What ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Gets Right (and Wrong) About Dinosaurs

With Jurassic World Rebirth hitting theaters July 2, 2025, movie buffs and science lovers alike are busy scouring trailers and cast lists — but not for the actors. It’s the prehistoric creatures that are the true stars of the film. A diverse lineup of species is expected to appear, from reimagined fan favorites to brand-new hybrid creatures. But just how accurate are these dinosaurs? We’re breaking down a few of the creatures featured in the upcoming film — and separating science from sci-fi.

Dilophosaurus

Despite its brief appearance in the official trailer, fans are excited to see the return of the Dilophosaurus. First introduced in the original Jurassic Park, this species reappears in CGI for the first time in the new film, but two inaccurate traits remain: its spotted neck frills and its ability to spit venom. These features, shown in both the original and new film, are purely fictional. In reality, Dilophosaurus didn’t spit venom, and there’s no fossil evidence of neck frills. The real Dilophosaurus was also much larger than depicted in the movies, likely standing around 7 feet tall and stretching up to 23 feet in length.

Aquilops

Making its debut appearance as the oh-so-adorable “Dolores,” the Aquilops was very much real during the Early Cretaceous period in what’s now North America. It’s believed to be one of the earliest known members of the ceratopsian family — a smaller cousin to the more famous Triceratops. Experts believe these tiny, plant-eating dinosaurs were about the size of a rabbit and likely pretty meek, which aligns with how Dolores is portrayed in Rebirth. Scientific reconstructions and the film’s depiction share key features: rounded faces, beak-like snouts, and mid-length tails. Its charming appearance and humble size make it an endearing — and scientifically plausible — addition to the film.

Distortus Rex

Also making its debut in Rebirth is the Distortus rex (or D. rex), a mutant hybrid species that is pure fiction. Reportedly inspired by real dinosaurs as well as creatures from movies like Star Wars and Alien, the D. rex is a massive, six-limbed predator with razor-sharp teeth and a bulging, beluga-like forehead. While its design borrows elements from other known theropods, there’s no fossil evidence of anything like it ever having existed.

Ankylosaurus

Although not shown in the trailer, the Ankylosaurus has been confirmed to appear in Rebirth. The final look is still under wraps, but previous Jurassic Park films have exaggerated some of its traits. One common inaccuracy is the dinosaur’s armor. In earlier films, Ankylosaurus is portrayed with shell-like, spiked plating that gives it a tank-like appearance. In reality, its armor was made of osteoderms (bony plates embedded in the skin), which acted as natural body shields rather than external shells. Another major discrepancy is the dinosaur’s speed. On screen, the ankylosaurus is a fast-moving animal. But in real life, it moved quite slowly, due to its short legs and heavy body.

Mosasaurus

Returning with a new look, the Mosasaurus is often mistaken for a dinosaur. However, it’s actually a marine reptile, more closely related to modern snakes and lizards. First seen in Jurassic World, the mosasaurus was portrayed as a massive, armored sea monster — much larger and more dinosaur-like than fossil evidence supports. In truth, the species lacked back armor, had a forked tongue, and likely sported a shark-like tail fin — none of which were shown in earlier films. For Rebirth, the filmmakers have made some corrections. The updated version has a more accurate tail fin and a sleeker, lizard-like build, though it still appears oversized and lacks the forked tongue.

Mutadon

Another mutant species created solely for Rebirth is the mutadon. Though fictional, its design borrows several scientifically supported traits from the Velociraptor, including curved claws, a pointed beak, and wings. The body is also expected to be partially feathered — a nod to modern research suggesting Velociraptors were feathered and birdlike. While the exact feather coverage is yet to be seen, the film’s adaptation of the mutadon clearly draws influence from the popular avian-dinosaur connection.

Titanosaurus

Set to make its debut in Rebirth, the Titanosaurus is known to be one of the largest sauropods — long-necked, four-legged herbivores. Experts estimate it could reach lengths of up to 100 feet, but it moved slowly due to its massive size. Based on early visuals, the Rebirth version of the titanosaurus takes some creative liberties. Its tail appears unusually long and flexible, and sail-like structures line its back and neck — an embellishment not supported by fossil records. Some titanosaurs did have osteoderms, but not in the dramatic, sail-like form seen in Rebirth.

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Arguably the most famous dinosaur of all time, the Tyrannosaurus rex returns in Rebirth with a refreshed, bulkier designwith a refreshed, bulkier design — likely reflecting newer research that suggests the species was more muscular and robust than previously thought. A buzzworthy scene features the T. rex swimming — a behavior previously hinted at in The Lost World, but now given more screen time. While the T. rex wasn’t known to be a strong swimmer, experts don’t rule it out completely. It’s believed they may have been able to wade or paddle short distances, thanks to their powerful legs and tail.

Velociraptor

The velociraptor also received an update in Rebirth, though it appears in a smaller role. In previous Jurassic Park films, the species was portrayed as man-sized and highly intelligent. In reality, Velociraptors were about the size of a turkey — small, lightweight, and likely feathered. The Rebirth version includes some quill-like structures on its head, but scientists now believe feathers would have extended to the arms, tail, and legs. The new look is a step in the right direction, but it still falls short of the most current understanding from experts.

While Jurassic World Rebirth may be taking creative liberties for the sake of storytelling, it’s clear the filmmakers are moving closer to historical accuracy, at least in some cases. Whether you’re a lifelong dinosaur buff or just in the movie theater for the action, it’s fascinating to see how Hollywood continues to blend fact and fiction.