Do You Watch the Jurassic Movies in Order?
The Jurassic movies follow the same order both chronologically and by release date. You'll start with Jurassic Park (1993), followed by The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), and Jurassic Park III (2001) in the original trilogy. The series continues with the modern era: Jurassic World (2015), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), and Jurassic World: Dominion (2022). Each film builds on the previous installments' events, and there's much more to uncover about this prehistoric franchise.
The Complete Jurassic Timeline
The Jurassic franchise unfolds across six action-packed films spanning nearly 30 years, starting with Steven Spielberg's pioneering Jurassic Park in 1993.
The original trilogy follows Dr. Alan Grant, Dr. Ellie Sattler, and Dr. Ian Malcolm as they traverse the dangers of Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna, where genetically engineered dinosaurs roam free.
In the new Jurassic World trilogy, you'll follow Owen Grady and Claire Dearing's expeditions as they face fresh challenges with bioengineered creatures. The films maintain a clear chronological order, with each sequel building upon the events of its predecessor.
While the franchise primarily shifts focus between two generations of characters, it eventually brings both casts together, uniting the original Jurassic Park experts with the Jurassic World heroes for an epic finale. Like the golden age era of model trains in the 1920s, the Jurassic films captivated audiences with their stunning technological achievements and elaborate details.
Release Order Vs Chronological Order
When diving into the Jurassic franchise, you'll face a choice between two distinct viewing experiences. You can follow the release order, starting with Jurassic Park (1993) and progressing through the six films as audiences originally experienced them, preserving the intended storytelling structure. This approach lets you witness the evolution of the franchise as it unfolded.
Alternatively, you can opt for the chronological order, which follows the in-universe timeline. This method provides a linear narrative flow from the original Jurassic Park through the Jurassic World era. Both viewing orders offer unique benefits for fans: release order maintains the natural progression of the series' development, while chronological order creates a more seamless story progression within the franchise's timeline. Much like how Marklin's train sets revolutionized entertainment in 1891, the Jurassic franchise transformed modern cinema with its groundbreaking approach to storytelling.
The Original Jurassic Park Trilogy
Launching the franchise in 1993, Steven Spielberg's innovative "Jurassic Park" kicked off what would become one of cinema's most beloved trilogies. Based on Michael Crichton's novel, the film introduced audiences to unforgettable characters played by Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum.
The success led to two sequels: "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" (1997) and "Jurassic Park III" (2001), with the original trilogy generating over $1.9 billion at the box office.
Spielberg directed both Jurassic Park and The Lost World, while Joe Johnston took the helm for Jurassic Park III. Jeff Goldblum's character Ian Malcolm returned as the lead in The Lost World. The third film wasn't based on any of Crichton's novels.
All three original films featured pioneering special effects that still hold up today. Like the careful assembly required for model kit beginners, the original Jurassic Park trilogy laid out a clear foundation for future dinosaur blockbusters to follow.
The Jurassic World Era
Following a 14-year hiatus, audiences returned to the dinosaur-filled universe with 2015's "Jurassic World," starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. As Owen Grady and Claire Dearing, they traverse the dangers of a new theme park featuring the genetically-engineered Indominus Rex.
The Jurassic World trilogy continues with "Fallen Kingdom" (2018), where dinosaurs escape Isla Nublar and enter the mainland.
The story concludes in "Jurassic World: Dominion" (2022), which brings back beloved legacy characters Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm from the original films. Together, they face the challenges of a world where humans and dinosaurs must coexist. The trilogy has proven incredibly successful, contributing to the franchise's impressive $5 billion global box office earnings.
Animated Series and Short Films
The Jurassic franchise has expanded beyond the big screen through several animated series and short films. You'll find numerous ways to experience the dinosaur-filled universe, from Netflix's animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous to immersive experiences like Jurassic World: The Exhibition.
Camp Cretaceous runs parallel to the events of Jurassic World, offering a fresh viewpoint on the chaos. Battle at Big Rock takes place one year after Fallen Kingdom, following a family's intense dinosaur encounter. Jurassic World: Prologue serves as a prequel to Dominion, exploring the aftermath of Isla Nublar. The six-minute Dominion - The Prologue premiered in IMAX theaters before F9 screenings in 2021.
These additional entries help bridge gaps between major films while expanding the franchise's rich universe.
Where to Stream Each Film
Since streaming platforms frequently update their content libraries, you'll find the Jurassic franchise spread across several major services. If you're planning a dinosaur movie marathon, you can catch the original Jurassic Park on HBO Max, Prime Video, or Peacock.
The first two sequels that continue the Isla Nublar theme park saga - The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III - are available exclusively on HBO Max.
For the newer Jurassic movies in the franchise, you'll need to switch to Peacock. Both Jurassic World and its sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, are streaming there. This streaming arrangement splits the franchise between platforms, so you might need subscriptions to both HBO Max and Peacock to experience the complete dinosaur-filled escapade.
Box Office Performance and Reviews
While you can stream these dinosaur spectacles from the comfort of your home, their theatrical performances tell an impressive story of box office dominance. The franchise has earned over $2.1 billion globally, cementing its place among the highest-grossing media franchises ever.
The original Jurassic Park (1993) set the gold standard with an impressive 8.2 IMDb rating and overwhelming critical acclaim. Jurassic World (2015) became the franchise's biggest box office success, earning favorable reviews and a 6.9 IMDb rating.
The Lost World (1997) and Fallen Kingdom (2018) received mixed reviews with middling IMDb scores of 6.6 and 6.1. Later entries like Jurassic Park III (2001) and Dominion (2022) struggled to impress critics, scoring 5.9 and 5.6 on IMDb respectively.
Despite varying reviews, the franchise's commercial success remains undeniable, consistently drawing audiences worldwide.
Directors Behind the Series
Throughout the franchise's rich history, legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg set the foundation by directing the first two installments before passing the torch to other visionaries. You'll recognize his expert touch in both Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, which established the series' signature style and tone.
As the franchise evolved, Joe Johnston took the helm for Jurassic Park III, bringing his own creative approach to the dinosaur-filled quest. Years later, Colin Trevorrow breathed new life into the series by directing Jurassic World and later co-writing Jurassic World Dominion. Between these chapters, J.A. Bayona stepped in to direct Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, adding his unique visual flair to the franchise's modern era. Each director has contributed their distinct artistic vision while honoring Spielberg's original groundwork.
Essential Viewing Guide
Every dinosaur enthusiast's venture through the Jurassic franchise starts with six essential films spanning nearly three decades. The expedition begins on Isla Nublar with the pioneering Jurassic Park (1993), featuring Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm.
You'll then embark to Isla Sorna for The Lost World and Jurassic Park III, before returning to a modernized Isla Nublar in Jurassic World, where Owen Grady and Claire Dearing take center stage.
- Start with the original trilogy for the classic Jurassic Park experience
- Don't skip The Lost World, as it introduces key plot elements
- Watch Jurassic World to understand the franchise's modern evolution
- Complete your viewing with Fallen Kingdom and Dominion to see legacy characters reunite
