Universal Pictures’ latest installment, Jurassic World: Rebirth, delivered a remarkable $218.6 million profit at the box office in 2025, despite earning less than its franchise predecessors. The film’s budget was strategically kept at $254.2 million, under half the spending of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Dominion. Directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson, Rebirth benefited from extensive location shoots in Malta and Thailand, which reduced the reliance on costly studio sets and elaborate artificial jungle environments.

Shooting on location, while traditionally more expensive, proved cost-effective for Rebirth due to the expenses involved in constructing and maintaining realistic studio sets. Edwards’ hands-on approach—including personally operating the camera at times—lent a documentary-style authenticity to the film’s visuals while keeping crew and equipment costs down. The production utilized generous tax rebates, such as a $38 million refund from the United Kingdom, where much of the filming occurred at Sky Studios Elstree, along with rebates from Malta and Thailand, collectively recouping about a third of the shooting expenditures.

The British Film Certificate secured by Saga Productions, Universal’s UK arm, was vital to qualifying for these tax incentives. To achieve this, the production met stringent criteria on content, cast, crew nationality, and filming locations. Key UK-based sets included elaborate constructions like a temple and a 70-foot cliff face, enhancing the film’s production values while maintaining local spending levels required for the refund program. The combination of these fiscal strategies contributed heavily to Rebirth’s profitability, even though its box office haul of $869.1 million was modest compared to prior films.

Following Jurassic World: Rebirth’s financial success, Universal has reportedly greenlit a sequel. However, director Gareth Edwards’ return is uncertain, with J.A. Bayona, who helmed Fallen Kingdom, considered the leading candidate to direct next. Edwards’ keen ability to control production costs—evident from his earlier work on the sci-fi film The Creator—likely played a crucial role in Rebirth’s performance and provides a model for big-budget filmmaking that balances spectacle with fiscal discipline.