For over three decades, the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World saga has thrilled audiences with jaw-dropping dinosaurs, pulse-pounding action, and the timeless question: what happens when humans play god? From Spielberg’s groundbreaking original to today’s high-octane spectacles, these films have roared into cinematic history—evolving with the times while staying true to their core: humans meddling with nature, and facing the consequences.
Spanning seven films from 1993 to 2025, the franchise delivers a mix of spectacle, science, and survival. Below, I rank each film from least to most favourite, breaking down what makes them roar—or stumble—based on story, scale, and dino-driven chaos.
Jurassic Park (1993)
The original blockbuster that still reigns supreme.
The one that started it all. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park follows scientists Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm as they visit John Hammond’s dinosaur-filled theme park—only for chaos to erupt when nature finds a way.
Its groundbreaking CGI, iconic John Williams score, and masterful balance of awe and terror set a gold standard few blockbusters have matched. From the T. rex breakout to the raptor kitchen sequence, it’s a flawless classic that still roars the loudest.
Verdict: The apex predator of the series.
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
A bigger sequel with mixed results but memorable thrills.
Spielberg returned for this ambitious sequel, set on Site B—Isla Sorna. Ian Malcolm leads a research team studying dinosaurs before corporate interference triggers disaster. Jeff Goldblum’s dry wit anchors the chaos, alongside Julianne Moore as field expert Sarah Harding.
The film offers jaw-dropping moments (like the double T. rex attack), but its final act—a bizarre Godzilla-style rampage in San Diego—feels out of place.
Verdict: Big thrills, uneven bite.
Jurassic Park III (2001)
A lean, mean dino chase—short but slightly undercooked.
Directed by Joe Johnston, the third instalment sees Alan Grant reluctantly return to Isla Sorna after being duped into helping a couple search for their missing son.
At 92 minutes, it’s fast and sharp, with a terrifying new dino in the Spinosaurus. However, it lacks Spielberg’s polish, and some characters fall flat. Still, Grant’s return and nail-biting raptor encounters keep it watchable.
Verdict: Short, sharp, and slightly undercooked.
Jurassic World (2015)
The park is open, and the nostalgia is real.
The park is finally open. Set on a fully operational Isla Nublar, this reboot introduces Owen Grady and Claire Dearing as they battle the Indominus rex—a terrifying, lab-made hybrid gone rogue.
It’s slick, nostalgic, and packed with action, reigniting excitement with a modern twist. While it doesn’t match the original’s depth, Chris Pratt’s charm and some killer set pieces make it a blast.
Verdict: A fun, if formulaic, return to form.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
From lava flows to gothic chills—two movies in one.
This sequel starts with a volcanic rescue mission and ends in gothic horror. Owen and Claire attempt to save the remaining dinosaurs from Isla Nublar, only to be drawn into a shady auction involving cloned animals and the nightmarish Indoraptor.
The first half delivers thrilling, lava-fueled chaos. The second? A haunted house with claws. The tone shift is jarring, but the Indoraptor makes a memorable monster.
Verdict: Two movies for the price of one—neither fully lands.
Jurassic World: Dominion (2022)
Dinosaurs roam free, but the story gets lost in the weeds.
The grand finale of the World trilogy throws everyone into the mix: dinosaurs roam free, biotech villains meddle with genetics, and legacy characters return to save the planet—from both giant locusts and corporate sabotage.
Despite its billion-dollar box office, the film is overloaded with characters and subplots. Dino moments take a back seat, and the nostalgia play feels forced.
Verdict: A chaotic sprawl that forgets the dinosaurs.
Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)
Fresh faces, new hybrids, and a survival thriller that roars.
Directed by Gareth Edwards, this fresh chapter introduces covert ops expert Zora Bennett and paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis on a high-stakes mission to retrieve dinosaur DNA for a medical breakthrough. Set on a remote island crawling with new hybrids like the D-Rex and Mutadons, it’s a tense, visually stunning survival thriller.
While character depth is light, the tighter focus, breakneck pacing, and nods to Crichton’s original novel (including a fan-favourite raft sequence) breathe new life into the franchise.
Verdict: A lean, mean, dino-hunting machine.
The Final Roar
From the wonder and terror of the original to the chaotic highs and lows of its sequels, the Jurassic franchise remains one of cinema’s most enduring sagas. Whether you’re here for nostalgia, jaw-dropping action, or just to see who gets eaten next, one thing’s certain: dinosaurs never go out of style.
Poster Credit to RedHeadJedi & WillTong93
