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Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Michael Crichton's 1990 novel.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Michael Crichton's 1990 novel. It follows a wealthy businessman and a group of scientists who visit a dinosaur theme park on Isla Nublar, where cloned dinosaurs escape containment.

Background

Jurassic Park began as a novel by Michael Crichton, published in 1990, and was adapted into a film with a screenplay by Crichton and David Koepp.

Plot and premise

The story centres on a dinosaur theme park created through genetic engineering. A tour of the island goes wrong when the park's security systems fail and the dinosaurs escape.

Production and filming

The film was shot in California and Hawaii. Sources also note additional filming locations in California for specific scenes.

Franchise

Jurassic Park became the basis for a long-running franchise. Britannica states that the series now contains seven films.

Key facts

  • The film was directed by Steven Spielberg.
  • It was released in the United States on June 11, 1993.
  • It is based on Michael Crichton's 1990 novel of the same name.
  • The film launched a franchise that expanded into multiple sequels and later Jurassic World films.
  • The story is set on the fictional island of Isla Nublar, where cloned dinosaurs are brought to life.
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Canadian context

Jurassic Park has been widely distributed and popular in Canada as a major Hollywood film franchise, but it has no specifically Canadian setting or production origin.

Frequently asked questions

Who directed Jurassic Park?
Steven Spielberg directed Jurassic Park.
What year did Jurassic Park come out?
Jurassic Park was released in 1993.
Is Jurassic Park based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Michael Crichton's 1990 novel Jurassic Park.
How many Jurassic Park movies are there?
Britannica says the Jurassic Park series now contains seven films.
What dinosaurs are in Jurassic Park?
The film features several cloned dinosaurs, including Velociraptors and other species shown in the park, but the exact set varies by scene and adaptation.
Where was Jurassic Park filmed?
It was filmed in California and Hawaii.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park
    Supports: Director, release year, premise, and adaptation from Crichton's novel.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/
    Supports: Director, release date, and filming location information.
  3. Amblin Entertainment — https://amblin.com/movie/jurassic-park/
    Supports: Release date, adaptation from Michael Crichton's novel, and sequel overview.
  4. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jurassic-Park-film-by-Spielberg
    Supports: Series overview and statement that the franchise now contains seven films.
  5. Michael Crichton — https://michaelcrichton.com/works/jurassic-park/
    Supports: Original novel basis, release date, and director credit for the film.