The Films with Dinosaurs subgenre primarily resides in the Fantasy and Sci-Fi film genres. While Dinosaurs are a historical fact, they are seldom found in actual Historical Films. Dinosaur films also includes Films About Godzilla as various incarnations of Godzilla are combined attributes of a Tyrannosauras, Iguanodon, Stegosauras and Alligator. Though Godzilla is a fictional creature, his prehistoric history and DNA make him an inclusion in the world of Dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs have fascinated film audiences over the last century with Dinosaurs appearing in one of the first silent films with The Lost World (1925). Dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures also appeared in films over the following decades with Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) and One Million Years B.C. (1966). As Godzilla first appeared in film in Godzilla (1954), films about the radioactive Dinosaur also gained in popularity with Godzilla Rides Again (1955), King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963), and Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964).
In the 1970’s the focus shifted back to Prehistoric Dinosaurs that appeared in a few films during the decade including When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth (1970), The Land That Time Forgot (1974), The People That Time Forgot (1977) and The Last Dinosaur (1977). Most of these films were Fantasy-based with Dinosaurs appearing in timeframes that didn’t match their actual historical existence. The 1980’s continued this trend of putting humans in the same historical time period as humans with Caveman (1981) and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985).
The entire film subgenre of Dinosaurs changed in the 1990’s and became defined by the most popular and technically advanced film of the subgenre with Jurassic Park (1993). Jurassic Park would redefine how Dinosaurs appeared on film with groundbreaking special effects. This blockbuster film helped establish the Jurassic Park film franchise with another film releasing during the decade with The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). Outside of Jurassic Park, Godzilla tried to reestablish its film franchise with the release of Godzilla (1998). Other notable Films About Dinosaurs during the 1990’s included The Lost World (1992), Carnosaur (1993) and Carnosaur 2 (1995).
In the 2000’s, there would be a few Dinosaur films with Jurassic Park III (2001) and King Kong (2005) being the standouts of the decade. Comedies featuring Dinosaurs also gained in popularity with Night at the Museum (2006), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) and Land of the Lost (2009). Other notable Dinosaur films during this decade included Anonymous Rex (2004), A Sound of Thunder (2005) and Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008).
The 2010’s established the Golden Age for Dinosaur films as Dinosaur film franchises were relaunched with Godzilla (2014) and Jurassic World (2015). Godzilla would feature follow-up films with Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). Though not a part of the relaunched franchise, Shin Godzilla (2016) also released with a different and unique portrayal of the prehistoric monster. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) would continue the Jurassic Park franchise and become one of the best films of the subgenre. Other notable Dinosaur films of the decade included Walking with Dinosaurs (2013) and The Meg (2018).
Our list of Films with Dinosaurs includes films from 1925 – 2021 and includes over 35 films of the dinosaur film subgenre. Fantasy and Sci-fi films about Dinosaurs and Films About Godzilla are also in our lists and we have included a few films with dinosaurs that younger children can enjoy with Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985), Land of the Lost (2009) and Walking with Dinosaurs (2013). There are many other animated Dinosaur films that we will make a list of in the future, but for now, our list includes mostly live action Dinosaur films. For our list of Top Dinosaur Films You Haven’t Seen, we are assuming people have seen the best films of this subgenre with all the Jurassic Park and Godzilla franchise films. We have chosen some lesser-known films that while might not have the same level of Dinosaur special effects and CGI found in these franchises, are still entertaining Dinosaur films.
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here is our list of Top Films with Dinosaurs You Haven’t Seen:
#10
Carnosaur
Plot: Genetic scientists brings back to life bloodthirsty dinosaurs.
KBZ’s Take: We’ll start off by saying this isn’t a very good film. The special effects are subpar, the story is laughable and it’s an obvious rip-off of the much superior Jurassic Park. You can generally expect all of that in a Roger Corman film. With that all said, it features a fun and over the top performance by Diane Ladd and the cast is having fun which makes it a somewhat entertaining B-film. Mostly for fans and completists of the subgenre. Note: this film has an R-rating which is deserved so it’s not for younger children.
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Plot: A paleontologist and her husband discover a mother and baby Brontosaurus in Africa.
KBZ’s Take: The action and adventure of this film overshadows a somewhat weak script, but it’s a film that families can enjoy together. While children will enjoy the dinosaur elements, there’s enough action and politics in the film to keep most adults engaged for a ‘kids film’. Though the Dinosaur effects look VERY dated by today’s standards, there’s enough life-like representations of the dinosaurs to keep you emotionally engaged.
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#8
Caveman
Plot: Atouk gets banished from his tribe and becomes leader of other caveman misfits.
KBZ’s Take: Like Year One (2009) this is a comedy and parody of films set during the Stone Age. And while both films have sophomoric and gross-out humor, Caveman is more consistently funny. This was a very funny comedy from the early 1980’s that many Gen X and Boomers will remember watching in theaters. Ringo Starr (from The Beatles), Dennis Quaid and Shelley Long star in this film with some very funny performances and John Matuszak shines as the Alpha tribal leader. The film also has some appearances by Dinosaurs which are more comedic in nature but kids will find funny.
Additional Lists: Top Films Set During the Stone Age #7
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Plot: A young man saves a woman who is to be sacrificed to the Sun god.
KBZ’s Take: This is not a serious film (nor is it close to being historically accurate) as it has humans living with dinosaurs. But it has nostalgic value as it was one of the first Dinosaur films that children of the 1970’s grew up with. While the stop-motion effects for the Dinosaurs will seem laughably bad by today’s CGI standards, the film is still fun and can be enjoyed together by the entire family.
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Plot: King Kong and Godzilla battle.
KBZ’s Take: There’s not much of a plot to this film as it’s more about bringing two iconic monsters together for a massive brawl in Tokyo. While it’s obvious the creatures are just men in suits, as a kid, you didn’t care because it was the type of monster fight you never saw on screen before. It’s not the best pre-1970’s Godzilla film, but it’s one to watch for pure action-orientated mayhem.
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Plot: During World War I, a German submarine takes on British survivors and ends up in an unknown land with Neanderthals and Dinosaurs.
KBZ’s Take: This is another ‘nostalgic’ film that 1970’s kids will never forget. It was a film that seemed to be on TV every weekend and was based on the famous Edgar Rice Burroughs novel. While the special effects are subpar, it’s the story itself that will keep you engaged and feeling like a kid again.
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Plot: CGI film about family of Pachyrhinosaurus.
KBZ’s Take: We’re including this on the list despite its below average audience and critical reception. While the CGI of the Dinosaurs is amazing, the story is not. However, for younger children that are into Dinosaurs, it’s a lesser-known film to seek out if they have already watched Jurassic Park 100 times.
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Plot: Company offers trips to the past to hunt Dinosaurs but something goes very wrong during a hunt.
KBZ’s Take: Based on a short story by Ray Bradbury, A Sound of Thunder is one of those films that could have been great. The special effects are horrible (due to investors pulling money before special effects were completed) and the script needed a lot more work. With that said, its still an entertaining film about Time Travel, Dinosaurs and the theory of The Buttery Effect with a chain of events that ripple through time and change events. It’s worth watching for the concepts in this film alone but will keep you engaged through the second and third acts.
Additional Lists: Top Time Travel Films from the 2000’s You Haven’t Seen #6
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Plot: Team of volunteers tries to find the weakness of a monster rampaging through their city.
KBZ’s Take: Though it’s not the best Godzilla film, it’s one of the most unique. While the film spends a good amount of time focusing on the bureaucracy and politics of the government struggling with the emergence of a monster in their city, the action sequences and Godzilla design more than make up for it. The Godzilla special effects and army against Godzilla battles are highlights of this film and worth seeing just for that. It’s a must watch of the Dinosaur film subgenre and shouldn’t be missed by fans of the subgenre.
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Plot: Big game hunter goes to prehistoric times to hunt a dinosaur.
KBZ’s Take: This is another nostalgic film that was a staple of the late 1970’s and beloved by 70’s kids everywhere. Though the special effects are very dated, the story is engaging and simple – a crusty old hunter who will stop at nothing to kill a dinosaur. And as you’ll learn while watching the film, the title of the film isn’t necessarily about the dinosaur itself but of the past his prime hunter. Why is this film ranked so high on our list? For one simple reason – it passed the 3-year old boy test of a Dinosaur film he sat through (and now loves) after having watched all the Jurassic Park films numerous times.
Additional Lists: Top Time Travel Films from the 1970’s You Haven’t Seen #5
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