How To Watch The Indiana Jones Movies In Order

There aren’t many action heroes as captivating as Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones. Whether you’re a fan of the classic “Raiders of the Lost Ark” or enjoy all the Indy films, these thrilling, action-packed adventures have something for everyone. Created in part by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s childhood love for old film serials, Indiana Jones remains popular with both older and newer audiences. However, if you’re wondering about the correct order to watch these movies in, you won’t find the answer in a museum. Instead, here’s a suggested viewing order:

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
2. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
3. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
4. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
5. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018, prequel focusing on a young Han Solo’s encounter with Indiana Jones)

The initial Indiana Jones movie, titled “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” premiered in 1981 and instantly captivated the globe. Shortly afterward, sequels followed, and then more. However, it took almost two decades for another Indy film to appear on the big screen, and another 15 years passed before a continuation of that story was brought to life as a movie. It may seem surprising that such an iconic character would have trouble making it to theaters, but sometimes that’s just the way it is. Nevertheless, if you’re planning to watch these five live-action adventures, the only correct order is the one in which they were initially released to audiences: here they are in the order we first enjoyed them.

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984)
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023)

Let’s delve into the reasons that make the sequence of release the best way to watch the Indiana Jones films.

Why is this the correct order to watch the Indiana Jones movies?

Watching the Indiana Jones saga in release order offers an authentic experience as filmmakers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg designed it. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” serves as a compelling introduction to the action-hero character. It sets up the backstory, introduces recurring characters who become significant later, and makes a lasting impact with its iconic opening scene.

While “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” comes before “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in terms of the story timeline, it might feel unusual to begin with it as it relies on viewers’ prior knowledge about Indy. On the other hand, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” doesn’t require such pre-existing familiarity. Furthermore, it can be convincingly argued that “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is the peak of the Indiana Jones series due to its strong ties with subsequent movies and its status as one of the best adventure films ever created. Therefore, starting the franchise with the best film seems like a more sensible choice.

Absolutely, the charm of the first three Indiana Jones movies lies in the fact that you can theoretically watch any of them individually without getting too lost, as each original film is essentially self-contained. However, things become a bit more complicated when we consider the two sequels that were produced later. Nevertheless, watching the films in their release order is still the best approach to following Indiana Jones’ adventures, even though some events might occur out of sequence.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The debut of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” the first Indiana Jones movie, served to significantly boost Harrison Ford’s stardom following his portrayal of Han Solo in “Star Wars.” This newfound Hollywood fame was merely a prelude to greater things. In this film, Ford embodied the character of Indiana Jones, a professor-turned-explorer during the waning days of archaeology’s golden era. Pitted against rival institutions, thieves, and numerous Nazis, Indy traverses the globe in search of the Ark of the Covenant, an artifact lost to antiquity. Accompanied by his friend Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) and his longtime love interest Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), with whom he was rekindling a relationship after a prolonged separation, Indy pursues the Ark under imminent threat of death until the story culminates in an explosive climax.

Back in 1981, if you ever pondered what it was like to watch “Raiders,” it’s interesting to note that despite its initial critical success, some speculated that the film might eventually be lost to memory. Today, it seems almost unthinkable that a movie as iconic, impactful, and universally cherished as “Raiders of the Lost Ark” could have vanished like the Ark itself did, but hindsight can be deceptively clear.

Indeed, I found it to be quite the opposite – Indiana Jones’s fame only grew, solidifying his status as an enduring cultural icon. For those who appreciate the heart-pounding action scenes, particularly the ones set in the bustling streets of Cairo, or for those captivated by the romance between Indy and Marion Ravenwood, or even for those who enjoy the exhilaration of a good chase, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is an absolute treat and definitely the place to begin your adventure with this timeless character.

Temple of Doom (1984)

Essentially, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” often considered a prequel to the original film, shares only Indy as a common character. The movie takes Indiana, his new allies – an orphaned friend named Short Round and singer Willie Scott – on an adventure deep into the Himalayas. There, they discover a village missing its sacred lingam stone. It’s revealed that a Thuggee cult has stolen it with ambitions to control the world through human sacrifice and mind manipulation. The cult also abducted numerous children as slaves, leading Indy and his companions to risk their lives to save them. In the climax, they manage to escape unharmed and restore the artifact to its rightful place instead of a museum.

In the Indiana Jones series, “Temal of Doom” stands out as the unique installment that lacks the recurring element of Indy battling against a malevolent political force like Nazis or Communists. Unlike the initial film, it doesn’t feature Indy’s university background or his colleague Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliott). Instead, this adventure offers a distinctly different flavor from the usual escapades of our American hero. Moreover, Mola Ram (Amrish Puri) presents a more supernatural adversary compared to most of Indiana Jones’ opponents, boasting mystical abilities that Indy finds hard to resist. The reason for “Temple of Doom” being a prequel is quite straightforward: Lucas and Spielberg opted to introduce new villains for the sequel.

The Last Crusade (1989)

In an effort to recapture the magic of the original movie while offering fresh content, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” refocuses on Indy’s mission to retrieve biblical artifacts, this time drawing from the New Testament. Following decades of his father, Henry Jones Sr.’s (played by Sean Connery), tireless pursuit of the Holy Grail, Indy gets involved when his father is abducted by the Nazis. With no other choice but to collaborate, Indy and his dad navigate various Nazi-occupied territories in search of the sacred artifact. As others succumb to the mystical powers surrounding them, the Jones duo must set aside their personal disputes and make moral decisions. This movie is a terrific watch and undoubtedly a worthy successor to “Raiders.

In simple terms, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” the last movie in the original trilogy, continues to be a favorite among fans due to several reasons. Firstly, the acting between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery is spot-on for this kind of adventure story. Second, compared to the prequel “Temple of Doom,” the plot of “The Last Crusade” was significantly improved. Set just two years after the events of “Raiders,” this movie offers a thrilling mix of action, suspense, and family drama that still resonates today, much like the legend of the Holy Grail itself. Although it may not be as tightly scripted as “Raiders,” it’s an entertaining ride from start to finish. To add to its appeal, the film starts with a captivating depiction of young Indy, played by the late River Phoenix, showing us a glimpse into his childhood.

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

After a long wait of almost 20 years, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg brought fans a fresh Indiana Jones adventure titled “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Set in 1957, the film finds Indiana Jones (still a history professor) stepping out of retirement to assist young greaser Mutt Williams (played by Shia LaBeouf), who is later revealed as his and Marion’s son, Henry Jones III. Mutt needs Indy’s help to rescue his friend Harold “Ox” Oxley (John Hurt) from the clutches of the Soviets. Indy becomes interested in the mission once he learns that Ox had discovered the legendary crystal skull in Peru. Alongside Mutt, Marion, and Indy, they embark on a quest to locate the skull and find the place where it was initially stolen. The movie takes an unexpected turn at this point, but let’s save that topic for another time.

In one of the two sequels that continued the legacy of Indiana Jones, titled “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” was Steven Spielberg’s last directorial effort in the series and George Lucas’ contribution to the scriptwriting. Essentially marking the end of a significant chapter. Despite the movie performing well financially, there wasn’t an immediate clamor for another sequel, leading many fans to believe that this could be the concluding journey for Indiana Jones. Given these circumstances, it’s not surprising that the fourth installment stirred up controversy when it was released, featuring a new character named Mutt who was met with mixed feelings at best and an unexpected plot twist that pushed boundaries. Regardless of personal opinions about “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” it did offer some enjoyable moments for devoted franchise enthusiasts, reinforcing the pivotal role of “Raiders” in shaping Indiana Jones’ overall narrative.

The Dial of Destiny (2023)

In 1969, over a decade since the events of “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, I, Indiana Jones, am contemplating retirement following the tragic loss of my son Mutt during the Vietnam War. This heartache drove me away from Marion, but fate has a way of intervening. My goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), arrives in New York City seeking an old artifact with ties to both Indy and her father. The discovery sets off a chain reaction, as we are swiftly pursued by Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi turned NASA scientist, who covets the Archimedes Dial for its power to rewrite World War II’s outcome.

A twist of time takes me on an extraordinary journey, and “The Dial of Destiny” concludes with my reconciliation with Marion. Though there is much work ahead, I am now ready to fight for our future together.

In contrast to the Indiana Jones films directed by both Lucas and Spielberg (who still served as producers), the film “Dial of Destiny” was steered by James Mangold. This movie momentarily revisits Indy’s prime years (using a flashback to de-age the character) before expanding on concepts introduced in the last film, with Harrison Ford delivering a strong final portrayal as the iconic hero. The second sequel received reviews ranging from mixed to positive, and while some may not have been entirely satisfied with Indy’s cinematic farewell, it serves as a somber reminder that every story has its ending. Given the lengthy wait for the last two installments, we should be grateful for their existence.

Is there another way to watch the Indiana Jones movies?

If you’ve watched all the Indiana Jones movies and want to experience the series again in order, one fun approach is to start from an earlier point. Instead of beginning with “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” you could opt for the prologue from “The Last Crusade” set in 1912. This scene introduces a young Indiana Jones being chased by grave robbers in Moab, Utah. It not only highlights his enduring determination but also explains how he came to wear his famous fedora.

Start your Indiana Jones journey by watching “Temple of Doom” from 1935, then move on to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in 1936. Continue with “The Last Crusade,” delving deeper into Indy’s rich history. Now, for a more chronological experience, first watch the opening sequence of “Dial of Destiny,” set in 1945, which showcases another confrontation with the Nazis and sets up his following tales. Next, view “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” and finish off with the rest of “Dial of Destiny.” This order presents the storyline more sequentially.

Opening of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984)
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)
Opening of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023)
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023)

Where does Young Indiana Jones fit in?

It’s likely that an enthusiast of Indiana Jones would be curious about where “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” or “The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones” fits into this. This series, created by George Lucas, portrayed Indy during two significant phases of his life: his teenage years and his transition from late teen to early adulthood. Corey Carrier played him as a young man, while Sean Patrick Flanery took on the role as he grew older. The 28-episode series (expanded by four TV movies) was primarily narrated by an elderly Indy in the 1990s, portrayed by George Hall. However, one two-part episode, titled “Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues,” featured Harrison Ford reprising his role as a 50-year-old Indy before the events of “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Generally speaking, viewers can experience “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” before or independently of watching the films like “Raiders.” Each episode takes place at various points in Indiana Jones’ intricate past, so if you wish to watch them chronologically, you might need extra effort to arrange it. However, the Indiana Jones series hasn’t traditionally been overly concerned with adhering strictly to a timeline. Essentially, feel free to enjoy “Young Indiana Jones” in any way that suits you, or choose not to watch it at all. Some discussions exist regarding whether the television series remains canon following the events of “Dial of Destiny,” but this doesn’t diminish the excitement young Indy’s adventures can offer.

2025-07-09 15:31