If there is something that I hate about growing up, it is that people stop asking you what your favourite dinosaur is. Despite this, most of us still have one. For me, it is Tyrannosaurus rex. Those of you reading this now are probably thinking that answer is a bit basic and I should try to come up with something a little more original. However, it is the species of dinosaur that for over 120 years has fuelled our passion for this group of extinct reptiles. You ask anyone to name a dinosaur and Tyrannosaurus rex will always be in the first three listed. That sets the scene nicely for the following documentary film. From the moment Why Dinosaurs? begins, it makes an ambitious promise, not merely to recount the history of long-extinct animals, but to investigate a far more profound question, why dinosaurs continue to fascinate us. This is not a typical palaeontology documentary dominated by sweeping CGI or narrated by the voice of a celebrity. Instead, it is a personal, global, and surprisingly human story about curiosity, passion, culture, and science, seen through the lens of a teenage dinosaur enthusiast and his father, and it largely succeeds on its own terms.

At first glance, the premise seems simple. Why Dinosaurs? is about layers, the layer of deep time that separates us from the Mesozoic Era, the layer of cultural history that folds blockbuster films into museum walls, and the personal layer (the emotional connective tissue) that binds us to these prehistoric creatures. What unfolds over its roughly 90-minute runtime is not just a documentary about ancient reptiles, but a meditation on human fascination, storytelling, and scientific discovery. In a genre often dominated by sweeping visuals of prehistoric ecosystems and standard scientific exposition, Why Dinosaurs? takes a decidedly different tack. Rather than using computer-generated reconstructions as its primary spectacle, the film leans into verité textures including real digs, conversations, classroom scenes, museum corridors, personal collections, and fan communities to build its vision. This stylistic choice gives the film a grounded, relatable feel that anchors big ideas in personal experience. This approach sets it apart from documentaries that treat dinosaurs as purely visual set pieces. Instead, dinosaurs become a prism through which we explore cultural memory, scientific curiosity, and emotional resonance. Critics and audiences alike have noted that the film’s emotional undercurrent (especially its father-son dynamic between host and director) gives it greater depth than many other palaeontology films that focus solely on facts and visuals.

The heart of Why Dinosaurs? is undeniably the relationship between James Pinto, a passionate teenage palaeontology enthusiast, and his father, Tony Pinto, a filmmaker. Their dynamic invites the viewer into a very human story, not just of scientific exploration, but of generational curiosity, mentorship, and the shared joy of discovery. This emotional through-line is a standout feature that elevates the film beyond simple science communication. Unlike most dinosaur films that begin and end with the creatures themselves, Why Dinosaurs? begins and ends with people. It asks not just ‘what were dinosaurs like?’ but ‘why do we love them?’, a question that turns audiences inward as much as it turns them back in time. This links back to my previous point on Tyrannosaurus rex, the reason it ranks so highly among people is its power to capture or imagination and help us connect with their long-lost world. That reflective quality is rare in dinosaur documentaries, and it is among the movie’s greatest strengths.

One of the film’s most remarkable achievements is its breadth of perspective. Rather than limiting itself to a few talking heads, Why Dinosaurs? features an ensemble cast of nearly 70 interviewees, including world-renowned palaeontologists, amateur fossil hunters, paleo artists, filmmakers, and die-hard dinosaur fans from across the globe. It was great to see a number of familiar faces within the film, including some British representation from our very own Dr Dean Lomax. This diversity of voices does several things. First, it demonstrates the global reach of dinosaur fascination, from academic laboratories to private collections. It shows that palaeontology is a living, evolving science, with new discoveries and ideas emerging constantly. Finally, it highlights the cultural impact of dinosaurs, from blockbuster films like Jurassic Park and Jurassic World to museum displays, toys, games, and social media communities. By not privileging one perspective over another, the film paints a holistic portrait of dinosaur culture, one that includes scientists and fans alike, and places them on a continuum of curiosity.

The documentary does more than showcase renovated museum exhibits or elaborate CGI. Some of its most compelling moments come from real fieldwork, the excavation of 150-million-year-old bones, conversations in dusty dig sites, and moments of quiet discovery that remind viewers that palaeontology is messy, unpredictable, and, at heart, a human endeavour. It is in these moments that the film reveals one of its most important messages, palaeontology is accessible. Science isn’t distant or esoteric, it is a pursuit that begins with curiosity, and can lead anyone (even a teenage enthusiast) to find a place in its narratives. What makes Why Dinosaurs? resonate is not simply its subject matter, it is the film’s willingness to explore the idea of wonder itself. Dinosaurs, with their unimaginable sizes, mysterious lives, and dramatic extinction, are natural catalysts for awe. But this documentary digs deeper, it asks why this awe persists, why it compels adults and children alike, and why ancient fossils can still make us feel small and significant at the same time. The film’s exploration of wonder becomes a mirror. It shows how humans connect emotionally to the past, and how that connection shapes who we are in the present.

Quite uniquely, Why Dinosaurs? acknowledges the role of popular culture (films, toys, games, museum exhibits) in sustaining and shaping our dinosaur fascination. By tracking down filmmakers involved in the Jurassic Park franchise and visiting the world’s largest dinosaur toy collection, the documentary shows how storytelling and media have become intertwined with scientific interest. This isn’t a superficial addition. It’s an essential one, the cultural memory of dinosaurs (the way we see them, imagine them, and play with them) profoundly influences how new generations come to science. The film shows that palaeontology is not isolated from culture, it is culture. If it wasn’t for films within the Jurassic Park franchise, it is very likely that palaeontology would not be awash with students and academics that were inspired by those films, to go out and study how to collect and preserve dinosaur bones. That legacy is powerful and one I hadn’t considered before. Despite the scientific inaccuracies (some of which are addressed within the film), that is a powerful legacy to have.

Although Why Dinosaurs? deliberately eschews the flashy CGI that has become commonplace in dinosaur filmmaking, it still delivers visually. The documentary’s cinematography leans into authenticity, museum halls bathed in golden light, sweeping landscapes above dig sites, close-ups on fossils in the hands of researchers, and intimate moments between the Pintos. These grounded visuals create a sense of presence. You feel like you are standing in those museum halls, brushing dirt off a fossil, or sitting in on a passionate discussion between scientists. This tactile quality gives the film an immediacy that few dinosaur documentaries can match. Another standout element is the award-winning score, composed by Raphaël Dargent and recorded with the 75-piece Budapest Art Orchestra. Its sweeping orchestral power evokes both the epic scale of prehistoric life and the intimate journey of the father-son duo, providing a musical backbone that elevates emotional moments without overwhelming them. The sound design overall supports the film’s immersive quality. Natural sounds at field sites, the texture of museum ambience, and moments of silence or reflection are orchestrated in ways that enhance focus and curiosity.

Although still relatively new and with limited mainstream reviews, the film has garnered strong praise from audiences and user reviews, particularly on sites like IMDB. Many viewers describe it as one of the best dinosaur documentaries of all time, praising its heart, depth, scientific coverage, diversity of voices, musical score, and emotional resonance. I was lucky enough to be invited to the premiere of the film back in 2024 by the aforementioned Dr Dean Lomax but due to work commitments, was unable to attend. I wish I could have been there, to hear people’s reactions first-hand and see what impact it had on them. When you’re watching these sorts of films at home by yourself, it doesn’t have the same power of watching it with a group of people. However, there are some common themes through my own thoughts and those that have been shared online. These briefly fit into a handful of themes; the film’s comprehensive coverage, from science to culture; its emotional depth, particularly the father-son journey; its balance of education and narrative engagement; and its ability to appeal to audiences of all ages, from children to lifelong dinosaur enthusiasts.

Of course, no documentary is without critique. One practical challenge Why Dinosaurs? has faced is its distribution and visibility. Until recently, potential viewers reported difficulty finding streaming releases or widespread availability outside special screenings and events. However, the film is now available to all on YouTube (it is embedded below), which hopefully amends that issue. I struggled to find anywhere that screened the film outside of specialist conferences or events, all of which clashed with other commitments. Therefore, I am one of the happy 270,000 viewers (at the time of writing) since the release of Why Dinosaurs? on YouTube. Additionally, while the film’s personal and cultural focus is a strength, some viewers seeking a more traditional scientific deep dive or heavy emphasis on palaeontological theory might find that balance less satisfying. The film prioritises human narratives and cultural significance over dry academic detail, and that may not be what every viewer expects from a dinosaur documentary. However, this is a topic that has been covered quite recently in series such as Prehistoric Planet, and film-makers are all too aware about the problems with saturating viewers with too much of the same content.

One might ask, “Do we really need another dinosaur documentary?” After decades of Jurassic Park-inspired films, BBC nature documentaries, and increasingly sophisticated visual reconstructions from different streaming platforms, dinosaurs are everywhere. They’re in bookstores, they’re in the supermarket, they’re even on cans of beer! Yet Why Dinosaurs? finds its purpose not by re-animating dinosaurs, but by probing the question of our relationship to them. This reframing is profound. The film’s central question (why dinosaurs?) is not a literal query about prehistoric ecosystems, but a philosophical question about human wonder, storytelling, identity, and science. It invites viewers not just to admire ancient life, but to examine why that admiration matters. That is a rare and ambitious aim for a documentary about ancient reptiles, and it is what sets this film apart.

In a crowded field of palaeontological media, Why Dinosaurs? stakes out a bold and thoughtful direction. Rather than relying on a CGI spectacle or strict academic presentation, it builds a bridge between science, culture, personal narrative, and wonder. It is a documentary that doesn’t simply tell you what dinosaurs were, but asks why they continue to matter. It balances emotional resonance with scientific insight, accessibility with depth, and nostalgia with forward-looking curiosity. Whether you are a lifelong dinosaur fan, a parent introducing prehistoric life to a child, or someone who cares about why we are drawn to certain stories and images, Why Dinosaurs? has something meaningful to offer. In answering its central question, the film doesn’t provide a final, definitive explanation, but perhaps no such explanation exists. Instead, it gives a mirror, showing us that the reasons we love dinosaurs are as varied, complex, and fascinating as the giants themselves once were. Please enjoy Why Dinosaurs? below and let me know what you thought in the comments.

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