🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
- Release year: 1997
- Runtime (length): 2h 9min
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10 (455K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 53%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Capitalism brings dinosaurs to San Diego, and they’re surprisingly hard to contain at a gas station.
🍿 The Lost World: Jurassic Park: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Discovery of Isla Sorna
Four years after the Jurassic Park incident, John Hammond reveals to Ian Malcolm the existence of Isla Sorna (Site B), a second island where the dinosaurs were initially bred. A young girl is attacked while vacationing on the island, bringing Site B to public attention.

The Rescue Mission
Hammond, now regretful of his actions, wants to study the dinosaurs in their natural habitat before InGen can exploit them. Malcolm learns his girlfriend, Dr. Sarah Harding, is already on Isla Sorna and reluctantly agrees to join a rescue mission. The team, including documentarian Nick Van Owen and equipment specialist Eddie Carr, ventures to the island.

InGen’s Exploitation Plan
Unbeknownst to Malcolm’s team, Hammond’s nephew, Peter Ludlow, leads a separate expedition to capture dinosaurs and bring them to a new Jurassic Park in San Diego. This sets up a conflict between the two groups with disastrous consequences. The InGen team’s methods are aggressive, and prioritize capture over the safety of the animals and the environment.

Stranded and Under Attack
Both teams face numerous dangers, including territorial Tyrannosaurus Rexes, cunning Velociraptors, and other prehistoric creatures. Eddie Carr sacrifices himself to save the others when a pair of T-Rexes attack their mobile lab, pushing it off a cliff. As both teams work to survive, allegiances shift and priorities change.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum): A mathematician and chaos theorist who reluctantly returns to Isla Sorna to rescue his girlfriend and prevent the exploitation of the dinosaurs.
- Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore): A paleontologist and Ian Malcolm’s girlfriend, who studies the dinosaurs on Isla Sorna and believes in their preservation.
- Roland Tembo (Pete Postlethwaite): A seasoned big-game hunter hired by InGen, who seeks the ultimate trophy: a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
- Peter Ludlow (Arliss Howard): John Hammond’s nephew and the ruthless CEO of InGen, who plans to exploit the dinosaurs for profit.
- Nick Van Owen (Vince Vaughn): A video documentarian and environmental activist who accompanies Malcolm to Isla Sorna to sabotage InGen’s operation.
- John Hammond (Richard Attenborough): The former CEO of InGen, who now seeks to protect the dinosaurs on Isla Sorna and document their natural behavior.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dr. Ian Malcolm: “Oh, yeah. Oooh, ahhh, that’s how it always starts. Then later there’s running and screaming.” – Malcolm says this sarcastically when John Hammond talks about how amazing the dinosaurs are, foreshadowing the chaos to come.
- Roland Tembo: “Everybody needs something to believe in. I believe I’ll have another drink.” – Roland says this to Ajay after Ajay talks about believing in luck, highlighting Roland’s cynicism and focus on tangible things.
- Dr. Ian Malcolm: “Taking dinosaurs off this island is the worst idea in the long, sad history of bad ideas.” – Malcolm firmly opposes the plan to capture and transport dinosaurs to San Diego, foreseeing the inevitable disaster.
- John Hammond: “Life will find a way.” – Hammond repeats this iconic line from the first film, acknowledging the uncontrollable nature of the dinosaurs as he reflects on his past mistakes.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $73,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $229,086,679
- Worldwide Gross: $618,638,999
💥 The Lost World: Jurassic Park Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘The Lost World’ isn’t perfect, but I still love it! Seeing the T-Rex in San Diego was pure popcorn fun. Sure, some parts are cheesy, and the kid doing gymnastics to fight off a raptor is just…wow. But the suspense is real, and the effects still hold up pretty well. The trailer scene? Classic. For me, this movie is a comfort food rewatch.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the Jurassic Park franchise”
- “Viewers who enjoy dinosaur action and adventure”
- “Those interested in special effects and visual spectacle”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense dinosaur attacks and violence”
- “Some scenes of gore and peril”
- “Brief language”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While technically impressive, ‘The Lost World’ lacks the original’s spark. The dino action is ramped up, but character development suffers. Some moments are thrilling, but overall, it feels like a hollow spectacle.
- The New York Times: “Spielberg delivers a suspenseful, action-packed adventure. Goldblum shines, and the dinosaurs are more realistic than ever. The San Diego sequence is a fun twist, even if it stretches credibility.
Audience Reactions
The T-Rex in San Diego was a ridiculously fun monster movie moment.: Viewers enjoyed the increased dinosaur action and visually stunning effects, particularly the T-Rex rampage in San Diego.
Overall Consensus: ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ is a visually impressive, action-heavy sequel that falls short of the original’s narrative depth but delivers plenty of dinosaur thrills.
Awards
- Academy Award (Best Visual Effects)- 1998
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Steven Spielberg has stated that he was not entirely happy with the final product, feeling he was becoming impatient with himself and that the film felt more like a ‘big silent-roar movie’.”
- “The screenplay was loosely based on Michael Crichton’s novel ‘The Lost World’, but it took many liberties with the source material.”
- “During the filming of the scene where the trailer dangles off the cliff, the actors inside were genuinely scared because the trailer was actually teetering precariously.”
- “The scene where Dieter Stark is attacked by Compsognathus was originally intended to be much gorier, but Spielberg toned it down to maintain a PG-13 rating.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Lost World: Jurassic Park?
Currently, you can rent or purchase ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ on platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Vudu. Check listings for availability as they may change.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Lost World: Jurassic Park, you might like these similar films:
- Jurassic Park (1993): The original film that started the franchise; essential viewing for understanding the context and characters.
- King Kong (2005): Features a similar theme of capturing a wild creature and bringing it to a city, with disastrous consequences.
- Godzilla (1998): Released around the same time, features a giant reptile terrorizing a major city.
- Rampage (2018): A modern action film involving genetically mutated creatures causing chaos in a city, appealing to the same monster movie sensibilities.
- The Ghost and the Darkness (1996): Set in Africa, involves a big game hunter tracking down man eating lions, with an emphasis on the thrill of the hunt.
🛒 The Lost World: Jurassic Park Related Products
- Jurassic World Evolution 2: Build and manage your own Jurassic Park in this detailed simulation game. Recreate scenes from ‘The Lost World’ and breed your own dinosaurs with advanced genetics. Features detailed dinosaur AI and realistic environmental challenges. Available on PC, Playstation and Xbox.
- LEGO Jurassic World: T. rex Breakout: Recreate the T-Rex attack on Isla Sorna with this highly detailed LEGO set. Includes minifigures of Ian Malcolm, Sarah Harding, and other key characters. Features authentic details from ‘The Lost World,’ making it perfect for collectors and fans.
- Jurassic Park: The Lost World – Special Edition Blu-Ray: Relive the adventure in high definition with this special edition Blu-Ray. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast and crew, and deleted scenes. Perfect for a movie night or adding to your collection.
- Jurassic Park The Lost World Movie Poster: Own a piece of movie history with this high-quality reprint of The Lost World movie poster. Featuring the iconic T-Rex and cast, it’s perfect for decorating your home theatre, office, or bedroom. Available in multiple sizes.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Lost World: Jurassic Park features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “The Lost World” – performed by John Williams
- “Theme from Jurassic Park” – performed by John Williams
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While ‘The Lost World’ has impressive visuals and more action, it’s generally not considered as good as the original ‘Jurassic Park’. Many feel it lacks the same sense of wonder and compelling characters.
Malcolm’s daughter, Kelly, stows away on the trip to Isla Sorna. Her presence adds a family element to the story, but some critics view her character as unnecessary and poorly written.
Peter Ludlow planned to showcase the captured T-Rex in a new Jurassic Park in San Diego. The T-Rex escaped during transport, leading to the chaotic events in the city.
Ludlow attempts to recapture the infant T-Rex in the cargo hold of the ship. The adult T-Rex enters the hold, injures Ludlow, and allows the infant to kill him.
🔥 Bonus Content
Honest Trailers – The Lost World: Jurassic Park
If you enjoy a good laugh and a witty critique of a beloved movie, this Honest Trailer should not be missed. It’s a clever blend of humor and analysis that will make you appreciate The Lost World like never before.
An Analysis of The Lost World by Michael Crichton – Novel Review
Want to dive deeper into the world of The Lost World? This analysis of the novel provides a thought-provoking exploration of its themes and characters, giving you a fresh perspective on the movie.
Why Ian Malcolm Is So Important To Jurassic Park
Curious about why Ian Malcolm is such a beloved character? This video essay analyzes his role in the franchise and explores his importance to the overall story. It’s a must-watch for fans of the films and Malcolm’s unique perspective.
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