Jurassic World (2015)
The megahit Jurassic World has torn the box office limb from limb in 2015. That’s no surprise, because the fourth in the seminal franchise has plenty going for it. Hollywood’s newest bankable star, Chris Pratt, cast in the role of a brooding hero? Check. Knowing, tongue-in-cheek nods to the first film? Check. Dinosaur action aplenty? Check.
In Jurassic Park I, II and III, real-world dinosaurs are brought to life after 65 million years of extinction. In Jurassic World, the story is taken to the next logical step: an all-new dinosaur is born, bred from the genes of the raptor and T.rex. Its name? Indominus rex.
Indominus is a fearsome nemesis with brawn and brains in equal measure. As it escapes from captivity and heads off on a destructive rampage, park officials fumble to contain the situation, first unsuccessfully trying to hide the disaster, then unsuccessfully trying to rein it in.
The movie takes a well-aimed swipe at corporate bureaucracy as Pratt is forced to go it alone to save the day. But, in the end, it’s the dinosaurs that steal the show – just the way it should be in a Jurassic Park film.
Verdict: Full of action and excitement. At times ridiculous, at all times fun.
Dinosaur (2000)
Dinosaur is a Disney film with a lot of soul. It tells the heart-warming story of an Iguanadon, Aladar, who is adopted by a group of lemurs.
As Aladar the dinosaur grows in strength, he becomes the protector of the brood as the family migrates to find water.
Like all Disney movies, Dinosaur is a parable of real life. Aladar grows through the 90-minute run time, ending the film as mature and wise beyond his years.
The story is timeless and though fifteen-years old, Dinosaur still looks great. Watch this with your kids now.
Verdict: Dinosaur has aged well and is well worth watching today.
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
The third instalment in the side-splitting Ice Age franchise introduces dinosaurs to the fold in a rip-roaring adventure. When Sid the sloth steals a dinosaur egg and tries to rear the babies on his own, he is abducted by the mother tyrannosaur and held in captivity.
It’s up to the crew to find Sid and rescue him. They discover a lost tropical world hidden beneath the ice as they are propelled from one hilarious scene to the next, the lovable team facing all manner of obstacles – including a pack of bloodthirsty pterodactyls – as they escape unscathed.
The Ice Age series has always been a family affair, and Dawn of the Dinosaurs is no different. The movie has humour and humility in spades. Just don’t judge it as a factual dino flick.
Verdict: Fun and fast-paced, Ice Age 3 shouldn’t be missed.
Jurassic Park (1993)
The film that started it all: Jurassic Park has spawned three successful sequels and a host of imitations, but no film can outshine the original.
Directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1993, Jurassic Park solidified itself as an instant classic thanks to impeccable pacing and state-of-the-art visuals, the latter of which hold up even today.
It might be more than twenty years old, but few films since have managed to build tension in the same way, from the innocuous light-hearted opening stanza to the thrilling finale. Jurassic Park is that rare beast: a family film that manages to be genuinely heart-stopping.
Verdict: Jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, Jurassic Park is timeless.
The Good Dinosaur
Set for release later this year, The Good Dinosaur looks like perfect fun for the whole family. The film is a collaboration between Pixar and Disney and presents an alternate reality where dinosaurs were never wiped out. Instead, they continued to thrive and now co-exist alongside early humans.
Catch the trailer here!
So, there you have it – our list of the best dinosaur films of the past, as well as a look at what’s coming up in the near future. Let us know if we missed your favourite film by getting in touch on Facebook or Twitter!
About the author
Dino Writer is Editor and Chief of DinosAlive. Bringing you news and great stories from 65 million years ago till today. Dino Writer is your key to unlocking cool new games, news and fun stuff about the amazing world of Dinosaurs.