What Dinosaurs are in the Meg 2: The Trench?

While the original Meg movie focussed on just the massive prehistoric shark megalodon, the Meg 2: The Trench, its upcoming sequel, is expanding that into dinosaurs, prehistoric marine reptiles and very likely some prehistoric fish as well. The movie is not released until August the 4th 2023, so we have had to use the teaser trailer, rumors and the books the movies are based on to make some educated guesses on what dinosaurs and other creatures we will see in the Meg 2: The Trench Movie.

The upcoming megalodon sequel movie The Meg 2: The Trench will include more than three prehistoric Megalodon Sharks. Other prehistoric animals include Marine reptiles like nothosaurus, Giant octopus / kraken and a species of deep sea worm.

The base materials for the Meg movies, including the sequel Meg 2, are the Meg series of novels by Steve Alten which also focus on Jonas Taylor and we have included as many prehistoric creatures from those on this page to decide what dinosaurs and other animals will be in the upcoming Meg 2: The Trench Movie. We will update as the information becomes available. So bookmark if you want to be kept updated.

Below this table we have a section on each animal, just briefly or this page would be even bigger than it is, to give you some ideas of what type of prehistoric animal it was and how it is depicted in the movie and novels. We will also update this as trailers are released and when we recognize what prehistoric animal delights we can expect come August the 4th!

We feel it is important to do this explanation as a Dinosaur site as we have already seen some sites suggest the Kraken is in the movie…. it isn’t … it is a giant octopus! (to be fair where the legend of the Kraken comes from) but still!

Update: August 2nd 9th 2023. The Meg 2: The trench has released

and we have updated the table below. We have a feeling that the Apex predator in the sequel they refer to in the trailer will turn out not to be a megalodon however for the following reasons.

1. In the book the pack hunting animals are the kronosaurus which hunt close together for protection against megalodon
2. In the trailer thee megalodon are seen doing this instead
3. nothign is shown when they say ” that’s ther Apex predator”
4. at 1.14 seconds in there is a large, reptilian eye seen opening behind a diver.
5. this is likely to be either a Liopleurodon ( like in the later books) a HUGE kronosaurus, or possibly a Mosasaurus if they go with more commonly ( thanks Jurassic World) marine reptile.

Annnnnnd we were wrong, it was the battle scarred Meg from the trailer!

Just our Hunch!

You can check out the other possibilities for dinosaurs, marine reptiles and other animals and creatures in the Meg 2: the trench movie below, we are sure they are going with the theory more dinosaurs means bigger box office results!

Table 1: Possible Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals in The Meg 2: The Trench movie.

Prehistoric Animal	Length (m/ft)	Weight (kg/lbs)	Time Period (MYA) / Geological Period	Fictional Size in Movie or Novel – Meg Series.	In the Meg 2: The Trench?
Megalodon	18-20 m / 59-66 ft	48,000-100,000 kg / 105,821-220,462 lbs	23-2.6 MYA / Miocene-Pliocene	72 feet in “The Meg” We guess 100 Feet in the Meg 2: The Trench	Yes
Kronosaurus	10-12 m / 33-39 ft	8,000-10,000 kg / 17,636-22,046 lbs	100-70 MYA / Cretaceous	40-50 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Liopleurodon	7.5-10 m / 25-33 ft	2,000-3,000 kg / 4,409-6,614 lbs	160-155 MYA / Jurassic	122 feet in the Meg Series of Books	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Plesiosaurs	3-14 m / 10-46 ft	500-5,000 kg / 1,102-11,023 lbs	201-66 MYA / Jurassic-Cretaceous	45 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Elasmosaurus	10-14 m / 33-46 ft	2,000-4,000 kg / 4,409-8,818 lbs	80-70 MYA / Cretaceous	45 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Livyatan	13-17 m / 43-56 ft	50,000-60,000 kg / 110,231-132,277 lbs	9-5 MYA / Miocene	70 – 80 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Leedsichthys	16-17 m / 52-56 ft	20,000-40,000 kg / 44,092-88,184 lbs	160-155 MYA / Jurassic	70-85 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Dunkleosteus	6-10 m / 20-33 ft	1,000-4,000 kg / 2,205-8,818 lbs.	358-382 MYA / Devonian	30 Feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Mosasaurus	14-18 m / 46-59 ft	5,000-15,000 kg / 11,023-33,069 lbs	70-66 MYA / Cretaceous	50 feet +	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Helicoprion	3-4 m / 10-13 ft	300-500 kg / 661-1,102 lbs.	290-251 MYA / Permian	7-8 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Shonisaurus / Shastasaurus	22-24 m / 72-79 ft	20,000-30,000 kg / 44,092-66,139 lbs.	245-230 MYA / Triassic	85 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Giant Octopus	Up to 13 m / Up to 43 ft	Up to 275 kg / 606 lbs.	alive today	40 feet	Yes, a kraken like giant Octopus is in the Meg 2
Titanoboa	12-15 m / 39-49 ft	1,135 kg / 2,500 lbs.	58-60 MYA / Paleocene	180 feet! In the most recent Meg generations Book	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Xiphactinus	5-6 m / 18 -20ft	220-450 kg / 500 – 1000 lbs	112 – 66 MYA / Late Cretaceous	45 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Edestus	6.7 m / 22 feet	2000 kg / 4400 lbs	313–307 / Carboniferous	12 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Nothosaurus	4 m / 13 feet	70 – 90 kg / 150 – 200 lbs	240 – 210 MYA / Triassic	13 feet	Yes, we think it is really had to say what these are.
Cameroceras	6-7 m / 20 feet	900 kg / 2000 lbs	470–425 MYA / Middle Ordovician	25 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Archelon	4.6 m / 15 feet	3200 kg / 6700 lbs.	80 – 74 MYA / Cretaceous	16 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Hybodus	3 metres / 10 feet	40-90 kg / 100 – 200 Lbs	200 MYA, / Jurassic	6 feet	Not in Meg 2:The Trench
Unknown Sea Worm possibly archaeopriapulida worms	Unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	at 1.20 in trailer, might be a type of lamprey as well.

if you are looking for cool dinosaur stuff like movies, masks, fossils, books toys, models and so much more we have put in the ground work for you and have collected some of our favorites here for you to browse over.

Prehistoric Animals and Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: The Trench

Here we have a little information about each of the animals that appear in the sequel Meg 2: The Trench Movie (or may appear) and will give an image, a link, or both where we can have it. So you can learn more.

These are all mentioned in the 6 current novels, (another to be released soon) or have already appeared in either the Original Meg movie, or the trailers for the Sequel to it. Again we will update as we find out more, and have actually reached out to Steve alten the author of the Meg Series to see which ones we missed ( if any)

Megalodon vs. Kraken!

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Megalodon

if you are here on this page you probably are fully aware that megalodon was a large prehistoric shark that could grow to, on current estimates, 60 feet at its maximum, though more likely 30-40 feet. With a huge teeth filled mouth it is the largest shark of all time. perhaps not quite as big as you are about to see on the big screen in the Meg 2 the trench however!

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: HAHAHA yeah the prehistoric shark is, unsurprisingly, featured in the move and the books! In fact there are at least three megalodon sharks in the movie.

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Kronosaurus

Kronosaurus was a massive marine reptile that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 125 to 100 million years ago. It inhabited the warm, shallow seas of what is now Australia and South America. Measuring up to 33 feet (10 meters) in length.

Appearance in Meg 2: We are pretty confident kronosaurus and other carnivore marine reptiles are appearing in the Meg 2: The Trench. In the books its first appearance is in the Trench ( book 2) as well and hunts in packs. In the trailer a reptilian eye is seen opening that may be a kronosaurus or a Liopleurodon.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

* looking back we actually think it may be a Kraken type giant octopus eye opening with the swirling sand being the tentacles moving now. we discuss this here.

Megalodon vs. Kraken!

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Tyrannosaurus Rex

The Tyrannosaurus Rex, or T-Rex, was a huge carnivore dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 68 to 66 million years ago, in what is now North America. It reached up to 40 feet (12.3 meters) in length and weighed around 9 tons.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: The T-Rex is definitely in the sequel movie, although for a very short time at the beginning where it is eaten by a megalodon. ( we think as a message to Jurassic Park!) The scene it appears in is actually in the first book, and our thoughts are fans really wanted to see it, so it’s been slid in to open the Meg 2: The Trench movie. though not for long…

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Shantungosaurus

Shantungosaurus was a gigantic herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 83 to 70 million years ago, in what is now China. Measuring up to 50 feet (15 meters) in length and weighing up to 16 tons, it is one of the largest known hadrosaurids.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: Well this one we are not sure, however in the book this is the dinosaur that the T-Rex in hunting before it is eaten by the Meg. in the trailer for the Meg 2 the dinosaurs / lizards are eating an insect and are certainly not this size! Although there is a corpse of a dinosaur on the beach that may be this dinosaur.

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Liopleurodon

Liopleurodon was a large marine reptile that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 160 to 155 million years ago, in the seas of what is now Europe. Growing up to 23 feet (7 meters) in length,

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: This marine reptile is features in later books both as an adult and a juvenile. it is HUGE in the book at 122 feet. We expect this dinosaur to make an appearance in the sequel Meg 2: The trench either at the end to hint at a sequel or as a main creature during the movie. We have to be honest here, we are guessing but… during the trailer they say the following:

that’s the apex predator

Meg 2: The trench

We have a feeling that this will be a big reveal in the movies, to be either the Liopleurodon or a mega sized kronosaurus that will at some point do battle with the three megs. reversing the pack of kronosaurus from the books and making it the top predator.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Dinosaurs in The Meg: Plesiosaurs (Elasmosaurus):

Elasmosaurus was a type of plesiosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80 to 70 million years ago, in the seas of what is now North America. This marine reptile measured up to 46 feet (14 meters) in length, with an exceptionally long neck comprising nearly half of its total size.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: We think this will appear in the sequel movie as a background creature, as it does in the Meg series of books.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Dinosaurs in The Meg: Livyatan (Sperm Whale):

Livyatan, also known as the giant sperm whale, was a massive marine predator that lived during the Miocene epoch, around 12 to 13 million years ago, in the waters of what is now Peru. It reached up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length and had a huge head with powerful jaws, armed with enormous, sharp teeth.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: Although this prehistoric Sperm whale appears in the most recent two Meg books by Steve Alten we don’t think it will appear in the Meg 2: The Trench. Though maybe in a sequel movie down the line.

Dinosaurs in The Meg: Leedsichthys

Leedsichthys was a gigantic, filter-feeding fish that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, around 165 million years ago, in the seas of what is now Europe. It is estimated to have grown up to 50 feet (16 meters) in length, making it one of the largest fish ever to have existed.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: In the Meg books this appears as a food species for the other predators ( they have to eat something big!) we are not sure if it is in the Meg 2: The trench movie, but if they are heading there it really should be.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Dinosaurs in The Meg: Dunkleosteus:

Dunkleosteus was a prehistoric armored fish that lived during the Late Devonian period, about 380 to 360 million years ago, in the oceans of what is now North America, Europe, and Africa. Measuring up to 20 feet (6 meters) in length, it had a heavily armored head, and instead of teeth, it had bony plates that formed powerful, shearing jaws.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: It does appear in the fourth book ( Hells Aquarium) though as an aquarium exhibit although 10 feet bigger. We are unsure if they will make an appearance in the movie this time round yet.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Dinosaurs in The Meg: Mosasaurus:

Mosasaurus was a large marine reptile that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 70 to 66 million years ago, in the seas of what is now Europe and North America. It grew up to 50 feet (15 meters) in length and had a powerful, elongated body with strong jaws and sharp teeth.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: Mosasaurus has made an appearance in Jurassic World (over twice its real size) and we expect it to appear in the Meg 2 as well as one of the marine reptiles that escapes the Mariana Trench or at least as a Liopleurodon or kronosaurus which were similar.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Helicoprion:

Helicoprion was a bizarre, prehistoric shark-like fish that lived during the Early Permian period, around 290 million years ago, in the oceans of what is now North America and Asia. It measured up to 24 feet (7.5 meters) in length and is most well-known for its unique spiral tooth arrangement, known as a “tooth whorl,” located in its lower jaw.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: Although this does appear in the Meg series of books it is not a main creature. So it may appear in the background of the sequel to the meg movie. it does account for one of the more gory deaths in the books.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Shastasaurus:

Shastasaurus / Shonisaurus was a massive marine reptile that lived during the Late Triassic period, around 215 to 205 million years ago, in the oceans of what is now North America and China. It was a type of ichthyosaur, reaching up to 69 feet (21 meters) in length, making it the largest known ichthyosaur and one of the largest marine reptiles ever to have existed.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: Even though Shastasaurus was one of the largest ever marine reptiles we will be pleasantly surprised if it makes its way into the movie. Although huge it is not quite as scary as the other prehistoric animals and dinosaurs on this list.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Giant octopus:

The Giant octopus is a deep-sea dwelling cephalopod that is still alive today, . It is one of the largest known invertebrates, reaching lengths of up to 15 feet (4 meters) including their tentacles.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: The Giant Octopus (or possibly a Kraken) is definitely in the Movie, actually a simialr animal is in the original Meg movie as well as in the sequel Meg 2: The trench movie it is seen taking on a helicopter and a floating resort and it absolutely MASSIVE!

Titanoboa:

Titanoboa was an enormous snake that lived during the Paleocene epoch, around 60 to 58 million years ago, in what is now South America. It is the largest known snake to have ever existed, reaching lengths of up to 42 feet (13 meters) and weighing over a ton.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: We think there is zero chance of the Titanoboa appearing in the meg 2 movie. You can read about it in the most recent book, all 180 feet of it! but we cant see it appearing in the movie versions just yet.

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Xiphactinus:

Xiphactinus was a large predatory fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 85 to 65 million years ago, in the oceans of what is now North America and Europe. It measured up to 20 feet (6 meters) in length and had a streamlined body with sharp, fang-like teeth, perfect for catching its prey.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: As a prehistoric fish rather than a marine reptile we will be a little surprised if it appears as anything other than background footage.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Edestus:

Edestus, also known as the scissor-tooth shark, was a prehistoric shark-like fish that lived during the Late Carboniferous to the Early Permian period, around 305 to 280 million years ago. It grew up to 20 feet (6 meters) in length and had an unusual jaw structure, with curved, scissor-like teeth that jutted out from its mouth.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: it would be cool to see some the prehistoric sharks, the Meg may have been biggest but earlier sharks were definitely the weirdest and both Edestus and Helicoprion would be a welcome addition. We think they may make an appearance in some shape or form in the Meg 2: the Trench.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Nothosaurus:

Nothosaurus was a semi-aquatic marine reptile that lived during the Triassic period, around 240 to 210 million years ago, in the shallow coastal waters of what is now Europe and China. It measured up to 13 feet (4 meters) in length and had an elongated body, long neck, and paddle-like limbs.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: Already has made ( probably) an appearance in another dinosaur movie this year with 65. ( you can see the dinosaurs in 65 here on this page) but it is scary and toothy so its an outside bet for some of the land attacks we know are in the movie.

Update: now that the tailer has landed we can see some thing that looks like the Nothosaurus, though bulkier, in the megs mouth, at the beginning of the trailer and later attacking people so yes this or something very similar is definitely on of the dinosaurs / marine retiles in the Meg 2 The Trench

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Cameroceras:

Cameroceras was a large, prehistoric cephalopod that lived during the Ordovician period, around 470 to 460 million years ago, in the oceans of what is now North America and Europe. It is estimated to have reached lengths of up to 20 feet (6 meters) and had a long, conical shell that housed its body.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: We think it unlikely to make an meaningful appearance but again if the movie is at least partly in the trench then they would be in the background.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Archelon:

Archelon was a gigantic marine turtle that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 80 to 74 million years ago, in the shallow seas of what is now North America. It reached up to 13 feet (4 meters) in length and had a massive, leather-like shell rather than a solid, bony one.

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: We have a feeling that this may be used in a similar way to the whales in the first movie…. as food!

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Hybodus:

Hybodus was a prehistoric shark that lived during the Late Permian to the Late Cretaceous period, around 260 to 66 million years ago, in the oceans worldwide. It grew up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) in length and had a unique dental structure, with sharp cutting teeth at the front and crushing teeth at the back. .

Appearance in the Meg 2: The Trench: As we mentioned above it would be good to give some attention to other prehistoric sharks, and we do know that Jonas is almost eaten by a shark in the trailer, we are just not sure if it is the Megalodon or not.

*August 2nd update we have now seen the movie and these do not appear in the Meg 2:The Trench, it looks like we have to wait till the Meg 3.

Dinosaurs in The Meg 2: Archaeopriapulida worms

in the trailer there is the briefest of brief glances of a multiple toothed worm like creature rushing towards the camera ( 1.20 ish in the trailer) which may be based on these prehistoric worms. these did live about 4-500 million years ago but I’m going to guess that fact is glossed over.

however, this type of worm was in the other creature feature movie Deep Rising from the 90’s so if it is based on that its a welcome return!

Conclusion

The Warner Brothers sequel to the Meg -the Meg 2: the trench releases on August the 4th Worldwide. it even has a 3d option. it was written by ben and Jon Wheatley from the series of books by Steve Alten and follows rescue diver Jonas Taylor and many returning members of the cast as he once again comes face to face with the massive prehistoric shark.

You can find the first meg movie on your Tv on many Streaming services to wet your appetite and we will have to wait for August to see how the next meg chapter does at the box office.

Other Megalodon resources.

• How big was megalodon?
• The Meg 2: The Trench Teaser Trailer
• Best Megalodon movies
• What was the bite force of the Megalodon
• How to find megalodon teeth?
• Are megalodon alive today?
• Meg Vs a blue Whale?
• How realistic is the shark in The Meg?
• What was the Black Demon Shark
• Howe Big was Mosasaurus?
• How big was Kronosaurus