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The Lost World: Jurassic Park

The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a 1997 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a 1997 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is the sequel to Jurassic Park (1993) and is set four years later, following rival expeditions to a second dinosaur-populated island known as Site B, or Isla Sorna.

Plot overview

The film centres on competing groups that travel to Isla Sorna, where genetically engineered dinosaurs live after being left behind from the original park project. The expedition becomes a struggle for survival as humans interfere with the island’s ecosystem.

Production

The Lost World: Jurassic Park was directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Michael Crichton and David Koepp. It was produced by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.

Release and reception

The film was released in the United States on May 23, 1997. It was a major studio sequel and became part of the continuing Jurassic Park franchise.

Franchise context

As the sequel to Jurassic Park, the film expanded the franchise’s setting by introducing Site B, a separate island used for dinosaur breeding. It helped establish the series as a long-running film franchise.

Key facts

  • The Lost World: Jurassic Park is the second film in the Jurassic Park series.
  • It was directed by Steven Spielberg and released on May 23, 1997.
  • The story takes place on Isla Sorna, a second island where dinosaurs were bred.
  • Jeff Goldblum reprises his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm.
  • The film was distributed by Universal Pictures.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Lost World: Jurassic Park the same as Jurassic Park 2?
Yes. It is commonly referred to as Jurassic Park 2 and is the second film in the Jurassic Park series.
Who directed The Lost World: Jurassic Park?
Steven Spielberg directed the film.
When was The Lost World: Jurassic Park released?
It was released in the United States on May 23, 1997.
Who stars in the film?
The cast includes Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Vince Vaughn, Pete Postlethwaite, Arliss Howard, and Richard Attenborough.
What is Site B in the film?
Site B is the second island, Isla Sorna, where dinosaurs were bred and left to live in the wild.
What genre is the film?
It is generally classified as science fiction, action, and adventure.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_World:_Jurassic_Park
    Supports: Sequel status, release year, and basic film identification.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119567/
    Supports: Release date and sequel identification.
  3. Biyografiler — https://www.biyografiler.com/en/movie/the-lost-world-jurassic-park-1997
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, genre, runtime, and plot details.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lost_world_jurassic_park
    Supports: Director, writers, distributor, genre, release date, runtime, and synopsis.
  5. Amblin — https://www.amblin.com/movie/lost-world-the-jurassic-park/
    Supports: Director, release date, sequel context, and Site B plot description.
  6. Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/420574/the-lost-world-jurassic-park
    Supports: Franchise context and plot background.