Dinosaurs in Order: A Jurassic Park Watch Guide That Won't Leave You Extinct-ly Confused
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
IGN South Africa sorted out the chronological order of the Jurassic Park movies and shows, so you don't accidentally watch them in the wrong order and get dinosaur-related whiplash.
Alright, mate, so you're thinking of diving headfirst into the Jurassic Park franchise? Fair play to you. But with seven films, two short films, and a Netflix series chucked in for good measure, figuring out the chronological order can feel like trying to herd velociraptors – chaotic and potentially deadly to your free time.
IGN South Africa's put together a handy guide (cheers, IGN!) that sorts out the prehistoric puzzle. Because let's be honest, nobody wants to accidentally watch *Jurassic World Dominion* before the original *Jurassic Park* and wonder why Jeff Goldblum looks like he's aged about five millennia.
So, grab your popcorn (and maybe a tranquilizer gun, just in case) as we break down the order, both by release date and chronologically, with a few Jeff-style observations thrown in for good measure.
**How Many Bloody Jurassic Park Movies Are There, Anyway?**
Seven feature-length films. Count 'em. Three *Jurassic Park* flicks and four *Jurassic World* adventures. But that's not all! We also have two short films and the *Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous* animated series lurking about. Think of it as the extended director's cut of dinosaur chaos.
**Jurassic Park Movies in Chronological Order (Prepare for Mild Spoilers, Darlings!)**
1. **Jurassic Park (1993):** The OG. The one that started it all. John Hammond, bless his slightly mad heart, clones dinosaurs, invites some scientists (Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and the ever-quotable Ian Malcolm), and then everything predictably goes tits up. A tropical storm, a disgruntled employee, and suddenly, you've got a T-Rex chasing a jeep. A classic disaster, really. Preorder that sweet 4K edition, why don't ya?
2. **The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997):** Four years later, we're back on another island (Isla Sorna, this time) with more cloned dinos. Ian Malcolm's dragged into another mess involving corporate greed, duelling factions, and a T-Rex having a jolly good time in San Diego. Seriously, what is it with these people and cloned apex predators in populated areas?
3. **Jurassic Park 3 (2001):** Alan Grant's back, lured by the promise of funding (who can blame him?). He ends up on Isla Sorna again, this time on a rescue mission for a missing kid. Cue more velociraptor antics and frantic escapes. This marked a bit of a lull for the franchise, a 14-year hiatus to be exact, like the dinos were just waiting to wake up again.
4. **Jurassic World (2015):** Twenty-two years after the first park failed, they try again! This time, it's shiny, new, and features Chris Pratt whispering sweet nothings to velociraptors. Of course, a genetically modified mega-dinosaur (the Indominus rex) escapes, leading to more chaos and an epic T-Rex vs. Indominus showdown. Honestly, you'd think they'd learn.
4a. **Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (TV Series - 2020):** Look, it's a kids' show. But it's canon! Six kids get stuck on Isla Nublar during the events of *Jurassic World* and have to survive. Think *Lord of the Flies*, but with more teeth. It's not essential viewing, but if you're a completist, crack on, mate.
5. **Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018):** A volcano threatens Isla Nublar, and people start arguing about whether the dinosaurs deserve to be saved. Jeff Goldblum makes a cameo, reminding everyone that messing with nature is a bad idea. Naturally, dinosaurs end up being auctioned off, and a whole bunch of them get released into the world. Good plan, everyone. *Really* good plan.
6. **Battle at Big Rock (Short Film - 2019):** A family camping trip gets interrupted by a dinosaur fight. It's short, it's sweet (well, sweet-ish), and it shows the early days of humans and dinosaurs awkwardly coexisting.
7. **Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (TV Series - 2024):** Picking up after Camp Cretaceous, Chaos Theory throws the Nublar Six back into the thick of it, this time with a mystery to solve. Set just before Dominion, it's a proper suspenseful romp for fans of the animated side of Jurassic Park.
8. **Jurassic World Dominion: The Prologue (Short Film - 2021):** Originally intended as the opening for *Dominion*, this short film gives us a glimpse of dinosaurs in the Cretaceous period and then jumps to the present day with a T-Rex causing havoc at a drive-in. Standard Tuesday, really.
9. **Jurassic World Dominion (2022):** Dinosaurs are everywhere! The world's gone a bit bonkers. Owen Grady, Claire Dearing, and the original trio (Grant, Sattler, Malcolm) team up to fight giant locusts and corporate greed. It's a bit of a mess, but hey, dinosaurs!
10. **Jurassic World Rebirth (2025):** Jumping ahead five years, this flick sends a team on a mission to snag DNA from the biggest dinos out there, with a few mutant surprises thrown in. IGN reckons it's more of a remix than a rebirth, but what do I know? (Apparently, a fair bit.)
**Jurassic Park Movies By Release Date (For the Purists):**
* Jurassic Park (1993) * The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) * Jurassic Park 3 (2001) * Jurassic World (2015) * Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) * Battle at Big Rock (2019 – short film) * Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (2020 – TV series) * Jurassic World Dominion: The Prologue (2021 – short film) * Jurassic World Dominion (2022) * Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (2024 - TV series) * Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)
So, there you have it! A chronological guide to the *Jurassic Park* movies that should keep you from getting eaten alive by confusion. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to build a velociraptor enclosure in my garden. For purely scientific reasons, of course.
Tags: Jurassic Park, Dinosaurs, Movie Guide, Franchise, Film
Original article: IGN South Africa