Jurassic World: Rebirth - Lets Talk about the Dinosaurs
As most have heard or seen, the Jurassic World franchise is coming out with yet another wild Dinosaur movie. Alongside familiar giants like the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Spinosaurus, the newest entry in the franchise introduces terrifying mutant hybrids unlike anything we have seen before. As a fossil enthusiast and curator, I'm thrilled to explore both the real-world origins of these magnificent creatures and the science-fiction twists that bring them to life on screen.
Whether you are a paleontology purist or a lover of cinematic spectacle, there is something fascinating to uncover in this thrilling new chapter.
The Real Dinosaurs from Earth's Ancient Past
One of the most exciting aspects of Jurassic World: Rebirth is its acknowledgement to scientific accuracy. While the franchise has always taken liberties, this installment takes an inspiration from updated research and not widely known species.
Tyrannosaurus Rex
- When it lived: Late Cretaceous Period ( around 68-66 million years ago)
- Where: North America
- Size: Around 40 feet long, up to 12 feet at the hips and weighed around 9 tons
The king is back, but this time with a retro twist. The new design plays homage to the T. rex from the 1969 film The Valley of Gwangi, blending nostalgia with raw prehistoric power. In reality, T. rex remains on of the most studied theropods due to its sheer size and predatory capabilities.
T. rex is often portrayed as the ultimate predator, and for good reason. It had one of the most powerful bites in the animal kingdom - strong enough to crush bone. While it's often imagined as a roaring, scaly beast, recent studies suggest it may have had feathers as a juvenile.
Spinosaurus
- When it lived: Mid-Cretaceous Period ( around 112-93 million years ago)
- Where: North Africa
- Size: Up to 50 feet long and around 7-9 tons
Spinosaurus is one of the most hotly debated dinosaurs in science. Recent fossil discoveries in Morocco suggests it was semiaquatic, with dense bones, a crocodile-like snout, and a powerful paddle-like tail. The updated Rebirth version reflects these aquatic adaptions, moving away from its outdated Jurassic Park 3 look.
Titanosaurus
- When it lived: Late Cretaceous ( around 90-66 million years ago)
- Where: South America, India, and Madagascar
- Size: over 100 feet long in some species
Titanosaurus were among the last and largest of the sauropods. While the name "Titanosaurus" was historically applied to multiple specimens, it's often used as a catch- all term for several enormous long-necked dinosaurs like Argentinosaurus and Patagotitan. These herbivores were likely slow-moving and relied on their size for defense.
Aquilops
- When it lived: Early Cretaceous ( around 109-104 million years ago)
- Where: North America
- Size: just over 2 feet long
Aquilops are one of the smallest dinosaurs ever discovered in North America and an early relative of the ceratopsians (the horned dinosaurs). With its parrot -like beak and large eyes, Aquilops give us a glimpse into the early evolution of the iconic Triceratops lineage. Including it in Rebirth shows an appreciation for lesser-known but scientifically significant species.
Other Returning Favorites
Quetzalcoatlus
- When it lived: Late Cretaceous ( around 70 million years ago )
- Where: North America
- Wingspan: Up to 36 feet
One of the largest flying animals ever, Quetzalcoatlus wasn't technically a dinosaur; it was a pterosaur. This towering creature may have stalked prey on land as well as soared through the skies. In Rebirth, it returns with enhanced screen presence, showing its eerie elegance and massive wings.
Dilophosaurus
- When it lived: Early Jurassic ( around 193 million years ago )
- Where: North America
- Size: Around 20 feet long
Made famous by its frilled, venom-spitting appearance in the original Jurassic Park, the real Dilophosaurus had no such features. However, it did have a unique pair of crests on its head, and it likely hunted small to mid-sized prey. While Rebirth continues the Hollywood mythology, it also introduces updated visuals based on more complete fossil reconstructions.
Mosasaurus
- When it lived: Late Cretaceous ( around 82-66 million years ago )
- Where: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and even Antarctica
- Size: Up to 50 feet long
Not a dinosaur, but a marine reptile, Mosasaurus was a true terror of the seas. With double-hinged jaws and backward-facing teeth, it could devour anything it caught. Rebirth enhances its monstrous proportions, but the foundation of its predatory prowess is all science.
The Mutant Dinosaurs - Science Meets Sci-Fi Horror
While grounded in reality, Rebirth also ventures into the realm of pure imagination with all new "mutant" creations - genetically modified dinosaurs that blur the lines between species.
Distortus Rex (D-Rex)
A monstrous mutation of T. rex DNA, this beast boasts six limbs and a terrifying H.R. Giger-inspired design. Think of it as if a Xenomorph and a Star Wars rancor had a prehistoric baby. Its that Wild! It reflects the franchise's willingness to explore genetic manipulation gone wrong. 
Mutadons
Feather raptor-pterosaur hybrids, these creatures are fast, vicious, and capable of aerial attack. A nightmare from above, they show how far the story has evolved from classic dinosaur clones to full blown biotechnological experiments.
Paleontology vs. Pop Culture - What's Real and What's Movie Magic?
Movies like Jurassic World: Rebirth bring dinosaurs into the spotlight, but they often raise questions about what's scientifically accurate. That's not a bad thing - in fact, it's a great opportunity to spark curiosity about real-world paleontology. For example:
- Feathers on smaller theropods reflect growing fossil evidence from China and Mongolia.
- Spinosaurus's new tail aligns with 2020 fossil findings that it swam like a crocodile.
- And while we won't find mutant hybrids in the fossil record, CRISPR and genetic engineering make the "what if?" question more intriguing then ever.
At our fossil store, we love seeing how fiction can drive interest in real science and we are here to help bridge that gap.
Shop the World of Dinosaurs
Triceratops Teeth and Frill (late evolution of Aquilops)
Works Citied
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Brusatte, Stephen L. The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World. William Morrow, 2018.
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General background on dinosaur paleobiology and behavior.
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Ibrahim, Nizar et al. “Tail-propelled aquatic locomotion in a theropod dinosaur.” Nature, vol. 581, 2020, pp. 67–70.
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Details the updated understanding of Spinosaurus’s aquatic adaptations.
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Erickson, Gregory M., et al. “Bite-Force Estimation for Tyrannosaurus rex from Tooth Mark Records.” Nature, vol. 382, 1996, pp. 706–708.
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On T. rex’s bite strength and predatory capabilities.
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Farke, Andrew A., et al. “A new basal ceratopsian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of North America and the origin of the Ceratopsidae.” PLOS ONE, vol. 9, no. 12, 2014, e112055.
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Study on Aquilops and early ceratopsians.
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Hone, David W.E., and Michael J. Benton. “An evaluation of the evidence for parental care in pterosaurs.” Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, vol. 323-325, 2012, pp. 1–10.
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For information on Quetzalcoatlus and pterosaur behavior.
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Chiappe, Luis M., and Meng Qingjin. Feathered Dinosaurs of China. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2016.
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On feathered theropods, including Velociraptors and related species.
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Martill, David M., and Darren Naish. “Dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight.” The Palaeontological Association, 2001.
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Contains insights into Dilophosaurus and other British fossils.
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GameRadar. “Jurassic World: Rebirth Goes Full Fantasy with a New Crop of Mutant Dinosaurs.” GamesRadar+, 2025.
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Source for mutant dinosaur descriptions in Rebirth.
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India Times. “Jurassic World Rebirth Trailer Sees Scarlett Johansson Take on Dinosaurs.” IndiaTimes, 2025.
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Official plot and dinosaur list from the film preview.
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Wikipedia Contributors. “Jurassic World Rebirth.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, May 2025.
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Used for character and dinosaur listings from the movie.
