For film lovers and nostalgia seekers alike, there’s a new reason to celebrate: Steven Spielberg’s game-changing 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park is now streaming for free on ITVX in the UK. Over three decades since it first roared onto cinema screens, the film is being hailed once again as a landmark achievement in movie history, and it’s sparking fresh waves of excitement among both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.
It’s hard to overstate the cultural impact of Jurassic Park. Released in the summer of 1993 and based on Michael Crichton’s best-selling novel, Spielberg’s dinosaur adventure didn’t just break box office records—it redefined what a blockbuster could be. The film’s blend of cutting-edge CGI, practical effects, and white-knuckle suspense set a new standard for Hollywood spectacle, inspiring countless sequels, spin-offs, and imitators in the decades that followed.
Now, thanks to ITVX, UK audiences can revisit (or discover for the first time) the thrills of Isla Nublar and the chaos unleashed when science, ambition, and prehistoric DNA collide. The film was added to the streaming platform in April 2025, and as of September, it remains available to watch for free, with only a complimentary account required—though viewers should expect a few adverts along the way. According to the Express, this move has reignited widespread appreciation for a movie many consider the greatest summer blockbuster of all time.
So, what makes Jurassic Park so enduring? For starters, its cast is a who’s-who of early ‘90s cinema: Sam Neill as the skeptical paleontologist Alan Grant, Laura Dern as the resourceful Ellie Sattler, Jeff Goldblum as the irrepressible mathematician Ian Malcolm, and Richard Attenborough as the ambitious park creator John Hammond. Even Samuel L. Jackson makes a memorable appearance. But, of course, the real stars are the dinosaurs—brought to life with a mix of animatronics and computer-generated imagery that remains impressive even by today’s standards.
Spielberg himself once described the film as "Jaws on land," a nod to his earlier blockbuster that invented the very concept of the summer movie event. The analogy rings true: both films tap into primal fears and awe, using suspense and spectacle to keep audiences glued to their seats. As reported by the Express, Spielberg’s vision for Jurassic Park was nothing short of revolutionary, cementing the ‘CGI blockbuster’ genre and forever altering the landscape of visual effects in cinema.
The critical response to Jurassic Park remains overwhelmingly positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film boasts a 91% approval rating from both critics and audiences, based on over 250,000 reviews. The Guardian called it "fascinating, suspenseful, frightening and skilfully calibrated," while the Washington Post described it as "flawless" even after all these years. Legendary critic Roger Ebert wrote in 2000, "You want great dinosaurs, you got great dinosaurs." And fans on social media are just as effusive: one X user dubbed it "the greatest summer blockbuster of all time," while another insisted, "I genuinely believe Jurassic Park is the greatest movie of all time."
Film critic Adam Kempenaar, writing for Filmingspotting, praised the film’s enduring technical wizardry, noting, "The effects... remain movie magic, and as a cautionary tale disguised as an amusement park thrill ride, its intensity is undeniable." Another Rotten Tomatoes reviewer, John D, echoed this sentiment: "Over twenty years later, and Jurassic Park is still one of the greatest films ever made. The dinosaurs look, sound, and move great. The plot is fantastic and flows really well. The cast does a great job of making the events of the movie feel real. Each time I watch it, I catch something new that I never noticed before. Easily a top five movie for me."
Of course, Jurassic Park wasn’t just a critical darling—it was a commercial juggernaut. The film swept three Oscars in 1993, winning Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Sound Effects Editing. That same year, Spielberg also released the haunting Schindler’s List, which claimed Best Picture and Best Directing at the 66th Academy Awards. Ironically, Spielberg lost the directing Oscar for Jurassic Park to himself, a testament to the extraordinary year he had.
The legacy of Jurassic Park extends far beyond its original release. The film spawned six sequels, including the successful Jurassic World reboot in 2015. The franchise’s popularity has only grown, with new generations discovering its blend of awe and terror. In 2022, Jurassic World: Dominion brought together original characters Alan Grant, Ian Malcolm, and Ellie Sattler with new leads Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), bridging the gap between past and present fans.
This year, the series celebrated its seventh installment with Jurassic World: Rebirth, starring Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey as a fresh team of dino-hunters. Johansson, a lifelong fan, told Metro.co.uk, "I’ve been chasing the Jurassic universe for three decades. I would have happily played any kind of dino snack." She even met with Spielberg during the casting process, recalling, "I tried not to be a humongous weirdo and geek out, but after a couple of hours talking to him, he brought it up. He was like, ‘Oh, I think we’re supposed to be talking about Jurassic?’, and that was my in. So then I felt comfortable being a total nerd." Her enthusiasm reflects the enduring pull of the franchise, which continues to inspire actors and audiences alike.
As Jurassic Park returns to the spotlight, it’s clear that its influence on popular culture and filmmaking remains as potent as ever. Whether you’re revisiting the film for the umpteenth time or experiencing its thrills for the first time, ITVX’s free streaming release is a perfect excuse to marvel once again at Spielberg’s movie magic. For many, the awe and terror of that first T. rex roar never gets old—and with a new era of dino-mania upon us, the adventure shows no sign of slowing down.
Sometimes, the classics really do live up to the hype. Jurassic Park is proof that great storytelling, memorable characters, and groundbreaking effects can create a cinematic experience that stands the test of time.
