Best Version Of Jurassic Park (1993) On Home Media

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Introduction

This article is part of a series where we investigate which is the best version of particular movies on home media. In this article, we will look at the different releases of Jurassic Park (1993) on Blu Ray, UHD Blu Ray – and streaming if available – and look at the specs and quality of each release to determine the best way to watch Jurassic Park (1993).

Jurassic Park (1993) Summary

In Jurassic Park (1993), a wealthy entrepreneur, John Hammond, has created a theme park on a remote island where dinosaurs have been brought back to life through cloning technology. To ease concerns about the park’s safety, Hammond invites a small group of experts, including paleontologists Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler, along with mathematician Ian Malcolm, to visit and evaluate the park.

Accompanied by Hammond’s young grandchildren, the group tours the facility, learning about the cloning process and seeing various dinosaur species in controlled environments. However, during their visit, a series of unforeseen events, including a tropical storm and lapses in security, cause significant problems that test the park’s systems and put the visitors in serious danger. The film explores themes of science, ethics, and humanity’s control over nature as the visitors struggle to navigate through increasingly difficult and life-threatening situations.

Jurassic Park (1993) Cast Summary

Actor’s Name	Character’s Name	Character Summary
Sam Neill	Dr. Alan Grant	A respected paleontologist who is invited to evaluate Jurassic Park.
Laura Dern	Dr. Ellie Sattler	A paleobotanist and Alan’s colleague who joins the park tour and provides expertise on plant life.
Jeff Goldblum	Dr. Ian Malcolm	A mathematician and expert on chaos theory, critical of the park’s concept of control.
Richard Attenborough	John Hammond	The wealthy founder of Jurassic Park, determined to create a revolutionary theme park with living dinosaurs.
Bob Peck	Robert Muldoon	The park’s game warden and expert in wildlife, responsible for overseeing the dinosaurs’ containment.
Joseph Mazzello	Tim Murphy	Hammond’s young grandson, curious and fascinated by the dinosaurs.
Ariana Richards	Lex Murphy	Hammond’s granddaughter, clever and resourceful, particularly good with computers.
Wayne Knight	Dennis Nedry	A disgruntled park employee responsible for programming the park’s security systems, who plays a key role in triggering events.
Samuel L. Jackson	Ray Arnold	The park’s chief engineer and system administrator, working to maintain control over the park’s technology.

Jurassic Park (1993) Home Media Releases (Blu Ray and Streaming)

Jurassic Park (1993) was published on the following contemporary home formats.

Table 1: Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray Releases – General Info

Release Name / Format	Release Date	Video Codec	Audio Codec	Video Bitrate	Audio Bitrate	Director’s Cut
Blu-ray (Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy)	October 25, 2011	AVC	DTS-HD MA 7.1	36.33 Mbps	Lossless	No
Blu-ray (Jurassic Park 3D)	April 23, 2013	AVC	DTS-HD MA 7.1	36.33 Mbps	Lossless	No
UHD Blu-ray (Jurassic Park 4K)	May 22, 2018	HEVC (H.265)	DTS:X / DTS-HD MA	50.90 Mbps	Lossless	No
Jurassic Park iTunes	May 14, 2013	HEVC (H.265)	Dolby Digital Plus	25 Mbps	384 Kbps	No

Table 2: Video & Audio Scores and Mastering Info

Release Name / Format	V Score	A Score	DI  Res	DNR Used	AI  Used
Blu-ray (Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy)	4.0/5	4.5/5	2K	Yes	No
Blu-ray (Jurassic Park 3D)	4.0/5	4.5/5	2K	Yes	No
UHD Blu-ray (Jurassic Park 4K)	5.0/5	5.0/5	2K	Yes	No

Notes:

• AI Used = Indicates whether AI techniques were used during restoration or mastering.
• V Score = Video Score
• A Score = Audio Score
• DI Res = Digital Intermediate Resolution
• DNR Used = Indicates whether Digital Noise Reduction was used.

Please note that we have tried to make sure as much as possible that this information is correct by referencing multiple sources but still keeping it simple and accurate across release regions. Please let us know in the comments if you find any errors.

Jurassic Park (1993) Legacy Formats

Jurassic Park (1993) was also published on the following legacy formats:

Jurassic Park (1993) Home Video Releases

Format	Release Date	Widescreen / Pan & Scan	Director’s Cut
VHS (USA)	October 4, 1994	Pan & Scan	No
VHS (Widescreen Edition)	October 4, 1994	Widescreen	No
LaserDisc (USA)	December 21, 1994	Widescreen	No
LaserDisc (Japan, Collector’s Box)	January 25, 1996	Widescreen	No
DVD (Collector’s Edition)	October 10, 2000	Widescreen	No
DVD (Jurassic Park Trilogy)	November 29, 2001	Widescreen	No
D-Theatre (HDTV Format)	2003	Widescreen	No

Notes:

• Widescreen / Pan & Scan: Some VHS releases were Pan & Scan (cropped); later releases introduced widescreen versions.
• Director’s Cut: No director’s cut exists for this film; all releases are the theatrical version.

Which version of Jurassic Park (1993) should you watch?

Based on the review scores and discussions across various forums and review sites, the UHD Blu-ray (4K), released on May 22, 2018, is generally regarded as the best version of Jurassic Park (1993) for several reasons:

Reasons to Choose the UHD Blu-ray (4K):

1. Highest Video Quality:
   • The UHD Blu-ray offers a substantial visual upgrade compared to earlier releases. It’s presented in 4K resolution with HDR (High Dynamic Range), which greatly enhances the contrast, color depth, and detail, particularly in darker scenes (e.g., moments at nighttime or during the T. rex breakout).
   • The review for this release was a bit mixed, with some reviewers praising the film-like appearance, while others felt the release could have been better. Ultimately, it is the release that preserves the move the best compared to its theatrical release.
   • The UHD Blu-ray was sourced from a new 4K scan of the original film, although the special effects were done in 2K, which means the master was likely downscaled for special effects work, at least the scenes that needed it.
   • The HDR mastering brings out details that weren’t as prominent in previous releases, however not everyone was keen on the colour timing.
2. Top-tier Audio:
   • The UHD version also includes a DTS:X track, which expands on the older DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 by adding more spatial depth, particularly during scenes with major action or surround sound effects (e.g., the T. rex or velociraptor sequences).
   • Discussions on home theater forums highlight how immersive and cinematic this makes the experience, particularly for those with advanced sound systems.
3. Minimal DNR and No AI Tampering:
   • Unlike some earlier releases, where digital noise reduction (DNR) was a bit heavy-handed (softening the grain and detail), the UHD release strikes a balance. There is likely some DNR applied, but it is less intrusive.
   • Enthusiasts on sites appreciate the film’s natural grain structure, helping retain that original 1993 filmic look while still making the most of modern 4K improvements.
4. Future-Proof Format:
   • If you’re investing in a physical copy, UHD Blu-rays are generally seen as a “future-proof” format, supporting 4K resolution and a wider range of audio systems. If you have the proper setup for 4K HDR playback and surround sound, this release will take full advantage of that.

Alternative Choices:

• Blu-ray 3D (2013): If you’re a 3D fan, the 3D Blu-ray edition still holds up well and offers an impressive conversion of the original film into the 3D format. It’s a fun alternative for those looking for extra immersion, but it’s not quite as high-fidelity as the UHD Blu-ray.
• Standard Blu-ray (2011 and later): If 4K isn’t essential for you or if you lack the equipment to fully utilize it, the standard Blu-ray (from the 2011 Ultimate Trilogy or individual releases) is a solid option. It still offers great HD image clarity and strong audio, but it won’t have the color depth and detail improvements brought by the 4K release. With a great upscaling TV, it would still look excellent, however.

Conclusion:

For the best possible picture and sound quality and a more authentic film experience, most discussions and reviews conclude that the UHD Blu-ray (4K) version is the best choice for Jurassic Park (1993). However, if you don’t have a 4K setup yet, the standard Blu-ray versions are still solid and more affordable options.

Why Audio and Video Calibration is Important?

Movies only play accurately on home systems if both the display and audio system are calibrated to reference. Here at Simple Home Cinema, we are fanatic about accurate playback to the way the director intended. This is why we created both free and premium calibration guides, so you can calibrate your audio and video for optimal playback.

Audio Calibration	Video Calibration
Audyssey – Dirac Live – YPAO – All	Free Guides
Premium Guides	Premium Guide