Dinosaurs, science too far, and that one little question we just can’t seem to shake: Should we have brought them back? The Jurassic Park franchise has amazed, frightened, and thrilled audiences since the early ’90s, providing us with heart-stopping visuals, memorable characters, and some of the most memorable moments in blockbuster lore.
With all six movies now available to stream on Prime Video, there’s no time like the present to indulge in a nostalgic (and somewhat perilous) walk down the avenue of cloned dinosaurs and ambitious scientists. Whether you’re watching the originals again or catching up with the newer additions, here’s a review of each movie in the franchise, ranked from newest to all-time great.
6. Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
The newest chapter of the saga brings back the original Jurassic Park cast—Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum—together with the leading actors of the newer trilogy, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. In a world where dinosaurs coexist with humans, Dominion ups the stakes with planetary repercussions and a fight to reestablish equilibrium. It’s half action spectacle, half nostalgic goodbye, packed with fan favorites and prehistoric mayhem.
5. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
This darker, more atmospheric sequel takes place three years after Jurassic World’s downfall. Owen and Claire venture back to Isla Nublar to save the remaining dinosaurs as an erupting volcano threatens to annihilate them.
But what begins as a mission of rescue devolves into a sinister conspiracy centered on black-market auctions and genetic hybrids. Directed by J.A. Bayona, the movie introduces a gothic feel to the franchise while also providing heart-pounding dinosaur action.
4. Jurassic World (2015)
Years of inactivity followed, but then the franchise roared back with Jurassic World. Two decades after the initial park’s downfall, the dream has finally arrived—a public dinosaur theme park on a massive scale. When genetic manipulation creates the lethal Indominus rex, however, things quickly fall apart. With Chris Pratt as a raptor trainer and Bryce Dallas Howard as operations manager at the park, the film finds the perfect balance of new thrills and nostalgic references.
3. Jurassic Park III (2001)
Shorter, leaner, and more survival-oriented, Jurassic Park III returns Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill, for a new wild ride. Lured back to Isla Sorna by a desperate couple, Grant is caught iamidyet another dino-filled nightmare—this time with an ominous new predator, the Spinosaurus. Frequently underrated, the film still manages loads of suspense, good action, and old-fashioned creature thrills.
2. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
Steven Spielberg’s first sequel takes the action to a second island, where dinosaurs have been left to roam free. Jeff Goldblum’s Dr. Ian Malcolm is reluctantly drawn back into the chaos when a team journeys to Isla Sorna to research the creatures—and finds himself dealing with poachers, corporate greed, and a T. rex that eventually stomps its way through downtown San Diego. Bigger and bolder, The Lost World doubles down on the danger and keeps the tension high.
1. Jurassic Park (1993)
No shocker here—the original Jurassic Park is the gold standard. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this movie brought the world the wonder and fear of living dinosaurs via innovative visual effects and taut storytelling. The cast—Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and the late Richard Attenborough—added heart and humor to a narrative about messing with prehistoric DNA. It’s exhilarating, tear-jerking, and still stands as one of the greatest blockbusters ever constructed.
From island paradises to city sidewalks, this franchise has taught us what to expect when human aspiration collides with ancient energy, and things mostly always go south. Now that the entire series is up for streaming on Prime Video, it’s the ideal time to binge the show from beginning to end.
And if you’re not done with sci-fi spectacle after your dino binge, Prime has a lot more where those came from—from The Tomorrow War to cult classics and action movies. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia or the chaos, there’s never been a better time to come into your inner dino geek.