Seven Prehistoric Flicks That Outshine ‘Jurassic Park’ You Must Watch!

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The only downside to the widespread success of the Jurassic Park films is that they’ve essentially monopolized dinosaur-themed productions. Producers in Hollywood shy away from creating large-scale dinosaur movies due to concerns about being seen as mere imitators of these iconic productions. Ideally, cinemas would be teeming with dinosaur films, just like they are with microbudget horror or superhero blockbusters. Regrettably, in our reality, there’s a scarcity of dinosaur movies. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t other excellent dinosaur films to discover. In fact, there are seven specific dinosaur movies you might have overlooked but are still well worth revisiting.

It appears that John Hammond’s theme park and his influence aren’t the only contributions to the field of dinosaur movie-making.

Tammy and the T-Rex

If you think you’ve witnessed every cinematic twist in Hollywood, brace yourself for the off-the-wall spectacle that is “Tammy and the T-Rex”. This film, featuring Paul Walker as a teen transformed into a robotic T-Rex, boasts an absurd plot where he tries to reconnect with his human love interest (Denise Richards) amidst the complications of having long sock-puppet T-Rex arms. The movie is awesomely violent (depending on the version you choose), and it proudly displays its outlandish ideas without apology. Frankly, there’s no other film quite like it. Perhaps the less successful Jurassic World sequels could learn a thing or two from Tammy’s creative mindscape.

When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth

In contrast to the digitally animated dinosaurs found in movies like “Walking with Dinosaurs” (2013) and “65” (2022), stop-motion dinosaurs are more heartwarming and engaging. As evidence, consider the 1970 feature film “When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth,” which might not be well-known today but features a memorable green baby dinosaur that steals the show whenever they appear on screen. This lovable creature wouldn’t have such an allure if it were created with computer-generated imagery (CGI).

The magical artistry of stop-motion animation is responsible for making When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth a standout with an unforgettable main character, as well as compelling viewers to give it a watch.

Land of the Lost

As a devoted cinephile, I must admit that the 2009 film “Land of the Lost” was initially met with scorn, but upon rewatching it, I found myself chuckling more than not. The blend of stoner humor and large-scale adventure is an eccentric amalgamation that sometimes falls flat yet manages to entertain quite often, thanks in part to its consistent dinosaur presence. One memorable character is Grumpy the T-Rex, a relic from the original Sid & Marty Krofft “Land of the Lost” TV series. Can you imagine how much more enjoyable subpar comedies like the “Daddy’s Home” movies would’ve been if they were filled with prehistoric creatures?

The Lost World (1925)

Due to the second Jurassic Park movie, titled “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” many contemporary viewers might not realize that this film’s name was inspired by the groundbreaking 1925 film called “The Lost World.

This groundbreaking achievement in special effects, “The Lost World”, introduced dinosaurs to the big screen with unparalleled realism and authenticity. Although some flaws may be noticeable a century later, it remains a significant fantasy tale that spawned all future dinosaur-themed films. It’s no surprise that one of the “Jurassic Park” series was titled after this influential title.

The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists

Plenty of films based on “The Land Before Time” series are available, but many of them lack quality. However, “The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists” manages to inject some fun into the franchise with its new villains Deinosuchus Dil (voiced by Tress MacNeille) and Ichthyornis Ichy (Jeff Bennett). These characters engage in a hilarious duet titled “Who Needs You?” which expresses their mutual animosity, providing an enjoyable twist to the story.

The movie titled “Journey Through the Mists” follows a typical pattern of “The Land Before Time” series, yet its unique antagonist dinosaur duo is worthy of every accolade.

Gertie the Dinosaur

In a significant way, cinema’s development is deeply indebted to “Gertie the Dinosaur,” more so than “The Lost World.” Released in 1914, the 12-minute “Gertie” short was among the earliest animations ever made and served as an exceptional demonstration of the medium’s potential. Despite being fictional, Gertie appeared remarkably real with her intense emotional expressions and irresistibly charming personality. “Gertie the Dinosaur” perfectly encapsulated how the imaginary could captivate our perception of reality in animation.

110 years on, Gertie’s amusing actions (such as spontaneously dancing, munching a miniature pumpkin, or flinging a tiny prehistoric elephant into a lake) continue to make us laugh out loud, while her tears could melt the coldest of movie-watchers’ hearts. Minions and Shrek, step aside; Gertie the Dinosaur takes the crown as the most iconic character in animated cinema history.

The Velocipastor

In essence, most attempts at emulating classic B-movies quickly become tiresome within five minutes. Trying to capture or mock the freewheeling creativity that produced gems such as The Miami Connection is a futile endeavor. However, The Velocipastor stands out as a refreshing exception to this rule. This film, penned and directed by Brendan Steere, deviates from the usual norm, being crafted from the legacy of ’80s and ’90s trash cinema. Instead of mere repetitions of other B-movies, it offers a unique tale (about a priest transforming into a violent Velociraptor) filled with hilarious jokes, particularly an ingeniously executed third-act flashback montage, rather than just empty homages.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for “The Velocipastor” – a film that stands alone as a delightful spectacle for all audiences, yet offers additional joy (such as the thrilling nod to “Miami Connection”) for B-movie aficionados. Steere’s skillful direction ensures a production that delivers on its promise of preposterous humor and dinosaur chaos, with the latter element breathtakingly brought to life in an unforgettable climax. The era of longing for superior dinosaur cinema is behind us now that “The Velocipastor” has graced our screens.

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2025-04-09 06:10