Every Indiana Jones Movie, Ranked From ‘Dial Of Destiny’ To ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’
As with George Lucas’ work on Star Wars, few film series have fundamentally changed the action genre to the same extent as Indiana Jones.
The ultimate ode to B-movie adventure films of the ‘30s and ‘40s, Indiana Jones forever influenced how action films were made and received by audiences in the early 1980s, impacting countless movies, TV shows, video games, and comic books in the process.
Whether looking at its immediate influence on games like Uncharted and Tomb Raider or evaluating its stylistic bearing on films like Romancing the Stone or Kingsman, it’s clear that Indiana Jones has more than earned its prestigious place in the center of pop culture, cementing itself in the same favorable light as James Bond, Mission: Impossible, or the Die Hard series. From the franchise’s earliest installment up to its most recent continuations, here is every entry in the Indiana Jones series, ranked from worst to best.
5. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
The fifth and very likely final installment in the Indiana Jones series, The Dial of Destiny has plenty of remarkable elements, including Harrison Ford’s nostalgic performance as the aged archaeologist. Unfortunately, the film’s poor pacing, thin characters, and inconsistent writing can leave fans wanting more, paling in comparison to its other, far stronger predecessors.
4. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Though The Last Crusade seemed to spell out the final adventure for Harrison Ford’s bullwhip-cracking tomb raider, the famed archaeologist eventually returned with 2008’s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. While most viewers lambasted the film upon its initial release, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull remains an enjoyable enough homage to the sci-fi genre of the 1950s, complete with shadowy government agents, enigmatic KGB operatives, slick-haired greasers, and enough alien-oriented material to fill a Star Wars movie.
3. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
As with the aforementioned Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, most viewers tended to fall into one of two camps with 1984’s Temple of Doom: avid appreciation or bewildered skepticism. Known as the darkest entry in the Indiana Jones’ continuity, Temple of Doom does indeed earn credit for its bleak tone, terrifying visuals, and altogether grittier presentation. Though some might find themselves thrown off by the movie’s darker elements, Temple of Doom continues to terrify and delight audiences in search of a unique action film.
2. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
After the darker subject matter of Temple of Doom, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas returned the Indiana Jones franchise to its more light-hearted roots with The Last Crusade. Originally envisioned as the last entry in the Harrison Ford-led film series, The Last Crusade coasts on the indelible chemistry of Ford and Sean Connery, the latter of whom knocks it out of the park as Jones’ curmudgeonly father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr. Bolstered by a constant stream of comedy and an equal balance of suspense and action, it’s a more than worthy sequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark, matching its predecessor in both chills and thrills alike.
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
If you were to ask a random person off the street to name the best action film ever made, there’s a decent chance they’d clap back with 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. Quite possibly the greatest movie in Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, or Harrison Ford’s individual careers, Raiders of the Lost Ark is the ultimate action extravaganza, combining impeccable suspense, first-rate action, a booming score, and infectious humor into one timelessly entertaining package.
