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Arts & Culture
14 September 2025

Jurassic World Rebirth Roars At Box Office But Trails Franchise Giants

Scarlett Johansson leads a blockbuster new era for the dinosaur saga as Universal eyes sequels, spin-offs, and fresh box office records despite mixed reviews and tough comparisons to earlier hits.

The dinosaurs have stomped back into the spotlight, and audiences are still lining up for more. Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest entry in the long-running franchise, has proven that the appetite for prehistoric thrills remains as fierce as ever. Released on July 2, 2025, the film roared into theaters worldwide and, despite some critical headwinds, managed to rake in a staggering $861.9 million globally as of September 13, according to Koimoi and SFFGazette.com. That’s no small feat for any summer blockbuster, especially one carrying the weight of such a storied cinematic legacy.

Headlining this new adventure is Scarlett Johansson, whose star power helped launch the franchise’s seventh installment alongside Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey. The cast also includes Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Rupert Friend, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Philippine Velge, Bechir Sylvain, and Ed Skrein. The film’s arrival marked a bold new era for the dino-saga, introducing an entirely fresh ensemble after the events of Jurassic World Dominion (2022).

But while Rebirth is undeniably a box office hit—garnering $339.2 million at the North American box office and $522.7 million internationally—its numbers reveal a more complicated story when stacked against its predecessors. As reported by Koimoi, Jurassic World Rebirth is, in fact, the weakest franchise starter in the history of the Jurassic Park series. For comparison, Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park (1993) amassed $978.16 million during its initial release, and after several re-releases, its total soared to over $1.1 billion, making it the third highest-grossing film in the franchise. The 2015 reboot, simply titled Jurassic World and starring Chris Pratt, dwarfed both with a jaw-dropping $1.67 billion global haul, cementing its place as the franchise’s top earner.

Still, it’s hard to call Rebirth anything but a blockbuster. Universal Pictures has plenty to celebrate, and fans can’t seem to get enough of the new direction. According to SFFGazette.com, rumors are already swirling about a direct sequel, tentatively dubbed Rebirth 2, with Scarlett Johansson rumored to return for another round of dino-action. Universal has yet to confirm these reports, and Johansson herself has played coy, telling reporters that she and director Gareth Edwards approached Rebirth as a “contained story” rather than the start of a new trilogy. Nevertheless, history suggests that the Jurassic franchise is never one to stay extinct for long.

Johansson’s comments reflect a measured approach. She emphasized that the film was conceived as “singular” and “standalone,” but with nearly a billion dollars in the bank, the temptation for Universal to greenlight more sequels is understandably strong. In fact, Koimoi has already reported that a sequel has been greenlit, with industry insiders speculating that the next chapter could even surpass the elusive $1 billion mark worldwide. That’s a tantalizing prospect for fans and studio executives alike.

Beyond the box office, the Jurassic universe continues to expand in other directions. Netflix’s animated series Jurassic World: Chaos Theory is gearing up for its fourth season, set to premiere on November 20, 2025. The show picks up after the events of Season 3 and overlaps with Jurassic World Dominion, offering fans a deeper dive into the chaos and adventure of a world overrun by dinosaurs. The streaming success of Chaos Theory underscores the franchise’s enduring appeal across generations and platforms.

Gamers aren’t left out of the fun, either. The upcoming release of Jurassic World Evolution 3 on October 21, 2025, promises to let players build and manage their own dinosaur parks with even greater complexity and realism. Meanwhile, Jurassic Park: Survival will transport players back to the aftermath of the original 1993 film, putting them in the shoes of Dr. Maya Joshi as she navigates the perilous ruins of Isla Nublar. These interactive experiences keep the franchise relevant and engaging, ensuring that the dino-mania continues well beyond the silver screen.

Despite its blockbuster status, Jurassic World Rebirth has not been immune to criticism. Reviews have been mixed to negative, with some critics questioning whether the franchise’s formula is beginning to show its age. Yet, as the box office numbers attest, audiences are still willing to buy a ticket for the ride. The enduring fascination with dinosaurs—those magnificent, mysterious creatures from Earth’s distant past—seems as strong as ever.

It’s worth noting that the franchise’s ability to reinvent itself has been key to its longevity. The original Jurassic Park was a technological marvel, pioneering the use of CGI and animatronics to bring dinosaurs to life in a way never before seen. Each subsequent reboot or sequel has sought to capture that sense of awe and terror, even as the stakes and spectacle have grown ever larger. Jurassic World Rebirth introduces a new generation of heroes and villains, updating the franchise for a modern audience while paying homage to its roots.

For Universal, the future of the franchise looks bright. With a sequel in the works, an animated series thriving on Netflix, and two major video games on the horizon, the Jurassic brand remains a cultural juggernaut. Whether Scarlett Johansson returns for the next installment or passes the torch to another star, the franchise’s ability to adapt and evolve is clear.

As Jurassic World Rebirth continues its run—now available for home viewing as of September 13, 2025—fans are already speculating about what comes next. Will the sequel break the billion-dollar barrier? Can the franchise recapture the magic of Spielberg’s original classic? One thing is certain: as long as there are dinosaurs on the big screen, audiences will keep coming back for more. And if the past thirty years are any indication, the age of the dinosaurs in Hollywood is far from extinct.