme of the Duplo theme.
In 2000, LEGO produced the first T-Rex figure for a System set released within a short-lived Dino Island subtheme of the Adventurers theme. This figure was also used in the famous Steven Spielberg Moviemaker 1349 set.
LEGO launched the Jurassic World theme in 2015 and released eight sets inspired by the movies from the Jurassic World franchise that year. T. rex Tracker 75918 model was the first set published within the theme to feature a T-Rex dinosaur.
However, by the end of 2015, LEGO discontinued this theme, and for three years, the company didn’t release new T-Rex sets. The Jurassic World theme was reintroduced in 2018 with the arrival of sets like the Pteranodon Chase 75926 or Jurassic Park Velociraptor Chase 75932.
The T. rex Transport 75933 was also among the sets LEGO released that year, and LEGO continued to add new sets based on this dinosaur to the Jurassic World theme in the subsequent years. Check out our guide to the best LEGO sets under $100 to learn more about the most popular sets in this price range.
Active and Upcoming LEGO T-Rex Sets
The Jurassic World currently features only two active T-Rex sets. You can choose between the T. rex Dinosaur Exhibition 76940 and T. rex and Triceratops Dinosaur Breakout 10939 models, but keep in mind that the second option contains Duplo bricks.
These three new T-Rex sets will become available in April 2022.
It is unclear if LEGO plans to add more T-Rex sets before the premiere of the Jurassic Park: Dominion movie scheduled for June 2022.
It’s also worth noting that Creator 3-in-1 and LEGO Ideas themes contain sets like the Might Dinosaurs 31058 and Dinosaur Fossils 21320 that feature a T-Rex dinosaur. However, LEGO offers only a handful of T-Rex models outside of the Jurassic World theme.
Please go through our guide to the best LEGO Speed Champions sets for more information about LEGO products inspired by sports cars.
Retired LEGO T-Rex Sets
You’ll encounter a large number of discontinued products if you decide to shop for a LEGO T-Rex set online. Taking these sets into account will widen your range of options, but you should keep in mind that some retired T-Rex sets can cost $500 or more.
Online shoppers often report receiving LEGO sets without all pieces or with damaged packaging, so the best way to avoid this is to purchase a T-Rex set from a reliable source. Here are some of the best retired models you can find online.
You may also encounter models from the Dino Attack theme like T1 Typhoon vs. T-Rex 7477 or Iron Predator vs. T-Rex 7476, but these sets are rare and expensive. Our guide to the best LEGO Amazon sets will take you through the best active LEGO sets this online retailer offers.
Building a LEGO T-Rex Set
The low piece count is one of the characteristics of T-Rex sets because LEGO published only a handful of models with 1,000 or more pieces. The T. rex & Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout 76948 set has 3,120 pieces, and it is by far the biggest T-Rex set the toymaker released to date.
Once it becomes available on the market, the T. rex Breakout 76956 will become the second-largest set to feature a T-Rex figure. These sets are aimed at experienced LEGO builders, and they’re designed as display models that don’t offer many play options.
Sets like T. rex & Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout 76948 or T. rex Dinosaur Exhibition 76940 have fewer than 500 pieces. A straightforward assembly process makes them an excellent choice for young first-time LEGO builders.
Please read our guide to the biggest LEGO sets if you’re searching for models with high piece counts.
The Key Factors to Consider while Choosing a LEGO T-Rex Set
- Playsets or display models – Which of these options you’re going to choose depends on the age of the LEGO builder that will assemble the set. Playsets are usually designed for children, while display models are suitable for teenagers and adults.
- Accessories and Minifigures – T-Rex sets don’t have a lot of accessories, but most models come with weapons, dinosaur eggs, and similar accessories. Owen Grady, Alan Grant, or Ian Malcolm are some of the most common characters you’ll find in these sets.
- Set’s availability – Purchasing an active T-Rex set is the most affordable and the easiest option. Optionally you can wait for new models to become available or search for discontinued sets at online stores.
- Budget considerations – These sets aren’t expensive, but some models can cost more than $100. The value of T-Rex sets increases significantly once they’re retired, and their price can reach $500.
- The length of assembly process – The amount of time you’ll need to build a T-Rex set depends on the set’s piece count and your set-building skills. Nonetheless, you won’t need more than few hours to put these sets together unless you’re assembling a model that has more than 1,000 pieces.
Top 9 LEGO T-Rex Sets
T. rex Breakout 76956
Experienced LEGO builders can recreate one of the most iconic scenes from the Jurassic Park movies with the T. rex Breakout 76956 set.
This display model features a T-Rex figure stepping on a flipped Ford Explorer with a missing wheel on one side, an intact Ford Explorer on the other, and a broken fence in the background. The set has Minifigures of Lex Murphy, Ian Malcolm, Alan Grant, and Tim Murphy.
Night goggles, a CD-ROM touch-screen monitor, a flashlight, and a flare are among the accessories that come with this set.
Pros
- A rewarding construction experience
- The fully assembled model is 23 inches wide
- It contains authentic details
- The display plaque has a movie quote
Cons
- This set is expensive
- It’s overwhelming for young LEGO builders
Dinosaur Fossils 21320
The Dinosaur Fossils 21320 is a rare set containing a figure of Tyrannosaurus Rex published outside of the Jurassic World theme. Besides the T-Rex skeleton model, it also features display skeletons of Pteranodon and Triceratops dinosaurs as well as a miniature model of a sapiens skeleton.
Each figure comes with a stand that features a display plaque containing the exhibit’s name. The paleontologist Minifigure is equipped with a magnifying glass, bone, dinosaur egg, and other accessories.
Pros
- The set comes with an informative booklet
- Dinosaur models are adjustable
- The T-Rex figure is 15 inches long
- It contains a variety of accessories
Cons
- LEGO will retire this set soon
- It contains just one Minifigure
T. rex & Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout 76948
As one of the most recent additions to the Jurassic World theme, the T. rex & Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout 76948 set is still relatively unknown to LEGO fans. This model has 466 pieces, and it is designed for children aged eight or older, which means that it isn’t a great fit for inexperienced LEGO builders.
The set is inspired by the Jurassic Park Dominion movie, and it contains a market segment that features the T-Rex enclosure with an escape function. The toy truck can accommodate two dinosaur figures, but it is too small to fit the T-Rex figure.
Pros
- It is compatible with the upcoming Atrociraptor Bike Chase 76945 set
- The set has four Minifigures
- A versatile selection of weapons and other accessories
- It offers a variety of play options
Cons
- Building instructions can be hard to follow
- The market element is just ten inches wide
Jurassic Park: T. Rex Rampage 75936
A high piece count set like the Jurassic Park: T. rex Rampage 75936 is an excellent choice for all experienced LEGO builders looking for the next challenging project. This set was released in 2019 and discontinued two years later.
That’s why the set is considerably more expensive than active sets, although it is relatively easy to find. This set contains the pieces you need to build an impressive 27 inches long T-Rex model and a replica of the Jurassic Park gate.
Also, the inner part of the gate contains small compartments that recreate scenes from the Jurassic Park movie.
Pros
- Six Minifigures are included in this set
- Display plaque offers information about T-Rex
- It contains numerous Jurassic Park-themed accessories
- Builders can open or close the gate’s door
Cons
- This set is expensive
- LEGO discontinued this set a while ago
T. Rex Dinosaur Breakout 76944
All buildable elements in the T. rex Dinosaur Breakout 76944 set are composed of Starter Bricks that make the construction process easier. That’s why children aged four or older can use this set to develop their set-building skills and get acquainted with the Jurassic World universe.
The airport model has a collapsible gate, tower, garage, and helipad segments, but it is just six inches wide. Owen Grady and Zia Rodriguez Minifigures are equipped with a tranquilizer gun, walkie-talkie, and other accessories that help them prevent T-Rex from escaping.
Pros
- Interactive building instructions are available
- The dinosaur egg can be transported in the helicopter toy
- The buggy toy can accommodate a Minifigure
- The 4-inch tall T-Rex figure is easily portable
Cons
- Low piece count
- It’s expensive for a set of this size
T. Rex Dinosaur Exhibition 76940
Kids don’t need a lot of set-building experience to construct the T. rex Dinosaur Exhibition 76940 set. The display model of the T-Rex skeleton’s legs, skull, and tail are posable so that children can use it as any other LEGO T-Rex figure or switch between different poses while the model is placed on the display stand.
The set also features a baby Triceratops toy, a drawing board element with a dinosaur egg, and Owen Grady and Darius Minifigures.
Pros
- This set is inspired by the Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous animated series
- Affordable price
- The assembly process doesn’t take long
- It can help children learn to build LEGO sets
Cons
- The display plaque doesn’t contain a lot of information
- Some pieces are fragile
T. rex and Triceratops Dinosaur Breakout 10939
A set like the T. rex and Triceratops Dinosaur Breakout 10939 can help parents introduce children to LEGO and Jurassic World. This set contains Duplo bricks so toddlers aged two or older can play with it even when their parents are not around.
The model of the Jurassic World gate has movable fence elements that can be open or closed every time Oven Grady passes through the gate on his motorcycle. The T-Rex and Triceratops figures aren’t accompanied by accessories kids can use during play.
Pros
- It encourages creative play
- It contains tree and flower decorative elements
- The motorcycle toy has a seat for the Minifigure
- It doesn’t contain tiny pieces
Cons
- This set has 36 pieces
- Children outgrow this set quickly
T. rex Tower 10880
Even though it was discontinued years ago, the T. rex Tower 10880 is still one of the best Jurassic World sets for preschoolers. The set contains a toy car with a seat for the Owen Grady Minifigure and the lookout tower element.
The T-Rex figure has a moveable jaw so that the dinosaur can snap at Owen Grady as he tries to prevent him from escaping. The cell phone and petrol can accessories are included in the set.
Pros
- It offers fun play options
- Children can develop motor skills
- All elements of this set are small and easily portable
- It’s compatible with other dinosaur-themed Duplo sets
Cons
- This set has just one dinosaur figure
T. rex Transport 75933
The play options the T. rex Transport 75933 set offers are endless since children can stage the dinosaur’s escape or monitor its health. The toy truck’s cabin detaches from the trailer so that kids can turn it into a laboratory by combining it with the monitoring system element.
The trailer’s side panels are removable, enabling the T-Rex to break free. Zia Rodriguez and two guards Minifigures must use stud shooters and shock prods to return the dinosaur to safety.
Pros
- T-Rex figure has a posable tail, arms, and legs
- The set includes two transfusion leads for emergency blood transfusions
- The mobile laboratory detaches from the truck trailer
- Fun and rewarding construction process
Cons
- This set is discontinued
Frequently Asked Questions about LEGO T-Rex Sets
Question: Do All Dinosaur Figures in LEGO T-Rex Sets Have Posable Limbs?
Answer: Yes, T-Rex figures in these sets have adjustable tails, arms, legs, and jaws.
Question: Can I Combine Multiple LEGO T-Rex Sets?
Answer: All Jurassic World sets are compatible, and you can combine them to extend their range of play options.
Question: How Big are LEGO T-Rex Figures?
Answer: T-Rex figures are usually between six and eight inches tall, while their length varies from 11 to nearly 30 inches.
Question: Are LEGO T-Rex Sets Hard to Find?
Answer: These sets aren’t hard to find, and even retired models are available in different online stores.
My Verdict: How to Choose the Best LEGO T-Rex Set?
The Jurassic World theme is relatively new, but despite this, it still offers an excellent selection of T-Rex sets. In addition, LEGO announced the arrival of three new sets inspired by this dinosaur, and more models may become available by the end of the year.
I recommend getting the T. rex Breakout 76956 once it hits the market if you’d like to build a display model of one of the most recognizable scenes from Jurassic Park movies.
Models like T. rex Dinosaur Exhibition 76940 or T. rex & Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout 76948 are a better option if you’re searching for a playset suitable for novice LEGO builders. Which LEGO T-Rex set are you going to choose?
Let me know in the comments or continue reading the guide to the best LEGO Marvel sets to learn more about these action-packed sets.
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