Ranking Every Dinosaur In Jurassic World Dominion Worst To Best
"Jurassic World Dominion" may not have gotten the most points from the critics, but it's definitely in the running for having the most dinosaurs ever on the big screen. From fan favorites like the Tyrannosaurus rex to newcomers like the Therizinosaurus, the film parades a huge variety of the prehistoric beasts before the audience. Some play major roles in the story as villains (or even heroes), while others are relegated to blink-and-you'll-miss-them cameos. But how do they all stack up against one another?
Ranking dinosaurs is no joking matter — in fact, it's highly scientific. Everything from size and cuteness to their proven record on the battlefield must be taken into account. In the case of "Jurassic World Dominion," we must also take into account each dino's role in the story. Do they come in clutch during big moments for our protagonists? Do they make the hair on your neck stand up? Do they change the game on prehistoric aesthetics?
Using the most advanced genetic sequencing and statistical science available, we have ordered a definitive ranking of every dinosaur in "Jurassic World Dominion." An honorable mention is due to the film's giant locusts, as they drive a majority of the plot, but since they aren't terrible lizards in any regard, they unfortunately must be disqualified. Yes, there are some other species on this list who aren't technically dinosaurs, but for the purposes of a big blockbuster movie, they're close enough to count. With those disclaimers out of the way, let's get to the list. (Beware the spoilers ahead!)
25. Gallimimus
Gallimimus is a long-necked egg-stealer who's biggest claim to fame is probably being named by young Tim in the original "Jurassic Park." It's a fine dinosaur, and its ostrich-like appearance definitely sets it apart from its similarly sized cousins, but unfortunately that's about all that Gallimimus has going for it. It isn't fearsome enough to get points in the frights category, nor is it majestic enough to rub shoulders with the sauropods (largely because those shoulders are simply way too high).
As the final nail in its coffin, Gallimimus barely even appears in "Jurassic World Dominion." It provides little more than a "hey, it's that dino" moment, bringing nothing to the story or the thrills. Gallimimus has certainly shined brighter in previous "Jurassic Park" films, but in "Dominion," it falls to the absolute bottom of our extremely scientific ranking. Perhaps that's just karmic justice for all the eggs they've stolen over the years.
24. Oviraptor and Moros intrepidus
Our second-from-the-bottom spot is shared by two different dinos alike in both their size and their role in the film — the tiny Oviraptor, and similarly diminutive Moros intrepidus. The latter's biggest moment in "Jurassic World Dominion" is a single shot where it's shown nibbling between the teeth of the massive Giganotosaurus — a beast who dwarfs the Moros in both size and celebrity dino status. The little guy is cute, but it's telling that he's used mostly as a contrast to show just how massive the Giganoto is.
Oviraptor occupies about the same amount of screen time, stealing an egg in the film's non-theatrical prologue and making an even less memorable cameo later on. Both the Oviraptor and the Moros intrepidus have decently cool looks, but they just don't stand up to the rest of the dinos in the film, and they're too small to make much of an impact (literally or figuratively). If both dinos were to get credits at the end of the film, they'd probably come in somewhere below craft services.
23. Iguanodon
On paper, Iguanodon is a pretty cool dinosaur. It's a beefy herbivore with a beak-like snout that can move on either two legs or four. Unfortunately, "Jurassic World Dominion" doesn't feature nearly enough of the creature to earn a spot any higher on this list. The Iguanodon only appears in the film's non-theatrical prologue, which is set during the actual time of the dinosaurs. A group of them are shown being started by some distant predators, and then they're never heard from again.
If you're a big Iguanodon fan who was disappointed by the species' minimal presence in "Jurassic World Dominion," then you're still in luck. There's an entire Disney animated feature from 2000 that casts the dino in the starring role. Sure, the animation might be a little (or a lot) outdated, and the film didn't exactly get rave reviews upon its initial release, but a full theatrical movie is more than most of the dinos ranked here have on their resumes.
22. Compsognathus
When you think of the most iconic "Jurassic Park" dinosaurs, you probably think of the Tyrannosaurus rex, the Velociraptor, the Dilophosaurus, maybe the Triceratops or even the (clearly underrated) Spinosaurus. Your mind might not immediately leap to the chicken-sized Compsognathus, but there's no denying that the little guys belong on that short list as well.
From their significant role as villains in "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" to their numerous other appearances throughout the franchise, Compsognathus is a sneakily scary member of the Jurassic family. They even get the better of John Hammond himself in the original Michael Crichton novel — a much more gruesome death than the park founder experiences in the films. Sadly, the Compies don't get to do much in "Jurassic World Dominion," and their most notable appearance is during a stray shot in the underground Malta dino market. Still, they earn a slightly higher spot in our ranking for two reasons: the merits of their legacy in the franchise and their unshakeable status as the best tiny dino in the business.
21. Baryonyx
A much smaller cousin of the Spinosaurus, Baryonyx is a long-snouted bipedal dinosaur that can grow to a pretty impressive size. The species makes an appearance in "Jurassic World Dominion" in the underground dinosaur black market in Malta, where it's seen battling in the fighting pits against a young Allosaurus. While Baryonyx doesn't have much in the way of look or power to rank above more notable predators, the fact that it can hold its own in a one-on-one is definitely enough to bump it up at least a few spots.
The Malta fighting pits are some of the most brutal examples of human cruelty to dinosaurs shown in "Jurassic World Dominion," and there are a bunch. That makes Baryonyx not only a cool dino in its own right but also an underdog story that's definitely worth rooting for. Maybe the one seen in Malta eventually makes his way to the Dolomite sanctuary after the dinos all escape.
20. Pteranodon and Dimorphodon
Flying dinosaurs are cool — they just are. They're basically the closest thing to dragons that planet Earth has ever seen, which is, scientifically speaking, pretty rad. Sadly, while the Pteranodon is the most famous example of winged dinosaurs, its title as de facto king of the primordial skies is usurped in "Jurassic World Dominion" (more on that later). There are a number of scenes that feature the creatures in all their glory, from their bat-like wings to their long, skinny beaks and pointy heads, but when compared to how impressive the Pteranodons have been in previous franchise installments, "Dominion" just falls a little short.
A lesser known winged dinosaur — the Dimorphodon — shares the Pteranodon's place on this list for a couple of reasons. While it is cool that the Dimorphodon's head looks more like that of a raptor or a T-Rex, it doesn't get to do nearly enough in the movie to justify a position higher than its more popular relative. Within the context of "Jurassic World Dominion," both of these dinos serve about the same purpose — flying around and looking cool without contributing much consequence to the proceedings.
19. Ankylosaurus and Stegosaurus
Science shows that a spiky dinosaur is better than a not-spiky dinosaur almost every time. Of those spiky reptiles, Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus are probably the two most famous. Whether you prefer the geometric serenity of the Stego's vertical spines or the more brutalist aesthetic of the Ankylosaurus' spikes and club-like tail, these are undeniably two of the most iconic dinos known to man.
It's fitting, then, that Ankylosaurus and Stegosaurus share a spot on this list. If either species had a notable role in "Jurassic World Dominion," that would be enough to separate them, but they're both relegated to the same basic fate — a handful of pretty vista shots without any actual appearances in the action. For two less spectacular dinos, that would be an extinction sentence on a scientific list like this, but because of how great both are in any context, they still get to stay in the middle tier of our ranking. It also helps that both species feature in such beautiful shots, which make their roles memorable despite the lack of substantial screen time.
18. Stygimoloch
Lots of dinosaurs have intimidating appearances, but only one of them has a name that means "Demon of the River Styx." Known for its bone-hard skull and the spikes that protrude from the back of it, Stygimoloch is certainly an easy dino to pick out in a crowd. Even in the densely-packed Malta black market, which is full of illicitly acquired species, Stygimoloch sticks out like a sore thumb.
While it doesn't get to do a ton in "Dominion," this dino does at least show off an intimidating stare at all the humans who pass by its underground pen. We can only assume that it exacts some vengeance upon the mass dino prison break, using its powerful skull to free its prehistoric comrades from captivity. Stygimoloch gets some bonus points in "Jurassic World Dominion" for all the hardships it surely endured, as well as for simply being one of the coolest-looking dinosaurs on the planet.
17. Apatosaurus and Brachiosaurus
Who doesn't love a sauropod? The long-necked, hump-backed, thick-legged herbivores are some of the most iconic dinosaurs ever discovered, and they've always played a major role in the "Jurassic" movies. Naturally majestic, they're often used to cement the awe-inspiring nature of dinosaurs in general, as in their famous debut in the original "Jurassic Park."
For number 17 on our dino ranking, we're lumping two of the big leaf-eaters together: Apatosaurus and Brachiosaurus. Apatosaurus might deserve a slight edge here as it gets a big scene all to itself in "Jurassic World Dominion" — a beautiful encounter with some workers at a lumber yard — but it doesn't quite do enough to separate itself from the Brachio. As the larger and more vertical of the two, Brachiosaurus still cuts a more impressive figure, even if it plays a slightly smaller role this time around. Still, that early, snowy Apatosaurus scene is undeniably impressive.
16. Allosaurus
At number 16 on our list, it's a proper big-boy carnivore: Allosaurus. Smaller than a T-Rex but larger than a raptor, the Allosaurus is probably quite similar to most people's platonic ideal of a prehistoric predator with big hind legs, small arms and claws, a large head filled with pointy teeth, and a long, impressive tail.
Allosaurus is also the first dinosaur on this list to have a more prominent role in "Jurassic World Dominion." During the extended action sequence in Malta, an Allosaurus and a Carnotaurus both escape from an underground dino black market, leading to a full-on brawl in the street. The Allosaurus gets to show its strength against a similarly sized dino, eats some screaming pedestrians, and nearly decimates Owen as he bobs and weaves on his motorcycle. It's a cool moment that's enough on its own to earn Allosaurus a ranking this high.
Unfortunately, the Allosaurus is held back from going any higher for one gigantic reason: the Giganotosaurus. The two dinosaurs look remarkably similar, with the Giganoto even being mistaken for a large Allosaurus at one point. The comparison makes Allosaurus look a lot less impressive and interesting, especially given the huge role that its doppelganger plays later in the film.
15. Lystrosaurus and Microceratus
Let's be honest for a second here — it's easy for a dinosaur to be terrifying. From their massive, scaly bodies to their razor-sharp teeth, instilling fear isn't something that most species have to work at. Being cute, on the other hand, is a much more daunting task for a dino. After all, how many carnivorous reptiles actually make you want to snuggle?
There are two species who are equally worthy of that honor in "Jurassic World Dominion." The first, Lystrosaurus, is seen in the Malta black market. She's a cutie who basically looks like a squat and scaly pig, with a little bit of a Triceratops-type skull plate to give her a bit of extra edge. She starts to snarl when all the action goes down, but it only makes her more adorable.
The other species tied for this spot, Microceratus, is exactly what it sounds like — a small, triceratops-like creature with an adorable face. While larger than the Lystrosaurus and certainly different in a number of ways, they both have the same effect in "Dominion" — making the audience squeal at their cuteness as a brief respite to all the murderous rampaging.
14. Parasaurolophus
No one has a longer head than Parasaurolophus, and that counts for something by itself. The chunky, largely peaceful dino has mostly been used as set dressing in past films, which is fair. After all, the species does look quite majestic when moving in a herd. That's still largely how the Parasaurolophus is used in "Jurassic World Dominion," but it gets a bit more time in the spotlight.
Not only is it the dino used in Owen's introductory scene — a highlight of the film in which he chases a pack of the creatures on horseback like some kind of prehistoric cowboy — but it also has a touching moment on screen that's used to establish the humanity of the dinosaurs at large. After having a heck of a time wrestling one of the herbivores to a standstill, Owen manages to calm it with some sweet words and gentleness. It really gives the Parasaurolophus the persona of a horse, and it helps set the stage for a story that's all about sympathizing with the dinos. For that, Parasaurolophus earns a spot within our top 14.
13. Mosasaurus
Who doesn't love a good sea monster? After prominent turns in "Jurassic World" and "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," the Mosasaurus takes a bit of a step back in importance in "Dominion," but that's not enough to knock it down any lower than number 13 on this list. There's simply nothing else like the Mosasaurus — from its gaping maw and massive flippers to the sheer terror it inflicts every time it shows up on screen, it's a monster of a dino that's in 20,000 leagues of its own.
Additionally, the few scenes that the Mosasaurus does get in "Jurassic World Dominion" are still pretty good. It kicks the film into high gear at the very start by attacking an innocent fishing trawler in brutal fashion, and as a nice contrast, it ends the film by swimming peacefully by some ordinary whales. The land-based dinosaurs may get more screen time overall, but there's something unique about the Mosasaurus that's still unmatched.
12. Carnotaurus
For too long, Carnotaurus has gotten a bad rap in the "Jurassic Park" franchise. Yes, it's the dino who likes to sniff poop in "Jurassic Park III," but that's also the movie where a Spinosaurus beats a T-Rex in record time. Surely we can all agree that any fecal activities attributed to the Carnotaurus in that film should be forgotten and that the dino should get a real second chance.
Fortunately, "Jurassic World Dominion" delivers just that. A Carnotaurus escapes from the Malta black market early in the film and quickly begins laying waste to the city, battling with an Allosaurus and devouring some innocent bystanders in the process. While it technically occupies the same basic role as the Allosaurus (which itself is admittedly smaller than the species' role in "Fallen Kingdom"), Carnotaurus gets a leg up here for two reasons. First and foremost, it just looks cooler. That blood-red color and the horns on its head give Carnotaurus a top-tier intimidation factor, even when compared to other carnivores. Secondly, it doesn't suffer from the Giganotosaurus comparisons in the way that Allosaurus does. Carnotaurus is a fearsome predator in its own right, and it's well-deserving of the number 12 spot in "Dominion."
11. Nasutoceratops, Triceratops, and Sinoceratops
On its best days, Triceratops is easily a top-five dinosaur. It's got the look, the toughness, and the celebrity status. Unfortunately for fans of the three-horned species, however, it doesn't get much real screen time in "Jurassic World Dominion."
The good news is that some of the other, less famous members of the ceratopsian family finally get some well-deserved spotlight in the film. A herd of adult Nasutoceratops — a species with only the two top horns — comes in clutch early on in the story when Claire and her crew are being chased by a group of illegal dino breeders. The Nasutoceratops make short work of the pursuers, making them some of the only truly heroic dinosaurs in the movie.
A Sinoceratops — possessing just the faceplate and rhino-like nose horn of the Triceratops — also shows up in the film, most prominently in the closing montage that shows how different dinosaurs are becoming part of Earth's modern ecosystem. Some of the species are seen walking alongside a herd of elephants across what appears to be the African savanna, giving viewers a nice little bit of majestic lumbering before the credits roll.
10. Dreadnoughtus
The first dinosaur to make it into our top 10 is none other than Dreadnoughtus, a sauropod of truly mammoth proportions. While it doesn't get as much individual attention in "Jurassic World Dominion" as the Apatosaurus, it earns a much higher spot because of its impressive size. The fact that it's never appeared in all its glory in the franchise before also helps it earn a top-ten spot.
Simply put, the Dreadnoughtus is awe-inspiring. It's one of the first dinosaurs that Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler see during their flyover of Biosyn's Dolomite Mountains sanctuary, and it's a perfect choice to drive home just how big and impressive the whole operation is. Introducing Dreadnoughtus feels like both a nod and an attempted one-up of the sauropod reveal in the first "Jurassic Park," and the effect is similarly impressive — if not quite as special or magical this time around.
9. Quetzalcoatlus
Typically, Pteranodons have been the masters of the sky in the "Jurassic" franchise. In "Jurassic World Dominion," however, that title is snatched and carried even higher into the air by Quetzalcoatlus. Not only does the winged beast look positively gnarly with its gargoyle-ish head and feathery, clawed body, but it also stars in one of the film's most genuinely frightening moments.
While flying over the Dolomite sanctuary, Kayla, Owen, and Claire are thrown into a terrifying airborne battle when a Quetzalcoatlus chooses their airplane for an evening snack. The creature tears the vessel to pieces in record time, forcing Claire to eject and Kayla and Owen to attempt a dangerous crash-landing. Everyone ends up surviving the ordeal, but it's heart-pounding nonetheless. Quetzalcoatlus may not be as famous or as prolific as the Pteranodon overall, but in the specific case of "Jurassic World Dominion," it takes the flying dinosaur grand prize.
8. Dimetrodon
Biosyn's Dolomite dinosaur sanctuary is home to a number of more obscure species who've never been seen before in the franchise. One of those is Dimetrodon, a creature who precedes most proper dinosaurs, and who provides a heavy scare to Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Maisie Lockwood in the film.
While escaping from Biosyn's facility, the trio comes across a Dimetrodon in the tunnels, and it very nearly brings their journey to an abrupt and violent end. Ramsey and Ian Malcolm save them in the nick of time, but it's still pretty close. Being the star of such a big action scene is enough to net Dimetrodon a high spot on this list, but the species is boosted even higher by its unique look. Adequately described as a massive alligator with the back fin of a Spinosaurus, it's an imposing creature that you definitely wouldn't want to run into in a dark tunnel.
7. Dilophosaurus
The Dilophosaurus occupies a very unique space in the world of "Jurassic Park." Despite its smaller size, it's one of the most feared dinosaurs in the "Jurassic Park" franchise, largely because of its spotlight moment in the original film. Dennis Nedry is a pretty reprehensible villain, and the desire to see him get his comeuppance is vindicated when he comes face to face with a Dilophosaurus.
It's not just the scene that makes the species so memorable. It's the neck frills, the terrifying goop it spews, and its hoarse call as well. All of those characteristics are present when the creature returns in "Jurassic World Dominion" to exact another batch of poetic justice. When Lewis Dodgson — the Biosyn CEO who originally commissions Nedry to steal embryos from the first Jurassic Park — tries to escape his fallen kingdom, he comes face to face with a group of dinos. And just like the man he once hired to shut down Jurassic Park, causing numerous deaths in the process, Dodgson meets his gruesome end at the hands (well, claws) of the Dilophosaurus. It's a nice full-circle moment that easily earns the dino a high spot on this list.
6. Velociraptor
After being the de facto dinosaur protagonist of the prior two films, Blue the Velociraptor takes a surprising back seat in "Jurassic World Dominion." She has a decent amount of time on-screen at the beginning of the film, but she doesn't join in any of the action in the Dolomites. Perhaps the filmmakers figured that people were sick of Velociraptors always being the best, smartest, and most dangerous dinosaur, which would be more than fair. Blue's diminished role makes room for some new dinos, many of which shine in the spotlight.
Still, the Velociraptor as a species still earns the number seven spot on this list because of Blue's child, Beta. While undeniably still a threat, Beta is far more cute than scary, and the little dino has a lot of great moments throughout the film. From learning from its momma on a hunt to escaping from Biosyn's laboratories with Maisie, Beta shows a different side of the Velociraptors that feels fresh and entertaining. And did we mention how cute Beta is?
5. Giganotosaurus
Despite being the definitive big bad of "Jurassic World Dominion," the Giganotosaurus barely squeezes its way into the top five. Before we get to what's holding it back, let's focus on what's great about the massive dinosaur. A larger predator than even the Tyrannosaurus rex, Giganotosaurus definitely has some wow factor in its sheer size. It also has a number of exciting moments, from its showdown with the human protagonists (where Ian Malcolm throws a flaming spear in its mouth) to its duel with the T-Rex during the movie's climax (which it ultimately loses). It absolutely accomplishes what a "Jurassic" villain dino needs to do — look big and scary and thrash everything up.
Unfortunately, that's also the problem with the Giganotosaurus. For all of the buildup that it receives early on in the film, it doesn't really do anything that we haven't already seen in the franchise. It's as if the writers took some of the T-Rex's best scenes from throughout the series and just swapped in a slightly larger, infinitely less famous dinosaur. As a result, even Giganoto's most exciting moments are hindered by a feeling of "been there, done that." By the time the T-Rex shows back up to take it on, you'll probably catch yourself cheering — not because you're so excited about the coming battle, but because the movie finally gave you the carnivore you actually wanted to see.
4. Atrociraptor
Clocking in at the number four position on our list is the dinosaur who functionally steals the Velociraptor's thunder: its cousin, the Atrociraptor. Seen solely in the "Dominion" Malta sequence, Biosyn's purebred Atrociraptors are some of the fastest and most lethal dinosaurs ever seen in a "Jurassic" movie. The recipients of intensive training, they go after Owen and Claire with lethal intensity, leading to a tense chase scene where the dinos match speeds with motorcycles and trucks.
The Malta pursuit is definitely one of the standout moments in "Jurassic World Dominion," and that's mostly because of the Atrociraptors. It's also nice to see the franchise find a way to put a new twist on the timeless appeal of the Velociraptors, even if it only lasts for a few minutes. Even still, though, the Atrociraptor isn't the best "Dominion" dino to bear the raptor family name — but more on that in a bit.
3. Therizinosaurus
Red, feathered, and wielder of some truly impressive claws, Therizinosaurus is one of the two most unique and interesting dinosaurs in "Jurassic World Dominion." From its quiet stalking of Claire in the Dolomites to its accidental victory over the Giganotosaurus, Therizinosaurus leaves a lasting impression, which is probably why it was featured so heavily in the film's trailers.
There's simply never been a dinosaur like the Therizinosaurus in a "Jurassic" movie before. It looks as if Freddy Krueger were a prehistoric bird, which alone is enough to make it the stuff of a nightmare. Then there's the fact that it's cast in such a prominent role during the film's final act. For as fun as it is to see classic dinos like the T-rex and the Triceratops, it's arguably even more fun to see a lesser-known species used in a new and creative way. That's exactly what the Therizinosaurus delivers in "Dominion," earning it the bronze medal.
2. Pyroraptor
There is so much to love about the Pyroraptor that it's honestly hard to know where to start. For starters, it has a rad name that's perfectly suited to its fiery feathers. Secondly, it stars in arguably the most exciting dino encounter in all of Jurassic World Dominion. Facing off against a raptor of any sort with nothing more than knives and a taser is already a tough task, but doing it on a sheet of thin ice? That's just ridiculous. The Pyroraptor makes a big impression with its sharp cries and its incredible speed, but the fact that it can swim makes it even cooler.
Sadly, the Pyroraptor is a one-and-done dino. It would have been cool to see him show back up later on like the Therizinosaurus, but maybe that just wouldn't have fit into an already packed third act. Nevertheless, the Pyroraptor easily takes home the silver medal, as well as the title of best raptor in the entirety of "Jurassic World Dominion."
1. Tyrannosaurus rex
Did you expect something different?
"Jurassic Park" has tried in the past to replace the T-Rex as the biggest and baddest dinosaur around. Suffice it to say, that's never really worked out. From the hulking skull to the tiny arms and the iconic roar, there's just too much to love about the Tyrannosaurus for it to ever be usurped. Rexy doesn't even have that much screen time in "Jurassic World Dominion," and yet she dominates every second of it.
Her crowning moment, of course, is her climactic duel with the Giganotosaurus — an absolute slugfest of mammoth proportions that decimates the surrounding area. To be fair, the T-Rex does look down for the count at one point, but she gets by with a little help from her friends. A tiny distraction is all she needs to get back on her feet and deliver a brutal body blow to her opponent, knocking the Giganoto directly into the talons of the Therizinosaurus and impaling it. Rexy roars her trademark roar as the world burns around her, declaring for all to hear that she's still, unequivocally, the queen.