Why a 1993 dinosaur film became a box-office bomb despite Spielberg's involvement

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Marketed as the family-friendly counterpart to Jurassic Park, We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story struggled to find its footing. Despite a star-studded voice cast and innovative digital animation, the film failed to connect with audiences, ultimately grossing only $9.3 million and leaving critics divided over its pacing and narrative.

Released in November 1993, We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story was produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblimation studio. The film follows four prehistoric creatures who are transported to modern-day New York City and granted human-level intelligence via 'Brain Grain' cereal. The project faced significant production hurdles, including a script rewrite by John Patrick Shanley that leaned into darker themes, which director Phil Nibbelink reportedly disagreed with. Casting was equally turbulent; John Malkovich was originally slated to voice the antagonist Professor Screweyes but was replaced by Kenneth Mars after Spielberg deemed his performance too frightening.

The film’s commercial performance was underwhelming, with a total worldwide gross of $9.3 million. Industry analysts at the time pointed to the difficulty of competing with Walt Disney Feature Animation, which dominated the market. Critics were largely unimpressed, citing a lack of emotional depth and a convoluted plot. While the animation—notably the use of digital ink-and-paint technology—received praise, reviewers like Roger Ebert criticized the writing as shallow. The film’s pacing was also a frequent target, with many arguing that it prevented the audience from forming meaningful connections with the characters.

Following a poor test screening, Spielberg authorized $1 million in last-minute alterations, including the addition of a musical sequence set during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Despite these efforts, the film struggled to overcome its reputation as a commercial flop. It remains a curious artifact of the 'dinosaur renaissance' of the 1990s, representing an ambitious attempt to capture the cultural mania surrounding prehistoric creatures that ultimately failed to replicate the massive success of its blockbuster sibling, Jurassic Park.

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