Understanding the Chronological Order of Jurassic Park Movies

When it comes to movie franchises, keeping track of the order of films can sometimes be a daunting task. However, with the Jurassic Park series, the chronology is relatively straightforward. The movies are released in a specific order, which also mirrors their storyline sequence. Here, we will break down the chronological and release order of the Jurassic Park movies, including the Jurassic World series.

Chronological Order

The chronological order of the Jurassic Park movies is as follows:

Jurassic Park (1993) The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) Jurassic Park III (2001) Jurassic World (2015) Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) Jurassic World Dominion (2022, not yet released)

This sequence includes the original trilogy and the subsequent Jurassic World trilogy. The chronological order ensures that the narrative builds upon itself, making the later films more impactful as they reference events from the earlier ones.

Release Order

While the release order of the movies may not always align with their storyline sequence, for the most part, the chronological and release order are the same:

Jurassic Park (1993) The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) Jurassic Park III (2001) Jurassic World (2015) Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) Jurassic World Dominion (2022, not yet released)

Considering the time between releases, the chronological and release order are fairly consistent. However, there were a few instances where the release order was not the same as the chronological one, particularly with the third film in the original series. In such cases, it's essential to distinguish between the two for a proper understanding of the story.

The Original Trilogy

The original trilogy, consisting of:

Jurassic Park (1993) The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) Jurassic Park III (2001)

These films are considered the core of the franchise, and each one builds on the previous, providing a consistent storyline. However, it's worth noting that Jurassic Park III, while part of the chronological sequence, was not as well-received as the original two films. The film is often characterized as inferior to its predecessors, and many fans prefer the earlier films in the original trilogy.

The Jurassic World Trilogy

The Jurassic World trilogy, which includes:

Jurassic World (2015) Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) Jurassic World Dominion (2022, not yet released)

This series largely ignores the events of The Lost World and Jurassic Park III. The primary reason for this is that both films were panned by critics and audiences alike. The creators of the new films decided to start fresh with a more positive and engaging storyline, which led to the massive success of Jurassic World. By skipping the bad movies, the new franchise was able to focus on creating a compelling and engaging narrative for fans and new viewers alike.

Final Thoughts

When viewing the Jurassic Park series, it's important to remember that the chronological and release order are the same, with a few exceptions. The original films set the foundation for the franchise, and the later films continued to build upon that foundation. However, for proper enjoyment and understanding, it's best to follow the chronological order, especially if you want to see the story develop cohesively.

Adding to this, the new Jurassic World series has reintroduced a fresh and exciting take on the franchise, focusing on characters like Chris Pratt's Owen Grady. If you’re new to the series or considering which films to watch, be sure to start with Jurassic Park, followed by The Lost World, and then continue with the new main series, ignoring the less critically acclaimed entries.