Jurassic Park is one of my all-time favorite movies, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t scream in terror every time I watch it. Those who haven’t seen this classic dinosaur-themed adventure film from 1993 may be inclined to think that it’s a fun family movie; after all, how scary could a movie starring Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and Jeff Goldblum be?
Well, it turns out that Jurassic Park is a pretty terrifying movie, especially if you’re watching it for the very first time. The beginning is light-hearted and funny, and then suddenly everything takes a turn for the worse with the fall of night. Whether you’re an avid dino fan or you’ve avoided seeing this movie like the proverbial plague, here are # moments when Jurassic Park is actually a horror film that are sure to make you think twice about cloning dinosaurs.
1. Attack of the T. Rex
This is definitely one of the more obvious frightening moments in the film, for reasons that I’m sure I don’t have to explain.
2. Any time liquid ripples
Thump. Thump. Like the beating of a drum signaling war, these booming stomps are tell-tale signs of bad things up ahead. I’ll never look at rippling water— or jiggling jello— the same way again!
3. The kitchen scene
Dark kitchen scenes have been featured in numerous horror films, but the combination of raptors and poor Tim’s horrified eyes take this scene to an entirely new level of scary.
4. Spitting compys
These Compsognathus may be the size of innocuous chickens, but they are anything but harmless. They’re like llamas, only with less hair and spit that is actually poisonous. (Okay, so maybe they’re not anything like llamas…)
5. The disembodied arm
If you’re anything like me, you’re a sucker when it comes to things jumping out from nowhere. Needless to say, this bloody arm gets me every time.
6. The T. Rex… again
Even though you know it’s going to come back eventually, the T. Rex never stops being scary. Ever.
7. The electric fence
Behold, the electric fence scene, in which Dr. Grant plays the meanest joke possible. I’ve since forgiven him, but just barely.
8. The surprisingly relevant real world implications
Scientific and technological advancements certainly have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the motivating forces driving them forward. Here, Dr. Malcolm delivers an important message: Perhaps we don’t control the natural world as much as we think we do.
9. RAPTORS
Let’s be real: these intelligent, nimble predators are arguably the most terrifying part of this movie. They’re quick, they’re smart, and they have incredibly sharp claws. A pack of raptors could probably take on almost any prey in Jurassic Park with ease.
10. When Jeff Goldblum gets hurt
NOT JEFF GOLDBLUM. Anyone but him!
Though dinosaurs certainly belong in the past, I think it’s safe to say that this timeless film will remain a fan favorite for years to come.
