For a long while, the Jurassic Park movies seemed to take their time compared to the dinosaurs they featured. Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster, adapted from Michael Crichton’s novels, exploded at the box office, launching a series of sequels every few years, culminating in a reboot years later. Nowadays, the titles can get a bit confusing with their mix of naming conventions and sometimes unnecessary subtitles. However, the latest installment, Jurassic World: Play, mostly stands on its own, much like adventure films such as King Kong. If you want to enjoy it without needing to know the others, that’s perfectly fine. But for those keen on the franchise’s atmosphere and quality, Decider helps clarify which films are essential and which aren’t, determining which parks and worlds are worth your time.
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Rating: PG-13
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Writers: Colin Trevorrow, Derek Connolly, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Vincent D’Onofrio
This sequel, marking a significant point in the Jurassic franchise, is quite remarkable. It begins with a bold premise: after the original Jurassic Park fiasco, someone went ahead and built a dinosaur theme park anyway. The film dives into how it inevitably goes wrong, showcasing dinosaurs wreaking havoc in a working theme park. Owen Grady (played by Chris Pratt) is introduced as a sort of blend of Indiana Jones and a lovable nerd. He’s not just a cool guy; he charms even a teen who seems indifferent to dinosaurs. The movie carries a strange air of masculinity, juggles various plots, and hints at deeper issues—even as it delivers the thrills audiences love. It’s like a fast-paced joyride. Not too bad, right?
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Rating: PG-13
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Writers: Colin Trevorrow, Emily Carmichael, Derek Connolly
Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum
This entry, one of the newer trilogy, does draw from elements of its predecessors, especially when it deals with unleashing dinosaurs into the world beyond the theme parks. But there’s an exciting sequence with dinosaurs and motorcycles in Malta, plus some large-scale locusts—a nod to Crichton’s style, even if it strays from his books. It struggles to maintain its ghost of the original, trying to juggles old favorite characters with new ones while occasionally feeling burdened. That said, when it embraces its wild side, it really shines.
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Rating: PG-13
Director: Joe Johnston
Writers: Peter Buchman, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Cast: Sam Neill, William H. Macy, Téa Leoni, Alessandro Nivola
This smaller-scale sequel from 2001 is often overlooked but serves as an entertaining jungle caper. Alan Grant ends up on a mission to rescue lost kids, which includes facing off against new dinosaur species. While it might lack closure and stops rather abruptly, it’s a breezy 90-minute adventure. The Spinosaurus is certainly intimidating, but it ultimately doesn’t overshadow the antics of Pteranodons.
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Rating: PG-13
Director: J.A. Bayona
Writers: Colin Trevorrow, Derek Connolly
Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda
This installment, The Fallen Kingdom, is perhaps the most underrated of the Jurassic World trilogy. It goes from saving dinosaurs to facing natural disasters—qualities that seem to pay tribute to its predecessor. The film certainly has its share of absurdity and humor, and its visuals are more intricate, largely thanks to director J.A. Bayona. Although he may not reach Spielberg’s height, his craft adds a dynamic touch that elevates the viewing experience.
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Rating: PG-13
Director: Gareth Edwards
Writers: David Kep
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend
This film brings a more traditional approach by introducing new characters while resetting the story—a bit like a retro vibe. Even with this familiar setup, it crafts a solid adventure narrative that quickly engages its characters. With standout performances from stars like Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, the film takes a fresh approach within its framework, showing an intriguing exploration of the mutant dinosaur concept that’s not overtly front and center.
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Rating: PG-13
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: David Kep
Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite, Vince Vaughn
It’s tough to outshine Spielberg, the master of genre filmmaking. Upon release, The Lost World: Jurassic Park received mixed reviews despite its thrilling scenes of dinosaurs in action. The body count significantly rises here, but under Spielberg’s direction, the chaos unfolds beautifully, almost in a way that makes it hard not to enjoy the wild scenes. The “Site B” setting provides a fantastic backdrop for the characters, particularly Ian Malcolm (played by Goldblum) to shine with his witty dialogue. The film, in many ways, is Spielberg’s own twist on the Indiana Jones formula: a mix of serious fun wrapped up in great filmmaking.
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Rating: PG-13
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: David Kep
Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough
One could argue that this film, alongside Titanic, represents a peak in blockbuster cinema—especially for those who grew up in the late ’80s and ’90s. Spielberg not only delivered an iconic movie but also utilized groundbreaking CGI and animatronics, setting a standard that’s hard to beat. The magic of seeing dinosaurs come to life is an unforgettable experience.
