TheJurassic Parkmovies treasure little details, while hilariously managing to leave in silly mistakes. This is all part of theJurassic Parkfun, which extends from 1993’sJurassic Parkto 2022’sJurassic World Dominion. TheJurassic ParkandJurassic Worldmoviesconstitute the world’s best-known dinosaur franchise, so millions of fans and critics have analyzed the movies in detail. This has revealed the abundance of Easter eggs and references scattered throughout. The movies constantly refer to other outings in the franchise, but also exhibit surprising and progressive filmmaking techniques.
1993’sJurassic Parklaunched a story that would change the lives of many, turning millions into dinosaur fans and creating a surge in interest in ancient history, paleontology, and biology. As one ofthe highest-grossing movie franchises ever,Jurassic Parkis not just hugely influential but maintains its own legend by dropping hidden franchise callbacks throughout its releases. The epic series will get a new release with2025’sJurassic World Rebirth, which is sure to harbor enough Easter eggs to keep the tradition of previous movies alive.
10Universal Debuting Its New Logo
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Universal Pictures launched a new logo during the opening ofThe Lost World: Jurassic Park, proving that the 1990s were changing fast. The Universal logo that had been present since 1990 was highly memorable, especially as it featured at the start ofJurassic Park. The iconic words crept into the front of the screen from behind the globe in both logos, but the new one appeared far more modern. The logo that first featured inThe Lost Worldwould be used from the sequel’s release in 1997 all the way through to 2012.
Jurassic Parkwas based on Michael Crichton’s 1990 novel of the same name.
This small change may be more obvious when rewatching the movies, or to those approaching them for the first time in 2024, and might have slipped past some viewers during the movies' original releases. Either way,the Universal logos are a strangely important part of the experience when watchingJurassic Parkmovies. They seem made to fitJurassic Park, with their science and nature-inspired atmosphere.
9Seat Belts Provide An Evolutionary Metaphor
Jurassic Park
An intelligentJurassic Parkscene involving seat belts beautifully expressed the movie’s take on genetics, which wasn’t immediately obvious upon first watch. Thescript forJurassic Parkincluded Goldblum’s classic wisdom on the relentless march of Mother Nature - “Life will not be contained.”Goldblum was referencing how female dinosaurs may have been able to procreatewithout males.
This ability has been observed in reptiles of the modern world, so it could have been possible in the context ofJurassic Park. Reflecting this scientific phenomenon,Grant found himself with two of the same connecting parts for his seat belton the helicopter to Isla Nublar. Instead of giving up on a safe ride, he tied the two parts of the seat belt together, providing a visual metaphor for nature’s way of adapting.
8Misspelled Dinosaur Names
Humorously,there are multiple misspelled dinosaur names throughoutJurassic Park, which some viewers may have missed.Jurassic Park’s first outing got so many things right that it was very easy to glance over the things it didn’t. At this early point intheJurassic Parktimeline, audiences were not as likely to discuss the minutiae of big blockbusters online the way they are now.
Nevertheless, some misspelled dinosaur names inJurassic Parkincluded Stegosaurus and Tyrannosaurus. In the cold storage room, dinosaur embryos were being stored and labeled.Stegosaurus was spelled “Stegasaurus,“while Tyrannosaurus was spelled “Tyranosaurus.” This could signify a mistake on theJurassic Parkset, or might be a reference to the movie’s source material - Dr. Wu mentioned that he couldn’t keep track of all the complicated dinosaur names.
7One Dinosaur’s Cries Were Actually Baby Camel Noises
Thedinosaurs of theJurassic Parkmoviesare one of the marvels of modern cinema, created with a blend of animatronics and visual effects. Nevertheless, a dinosaur inThe Lost World: Jurassic Parksounded suspiciously like an animal still in existence.Anyone who has ever spent time with baby camels may recognize the bleat of the baby T-rexinThe Lost World: Jurassic Park.
The sound effects used to create the franchise’s dinosaurs are no less impressive than the appearance of the beasts. From mewling cries to bellowing roars,the dinosaurs' vocalizations were often composed of multiple different animals. This was done to create familiar sounds that the audience could believe come from a real animal that existed in the past. However, the animatronic baby T-rex inThe Lost World: Jurassic Parkreportedly used just one animal noise - that of a baby camel.
6John Hammond’s Jeep 29
Jurassic World
Jurassic Worldreferenced one ofJurassic Park’semblematic symbols.John Hammond famously drove Jeep 29 throughJurassic Park, getting Ellie Satler and Alan Grant to the Brachiosaurus enclosure. This iconic ’90s vehicle was left in the park after being attacked in the original trilogy.Jurassic Worldreturned to it in a scene featuring Zach and Gray Mitchell, creating a level of continuity between the movies.
In bringing this jeep back to the franchise,Jurassic Worldembraced its pastand suggested to audiences that dinosaur danger was always around the corner. No amount of human preparation can ever offset the threat of out-of-control prehistoric beasts in human-made dinosaur-themed attractions. Jeep 29 cropping up multiple times in the franchise provides a constant reminder of that.
5The U.S.S. Venture Referenced A Key Spielberg Influence
The Lost World: Jurassic Parkcontains a Hollywood referencethat has been pleasing movie buffs for years. This movie was the second in the franchise, so it had something to prove. The sophomore attempt in a movie franchise always carries with it some kind of pressure, but this 1997Steven Spielberg movieproved it was happy being itself with a cheeky and subtle reference to the movies that influenced it.
Spielberg loves kaiju movies likeGodzilla. Reflecting his love of giant monsters,Spielberg named the ship that carried the T-rex to San-Diego the U.S.S. Venture. This was also the name of the ship that carried King Kong to New York in the original movie.
4Malcolm’s Book: God Creates Dinosaurs
Jeff Goldblum plays the legendary Dr. Ian Malcolm across the franchise and the influence of his character was recognized inJurassic World.Malcolm wrote a book calledGod Creates Dinosaurs, which can be glimpsed in the movie. This is a reference to one of the best quotes in theJurassic Parkfranchise:
God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs.
Jeff Goldblum’s character was encapsulating the franchise’s key message here,highlighting theJurassic Parkfranchise’s script-writing at its best.The movie pushed the theme of humanity warring against natureand playing God. Dinosaurs functioned as nature’s revenge on humanity inJurassic Park, which Goldblum’s character foreshadowed with this pearl of wisdom.
3Ellie Removing Her Sunglasses
Jurassic World Dominion
Jurassic World Dominionhonored what may beJurassic Park’smost iconic scene.Jurassic Park’sfirst dinosaur was the Brachiosaurus. This long-necked herbivore lumbered into view triumphantly in 1993’s picture, showing viewers what dinosaurs looked like onscreen in a high-budget movie for the first time ever.Viewers were as stunned to see the Brachiosaurus as Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant and Laura Dern’s Ellie Satler, who took off their sunglasses in awe to get a closer look.
Jurassic World Dominion: 10 Best Easter Eggs And Callbacks To The Jurassic Park Trilogy
As the conclusion of the Jurassic Park franchise, it’s only right that Jurassic World: Dominion has Easter eggs and callbacks to the original trilogy.
InJurassic World Dominion,Ellie Sattler removes her sunglassesin awe of a cloud of locusts, directly referencing the foundational moment from the first movie. As classic a Steven Spielberg moment as can be, this smart piece of filmmaking served the audience completely, reflecting joy and wonder in the faces of its own characters. Both the dinosaur park and the movie were the result of years of work, and the soaring and unforgettable sunglasses scenes celebrated both victories.
2The Brachiosaurus Ushers In A New Era
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
The Brachiosaurus was responsible for yet anotherJurassic ParkEaster egg that’s integral to the franchise. As one of thedinosaurs in the originalJurassic Parktrilogy, theBrachiosaurus became one of the best-known and most-loved dinosaursin the world. Giving herbivores a good name and making children love dinosaurs instead of fearing them, this gentle giant had a celebratory moment inJurassic World: Fallen Kingdomtoo.
Dinosaurs are not villains in and of themselves, however dangerous they may be.
The heroes ofJurassic World: Fallen Kingdomreturned to the rundown park to see none other than Brachiosaurus slowly moving into their view.Jurassic Parkmovies love to have the Brachiosaurus as a symbol of peace, keeping the franchise’s core theme front and center: that dinosaurs are not villains in and of themselves, however dangerous they may be. They are worthy of respect and awe.
1A T-Rex Saves The Heroes
Jurassic World Dominionreferenced one ofJurassic Park’skey Rexy moments. One of the most interesting and unique things aboutJurassic Parkwas the application of Hollywood filmmaking to the concept of prehistoric existence. Needing to fit dinosaurs into a story with tension and a beginning, middle, and end required some narrative gymnastics. InJurassic Park, raptors became the antagonists, while theT-rex transitioned from antagonist to protagonistand eventually saved the story’s heroes from the raptors.
Jurassic World Rebirthis scheduled for release in on July 07, 2025.
Jurassic World Dominioncelebrated this pioneering moment with the T-rex saving the protagonists from a Giganotosaurus. There is every chance thatJurassic World4 movie will continue the trend of a T-rex coming to the rescue. That would be the perfect way for the franchise to reestablish itself after its last release,Jurassic World Dominion, released in 2022. Regardless, the T-rex’s heroic moments will likely always remain a key pillar of theJurassic Parkmovies.
The Jurassic Park franchise is an action-adventure sci-fi series that began with Michael Crichton’s original novel. The series explores the dramatic repercussions of resurrecting dinosaurs through advanced genetic science. Set primarily in a disastrous theme park, Jurassic Park explores the profound ethical dilemmas about tinkering with the DNA of long ago extinct creatures and the manipulation of the natural world through science.
