Impact of Jurassic Park: Celebrating 30 Years of Cinema Legacy

In this article I share the impact Jurassic Park has had on its 30th anniversary.

Today the 11th of June 2023 Jurassic Park celebrates its 30th anniversary of its cinema release. It is crazy to think Jurassic Park is now 30 years old. The science fiction blockbuster that changed not only cinema but led to a global audience shift in the perception of dinosaurs.

With a budget of $63 million Jurassic Park made $978 million in its initial box office run back in 1993. This made it the highest grossing film up until that time. With subsequent reissues over the years Jurassic Park has made $1.046 billion at the global box office.

The 1993 theatrical trailer for Jurassic Park remains nostalgic.

The film has inspired many children to grow up pursuing careers in film, media and of course palaeontology. It helped to increase awareness about palaeontology as a science, led to a boom in visits to Museums and people taking part in palaeontology fieldwork. Jurassic Park has major pop and film culture status, it is a recognisable film brand. A movie many people consider to be the best out of the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World franchise.

Dr. Alan Grant, Dr. Ellie Sattler and John Hammond watch on as the *Brachiosaurs* move across the watering hole whilst a herd of *Parasaurolphus* drink. Image credit: Jurassic Vault, 2023.

It has fantastic film performances from its cast including the late Richard Attenborough, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, and Sam Neill. The locations in Kauai Hawaii and sets are just as iconic as the dinosaurs, just as John Williams score is as identifiable as the sound of a Tyrannosaurus Rex roar. It is a film that many people have watched and those who haven’t watched it, have at least heard of it in some way.

Composer John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic perform the theme from Jurassic Park in 2020.

Steven Spielberg managed to create a cinematic masterpiece that continues to have audiences on their edge of their seats, alongside telling a fantastic story. Jurassic Park showed dinosaurs in a way many audiences had not seen at all until 1993. A lot of this would not have been possible without the work of the late Stan Winston, Phil Tippett, Michael Lantieri, Dennis Muren and the CGI effects team at ILM.

The iconic *Jurassic Park* gates. Image credit: Jurassic Vault, 2023.

Jurassic Park is my favourite film of all time. As someone who did not see the film in theatres at all (I was born in 93) it feels strange to think that I have grown up with this film and each passing birthday this film will also age alongside me. Even though I saw Jurassic Park before I read the original novels, I actual prefer the story told in the novels more.

From left to right. Martin Ferrero as Donal Gennaro, Richard Attenborough as John Hammond, Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm, Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant and Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler. Image credit: Royal Albert Hall, 2023.

Growing up I used to watch Jurassic Park a lot, not much has changed really. There were and still are many sequences that stood out to me both as a child and now as an adult. Grant and Ellie digging up the Velociraptor in the Montana Badlands. Alan and Ellie taking off their glasses and encountering the Brachiosaurus for the first time.

The MR DNA sequence, Tim chatting to Alan about dinosaurs before getting in the car. The sick Triceratops scene, The main road attack by the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Dilophosaurus attacking Nedry.

Muldoon being killed by one of escaped Velociraptors, John Hammonds Petticoat Lane sequence, the Raptors in the kitchen. The final battle between the Raptors and the T.Rex.

These are only a few sequences from the film, but it would not be hyperbole to say that each frame of this film is notable, any scene in Jurassic Park could be used to make a poster. It has a certain aesthetic that Jungle 90s safari that makes Jurassic Park posters stand out. It makes you feel nostalgic just looking at the Jurassic Park logo.

30 years on Jurassic Park merchandise is still being sold and the film is still being shown in cinemas. It has had countless cinema re-releases including the 2013 3D re-release, it was also re-released in 2018 for its 25th anniversary. The film returned to drive ins during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and later this year Jurassic Park will be shown again in the UK with a live orchestra to celebrate its 30th anniversary. You can buy tickets for these upcoming showings here.

I had the opportunity to see a live orchestra perform the film score alongside the film back in 2018, during the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park at the Bristol Hippodrome. It was a wonderful experience so I am sure the 30th anniversary showings will be just as fun.

*Jurassic Park* in concert at the Bristol Hippodrome, for the 25th anniversary celebration of the film in 2018. Image credit: James Ronan, 2018.

It is difficult to put into words the impact this film has had on me. It not only increased my love of dinosaurs growing up, but my passion to pursue a career in palaeontology. Sam Neill’s portrayal of palaeontologist Dr. Alan Grant stood out to me the most. Whilst Alan Grant’s portrayal in the novel is quite different to that of the film, I do not think anyone could have played the role better than Sam Neill.

Alan Grant was a palaeontologist who became an action hero. He was passionate about palaeontology and was shocked to find out that the dinosaurs he studied had been brought back to life. Grant changes a lot through Jurassic Park, having a greater appreciation for dinosaurs, evolution, and kids as a result of the events of the film. He is a character who finds himself in dire situations and steps up to the plate to take control.

It is still surreal to be able to say that I had a chance to meet Sam Neill a few years ago, I was able to meet him back in 2019 at Wales Comic Con. He was such a friendly guy to chat to and meet. I got to say Thank You to him for inspiring me to pursue career as a palaeontologist. Few Jurassic Park fans are lucky enough to have that type of experience and it is one I will always remember.

With *Jurassic Park* actor Sam Neill who plays palaeontologist Dr. Alan Grant at Wales Comic Con in 2019. It seems fitting to celebrate *Jurassic Park’s* 30th with the anniversary logo.

The Jurassic Park franchise it is more influential than it ever has been before. Leading to 6 films in total with a combined gross of $6.012 billion and merchandise sales in excess of £1.706 billion. Lunch boxes, t-shirts, video games, toys, film replicas, Lego and much more make up the Jurassic Park merchandise. A landmark for visual effects Jurassic Park influenced CGI effects for years to come, leading a movie revolution in effects making.

Frontier Developments recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of *Jurassic Park* with a free decorative update for their game *Jurassic World: Evolution 2*. Image credit: Steam, 2023.

The first film still remains one of the best science fiction blockbusters ever made. 30 years on with a global fanbase it is a film that is loved and celebrated the world over. To me Jurassic Park reaching 30 years old is a historic moment and the film will have an enduring legacy, something of which I will be excited to see continue in the many years to come.

The Jurassic Park cast talk about how much the film means to them and express their gratitude to the fans of the film and franchise.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article. If you are new to the website do explore all the pages. I am planning on developing the website with more palaeontology content across this year.

You can find all my science communication outreach at my links page. I am currently in the process of writing two other articles which should hopefully be published soon, so keep an eye on the website blog for when they drop.