Did you know?
Unlike the Velociraptors depicted in Jurassic Park, the real Velociraptor mongoliensis was quite different. Fully feathered, it measured between 5 and 6.8 feet in length, roughly the size of a turkey.
Box Office Titan: The Jurassic Phenomenon
Jurassic Park was not just a box-office juggernaut it was a cultural phenomenon that reshaped how the world saw dinosaurs. With ground-breaking CGI, storytelling, and science, it sparked a global fascination with palaeontology.
Inspiring generations to explore dinosaurs and learn more about science. The franchise remains a family favourite, with a growing global fanbase year after year.
Jurassic Park had a budget of $63 million and made $978 million in its initial box office run back in 1993. This made it the highest grossing film up until that time. With later reissues over the years Jurassic Park has made $1.058 billion at the global box office.
With its monumental box office success, Jurassic Park did more than revolutionise filmmaking, it ignited a fascination with palaeontology, drawing audiences into the world of dinosaurs beyond the silver screen.
The Jurassic Park franchise has flourished into a $9.79 billion phenomenon, captivating audiences across generations. With its seventh instalment, Jurassic World: Rebirth, set to premiere on July 2nd, 2025, the series continues to evolve.
Beyond its record-breaking box office performance, Jurassic Park’s influence extends far beyond cinema, it has sparked real-world scientific curiosity and shaped careers.
In this discussion, I explore the franchise’s lasting impact, from its cultural significance to its unique ability to spark meaningful engagement with real science and palaeontology.
Jurassic Park’s Ripple Effect: Inspiring Future Scientists
Beyond thrilling audiences, Jurassic Park ignited a passion for science. The franchise has inspired countless fans to pursue careers in palaeontology, film, and media increasing museum visits, fieldwork participation, and a deeper appreciation for natural history.
Below you can view a selection of photos covering my interaction with the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World franchise over the years. From attending Jurassic Park in concert for the film’s 25th anniversary to meeting cast and palaeontologists involved in the film’s development!
Attending Jurassic Park in Concert at the Bristol Hippodrome in 2018. 
Interviewing Jurassic World cast member Colby Boothman in 2020. 
With Professor Steve Brusatte at his Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs talk at Cardiff University, April 5th, 2022. 
Attending Jurassic World the Exhibition in 2022. 
At the Jurassic World Exhibition in London in 2022. 
Tyrannosaurus animatronic at the Jurassic World Exhibition in 2022.
The film’s impact on palaeontology is not just seen in museums, it’s personal. My fascination with Jurassic Park evolved into a professional journey, one that led me into the field itself.
A Fan’s Journey: From Watching to Scientific Discovery
The Jurassic Park franchise has major pop and film culture status and is a recognisable film brand. It has played a major role in inspiring me to pursue a career in palaeontology.
As a fan I have always kept up to date with its growth, from the original Jurassic Park trilogies behind-the-scenes work to fossil discoveries and research being shown in the newer films.
In the summer of 2024 during fieldwork I got to meet palaeontologist Jack Horner in Montana who visited the field camp. Jack Horner was the palaeontological consultant on the first three Jurassic Park films: Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park 3. He consulted for the Jurassic franchise again with Jurassic World (2015) and appeared in the film as well.
Scientific Evolution in the Jurassic Franchise
The films have covered a range of palaeontological research from dinosaur intelligence and behaviour to display features, most noticeably with the introduction of fully feathered dinosaurs in Jurassic World: Dominion, a first for the Jurassic franchise.
As Jurassic Park’s depiction of dinosaurs evolved, so did the conversation surrounding them. Fans, scientists, and filmmakers alike engage in discussions that bridge cinematic storytelling with palaeontological research.
The film franchise began thirty-two years ago and continues to be a topic of discussion today. Jurassic super fans and YouTube content creators have led the charge breaking down the palaeontology, franchise canon, new merchandise, video games, upcoming theme park rides and more. The cast, crew and development teams behind the films also continue to share insight on podcasts and in interviews.
Online Engagement: Bridging Fandom and Fossils
As the franchise evolved, so did the conversations surrounding its scientific themes. Through online engagement, I have contributed to discussions bridging fan enthusiasm with real-world palaeontology, dissecting scientific accuracy and cinematic storytelling alike.
A lot of this has involved taking part in podcast episodes as well as YouTube videos. These can be viewed at the My Science Soundbites page below.
Cast and Crew Interactions
Engaging with the cast and crew of Jurassic Park/Jurassic World has provided fascinating insights into the franchise’s development. From online discussions with directors and palaeontologists to unexpected interactions with actors. These moments have enriched my understanding of how science and storytelling intertwine.
I have been fortunate to have the following interactions. These interactions have increased my appreciation for the Jurassic Park franchise and highlight its long reaching impact.
Notable Cast & Crew Interactions
- Sam Neill (Dr. Alan Grant) – Online interaction & in-person meeting.
- Colby Boothman (Leon in Jurassic World) – Online interaction & YouTube interview.
- Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World & Jurassic World: Dominion director) – Online interaction.
- J.A. Bayona (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom director) – Online interaction.
- Jack Horner (palaeontological consultant for the Jurassic Park franchise) – Online interaction & in-person meeting.
- Emily Carmichael (co-writer of Jurassic World: Dominion) – Online interaction.
- Professor Steve Brusatte (palaeontological consultant for Jurassic World: Dominion & Jurassic World: Rebirth) – Online interaction & in-person meeting.
It was unexpected to get a reply from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom director JA Bayona in 2018 on X/Twitter, regarding Toby Jones work as Gunner Eversol in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
On the 21st of January 2020 I set off a whole discussion within the Jurassic World online fandom over titles for the upcoming Jurassic World film, eventually titled Jurassic World: Dominion. Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Dominion director Colin Trevorrow even got in on the fun discussions.
The post led to numerous websites covering the film title news and excitement at the time such as Comic Book Movies, Newsweek, The Daily Mail, and the International Business Times to name just a few. Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow has been good at engaging the online Jurassic fandom during the Jurassic World trilogies development.
Professor Steve Brusatte palaeontological consultant on Jurassic World: Dominion and Jurassic World: Rebirth has responded to quite a lot of my posts in the past. Online conversations on Twitter/X have covered scientific discussions like this one on the 9th June 2021 below.
The June 26, 2023, discussion on palaeontological interpretation in the Jurassic Park Visitor Center and Jurassic World Innovation Center introduced a perspective I hadn’t encountered before making it a fascinating topic to explore.
Meeting those behind the franchise has deepened my appreciation for its scientific roots. It has also strengthened my commitment to ensuring palaeontology remains accessible to audiences worldwide.
Jurassic Park and Science Outreach
While Jurassic Park brings dinosaurs to life in wonder and awe, the real science behind them is equally captivating. Through science communication, I highlight where cinematic fiction meets palaeontological reality, ensuring that audiences appreciate the discoveries shaping our understanding of prehistoric life.
Jurassic Park is not a documentary, but the franchise has always embraced science to shape its world. My outreach focuses on highlighting where cinematic fiction meets palaeontological reality ensuring audiences appreciate the discoveries that continue to redefine our understanding of dinosaurs.
It has been important for me to share more about the aspects of real palaeontology and how this differs in places within the Jurassic franchise.
In 2020, I teamed up with Jurassic fandom YouTuber Klayton Fioriti (365,000 subscribers, 160M+ views) to explore palaeontology in Jurassic World: Dominion (2022). Our collaboration sparked engagement in scientific research, reaching over 88,000 viewers and earning 2,400+ likes in active discussion.
You can check out my analysis of the film’s dinosaur depictions in the video below.
How Jurassic World: Dominion Portrays Dinosaurs
Beyond the Films: The Legacy That Endures
The first film is still one of the best science-fiction blockbusters ever made with a global fanbase. It is loved and celebrated the world over. The film franchise has evolved past the first three Jurassic Park films and developed an enduring legacy, something of which I am excited to see continue in the years to come.
With Jurassic World: Rebirth just around the corner I am looking forward to the discussions surrounding the new film, from the dinosaurs on screen to the film’s story.
Jurassic World Franchise Insights
Explore exclusive articles celebrating Jurassic World’s 10th anniversary at the page link below.
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