10 Great Dinosaur Movies Every Jurassic Park Fan Will Love

The Enduring Appeal of Dinosaur Movies

Great dinosaur movies every Jurassic Park fan will love range from realistic depictions to fantastical interpretations. These films often explore themes of survival, adaptation, and the coexistence of humans and dinosaurs. The narratives may involve time travel, genetic experimentation, or the accidental discovery of hidden realms where dinosaurs still roam free.

Aladar (DB Sweeney) looking surprised while inside a cave in Dinosaur

Like the best Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies, great dinosaur films from other franchises go beyond the novelty of featuring creatures lost to time. From family-friendly features to adult-oriented comedies, thrillers, and foundational sci-fi movies, dinosaurs have undoubtedly made a colossal mark on cinema history. Dinosaur movies frequently showcase groundbreaking special effects, blending CGI and practical effects to bring these ancient creatures to life. Moreover, themes of exploration, adventure, and the awe-inspiring majesty of dinosaurs contribute to the enduring appeal of these films. Whether set in the past, present, or future, dinosaur movies offer audiences a glimpse into a world where these leviathans live and struggle once again.

A boy touching a dinosaur in The Good Dinosaur

Epic Family Adventures

Dinosaur (2000) is an epic drama known for its photorealistic VFX. The animated adventure is an engaging family film about the strength found in diversity and cooperation. Dinosaur follows Aladar, an iguanodon, as he navigates a perilous journey with a diverse group of dinosaurs seeking sanctuary after a devastating meteor shower. The plot emphasizes teamwork, diversity, and resilience as these creatures overcome challenges to reach the communal Nesting Grounds. The film's underlying message centers on unity and adapting to change, echoing themes of environmentalism and survival. Through breathtaking animation and an epic adventure, Dinosaur conveys the importance of collaboration and harmony in the face of great adversity.

Crusoe looking at a mysterious person laying on the dock in The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

The Good Dinosaur (2015) is a family-friendly drama with an extremely unique premise. Unfolding in an alternate timeline where dinosaurs never faced extinction and instead evolved to become intelligent farmers, The Good Dinosaur explores empathy, courage, and compassion in a heartfelt narrative. Its unique premise also established a promising world with the potential to become a franchise.

The Rhedosaurus rampaging in the city in The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms

The Land Before Time (1988) is regarded by many as the greatest animated dinosaur epic of all time. The film follows Littlefoot, a young Apatosaurus who embarks on a perilous journey to the Great Valley. Seeking safety and food after his mother's death, Littlefoot befriends other young dinosaurs, each from different species. The film explores themes of friendship and resilience amidst the epic backdrop of ancient natural history. The Land Before Time is critically acclaimed for espousing the universal values of compassion and cooperation while navigating the challenges of a changing world.

Littlefoot (Gabriel Damon) Littlefoot's mom (Helen Shaver) in a dramatic moment in The Land Before Time

Sci-Fi Thrillers and Timeless Classics

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007) is a modern reimagining of the Loch Ness Monster legend. Set in 1942 Scotland, the film follows a young boy named Alex who discovers a mysterious egg on the beach, which hatches into a water horse. The Water Horse delivers a heartwarming adventure that underscores the transformative power of humanity's deep bond with animals, especially amid tumultuous times.

Poster for King Kong (2005). A V Rex squares off against Kong while Naomi Watts' Ann Darrow stands in the middle.

65 (2023) is a sci-fi thriller with a clever Cretaceous twist. Centered on Mills, a spaceship pilot who crash-lands on a strange planet inhabited by violent reptilian aliens, the bold premise of 65 provides a fresh twist on the use of dinosaurs in movies. By rearranging the usual dinosaur movie tropes and combining them with alternate prehistory, 65 paves a promising new direction for the action adventure sub-genre.

Mills (Adam Driver) and Koa (Ariana Greenblatt) walking through a cave in 65

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) is an acclaimed and formative subterranean fiction film. Guided by a cryptic message from a strange artifact, Sir Oliver Lindenbrook and his team embark on a perilous expedition to the Earth's core. Apart from giant lizards, the adventurers come face to face with various natural and fantastical wonders, including a vast underground ocean and the ancient sunken city of Atlantis. An epic screen version of Jules Verne's foundational sci-fi tales, Journey to the Center of the Earth proves that great sci-fi films are truly timeless.

The giant chameleon attacks in the ending of Journey to the Center of the Earth