‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Debuts with Far from Great Rotten Tomatoes Score — Almost the Worst in the Franchise

“Jurassic World Rebirth” is about to land in theaters, but it’s not exactly the roaring comeback Universal Pictures was likely hoping for. Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp, the movie is the latest in the long-running Jurassic Park franchise, and it’s already getting hit with some harsh reviews.

As of now, the film is sitting at just 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 92 reviews. So no, it’s not like only a few critics have weighed in, this is a big sample, and the response is not great.

“It’s bad,” said one critic flat-out. Others were a little more forgiving but still found plenty to criticize. One reviewer pointed out that while the movie tries to tap into some B-movie fun and classic action-adventure vibes, it doesn’t always hold up between the dinosaur chaos. “There’s a certain B-movie charm in how it embraces classic action-adventure tropes, leaning into its role as a jungle-set creature feature. But the in-between moments tend to lag.”

The story itself follows a group of people trying to cash in on leftover dinosaur DNA without really thinking things through. That’s pretty much the plot, and, according to some critics, a metaphor for how the movie was made.

Scarlett Johansson leads the cast, along with Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Ed Skrein. But not all performances are getting praise. One review didn’t hold back, calling Johansson’s acting “distractingly bad” and saying the movie lacked creativity.

Another summed it up more sharply: “A visually stunning, but overlong sequel with ephemeral thrills, lack of imagination and a distractingly bad performance by Scarlett Johansson.”

A few critics took a moment to talk about the quiet parts of the film. “When nobody is talking in Jurassic World Rebirth, the movie is at its best,” one wrote. Ouch.

Some even questioned whether this movie is supposed to be a new beginning or the final nail in the dinosaur-sized coffin. “What is truly amazing to me about this movie is that it is not only not a rebirth… or a re-set… or anything that takes the series to another place. It screams that it is the end of the entire franchise… which is unlikely, but it’s what’s in the movie,” a reviewer wrote.

There’s a certain B-movie charm in how it embraces classic action-adventure tropes, leaning into its role as a jungle-set creature feature. But the in-between moments tend to lag.

Trace Sauveur

The story of a group of people hoping for a big paycheck by repurposing existing DNA without considering the consequences of what they’re doing. That’s the plot synopsis and a recap of the film’s production.

Sean P. Means

When nobody is talking in Jurassic World Rebirth, the movie is at its best.

Jason Flatt

A visually stunning, but overlong sequel with ephemeral thrills, lack of imagination and a distractingly bad performance by Scarlett Johansson.

Avi Offer

Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should

Stephen A. Russell

What is truly amazing to me about this movie is that it is not only not a rebirth… or a re-set… or anything that takes the series to another place. It screams that it is the end of the entire franchise… which is unlikely, but it’s what’s in the movie.

David Poland

It’s not all doom and gloom. A few reviews have come through with praise, calling Jurassic World Rebirth a fun time once it gets going. One said, “Jurassic World Rebirth is a rip-roaring, entertaining stomp back to the heart of the franchise.” Another added, “As it is this might be the best sequel to a Jurassic film that Steven Spielberg didn’t direct, it reminds us that there is an awe and wonder to dinosaurs that turns even the most hardened adult into a little kid.”

Even those who liked it admitted it took a while to get going. “After a rough and clunky start introducing its characters, Rebirth turns goofy but fun once the dinosaurs arrive, much like most of the Jurassic sequels. Would I like more at this point? Sure. But this is still delivering what has worked for this series,” one said.

Jurassic World Rebirth is a rip-roaring, entertaining stomp back to the heart of the franchise.

Dulcie Pearce

As it is this might be the best sequel to a Jurassic film that Steven Spielberg didn’t direct, it reminds us that there is an awe and wonder to dinosaurs that turns even the most hardened adult into a little kid.

Paul Klein

After a rough and clunky start introducing its characters, Rebirth turns goofy but fun once the dinosaurs arrive, much like most of the Jurassic sequels. Would I like more at this point? Sure. But this is still delivering what has worked for this series.

Eric Goldman

There are only fleeting attempts at depth and meaning in REBIRTH’s characterizations…it is [director Gareth] Edwards’ achievement that he keeps the excitement and fear factor cooking nonetheless.

Michael Gingold

The dinosaurs may be dying again, but here with the admittedly overstuffed Jurassic World Rebirth, Edwards has breathed new life into the franchise through some clever mutations of his own while understanding how to craft Spielbergian wonder and adventure

Robert Kojder

The plot is straightforward: get the samples and get out alive. But that doesn’t stop the film from being entertaining. [Full review in Spanish]

Custodio Guerrero

The film had its world premiere on June 17, 2025, at London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square and is hitting theaters across the U.S. and Canada on July 2. Whether fans show up or not remains to be seen, but based on early reviews, it looks like the dino-magic might finally be wearing off.

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