We don’t know about you, but our calendars are set to countdown to the release date of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
But if you feel as though June 30, 2023, can’t get here fast enough, maybe it’s worth revisiting all the other movies in the franchise.
So, how many Indiana Jones movies are there, and have you got enough time to watch all of them before premiere night? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
List Of Indiana Jones Movies To Watch
1. Indiana Jones & The Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Release Date: June 12, 1981
Synopsis:
The first installment in the Indiana Jones franchise is the Raiders of the Lost Ark, released on June 12, 1981. Steven Spielberg directed it with George Lucas (of Star Wars fame) as producer and it was a huge box office hit.
Set in 1936, we follow Indiana Jones worldwide — from the US, South America, Africa, to Asia — as he searches for the Ark of the Covenant. This sacred religious item was believed to grant immense, supernatural powers to whoever wielded it.
Indiana Jones learns that the Nazis are also after the same sacred item, but they want its power for something more sinister: world domination.
When Indiana Jones successfully saved the world right before the credits rolled, the entire world fell in love with him. [1]
Check out our top Indiana Jones gifts here.
2. Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom
Release Date: May 23, 1984
Synopsis:
The events in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom happened one year before the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
This movie starts with a bang as our favorite swash-buckling archaeologist survives an assassination attempt in Shanghai, China.
He jumps out of a cargo plane and parachutes into Northern India with his sidekick, Short Round (played by Ke Huy Quan).
They crash onto a village with missing children and a stolen sacred stone, and it’s up to Indy to find out what is happening.
Fun fact: this movie was one the firsts to get a PG-13 rating, whereas, before that, the rating system consisted of G, PG, M, and X. This is mainly due to its more grotesque scenery, including one man’s heart getting ripped out of his chest.
It is also said that Steven Spielberg chose to do a prequel for the second installment as he didn’t want Indy to fight the Nazis again.
3. Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade
Release Date: May 2, 1989
Synopsis:
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade take us back to more familial roots as he teams up with his father, Dr. Henry Jones, Sr. (played by Sean Connery), to fight the Nazis, who are searching far and wide for the Holy Grail.
The events of this movie happen in 1938, two years after the adventures of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
His father spent most of his life searching for this holy relic, which is said to give whoever wielded it the power of immortality.
He goes missing during his search but leaves behind a notebook which Indy uses to track his whereabouts.
4. Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull
Release Date: May 22, 2008
Synopsis:
Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was released 20 years after The Last Crusade, making it the first to experience a time jump. The events here happened in 1957.
A new character named Mutt Williams is introduced to us, played by Shia LaBeouf. He tells an older Indy about how a fellow archaeologist named Harold Oxley discovered a Crystal Skull in Peru and eventually disappeared.
And what do you know? The Russian Soviets, led by Irina Spalko (played by Cate Blanchett), are also after the same artifact!
This is the first film in the series to acquaint us with extraterrestrial elements, apart from the familiar globe-trotting adventures. But how old was Harrison Ford in the movies?
5. Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny
Release Date: June 30, 2023
Synopsis:
They’ve kept pretty mum about the synopsis of the fifth Indiana Jones movie, but what we do know is that it is the first installment that Steven Spielberg won’t direct.
James Mangold, director of the critically-acclaimed movie Logan, takes the wheel on this one.
According to Mads Mikkelsen, who plays ex-Nazi scientist Jürgen Voller in the movie, everyone can expect “something dense and epic.”
They are returning to their original roots (Indy versus the Nazis), and we just can’t wait to see everything unfold.
Should You Watch Indiana Jones Movies In Chronological Order?
Yes, it’s highly important to watch the Indiana Jones movies in chronological order because the events of the past films provide context to their successors.
However, this isn’t to say that this is the only way the movies can be watched — you can definitely watch the films in any way you prefer.
How Do You Watch Indiana Jones Movies?
All four movies in the Indiana Jones franchise are available for streaming on Disney+, which gives you plenty of time before the fifth movie comes out on June 30, 2023.
We recommend watching the movies with friends and family who enjoy watching Indy go on adventures just as much as you do.
Prepare plenty of snacks and drinks and prepare for an epic afternoon filled with fun escapades!
FAQs
Are there any upcoming Indiana Jones movies?
Yes, there is an upcoming Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
This movie will be released on June 30, 2023, and will star Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Boyd Halbrook, and Mads Mikkelsen.
How many movies are planned for the Indiana Jones franchise?
It is said that Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will be the fifth and final film in the Indiana Jones franchise.
Are there any spin-offs or related movies to the Indiana Jones series?
Yes. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles was a TV series released in the 90s and was a spin-off to the original films. It starred Sean Patrick Flanery as a young Indiana Jones.
How many Indiana Jones movies did Steven Spielberg direct?
Steven Spielberg directed the first four Indiana Jones movies.
How many Indiana Jones movies did George Lucas produce?
George Lucas produced all five Indiana Jones movies.
Did all the Indiana Jones movies feature Harrison Ford?
Yes, all the Indiana Jones movies feature Harrison Ford as the titular character.
Which Indiana Jones movie is considered the best?
Our personal best Indiana Jones movie is The Raiders of the Lost Ark because there was something exciting about being privy to the archaeologist’s adventures for the first time.
While the succeeding movies were good, we knew what to expect, so the surprise element was no longer there.
On A Final Note
Indiana Jones became the backbone of an entire generation and is still considered one of the biggest pop culture icons today.
We hope this guide has given you insight into how to watch the first four Indiana Jones movies so you come well-prepared on Dial of Destiny’s opening night.
We don’t know about you, but we’ll definitely be spending the upcoming weekends brushing up on all our Indiana Jones knowledge.
We carry authentic Indiana Jones merchandise for your ultimate satisfaction, with fast and free shipping to all orders within the contiguous United States.
Reference:
- https://movieweb.com/indiana-jones-iconic-movie-characters/
