Ranking the Films in the ‘Jurassic Park’ / ‘Jurassic World’ Franchise

It’s a little ironic that the original Jurassic Park, both in book and film form, is skewering corporate greed, and yet the property has become a massive franchise now. Not only was there a sequel novel, there were two more movies to complete that trilogy. Then, years later, the series became Jurassic World, with its own trilogy. Yesterday brought the release of a fourth installment there in Jurassic World Rebirth. Given the amount of flicks here now, it feels right (though perhaps not beneficial to the IP) to go ahead and rank them. So, that’s exactly what I did.

Below, you can see how I stack up the seven films (so far, probably). No surprise, but Jurassic Park is far and away the best here, as it’s one of Steven Spielberg‘s masterpieces. The question here that I think you’ll be asking is, did I just put The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III next in line? Did Jurassic World, Jurassic World Rebirth, or one of those others make it up to the top tier. You’ll be able to find out next, though I don’t think my list is particularly groundbreaking. Still, it’s mine, and I’m happy to share…

Here now is my ranking of the Jurassic Park / Jurassic World franchise. Behold:

7. Jurassic World: Dominion – This prior installment isn’t especially bad, per say, but it’s the one that least seems to understand what this franchise should be. Not only does it waste bringing back so many of the old cast members, it winds up being more about a locust subplot than dinosaurs actually running amok. It’s the most puzzling effort that we’ve seen to date, and while a big swing, is evidence that less is more here with Jurassic World: Dominion.

This is some of what I said here in my review at the time:

As perfect as Jurassic Park is, none of its now five sequels has ever fully stuck the landing. Part of that is how revolutionary the first one is, but part is just how odd a relationship the other films have with the premise. The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III kept a lot of elements while moving locations, whereas Jurassic World goes back to where it began. Then, its sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, does away with it for what becomes a haunted house flick. Now, we have Jurassic World: Dominion, which has promised to be something entirely new, while bringing back all of your old friends. Does it actually? Well, yes and no. There are some big swings here, though a handful of them are fairly big misfires. Jurassic World: Dominion throws everything at the summer movie wall, hoping enough sticks to make you have a good time. Plenty doesn’t work here, but just enough does to warrant a very mild recommendation.

Jurassic World: Dominion ends this particular Jurassic storyline in a manner that doesn’t even begin to answer questions, but engages your lizard brain that wants to see dinosaur chaos. The more it gives you prehistoric monsters, the better. When it tries to build out its new story, as opposed to wrapping up the one it has been developing, things get rough. Then again, by now you know that you’re not here for the franchise’s tight narrative.

6. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – The third act of this odd sequel is the closest the series has gotten to straight horror. The first act is warmed over Jurassic Park, while the middle is less dinosaur-centric. When the horror kicks in, though? Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom finds more of its footing. That their promising ending was not followed through on in a satisfying manner also dinks the flick at least a little bit.

5. Jurassic Park III – This is where things changed. Joe Johnston took over for Spielberg as director and things became a little more generic. Diminishing returns are rearing their heads in Jurassic Park III, to be sure, but it still felt like an event. Well, at least it felt like it should be an event. This is the last of the sequels that doesn’t feel closer to a misfire than not, but it’s also the safest of the lot, which is its own issue.

4. Jurassic World – Admittedly, Jurassic World is dumb as rocks. At the same time, the nostalgia of a new movie, as well as seeing the park operate, did work on me. They hit on a core concept that we wanted to see, without question. Now, a lot of what they do within is the beginnings of the issues that would get progressively worse, so keep that in mind. At least for this moment in the franchise’s time, it was a welcome return.

3. Jurassic World Rebirth – In some ways, Jurassic World Rebirth is getting back to what the original films did well. In other ways, it’s continuing to take the wrong lessons from the more recent installments. So, it’s a mixed bag, without question, though I would argue that the good does outweigh the bad here.

This here is some of what I said earlier in the week in my review:

It’s interesting to me that the Jurassic Park / Jurassic World franchise is still looked at as such a crown jewel. Sure, they always make money, but the first one is the only one to meet with any major acclaim. To one degree or another, it has been diminishing returns. Now, part of that is Jurassic Park is one of Steven Spielberg‘s masterpieces. Another part is the concept was just done so well, everything else is just very different or a retread. The series has tried both, with varying degrees of success. Now, with Jurassic World Rebirth, the property is attempting to do a little bit of everything. As you might imagine, what works does work well. However, it still remains far from a patch on what we all initially fell in love with.

Jurassic World Rebirth is a follow up to Jurassic World: Dominion, while also trying to be, in spirit at least, what fans wanted from The Lost World: Jurassic Park (partly due to how different the book was). Sometimes, it does feel like they’ve hit on something, but most of the time, it’s just more of what you expect. For me? It’s moderately entertaining and works as temporary distraction. For others? You might be left wanting more.

2. The Lost World: Jurassic Park – At times, it doesn’t feel like Spielberg’s heart is in this sequel, yet it still features his impeccable feel for what makes exciting cinema. So, you have a diminished experience with The Lost World: Jurassic Park, but a lot of it is coming from simply the heights that the first one was able to reach. It’s pretty solid, of course, with standout sequences, just no patch on the original.

1. Jurassic Park – What more can one say about Jurassic Park? It’s nearly perfect and one of Spielberg’s best films. Don’t believe me? Go back and watch it again. Not only do the visual effects hold up, the introduction of the dinosaurs is still a sequence that absolutely takes your breath away. It’s one of the great movies, so it’s almost an unfair fight here. There will never be another Jurassic Park like this one, since that first time is a major cinematic milestone.

What is your ranking of the Jurassic Park / Jurassic World franchise? Let us know!