AceShowbiz - Decades after Jurassic Park redefined dinosaur storytelling, legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg returns to the prehistoric giants with a fresh approach in the new Netflix series The Dinosaurs. This four-part documentary series offers an intimate exploration of the life and extinction of Earth’s most dominant species, revitalizing dinosaur fascination for modern audiences without relying on fiction or blockbuster spectacle.

Steven Spielberg serves as an executive producer on The Dinosaurs, which is produced by his company Amblin Documentaries. The series debuted to excellent critical acclaim, earning a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on six reviews so far. While this rating may fluctuate as more critiques are added, initial responses highlight the show’s stunning visuals and compelling storytelling.

Critics praise The Dinosaurs for its breathtaking depiction of prehistoric creatures and the calming narration by Morgan Freeman, which adds a soothing and engaging layer to the viewing experience. Reviewers also note that the documentary brings a unique, almost personal dimension to the dinosaurs, portraying them as living beings with distinct personalities rather than just extinct monsters.

This new series marks one of Spielberg’s rare direct involvements with dinosaur content since the original Jurassic Park films. While Spielberg has not directed another Jurassic movie since 1997’s The Lost World, his production company has remained tied to the franchise and related projects. Notably, Amblin Documentaries also produced the 2023 Netflix nature series Life on Our Planet, which Morgan Freeman narrated as well. However, that series received a mixed reception, holding a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making The Dinosaurs a significant improvement and spiritual successor.

Amblin’s history with dinosaur-themed productions extends further back to the animated classic The Land Before Time (1988). Yet, The Dinosaurs stands out as one of the most critically acclaimed dinosaur projects produced by Spielberg’s company to date.

Alongside Steven Spielberg, the documentary series was directed by Nick Shoolingin-Jordan, Jolyon Sutcliffe, Amber Cherry Eames, and Darren Williams, with Dan Tapster credited as the creator. Other executive producers include Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Keith Scholey, and Alastair Fothergill, all contributing to the high production values of the series.

The release of The Dinosaurs coincides perfectly with the availability of all four Jurassic World movies on Netflix, which continue to dominate the platform’s top 10 charts in the United States. The latest installment, Jurassic World Rebirth (2025), starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, was a summer box office success, grossing $869 million worldwide. Despite this success, the future of the Jurassic World franchise remains uncertain, with no official confirmation of a fifth film.

For now, The Dinosaurs offers fans a compelling alternative to traditional dinosaur entertainment, grounding prehistoric creatures in scientific storytelling while delivering the cinematic quality expected from Spielberg’s productions. All four episodes of the series are currently streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to experience dinosaurs like never before.

Below is a summary of Rotten Tomatoes scores for Amblin’s dinosaur-related movies and series, illustrating the standout reception of The Dinosaurs:

• The Land Before Time (1988): Critics 65%, Audience 79%
• Jurassic Park (1993): Critics 91%, Audience 91%
• We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993): Critics 40%, Audience 50%
• The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997): Critics 57%, Audience 52%
• Jurassic Park III (2001): Critics 49%, Audience 37%
• Jurassic World (2015): Critics 72%, Audience 78%
• Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018): Critics 47%, Audience 48%
• Jurassic World Dominion (2022): Critics 29%, Audience 77%
• Jurassic World Rebirth (2025): Critics 50%, Audience 70%
• The Dinosaurs (2026): Critics 100%, Audience N/A

With The Dinosaurs, Steven Spielberg and Netflix deliver a visually stunning and emotionally resonant documentary series that redefines how audiences can connect with the prehistoric past. This series not only honors the iconic legacy of Jurassic Park but also expands the narrative to a new generation eager to learn about these magnificent creatures in a fresh and meaningful way.