Jurassic World Rebirth: 7 Clever Callbacks to the 1993 Jurassic Park You May Have Missed

Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest addition to the dinosaur franchise, roared into cinemas with a wave of nostalgia. Directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, the film embraces its roots, slipping in several subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods to Steven Spielberg’s 1993 classic Jurassic Park. While screenwriter David Koepp reportedly tried to keep callbacks minimal, Edwards leaned in, weaving references throughout the film that longtime fans will appreciate.

Here are 7 standout Jurassic Park callbacks featured in Jurassic World Rebirth:

1. Mirror Gag: “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear”

One of the most iconic shots from Jurassic Park—a T-Rex in a car mirror—returns with a twist. This time, Rupert Friend’s character Martin Krebs gets the nostalgic rearview shot. Although the full scene didn’t make the final cut, Edwards ensured the signature mirror text appeared in a fleeting moment during a car sequence in New York.

2. Dr. Alan Grant Gets a Subtle Mention

Jonathan Bailey’s character, Henry, casually drops that he studied under Dr. Alan Grant. Fans will spot more references through Henry’s props—a Snakewater dig site patch and a digging tool similar to Grant’s. Edwards treated these as honorary symbols from the original trilogy.

3. Opening Lab Scene Echoes the Original Raptor Attack

Jurassic World Rebirth opens with a flashback featuring a lab error—caused by something as small as a candy wrapper—that leads to a D-Rex breakout. This chaotic scene mirrors Jurassic Park’s raptor pen transfer gone wrong, recreating that same tension-filled tone.

4. A Familiar (Non-Romantic) Chemistry

The dynamic between Bailey and Johansson is reminiscent of Alan and Ellie’s bond in Jurassic Park. Their subtle, unresolved tension nods to Spielberg’s choice to cut a romantic subplot from the original, focusing instead on survival and connection amidst danger.

5. Titanosaurs and the Awe-Inspiring Moment

Rebirth recreates the breathtaking wonder of seeing dinosaurs for the first time—just as Alan and Ellie did with the Brachiosaurus. This time, it's Titanosaurs mid-mating, accompanied by John Williams’ legendary theme, capturing that same feeling of awe.

6. Pelican T-Shirt with a Hidden Message

A blink-and-you-miss-it tribute appears on Isabella’s T-shirt featuring a pelican—a reference to the final scene of Jurassic Park where Alan and the kids see pelicans flying. The shirt reads “Life finds a way” in Spanish. Rebirth offers a twist ending with dolphins instead of birds, suggesting nature’s healing cycle continues.

7. Mutadons and a Raptor-Inspired Chase

The film introduces Mutadons—hybrids of raptors and Pteranodons. Their attack sequence mirrors the original kitchen scene, but this time it’s an abandoned convenience store. A thrilling chase through tunnels evokes the air duct escape of the 1993 film.

A Tribute That Balances Past and Present

Jurassic World Rebirth doesn’t just reboot the franchise—it reveres it. From visual cues and dialogue to emotional echoes, the film celebrates its roots while forging ahead with new characters and fresh threats. Whether you're a hardcore fan or a casual viewer, these Easter eggs deepen the viewing experience and remind us why Jurassic Park remains a cinematic milestone.