How to Watch the Jurassic Park Movies in Chronological Order

From the imaginative mind of Michael Crichton and the cinematic genius of Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park captivated audiences and became a 90s phenomenon. Decades later, the Jurassic World trilogy reignited the franchise, adding a staggering $4 billion to its box office success across three films. With Jurassic World: Rebirth hitting theaters in July, we've created this guide to help you navigate the sprawling saga. Explore the Jurassic Park film series in order, chronologically, or by release date.

Jurassic Park Movies in Order

How Many Jurassic Park Movies Are There?

There are six feature-length Jurassic films—three Jurassic Park movies and three Jurassic World films. Jurassic World: Rebirth will be the seventh. The franchise also includes two short films and an animated Netflix series, detailed in the chronology below.

Jurassic Park Movies in Chronological Order

(Mild spoilers ahead regarding characters, settings, and plot points.)

1. Jurassic Park (1993)

The Jurassic Park film chronology largely mirrors the release order, with only the short films and Netflix series requiring additional guidance. This adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel introduces the core concept: cloned dinosaurs, created from prehistoric mosquito DNA, populate a theme park on Isla Nublar, overseen by a reckless entrepreneur (Richard Attenborough). Paleontologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill), paleobotanist Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) assess the park's safety alongside John Hammond's grandchildren, Lex and Tim Murphy. A tropical storm and sabotage disable the security systems, unleashing the dinosaurs and turning the tour into a thrilling escape.

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2. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

Four years later, The Lost World returns Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) and John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), alongside paleontologist Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore). The story unfolds on Isla Sorna, a second island where Hammond also cloned dinosaurs, later abandoned. A corporate power struggle sends opposing factions to Isla Sorna: one seeking to exploit the dinosaurs, the other aiming for preservation. The ensuing conflict against territorial dinosaurs leads to a T-Rex escaping to San Diego, culminating in a thrilling capture attempt.

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3. Jurassic Park 3 (2001)

Four years on, Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern, in a smaller role) return in Jurassic Park 3, again set on Isla Sorna. Grant accepts a helicopter tour for funding, unaware it's a rescue mission for a missing boy. The ensuing encounter with hostile dinosaurs, particularly velociraptors, leads to a desperate search and a coordinated rescue.

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...(continues with the remaining films following the same format)