Kids love dinosaur movies. Honestly, big kids love movies about dinosaurs too, but it’s generally when you are younger that you first learn to love the dinosaur world. A kid’s imagination is prime for great things like a T-Rex having a fight with a brontosaurus, or a Troodon as a train conductor. It all seems perfectly realistic. Dinosaur movies can also have a big impact on a kid’s life. Our Lead Illustrator, Kara, remembers quite fondly the experience of going to see the highly rated Jurassic Park with her dad. It was scary, but still the best! It’s this memory that started her love of Dinosaurs, and eventually specialising in Dinosaur art! Dinosaur movies for kids have been made for many years. Now that we have services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, there is no shortage of new dino movies to take us on a journey back in time. These dinosaur movies are among our favourites. Obviously any movie with a dinosaur is a good one, but these ones in particular are the movies that rated the prime spot in our movie collection.
The Land Before Time (1988):
This dinosaur kids movie is overall our staff’s top pick. No matter who I talked to, everyone loves this movie. Not only is it beautifully animated, but it’s a lovely story. It’s a wonderful story about friends who make an important journey, meeting new friends along the way. There are many sequels, but the first one is definitely the best rated. You can usually find this dino movie on Amazon Prime.
We’re Back! A Dinosaur Story (1993):
If you want an animated dinosaur movie filled with big names, this is the dino movie for you! Produced by Steven Spielberg, it’s filled with the voices of people like John Goodman and Martin Short. Some really smart dinosaurs come to help two lonely kids in New York City, and adventures ensue. Also, trouble. It’s a lot of good hearted fun that both kids and parents will love. You can try Amazon Prime or Apple TV for this one.
The Good Dinosaur (2015):
Pixar is well known for its top rated animated kids movies, and this dinosaur movie is no different. Journey back in time to join a young dinosaur and his human friend as they trek to find Arlo the dinosaur’s parents. It’s heartwarming and fun, and since it’s Pixar, you are likely to find it on Disney Plus.
Jurassic Park:
Of course no dinosaur movie list would be complete without this one! I’m sure just about every dinosaur lover has seen at least one version; either the original 1993 version, based on the book by Michael Crichton, or the 2015 reboot of the franchise, Jurassic World. Although it might be a little too intense for younger kids, the older kids will love it! All your favorite dinosaurs will be there. And can you imagine? A theme park, full of dinosaurs? What could be more amazing? Well, as the cliche goes, “I’ve seen the end of this movie, and it doesn’t end well…” Still, the journey through this prime rated park is probably one of the best times you’ll have in a dinosaur movie! (Also, if you are a Jurassic fan, check out our Rexy and Blue stickers! I believe they actually are really good friends!)
Before I pop myself a big bowl of popcorn and head to my couch for dinosaur movie night, here are our list of honourable mentions! You might want to check these dinosaur movies for kids out too!
Honourable Mentions:
Dinosaur Train: The Movie (2021)
Walking With Dinosaurs (2013)
Bob the Builder: The Big Dino Dig (2011)
Dinosaur (2000)
