The Best Dinosaur Movies That Are Not Part Of The Jurassic Park Franchise

August 25, 20246 Mins Read

Key Takeaways

Dive into prehistory with
King Kong
and experience an epic showcase of dinosaurs like never before.
Ride the thrilling survival journey of
Kong: Skull Island
with intense action-packed encounters with dinosaurs.
Embark on a family-friendly adventure underground with
Journey to the Center of the Earth
for a wild ride with dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs have always fascinated people of all ages, sparking imaginations about what life was like when these colossal creatures dominated the Earth. This fascination is the driving force behind the enormous popularity of dinosaur-themed movies, especially the Jurassic Park franchise, which stands as one of the highest-grossing movie series of all time. With breathtaking special effects that bring dinosaurs of all kinds to life, these films offer thrilling, rollercoaster-like stories that keep audiences engaged and on the edge of their seats.

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While the Jurassic Park movies are considered some of the best and most expensive productions to convincingly depict dinosaurs on-screen, there are many other films that explore similar themes, often focusing on characters trying to survive encounters with prehistoric predators. Here are some of the most notable big-budget non-Jurassic Park films that are sure to satisfy the audience’s dinosaur cravings.

1 King Kong (2005)

An Unforgettable And Epic Journey For Dinosaur Lovers

Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 3h 7m
Estimated budget: $207 million
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Stars: Adrien Brody, Naomi Watts, Jack Black

One of the best, most expensive, and impressive films to ever bring dinosaurs to the big screen is Peter Jackson’s King Kong. Even today, the movie still holds up when showcasing various species of dinosaurs in all their glory. From multiple Tyrannosaurus rex to a Brontosaurus herd, King Kong features plenty of thrilling scenes where characters must act quickly to avoid being eaten or crushed by these colossal creatures. One of the film’s standout qualities is that these scenes often take place in broad daylight, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the size, scale, and majesty of these fascinating animals.

Despite the abundance of dinosaur-related scenes, King Kong offers much more than just prehistoric action. With an emotional, eventful plot, and several well-developed characters brought to life by a star-studded cast, the film captivates on multiple levels. Exotic locations, including a meticulously detailed 1933 New York City, add to the movie’s allure, while the impressive runtime ensures an unforgettable movie night — especially when watched on the biggest screen possible.

2 Kong: Skull Island

An Action-Packed Survival Ride

Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1h 58m
Estimated budget: $185 million
Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Stars: Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson

Kong: Skull Island continues the tradition of populating Skull Island with various prehistoric species, mixing real and fictional creatures in nearly equal proportions. While the movie is shorter and arguably less intense than Jackson’s 2005 version, it still delivers plenty of on-screen thrills. Characters encounter dinosaurs, such as Pterodactyls, and their remains, though the focus shifts toward the entirely fictional, dinosaur-like creature known as the Skullcrawler. Young Kong must battle this fearsome predator, while the human characters try to outwit it to survive.

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With diverse threats ranging from giant insects to a massive octopus, a plot that never slows its pace, and a strong cast of characters played by established stars like Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John C. Reilly, and John Goodman, Kong: Skull Island is action-packed and stands as one of the best entries in the modern MonsterVerse franchise.

3 Journey To The Center Of The Earth

Unpredictable Adventure For The Entire Family

Rating: PG
Runtime: 1h 33m
Estimated budget: $60 million
Directed by: Eric Brevig
Stars: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a loose adaptation of Jules Verne’s 1864 novel, leaning heavily into fantasy elements and lighthearted adventure. While exploring abandoned mines, the characters find themselves deep below the Earth’s surface, discovering an ecosystem filled with living breeds of long-extinct creatures. Among these are terrifying dinosaurs, including a menacing Tyrannosaurus rex. Although the portrayal of such iconic creatures is rather unrealistic, watching Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutcherson flee from a T. rex is undeniably entertaining.

Filled with family-friendly adventure and enhanced by spectacular 3D effects, Journey to the Center of the Earth is, above all, a thrill ride packed with dangers, exotic scenery, and fearless characters. However, due to the movie’s relatively modest production budget, its visual effects might not fully impress modern audiences.

4 65

A Great Premise That Doesn’t Fully Deliver

Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1h 33m
Estimated budget: $45 million
Directed by: Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
Stars: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt

65 (short for 65 million years ago) is the latest addition to dinosaur-focused survival adventure films, offering an unusual mix of sci-fi elements and plot twists. In this film, an astronaut, played by Adam Driver, crashes on an unknown planet teeming with colossal and dangerous creatures. Among the threats, he must outsmart a Tyrannosaurus rex to protect a young girl and ensure their survival.

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Despite its intriguing premise, 65 doesn’t quite live up to its potential, possibly due to its limited budget. While the visual effects are solid, there simply aren’t enough intense dinosaur scenes to fully engage the audience. Even with a twist involving a cataclysmic event that leads to the extinction of the dinosaurs, 65 ultimately feels forgettable, though it’s still worth checking out for die-hard dinosaur enthusiasts.

5 Land Of The Lost

An Atypical Blend Of Dinosaur-Focused Comedy

Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1h 42m
Estimated budget: $100 million
Directed by: Brad Silberling
Stars: Will Ferrell, Danny McBride

Land of the Lost stands out as a dinosaur movie due to its comedic nature. The story follows a group of modern, low-level scientists who unexpectedly travel back in time during one of their field trips. The film blends a goofy tone and off-beat humor with plenty of action-packed chase scenes, featuring an impressive portrayal of Tyrannosaurs, Allosaurus, and giant Pteranodons, among other extinct creatures. This unusual mix of comedy and adventure may appeal to viewers precisely because of its offbeat approach.

Despite its lighthearted, often silly plot and simplistic characters, the movie’s substantial budget of $100 million ensures that every intense dinosaur scene looks impressive. Even if audiences don’t fully connect with Will Ferrell and Danny McBride’s comedic duo, Land of the Lost is still worth checking out for its action sequences alone.