Dino-mite! Why Jurassic films keep roaring back
More than 30 years after Jurassic Park first stunned audiences, the franchise is still going strong. With Jurassic World: Rebirth set to land in cinemas on 2 July, we take a look back at why these prehistoric thrillers are still a big hit at the box office.
The one that started it all
When Jurassic Park opened in 1993, it redefined what a blockbuster could be. Steven Spielberg directed the adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel, casting Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum as scientists lured to a dinosaur theme park that quickly spirals into disaster.
The film broke ground with its mix of animatronics and CGI, and was anchored by John Williams' unforgettable score. Spielberg balanced awe and tension to perfection, crafting moments that still resonate today, from the glass of water rippling before the T-Rex attack to the raptors stalking through the kitchen.
It earned over $912 million on initial release and passed $1.1 billion after later re-releases, firmly establishing itself as a cinematic landmark.
Losing the spark
The Lost World: Jurassic Park followed in 1997 with Jeff Goldblum's Ian Malcolm taking the lead. It took the story to a second island where dinosaurs roam free, but despite some memorable set pieces, it failed to recapture the magic. It brought in around $619 million worldwide.
Jurassic Park III, released in 2001, saw the return of Sam Neill's Dr Alan Grant. The film focused on a rescue mission gone wrong on Isla Sorna and introduced the Spinosaurus, a new apex predator. However, with a shorter runtime and limited emotional depth, it earned just over $369 million, making it the lowest-grossing film in the series.
A big comeback
In 2015, Jurassic World revived the franchise for a new generation. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard starred in a story set in a fully operational dinosaur park, which falls apart when the genetically engineered Indominus Rex escapes. The film explored themes of scientific overreach and commercial greed, while delivering nostalgia for long-time fans.
Audiences responded in droves. The film earned around $1.67 billion worldwide, becoming the franchise's highest-grossing instalment.
The 2018 sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, shifted the story to a rescue mission as a volcanic eruption threatens the dinosaurs on Isla Nublar. The second half of the film explored cloning, ethics and genetic manipulation, with dinosaurs eventually released into the world. Though critical response was mixed, it still earned over $1.31 billion worldwide.
In 2022, Jurassic World Dominion brought back Neill, Dern and Goldblum alongside the newer leads. It promised a grand finale but split its focus between dinosaur survival and a bizarre subplot involving genetically engineered locusts. The film proved divisive, but still brought over $1 billion at the global box office.
Why do we keep coming back?
At the heart of it all are the dinosaurs.
They fascinate because they're just real enough to be terrifying. For children, they ignite the imagination. For adults, they raise deeper questions about science, control and nature's unpredictability.
Watch: That hide-behind-your-hands scene from Jurassic Park
But it's not just the dinosaurs. These films have always pushed the limits of special effects, from the animatronics of the early 90s to today's seamless CGI. The franchise also lives well beyond the cinema, with global success in toys, LEGO sets, video games and theme park attractions.
The characters play a part too. The original trio are still much loved, while Chris Pratt's arrival gave the rebooted trilogy an energetic new face. Whether it's a raptor hunting in a hallway or a T-Rex roaring across a ruined landscape, there's a familiarity in the chaos that audiences continue to enjoy.
The next chapter
Jurassic World: Rebirth opens in Irish cinemas on 2 July. Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp, the film introduces a fresh storyline and a brand new cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo.
Set several years after Dominion, the story centres on a covert mission to a remote island previously used by InGen. A pharmaceutical company is attempting to retrieve biomaterials from massive dinosaurs on land, sea and in the air, to develop a life-saving drug.
Whether it reinvents the franchise or simply gives it a new direction, one thing is clear - the fascination with dinosaurs endures. More than three decades on, they still rule the box office.
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