The Secret Behind Jurassic Park’s Least Favorite Movie and Its Impact on the Future of the Franchise Beyond Chris Pratt’s Trilogy

Since the debut of its inaugural film in 1993, the Jurassic Park franchise has firmly established itself as one of the most successful film series in history. After the original trilogy garnered immense popularity, the franchise evolved into the Jurassic World series, which reintroduced the excitement of dinosaurs to a new generation. This modern trilogy, featuring stars like Chris Pratt as Owen Grady and Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing, not only captivated audiences but also achieved remarkable financial success, culminating in two sequels that performed exceptionally well at the box office.

With a staggering total of around $6 billion in global box office revenue, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down; Jurassic World 4 is set to hit theaters in 2025. Nevertheless, the journey has had its share of challenges over the years. Among its entries, Jurassic World Dominion has been labeled the weakest installment in terms of critical acclaim, despite its overall box office success.

Jurassic World Dominion: A Box Office Success Despite Poor Reception

Jurassic World Dominion Holds a 29% Rotten Tomatoes Rating

Owen and Kayla on the ice in Jurassic World Dominion

In a surprising twist, Jurassic World Dominion became the lowest-rated film in the franchise with a mere 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. This rating positions it below Jurassic Park III, which sits at 49%. Critics were astonished that despite the return of beloved characters from the original films, including classic settings, the movie could not garner a more favorable reception.

The film introduced some of the franchise’s most intriguing dinosaur species, including modern feathered versions that have captured public interest with recent paleontological discoveries. However, critics pinpointed the film’s inability to deliver the same thrills of previous installments. They lamented its reliance on nostalgia, citing that it seemed to depend heavily on established characters rather than forging new paths. Still, the success of the box office—over $1 billion worldwide—underscores the enduring strength of the Jurassic brand.

The Box Office Success of Jurassic World Dominion Signals Ongoing Interest

Audience Demand for Jurassic Park Movies Remains Strong

The box office performance of Jurassic World Dominion illustrates a significant point: the franchise has a remarkable capacity to draw in audiences regardless of critical reviews. Its opening weekend revenues were only slightly lower than that of its predecessor, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, suggesting a loyal fanbase. The movie concluded its run, having grossed over $1 billion, and it holds the third-highest audience rating (Popcornmeter) within the series, reflecting a notable difference between critical and audience perceptions.

Jurassic Park/World Movie	Tomatometer	Popcornmeter	Worldwide Box Office
Jurassic Park (1993)	91%	91%	$1,058,454,230
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)	53%	52%	$618,638,999
Jurassic Park III (2001)	49%	37%	$365,900,000
Jurassic World (2015)	72%	78%	$1,671,063,641
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)	47%	48%	$1,308,323,302
Jurassic World Dominion (2022)	29%	77%	$1,004,004,592

While the consistent box office figures indicate a willing audience for Jurassic Park/World movies, the franchise must remain vigilant as each subsequent Jurassic World film has seen diminishing earnings. The upcoming Jurassic World Rebirth has the potential to reinvigorate audience interest, provided it avoids the pitfalls of The Lost World and Dominion and offers a fresh, innovative viewing experience.

Sources: The Numbers, Rotten Tomatoes.

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