Before 1993, the premise that a dinosaur movie would do well at the box office and with critics would have sounded ridiculous. More than 30 years later, and after seven films, theme parks, merchandise, and billions at the box office, the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World franchise is one of the most notorious, well-liked, and profitable film sagas in cinematic history.
That said, the long-running franchise has met its ups and downs throughout the years. The first film, Jurassic Park, was particularly praised for its innovative ideas, use of special effects, star-packed casting, and its iconic film score. On the other hand, the 2022 release, Jurassic World: Dominion, was critically panned for its convoluted plot, over-reliance on nostalgia due to the return of the original trilogy cast, and the lack of productivity with these characters, as well as the overuse of subpar CGI.
All in all, the franchise has encountered more than its fair share of bumps in its history. Still, no one can deny that every time a Jurassic Park/Jurassic World film is released, there will be buzz surrounding it, and an A-list cast featured in them. So, here is my ranking of all seven movies released as of 2025:
7. Jurassic World: Dominion (2022)
Jurassic World: Dominion opens with dinosaurs now roaming the Earth, as their former home is now gone. Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) deal with raising a 14-year-old Maisie Lockwood, who is a clone, while also protecting the dinosaurs they encounter in their efforts to raise global awareness against animal cruelty.
In the meantime, the original trio of Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) make their triumphant return to the franchise, as they team back up while trying to unravel a scientific conspiracy orchestrated by a genomic corporation. Both teams eventually come together and face their enemies, all while constantly facing danger from the predators surrounding them.
I don't think there's any Jurassic Park or Jurassic World fan, or any regular movie watcher for that matter, who would argue against this film being at the bottom of any ranking. From the convoluted plot to the wasted returns of the original cast, this movie fell flat on its face faster than fans were able to leave the theaters to review bomb the film on Letterbox.
The film was supposed to focus on the fragile relationship between humans and dinosaurs, exploring their coexistence in uncharted ways. However, the main storyline revolved around locusts. Yeah, you read that right. Plus, the fact that the iconic characters Dr. Grant, Dr. Sattler, and Dr. Malcolm were brought back without any notable substance other than nostalgia is downright uncalled for.
6. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
The second film in the Jurassic World trilogy is neither bad nor great. The film was filled with ethical dilemmas, including the U.S. Senate's debate over whether to save the surviving dinosaurs on Isla Nublar, which is about to be destroyed by a volcanic eruption. On the other hand, the matter of human cloning is also raised as it is revealed that the mad scientists were not only messing with dinosaur DNA.
What worked in this film was the iconic return of Jeff Goldblum as the unforgettable Dr. Ian Malcolm, who openly proposes letting nature take its course and letting the dinosaurs be extinct for once and for all. As a "rescue" mission is planned and is semi-successful, not all dinosaurs can escape the eruption. The heartbreaking scene where Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) look back and are unable to rescue the rest of these fantastic animals will forever be ingrained in everyone's minds.
However, even in a movie with dinosaurs, there should be some limits. The complex plotline about human cloning occupies too much space within the film's framework, ultimately leaving several plot holes in the overall arching storylines of the franchise.
5. Jurassic Park III (2001)
Jurassic Park III centers on the return of Dr. Alan Grant, some time after the events of the first film. Grant is hired by a couple who mention they want to fund his research, but they're actually looking for their lost son, who disappeared in dinosaur territory. With the help of his former partner, Dr. Ellie Sattler, Grant faces his most significant personal transformation yet, as he confronts new dangers and stunning revelations.
The third film of the original Jurassic Park trilogy is a tricky one. Some elements made this movie stand out in comparison to the former two, including a more realistic tone, if that can be said about a dinosaur film; the plot focusing on familiar bonds rather than scientific quandaries, and once again featuring Dr. Alan Grant as a protagonist. However, sidelining Dr. Ellie Sattler, a lack of suspense, an anticlimactic finale, and dull CGI made this film considered the weakest of the franchise for years.
In recent years, revisionist history has emerged, particularly from hardcore fans who dislike the Jurassic World reboot, as well as from actor Sam Neill himself. Neill has publicly and repeatedly praised this film for being more enjoyable to film, and he feels he did a better performance than in the original. Nonetheless, Neil does acknowledge that the ending could've been better handled.
4. Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)
After the disaster that was Jurassic World: Dominion, people were tired, exhausted, and indifferent to the idea of seeing yet another film with the same dinosaur plot. Simultaneously, let's all be realistic. Action-packed films featuring dinosaurs and an A-list cast will always draw an audience in, especially when released during the summer.
Having said this, this film had several things going for it. The plot is easy to follow, the emotional moments raise the stakes, and the action sequences don't overpower the story. There are instances, for example, such as the climax of Mahershala Ali's character, Duncan Kincaid, that could have been handled differently, without undermining the aforementioned emotional stakes.
Still, it was an enjoyable film, and it certainly drives the franchise into a new, potentially exciting direction. Plus, Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali make everything better, so those three better be back for the sequels.
3. Jurassic World (2015)
This film marked the rebirth of the franchise, as no one expected another dinosaur film after Jurassic Park III concluded the first trilogy. It sets the intriguing premise of revisiting this fictional world through a more modern lens, highlighting the human conundrum of people not knowing their history and therefore, repeating the same mistakes over and over.
The highlights of this film were the gyrospheres that took the guests around the Jurassic World park, the close and familiar bond Owen Grady shared with the velociraptors, specifically Blue, and several action sequences, particularly when the park turned into complete pandemonium after the Indominus Rex escaped. Also, the man running from the dinosaurs without letting his margaritas drop will always be iconic.
However, there were some egregious decisions, such as Claire Darling running around the jungles in heels, the unnecessary violent death of Claire's assistant, Zara (played by Katie McGrath), and another billionaire thinking he would be the exception to the rule when it came to cloning dinosaurs.
2. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
There's a reason why sequels have such a hard time outdoing their respective first films, and after how groundbreaking Jurassic Park was, The Lost World: Jurassic Park certainly had its hard work cut out for itself. Surprisingly, this sequel does precisely that, and it's notoriously thanks to an actor who is known to be eccentric, charming, and unpredictable... and it couldn't be anyone else but Jeff Goldblum.
While Goldblum was part of the main cast in Jurassic Park, he sometimes took a backseat in favor of Alan and Ellie's relationship. At the same time, the trio still dealt with their personal, professional, and literal lives against the Tyrannosaurus rex in plenty of unforgettable ways.
In this film, Dr. Ian Malcolm is the central figure, and his backstory is further explored within the exciting yet deadly world of dinosaurs. Alongside Goldblum is the phenomenal actress Julianne Moore, who portrays research scientist Dr. Sarah Harding, with whom Malcolm also shares a tumultuous relationship. The action, sound effects, and side characters don't disappoint, and while its plot lines aren't too impactful within the franchise's canon, it's still a worthy sequel to a film that changed Hollywood's panorama when it came to blockbusters.
1. Jurassic Park (1993)
There couldn't be another film on this ranking that is better than this one. The film that started it all. Jurassic Park is where the entire franchise's argument is set up: a group of world-renowned scientists is invited to the fictional Isla Nublar, near Costa Rica, where an eccentric millionaire has created a one-of-a-kind theme park, with its main attraction being very much alive dinosaurs.
This movie had it all. From its cast, its unhinged yet functional premise, the never-before-seen action sequences, the goosebump-inducing film score, and, of course, the unmatched dialogue, as this is where the iconic phrase of "Welcome to Jurassic Park!" was born. If anyone wants to give this franchise a chance, there's no other option but to watch the first one to get hooked from the very beginning, and it's one of those films that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
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