echo “Life finds a way.” Oof! Chills. When Jurassic Park hit theatres in the spring of 1993, it forever changed the way we looked at dinosaurs and other prehistoric life. Jurassic Park was praised for its realistic dinosaur visuals, John Williams’ spine-tingling score and larger-than-life plot. It is no surprise the film’s success and pop culture impact led to what is now 6 sequels and 2 Netflix Animated Series—The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III, Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Jurassic World: Dominion and the newly-released Jurassic World Rebirth.
But here’s the thing: while the Jurassic franchise gave us dino-drama for generations (and generations to come), it also butchered a whole lot of real science along the way. With this in mind, let’s put our lab coats on and delve deeper into the biggest paleontology inaccuracies that span the Jurassic universe.
Dr Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park (1993), played by Jeff Goldblum
Still from Jurassic Park (1993)
- Where Are All The Jurassic Dinosaurs?
Contrary to the franchise’s title, most of the dinosaurs we see on screen aren’t actually from the Jurassic period! Let’s review.
Tyrannosaurus Rex? Velociraptor? Triceratops? Ankylosaurus? Spinosaurus? Gallimius? Iconic, yes — but also all from the Cretaceous period, which came tens of millions of years after the Jurassic period ended.
But we’re not here to completely discredit the creators. To be fair, the films did feature a few actual Jurassic-era dinosaurs— like Brachiosaurus, Dilophosaurus, and Stegosaurus. So while the timeline’s a bit of a muddle, the awe and wonder still hold up.
A sick Triceratops (a Cretaceous period dinosaur) in Jurassic Park (1993)
Brachiosaurus (a Jurassic period dinosaur) in Jurassic Park (1993)
Infographic depicting the Mesozoic era timeline of dinosaurs
- Velociraptors On Steroids
Across all forms of Jurassic media, the Velociraptors continue to be portrayed as massive, ultra-clever murder machines, perhaps with a touch of dog-like loyalty (Blue, I see you). But, real Velociraptors were merely the size of a turkey, and covered in feathers; I’m talking pure fluff! Not exactly the sleek, scaly reptiles Hollywood depicts them to be.
The franchise also suggests that these raptors are smart enough to form complex emotional bonds and obey verbal commands, as shown through Owen’s relationship with the pack of four in Jurassic World.
While it’s true that some dinosaurs may have been sharper than we once believed, and Velociraptors were likely among the smarter dinos, let’s not overestimate them. They weren’t geniuses. In fact, they weren’t even on par with today’s chimpanzees, parrots or crows.
So yes, they were clever for a dinosaur (not a high standard, if I’m being honest. Some had brains the size of walnuts.) But not “open doors and obey human orders” smart.
Owen Grady and the Velociraptors in Jurassic World (2015)
Scientifically-accurate Velociraptor
Velociraptor specimens in comparison to a 1.8m (5’11”) human
- THESE Aren’t Dinosaurs!
I’ve been meaning to say this for a very long time. Pterosaurs and Mosasaurs aren’t a classification of dinosaurs, but rather flying reptiles and marine reptiles. Think of it like calling a whale or dolphin a fish, or calling a bat a bird.
Yes, they lived during the Mesozoic era. Yes, they looked dinosaur-esque. Yes, they starred in Jurassic World like they owned the place. But scientifically speaking? They’re imposters!
Though, I will admit, these creatures have starred in some of the most memorable scenes in the franchise. That whole Pteranodon aviary attack scene in Jurassic Park III still gives me chills.
Mosasaurus in Jurassic World (2015)
Pteranodon in Jurassic Park III (2001)
- Let’s Talk Spinosaurus, For Real
You may recognize the Spinosaurus from its iconic appearance in Jurassic Park III, when it bit into a T-rex’s neck like it was nothing. Or maybe you know the Spinosaurus from all the TikTok ‘Spot The Spinosaurus’ memes. While undoubtedly a fan-favourite, let’s say science paints a completely different picture for the long-snouted, sail dinosaur.
Firstly, and I will give credit to Jurassic World Rebirth for this, the Spinosaurus wasn’t strictly a land dinosaur. Jurassic World Rebirth has recently fixed this, depicting the species to hunt in waters (to which, it nearly ate Scarlett Johannsson whole). Think of Spinosaurus as a giant crocodile, rather than a sprinting predator on land.
A group of Spinosauruses in Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)
It is also interesting to note that the Spinosaurus realistically couldn’t even roar! Paleontology has proven that the Spinosaurus didn’t have any vocal chops. Like modern reptiles, it probably hissed or produced low-frequency sounds.
Many people often argue about who would truly win in a fight between a T-rex and a Spinosaurus. Well, hate to break it to you, but these dinosaurs never even lived at the same time or the same place! T-rex ruled North America during the Late Cretaceous while Spino strutted through what is now North Africa much earlier.
T-rex vs Spinosaurus in Jurassic Park III (2001)
I’m just going to say it straight. Spinosaurus walked funny, and that’s okay! We now know the Spinosaurus had short hind limbs and may have walked on all fours—especially on land. The sail on its back, once believed to intimidate or regulate temperature, might have helped with swimming or display instead.
Scientifically-accurate depiction of Spinosaurus and its size
Fun fact: Malaysia’s first (and only) confirmed dinosaur fossil was of a Spinosaurus! It was found in Pahang back in 2014, and is estimated to be about 140 million years old.
This is proof that dinosaurs once roamed what is now modern-day Malaysia, and it also proved that Southeast Asia had spinosaurid dinosaurs, which were previously known mostly from Africa and Europe.
Malaysia’s spinosaur dinosaur fossil, as shown by the University of Malaya
Spinosaurus in Jurassic Park III (2001)
- Rexy Done Wrong (But She’s Still Cool!)
Tyrannosaurus Rex is undoubtedly the most iconic dinosaur there is. But, let’s just say the Jurassic franchise took a few liberties with our leading lady. Firstly, like the Velociraptors, Rexy may have had feathers, though mainly as a baby. She also had a little chub, but she looked cute!
Jurassic Park also made it a point that T-rex wouldn’t be able to see you if you don’t move. But in reality, the T-rex had excellent vision, with depth perception sharper than a hawk’s! So yes, it would absolutely see you frozen mid-scream.
Rexy’s first appearance in Jurassic Park (1993)
While the T-rex is also known for its iconic roar in the franchise, it is entirely inaccurate! Her cinematic roar is stitched from lion, elephant, and Godzilla soundbites. A Real T-rex probably made low rumbles or deep croaks, with the only indication of her arrival in your area being vibrations.
Rexy in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
The Takeaways
The Jurassic films may not get all their facts right, but they’ve definitely kept dinosaurs alive in our imaginations. What is truly important about these films isn’t the money it makes or the various storylines it comes up with, but rather the interest it sparks in prehistoric life among the public. While Hollywood makes the headlines, real paleontology is quietly struggling. The paleontology field is often underfunded, underhyped, and at risk of fading away, just like the fossils it studies.
But this study doesn’t have to go extinct! By supporting museums, reading up on real dinosaur science and facts, and showing some love to the researchers and scientists who dedicate their lives to digging for the truth (literally!), we can help revive a dying field, and keep the wonder of prehistoric life alive for generations to come!
Because the real story of dinosaurs is just as draw-dropping, with no movie magic required.
By: Ashley Anne Danker
Edited by: Tisyha
