For moviegoers and franchise fans alike, the release of Jurassic World Rebirth in 2025 was met with both anticipation and trepidation. Directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, the film promised a fresh start for a series that had, by many accounts, lost its way. Yet, as critics and audiences soon discovered, the movie’s journey from opening credits to closing scene was anything but smooth. Despite a rocky start and a script laden with clichés, Jurassic World Rebirth has managed to claw back some respect, both critically and financially—especially thanks to a climactic finale that left viewers talking long after the credits rolled.
According to Far Out Magazine, the film is a textbook example of a blockbuster that "saved the best for last." While much of the runtime is bogged down by "tired clichés and painful exposition," the final act delivers a pulse-pounding showdown that, for many, redeems the experience. The climax sees the team facing off against a gang of genetically-spliced super-dinosaurs in a series of high-stakes set pieces: a tense grocery store standoff, a frantic chase through a system of tunnels, and a desperate battle on a jetty. These scenes, the magazine notes, are "somewhat akin to the best the series has produced, and are certainly a damn-sight better than the absolute dross that came before it." It's a rare case where a film’s last ten percent manages to eclipse the preceding ninety in both excitement and execution.
But how did this much-maligned entry in the dinosaur saga perform at the box office? The answer, surprisingly, is very well. As reported by KoiMoi, Jurassic World Rebirth has been a financial powerhouse, grossing over $800 million worldwide on a budget of $180 million. That’s a staggering 345% return on investment—no small feat for a film that critics have described as "not as bad as Dominion, but... still has no right to be associated with Steven Spielberg’s classic original." The movie’s performance is particularly impressive in Japan, where it was released on the weekend before August 16, 2025, and saw a significant boost during the Obon festival, a key period for cinema attendance in the country.
Industry tracker Luiz Fernando confirmed that the film is now less than $6 million away from surpassing Wicked at the Japanese box office—a notable achievement that underscores the franchise’s enduring global appeal. Even with mixed reviews, the film’s financial success ensures the future of the Jurassic brand, cementing its place as the third-highest-grossing Hollywood release of 2025, even if the elusive $1 billion milestone remains just out of reach.
The story of Jurassic World Rebirth is, in many ways, a microcosm of Hollywood’s complicated relationship with legacy franchises. After the critical and commercial disappointment of Jurassic World Dominion, many fans were ready to write off the series altogether. Hopes were cautiously raised with the announcement of Gareth Edwards—a director known for his work on Rogue One—taking the helm, and with major stars like Scarlett Johansson joining the cast. Yet, as Far Out Magazine points out, the film’s script does little to break new ground, instead relying on "by-the-book" plotting and familiar tropes.
Still, the movie’s final act has won over more than a few skeptics. The action-packed climax, featuring the team’s desperate struggle against monstrous, genetically-engineered dinosaurs, is described as delivering "action and tension" that rivals the series’ best moments. There’s even a tongue-in-cheek nod to the franchise’s penchant for outlandish creature design, with one reviewer noting, "Could have done without the weird dinosaur that looks like the Rancor from ‘Star Wars’, though." It’s a moment of levity in an otherwise high-stakes finale that seems to acknowledge the series’ history of pushing the boundaries of plausibility.
Jurassic World Rebirth is not alone in being a film remembered primarily for its closing moments. In the same Far Out Magazine feature, several other movies are highlighted for their "saved by the last scene" qualities. These include The Lone Ranger (2013), with its thrilling train-top chase; Staying Alive (1983), where John Travolta’s explosive final dance number redeems an otherwise lackluster sequel; Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), which ends with a bold, apocalyptic twist; and No Time to Die (2021), where the shocking demise of James Bond provides a dramatic send-off for Daniel Craig’s tenure as the iconic spy. Each of these films, like Jurassic World Rebirth, is a testament to the power of a strong finish—even when the journey there is less than stellar.
Financially, Jurassic World Rebirth stands tall among its peers. Despite not reaching the heights of the original Jurassic Park or its early sequels, the latest installment has proven that audiences remain hungry for dinosaur action—especially when delivered with a big-screen spectacle. The robust box office returns, particularly in international markets like Japan, suggest that the allure of the franchise is far from extinct. According to KoiMoi, the film’s success has "ensured the franchise’s safe future," a sentiment echoed by industry observers who see the film’s performance as a green light for further installments.
Of course, the film’s reception has not been universally positive. Critics have been quick to point out its narrative shortcomings and reliance on formula. Yet, as the box office numbers demonstrate, audiences are often willing to forgive a film’s flaws if it delivers where it counts—namely, in the spectacle and excitement of its climactic moments. Perhaps that’s the true legacy of Jurassic World Rebirth: a reminder that, in cinema as in life, sometimes it’s not how you start, but how you finish that matters most.
With its mix of blockbuster action, star power, and a finale that leaves jaws on the floor (both literal and metaphorical), Jurassic World Rebirth has cemented its place in the annals of movie history—not as a masterpiece, but as a film that proves even the most troubled productions can find redemption in their final act.
