Ever since the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, the Indiana Jones movies have become one of the most popular film franchises of all time. From the brilliant minds of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, the series boasts sci-fi elements reminiscent of George Lucas’ Star Wars and the thrills of Spielberg’s works, such as Jaws.
The franchise’s last installment, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), revived the series after a 15-year hiatus. While advertised as the final film in the franchise, the possibilities of reboots and spin-offs maintain Indiana Jones' relevancy. Viewers interested in catching up or refreshing their memory of the franchise can use our guide to find out how to watch every Indiana Jones movie in order on platforms like Disney+, Prime Video, and more.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Raiders of the Lost Ark is the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise. It tells the swashbuckling tale of archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), as he races against Nazi Germany to uncover the Ark of the Covenant.
Raiders of the Lost Ark remains appealing for the same reasons it broke into mainstream success in the 1980s. The film is stylish, riveting, funny, and boasts an irresistible sense of adventure alongside a brave and intelligent lead hero. It proves just how much fun the cinema can be and captures the joy of adventure and imagination. Viewers looking for an adventure as daring and flamboyant as Pirates of the Caribbean need to look no further than Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom serves as a prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark, featuring Jones on a new adventure to free a village from an ancient force of evil.
The sequel is as stylish and riveting as the original while boasting a slightly darker tone. It’s a bit more reminiscent of Spielberg’s other hit movie, Jurassic Park (1993), in that it goes to darker and more comedic places, but maintains a sense of excitement and exhilaration. If you weren’t too squeamish for Jurassic Park and The Mummy (1999), you won’t mind Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’s light horror and will enjoy its creativity and freshness.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade sees the return of both Indiana Jones and his Nazi enemies, as he sets out on a mission to rescue his kidnapped father (Sean Connery).
Viewers who loved the original movie will especially love that Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade returns to its roots, with a comedic, lighthearted tone and breakneck pace. It is one of the most zany, off-the-wall, exhilarating, and adventuresome installments in the franchise. Meanwhile, the action isn’t the only merit of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Ford and Connery make a superb and dynamic duo with excellent, witty dialogue. Like the original Indiana Jones movies and The Mask of Zorro (1998), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade offers a grand adventure that few films can match.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a sequel to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Set in the 1950s, it puts a Cold War spin on Indiana Jones, as he vies with the Soviets’ KGB agents for a telepathic crystal skull.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull makes some changes to the franchise, experimenting with CGI and a story that leans more into sci-fi than history and mysticism. Still, it maintains the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones and will make viewers nostalgic for the ‘80s movies. Viewers who like family-friendly sci-fi fantasy adventures that don’t take themselves too seriously, like Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008), will enjoy Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, especially if they temper their expectations and don’t go in expecting it to eclipse its predecessors.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the fifth and final installment in the Indiana Jones film series. The film takes place in 1969 and sees Jones and his goddaughter Helen (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) race against NASA scientist and former Nazi Dr. Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen) to find an artifact with time-traveling powers.
As with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny blends action and adventure with sci-fi elements. Still, it embraces the spirit and sense of adventure of the older movies, as well as its penchant for outlandish tales. However, it works best as a proper send-off for Ford’s Indiana Jones. Viewers looking for one last hurrah with one of cinema’s greatest action heroes and who are open to films that are pure fun and lighthearted entertainment will love Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
