At its core, "The Dinosaurs" is the latest collaboration between Netflix, Amblin Documentaries, and Silverback Films. Long-standing partners in large-scale visual storytelling, this creative team is best known for the critically recognized Life on Our Planet (2023), a sweeping natural history series also executive produced by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Morgan Freeman. For this new venture, Spielberg returns as an executive producer, once again helping shape a narrative that blends scientific inquiry with cinematic spectacle.
The format here is familiar in ambition but fresh in focus: four hour-long episodes designed to immerse viewers in the Mesozoic era, from the humble origins of early dinosaur ancestors like Marasuchus to the titanic giants such as Plateosaurus and Mamenchisaurus, and finally to the cataclysmic Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that brought their reign to an end.
Narration by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman ties the series together. Freeman’s deep, resonant voice has become something of a signature in natural history storytelling, having previously guided audiences through Life on Our Planet and other large-scale docuseries. His presence adds both gravitas and continuity to Netflix’s ever-expanding portfolio of science and nature programming. The decision to re-engage Freeman underscores Netflix’s intent to treat this project with a level of seriousness and emotional depth more typical of theatrical documentaries.
Behind the scenes, The Dinosaurs brings together some of the most respected names in wildlife filmmaking. Showrunners Dan Tapster, Keith Scholey, and Alastair Fothergill—whose credits include major natural history productions—shape the narrative arc across geological epochs, while director Nick Shoolingin-Jordan oversees the visual realization of prehistoric worlds. Silverback Films, part of All3Media Group, houses the project’s core creative team; their prior work includes collaborations with the BBC and National Geographic on landmark series like Our Planet.
Much of The Dinosaurs’ visual ambition stems from its partnership with Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the effects house founded by George Lucas and famed for its work on franchises such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Back to the Future. ILM’s role here extends beyond simple animation, using photorealistic creature modeling, environments, and atmospheric effects to recreate ecosystems that have not existed for tens of millions of years. Composer Lorne Balfe, known for his sweeping scores in both film and television, provides a cinematic musical backdrop that further elevates the series beyond the educational into the realm of narrative drama.
While The Dinosaurs leverages groundbreaking technology and narrative expertise, its foundation lies in up-to-date paleontological research. The series promises to explore not just the iconic dinosaur species familiar to popular culture, but also lesser-known organisms and evolutionary milestones, from the earliest proto-dinosaurs to the apex predators that defined the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
The broader context for this series is a cultural appetite for scientifically grounded, visually compelling storytelling that blurs the line between traditional documentary and cinematic experience. The Dinosaurs arrives at a time when streaming platforms are pushing the boundaries of what natural history series can achieve, appealing to family audiences, dinosaur enthusiasts, and fans of spectacle alike. Netflix’s continued investment in documentary content underscores the platform’s strategy to diversify beyond scripted dramas and comedies, positioning science programming as a major pillar of its global slate.
Ultimately, The Dinosaurs stands as a testament to how far audience expectations for prehistoric storytelling have evolved. Through its blend of cutting-edge visual effects, authoritative narration, and robust scientific consulting, Netflix aims to offer not just an educational chronicle of ancient life but a cultural event in its own right—one that could redefine how millions around the world visualize Earth’s distant past.
Social Plugin