All the Main Villains in the ‘Jurassic Park’ Movies Ranked Worst to Best

in Movies, Updates

The T-Rex roaring in the 'Jurassic World: Chaos Theory' trailer

Credit: Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Animation / Amblin Entertainment / Netflix

The Jurassic Park franchise is a thrilling blend of action, adventure, and prehistoric terror, featuring not only iconic dinosaurs but also a rogue’s gallery of human villains. While the prehistoric predators like the T-Rex, Velociraptors, and the Indominus Rex are central to the chaos, it’s the humans who often drive the plot forward, with their selfish ambitions, greed, and cruelty. These villains may not have claws and teeth, but they’re just as dangerous, and sometimes, even more so.

In this article, we’ll rank all the main villains from the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies from worst to best. From the bumbling crooks to the truly menacing masterminds, these characters are an essential part of what makes the franchise so engaging. Let’s dive in!


7. Ken Wheatley – Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Ken Wheatley, played by Ted Levine, is undoubtedly one of the most forgettable villains in the Jurassic series. A mercenary working for the nefarious Lockwood estate, Wheatley has a penchant for handling dinosaurs like they’re nothing more than tools for profit. While his role in Fallen Kingdom isn’t entirely without merit, he’s not exactly a standout antagonist.

Wheatley’s stupidity is his most defining trait. In the film, he purposefully enters the cage of the deadly Indoraptor to collect a tooth as a trophy. This reckless move, driven by a need for personal validation, ultimately leads to his downfall. Wheatley’s failure to think ahead makes him less of a threatening figure and more of a punchline. His brief appearance and ridiculous actions leave much to be desired when compared to the more complex villains in the franchise.


6. Henry Wu – Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Henry Wu, portrayed by BD Wong, started as a relatively benign character in the original Jurassic Park (1993), but over the years, he’s morphed into a much darker and more morally ambiguous figure. By the time Fallen Kingdom rolls around, Wu has embraced his role as a mad scientist, obsessed with pushing the boundaries of genetic engineering.

Henry Wu (BD Wong) in his office in 'Jurassic World' (2015)
Credit: Universal Studios

Wu’s motivations in Fallen Kingdom are driven by pride and ambition. He’s the creator of the Indominus Rex, and his desire to create more powerful dinosaurs for profit clouds his judgment. Though Wu is certainly one of the more intelligent villains in the series, his arrogance and disregard for the consequences of his actions make him morally questionable. His transformation from a sympathetic character to a villain who’s willing to let dinosaurs wreak havoc for the sake of his experiments shows the dangerous consequences of playing god.


5. Lewis Dodgson – Jurassic Park (1993)

Lewis Dodgson is a key antagonist in the Jurassic Park universe, despite his brief screen time in the original film. Played by Cameron Thor, Dodgson is a representative of BioSyn, the rival company to InGen, which is responsible for the genetic engineering that brought dinosaurs back to life. His role is pivotal in the theft of dinosaur embryos, which sets off the chain of events that leads to the park’s downfall.

(L to R) Ian Malcolm and Lewis Dodgson in 'Jurassic World Dominion'
Credit: Universal Studios

While Dodgson is memorable in the original film, his absence from the Jurassic Park sequels leaves him feeling underutilized. However, with his return in Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), played by Campbell Scott, we can expect to see a more fleshed-out version of the character. In the original film, Dodgson’s greed and ruthlessness are clear, but he remains one of the more underdeveloped villains in the series.


4. Eli Mills – Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Eli Mills (Rafe Spall) is a smooth-talking businessman and one of the more charming yet sinister villains in the Jurassic franchise. He’s the one responsible for the auctioning off of dinosaurs, turning them into weapons for the highest bidder. Mills presents himself as a well-meaning individual, but beneath the surface, he’s just as morally corrupt as the rest of the franchise’s villains.

Eli Mills Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom
Credit: Universal Studios

Mills is compelling because of his apparent logic—he sees himself as the pragmatic solution to the ethical dilemma of saving the dinosaurs from extinction. However, he’s willing to murder for profit, and his betrayal of Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell) is a moment of pure villainy. His cold, calculating demeanor and willingness to sacrifice anything for his personal gain make him a standout antagonist in Fallen Kingdom.


3. Vic Hoskins – Jurassic World (2015)

Vic Hoskins (Vincent D’Onofrio) is the head of security at Jurassic World and has one of the more interesting villain arcs in the series. His goal is to weaponize the park’s raptors, believing that they can be used for military purposes. Hoskins is a man driven by ignorance, arrogance, and a sense of superiority, thinking that he can control creatures far more dangerous than he realizes.

Vic Hoskins Jurassic World
Credit: Universal Studios

His obsession with turning the raptors into tools for war is not just unethical but downright foolish. Hoskins’ arc is a perfect example of the series’ theme of the dangers of unchecked ambition. While he doesn’t have the personal charisma of some of the other villains, Hoskins is a stark reminder of the hubris that can lead to disaster.


2. Peter Ludlow – The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

Peter Ludlow (Arliss Howard) is the villain in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and he brings a level of corporate greed and incompetence that serves as the catalyst for the chaos on Isla Sorna. As the nephew of the late John Hammond, Ludlow sees himself as a worthy successor to his uncle’s legacy, but his lust for profit leads him to make reckless decisions that put everyone in danger.

Peter Ludlow The Lost World Jurassic Park
Credit: Universal Studios

What makes Ludlow so compelling is how much he contrasts with Hammond’s character. While Hammond is a dreamer and an idealist, Ludlow is purely focused on the bottom line. His decision to capture dinosaurs and bring them back to the mainland for a profit is the height of arrogance. Ludlow’s interaction with Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) is one of the highlights of the film, and his death is one of the most satisfying in the entire series.


1. Dennis Nedry – Jurassic Park (1993)

Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight) is, without a doubt, the most iconic villain in the Jurassic Park franchise. Though he might not fit the traditional mold of a villain, his actions are the reason the entire park’s security system crashes and the dinosaurs are unleashed on the island. Nedry’s greed, laziness, and incompetence lead to the collapse of Jurassic Park, setting the stage for the chaos that follows.

Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight) looking nervous in the control room in 'Jurassic Park'
Credit: Universal Studios

What makes Nedry stand out is how relatable his villainy is. He’s not a grand mastermind, but rather a disgruntled employee who is trying to get a quick payday by stealing dinosaur embryos. His flawed character and his subsequent downfall make him a memorable and essential part of Jurassic Park history. Plus, his death, with the infamous Barbasol can of embryos, has become a classic moment in cinema.


Honorable Mentions:

  • Mazer Rackham – Jurassic World: Dominion (2022): A newer addition to the franchise, Mazer is a strong presence, with his motivations remaining unclear, but the film has yet to showcase his full potential.
  • Dr. John Hammond – Jurassic Park (1993): While technically not a villain, Hammond’s moral flaws and irresponsible decisions play a pivotal role in the downfall of Jurassic Park, blurring the line between hero and antihero.

Final Thoughts on Jurassic Park Villains:

The Jurassic Park franchise thrives on its blend of science fiction, adventure, and, of course, villainy. While the dinosaurs are the stars, it’s the human villains who add the depth, complexity, and moral quandaries that make the series so captivating. Whether they’re driven by greed, ambition, or ignorance, these villains contribute to the larger-than-life spectacle that is Jurassic Park. And with Jurassic World: Dominion on the horizon, we can expect even more unforgettable antagonists to join the ranks.

How would you rank the villains in Jurassic Park? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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