Although he may be known for his profession of unearthing ancient artifacts that have long been lost to the past, it’s difficult to envision Indiana Jones ever fading into obscurity. Harrison Ford’s portrayal of the iconic action/adventure hero has solidified him as one of the most memorable characters in cinematic history. In 2023, audiences were treated to the long-awaited fifth installment of Indy’s saga, entitled “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” which materialized after a fifteen-year hiatus.
While “Dial of Destiny” has yet to be released on Disney Plus (although we can speculate that it will likely premiere around September or October), the good news is that the first four movies featuring the fedora-wearing, whip-wielding, snake-fearing archaeologist are available for streaming if you have an account on the platform. While Indy’s adventures may not be as intricate to follow as the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Star Wars, they still require some background knowledge if you prefer to watch them in chronological order rather than release order.
If you want to relive the life and experiences of Dr. Henry Walton Jones Jr. in the correct manner, here’s how to do it. And if you don’t have a Disney Plus subscription, you can always rent or purchase the movies on platforms such as Amazon Prime, Vudu, Apple TV Plus, YouTube, and Google Play.
Extra homework: “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” (1992-93)
If you’re a completionist, the most fitting place to start delving into the Indiana Jones franchise is with the often overlooked spinoff TV series, “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.” This show from the early 1990s comprised 28 episodes and four TV movies, exploring the thrilling adventures of a young Indiana Jones. Sean Patrick Flanery took on the role of teenage Indy following River Phoenix’s portrayal in “The Last Crusade,” and Harrison Ford even made a few cameos in flashforwards. With news of Disney developing a rebooted TV show, this series has garnered renewed appreciation and can be found on Disney Plus in the U.S.
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984)
Co-starring: Kate Capshaw (Willie Scott), Ke Huy Quan (Short Round), Amrish Puri (Mola Ram), Roshan Seth (Chattar Lal), and Phillip Stone (Captain Blumburtt).
“Temple of Doom” is the second film in the original Indiana Jones trilogy in terms of release order. However, if you prefer to approach the franchise chronologically, you should watch it first as it is actually set one year before the events of “Raiders” in 1935. This fact is not explicitly referenced in the plot, so the movie can be enjoyed in either order. Just be prepared for its darker tone, which even director Steven Spielberg acknowledges may have gone too far, and its portrayal of Hinduism and Indian culture, which can be considered offensive.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)
Co-starring: Karen Allen (Marion Ravenwood), Paul Freeman (René Belloq), Ronald Lacey (Arnold Toht), John Rhys-Davies (Sallah), and Denholm Elliot (Marcus Brody).
Indiana Jones first made his whip-cracking debut on our screens in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by George Lucas, both at the peak of their careers, this original adventure of the globetrotting tomb raider is widely regarded as the best in the franchise. It is filled with iconic moments that have become part of popular culture, such as the thrilling opening boulder chase and the unforgettable scene where the faces of Nazis melt.
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)
Co-starring: Sean Connery (Henry Jones Sr.), Denholm Elliot (Marcus Brody), Alison Doody (Elsa Schneider), John Rhys-Davies (Sallah), and Julian Glover (Walter Donovan).
Five years after “Temple of Doom,” the supposed final installment of Indiana Jones was released in the form of the now humorously titled “Last Crusade.” Thankfully, everything else about this film set in 1938 stands the test of time. The pairing of Ford’s “Junior” with his father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr. (played brilliantly by Sean Connery), proved to be a stroke of genius. While it may not achieve the same perfect tonal balance as “Raiders,” “Last Crusade” remains a close second in terms of quality among the Indiana Jones movies.
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)
Co-starring: Cate Blanchett (Irina Spalko), Karen Allen (Marion Ravenwood), Ray Winstone (“Mac” MicHale), John Hurt (“Ox” Oxley), Jim Broadbent (Dean Stanforth), and Shia LaBeouf (Mutt Williams).
After a nineteen-year hiatus, Ford, Spielberg, and Lucas took a daring leap and revisited the franchise with the infamous “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” set in 1957. This film received considerable backlash, with criticisms ranging from the inclusion of Shia LaBeouf as Indy’s estranged son to the shift from mystical elements to aliens (apparently Lucas momentarily forgot he wasn’t making a Star Wars movie). Many fans were content with the idea of never seeing another installment in the saga. However, Disney seemingly disregarded these sentiments…
“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023)
Co-starring: Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Helena Shaw), John Rhys-Davies (Sallah), Mads Mikkelsen (Voller), Shaunette Renee Wilson (Mason), Toby Jones (Basil Shaw), and Boyd Holbrook (Klaber).
Finally, after the second longest gap between movies, “Dial of Destiny” graced theaters in June, fifteen years after “Kingdom of Crystal Skull.” In a near sacrilegious move, this was the first Indiana Jones film not directed by Spielberg, with James Mangold (“Logan”) stepping into his monumental shoes. Similarly, Lucas is no longer involved in the writing process. “Dial” revolves around the Space Race of 1969, but due to its time travel twist, certain segments of the movie technically precede any other events in the Indiana Jones saga.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
