The Dinosaurs is a 2026 British-American documentary series in the nature, science, and educational genres.
It is directed by Dan Tapster, Keith Scholey, and Alastair Fothergill, with executive production by Steven Spielberg through Amblin Documentaries.
The series is narrated by Morgan Freeman and features visual effects by Industrial Light & Magic. The four-part series explores the full 170-million-year reign of dinosaurs, from their Triassic origins to their extinction, using the latest paleontological research. The Dinosaurs premieres globally on March 6, 2026, exclusively on Netflix.
The Dinosaurs Age Rating
The Dinosaurs is officially rated TV-PG, meaning parental guidance is suggested due to realistic depictions of animal behavior and emotionally intense material. While educational in nature, the series presents survival, hunting, and extinction events with cinematic realism that may be unsettling for younger children.
Parents Guide
Violence and Nature’s Rawness: As a nature documentary, the show features scenes of predation and territorial combat. You will see dinosaurs hunting, fighting, and occasionally consuming other animals. While not gratuitously gory, these scenes are photorealistic and may be intense for very young children.
Emotional Intensity: The series chronicles the extinction of these creatures. The final episode’s depiction of the asteroid impact and the subsequent loss of life is emotionally heavy and may require discussion with younger viewers.
Educational Value: The language used is sophisticated but accessible. It introduces concepts of evolution, climate change, and biology, making it an excellent resource for students.
Visual Intensity: Some segments involve nighttime hunting or deep-sea predators (like the Mosasaurus) that use suspenseful “jump” moments common in wildlife filmmaking.
Is The Dinosaurs Suitable for Kids?
Ages 5–7: With Guidance Young children may find hunting scenes and extinction imagery scary, especially nighttime or ocean sequences.
Ages 8–11: Yes, With Parental Support Most children in this range can handle the content, though parents should be ready to explain death and survival concepts.
Ages 12+: Yes The series is highly suitable for teens, particularly those interested in science, history, or dinosaurs.
Overall recommendation: Best suited for ages 8 and up, with co-viewing encouraged for younger audiences.
What Parents Can Do
Watch Together: This is a perfect “co-viewing” show for families. Use the depictions of different eras (Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous) to discuss how the Earth has changed over millions of years.
Highlight the Science: Encourage your kids to look up the “new” versions of these dinosaurs—many now feature feathers or different postures than the ones seen in older movies.
Address the Extinction: Since the show deals with a global catastrophe, it’s a good opening to talk about the resilience of life and how some lineages (like birds) actually survived.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: Is this a sequel to Jurassic Park?
A: No. While Steven Spielberg is the executive producer, The Dinosaurs is a factual documentary series, not a fictional film.
Q: How many episodes are there?
A: The series consists of four episodes, each approximately one hour long, released simultaneously.
Q: Are the dinosaurs in this show accurate?
A: Yes. The production worked closely with paleontologists to reflect current scientific consensus, including updated anatomy and feathered species.
Q: Is it okay for a 5-year-old?
A: Due to the TV-PG rating and realistic predator-versus-prey scenes, some 5-year-olds may find it scary. Parental discretion is advised.
Q: Is The Dinosaurs appropriate for kids?
A: It can be suitable for children aged 8 and up, but younger kids may need parental guidance.
Q: Are there scary scenes in the series?
A: Yes. Hunting, fights, and extinction events are portrayed realistically and may feel intense.
Q: Where can I watch The Dinosaurs?
A: All four episodes will stream exclusively on Netflix starting March 6, 2026.