13 Best TV Shows and Movies for Your Dinosaur-Obsessed Kid
My youngest son is upset that he is too young to watch Jurassic Park, while his older brother has already seen it twice and regularly watches the Netflix spin-off Camp Cretaceous . However, the future paleontologist/astronaut/doctor/first responder (he loves the job) can watch a lot of age-appropriate dinocentric content, much of it educational.
We’re Back: A Dinosaur Tale (1993)
The plot is similar to Jurassic Park : a scientist wants modern children to become familiar with dinosaurs, so he makes them friendly and smart and sends them to New York in the 90s, where they befriend two children. But the scientist has an evil brother who wants to turn the creatures into their true, monstrous selves. Promoted as a family-friendly animated alternative to Spielberg’s PG-13 horror-fest, it may appeal to kids, but adults may miss it.
Where to watch: digital rental.
Dinosaur Train (2009)
A pteranodon family adopts a young Tyrannosaurus rex named Buddy. When a curious creature wants to learn about other dinosaurs, he and his family board the titular train. Produced by The Jim Henson Company and PBS, this delightful animated show is educational without alienating young audiences. Parents will learn a lot of new things too!
Where to watch: PBS Kids, Prime Video, digital rental.
Walking with Dinosaurs (2013)
Like Jurassic Park , this film about a dinosaur who overcomes adversity to become the leader of his herd features realistic-looking CGI characters. However, the film’s title is taken from the excellent BBC documentary series of the same name, making the dinosaur depictions (mostly) scientifically accurate for the time.
Where to watch: digital rental.
Baby: The Secret of the Lost Legend (1985)
Young children won’t care that the titular brontosaurus, brought to life through stop-motion animation, doesn’t compare to today’s special effects. On the other hand, parents will get lost in nostalgia for this classic ’80s book about a pair of paleontologists trying to protect a young dinosaur from an evil scientist.
Where to watch: digital rental.
Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures (2016)
This British series, in which a museum worker goes back in time and gets into misadventures with dinosaurs and mammoths, is aimed at preschoolers with its 15-minute episodes and a fun, goofy tone.
Where to watch: Pluto TV.
Dinosaur Island (2014)
This British adventure film about a mysterious crystal that teleports objects from different periods to an island is fun for the whole family. However, the big plus is that he may be the first to show feathers on a Tyrannosaurus rex, which is seemingly unheard of in films that require a big-headed lizard with tiny arms to look and be menacing.
Where to watch: Pluto TV, Tubi, Freevee, Roku Channel, YouTube, digital rental.
Dino Dan/Dino Dana (2010, 2017)
Dan – and in the sequel, Dana – are future young paleontologists who can see the creatures they study in the modern world. What sets these two Canadian television programs apart from other dinocentric shows is their focus on how scientific thinking helps the main characters learn more about prehistoric creatures.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Ice Age: Age of the Dinosaurs (2009)
Since this was the first Ice Age film in 3D, the producers decided to improve the performances of Manny the mammoth, Diego the saber-tooth, and Sid the sloth by mixing up time periods and adding dinosaurs to the mix. Your kids won’t learn much about prehistory or ice ages by watching this movie, but at least they’ll have a little fun.
Where to watch: Disney+, digital rental.
Dino Ranch (2021)
The third season of this award-winning children’s animated show premiered last September. It has become so popular among preschoolers that last year a show featuring the adventures of the Cassidy family’s dinosaur sanctuary toured America.
Where to watch: Disney+, The Roku Channel, digital rental.
Lego Jurassic World: Secret Exhibit (2018)
Is pairing Lego with the Jurassic World franchise a smart way to market toys to kids? Yes. Is it also a fun way to introduce kids to a series of films they’re not old enough to watch yet? Yes too. There are also plenty of Easter eggs and jokes referencing previous films in the series to keep parents entertained.
Where to stream: Peacock, Digital rental.
Amazing Dinoworld (2019)
The documentary series, which premiered on educational streaming service Curiosity Stream , explores paleontologists’ latest discoveries about prehistoric creatures, many of which go against what we’re used to seeing in movies.
Where to watch: Fubo TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Curiosity Stream.
The Land Before Time (1988)
We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t include this classic 80s cartoon. At times tragic and touching, the film, directed by Spielberg and George Lucas and directed by Don Bluth, follows a young Apatosaurus and his friends as they search for greener pastures, only to have a hungry T-Rex hot on their heels. The film inspired 13 sequels and a TV show, but the original is by far the best. Try not to cry.
Where to watch: YouTube, digital rental.
Prehistoric Planet (2022)
Dinosaur documentaries get the David Attenborough treatment in this stunning five-part series, which uses cutting-edge research and photorealistic effects similar to those used in the remakes of The Jungle Book and The Lion King. The second season premiered the following year.
Where to watch: Apple TV+