Newly published UK tax filings have revealed that “Jurassic World: Dominion” holds the title of the most expensive film ever produced.
According to reports from Forbes and The Guardian, the 2022 instalment—marking the conclusion of the Jurassic World trilogy and the sixth entry in the broader franchise—racked up a staggering production cost of $584M. That figure narrowly surpasses the previous record-holder, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which cost an estimated $512M.
That said, ‘Dominion’ didn’t bear its hefty price tag alone. The UK government provided a substantial boost via its film tax relief program, contributing around $115M—the largest amount ever awarded to a single film under the initiative since it began in 2007. An additional $3.7M was covered by the UK’s COVID-related job retention scheme. This brought the net cost down to approximately $465M (still a record).
A significant factor driving up the budget? The timing. Much of the movie was shot during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cast spent five months quarantining at the upscale Langley hotel near Pinewood Studios, living in a controlled bubble that doubled as both accommodation and safety measure.
Previously, industry insiders had floated a much lower budget figure of $265M for the film. So what caused the $200M discrepancy? That remains unclear.
Despite the inflated budget and lukewarm critical reception,’ Dominion’ brought in over $1 billion globally. Early profit estimates from Deadline suggested net earnings between $229M and $235M, but those calculations may not have accounted for the full costs—raising the possibility that the film was actually a financial loss.
In hindsight, Universal’s decision to reboot the series makes more sense now. The next film, titled “Jurassic World Rebirth,” will introduce a new cast, leaving behind franchise veterans Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. It’s also expected to have a more restrained budget of $265 million.