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In real life, dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years. But on the big screen, the Jurassic Park series just keeps on thriving. Ever since 2015’s Jurassic World brought the franchise roaring back to life, fans have had plenty of dino-fun to enjoy. Yet, many are probably still missing out on Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. Here’s why they need to check out the animated Netflix hit before Jurassic World: Dominion arrives in 2022.

The iconic Jurassic Park gate in a scene from ‘Jurassic Park’
‘Jurassic Park’ | Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images

‘Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous’ debuted on Netflix in 2020

Jurassic World‘s billion-dollar success ensured the series wouldn’t fade away anytime soon. The sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, hit theaters three years later. But since its 2018 release, the makers behind the recent trilogy — including Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow — have kept fans engaged.

In 2019, Trevorrow directed Battle at Big Rock, a short film set a year after the events of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. The project marked the first major expansion of the franchise. The following year, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous began the story of a group of teens stranded on the titular island after chaos breaks out.

The animated series builds on the ‘Jurassic Park’ movies

Following a group of new teenage characters, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous might not seem like it’s required viewing for longtime fans. After all, countless movies have led to animated TV spinoffs which barely carry any connection to their big-screen counterparts. But this Netflix series is different. First, Trevorrow is directly involved in the show. And they share continuity, including a shadowy antagonist from the movies.

Late in Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Season 3, Dr. Henry Wu (voiced by Greg Chun) arrives on the island. Actor B.D. Wong plays the character in several of the films, including the 1993 original. And his storyline ties directly to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Thus far, Camp Cretaceous has taken place before, during, and after the first Jurassic World. Now it’s about to overlap with its first sequel.

Moreover, showrunner Scott Kreamer and Trevorrow told Entertainment Weekly the show bears a direct connection to Jurassic World: Dominion. Wong is back as Wu in that film, which continues to build on the significance the character holds to the greater mythos. In addition, it will feature the return of many other original cast members, including Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm.

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How will its story play into 2022’s ‘Jurassic World 3’?

Right now, it’s unclear exactly how Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous will tie into Jurassic World: Dominion. Fans saw the destruction of Isla Nublar in Fallen Kingdom as well as the release of the surviving dinosaurs into the wild. Perhaps the Camp Cretaceous characters will finally return home, only to find it overrun by dinosaurs.

Such a dark irony certainly befits the theme of the Jurassic Park franchise. The notion that humanity is inevitably doomed to fall prey to the prehistoric beasts feels like an apt conclusion to the Netflix series. In any case, Jurassic World: Dominion — which hits theaters on June 10, 2022 — will not be the last of the franchise.

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