From 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' to 'Dial of Destiny,' Every Indiana Jones Movie, Ranked
Harrison Ford is one of the most bankable movie stars of all time, largely thanks to Indiana Jones. Ford makes his fifth and final foray as the archaeologist adventurer (and Princeton native!) in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Created by George Lucas and perfected by Steven Spielberg, the franchise made some of the most immersive movies in the history of cinema—but not every Indy entry was created equal. Here is every one of the Indiana Jones movies, ranked.
Related: Everything to Know About Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Indiana Jones Movies, Ranked
5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Paramount Pictures
Ford and Karen Allen, along with co-stars Cate Blanchett and John Hurt, are the saving graces of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, released in 2008. Taking place in the 1950s, the plot involves aliens, a nod to the sci-fi B-movies at the time, and it could have worked if the story just held a bit more weight … and if the CGI weren't so heavy-handed to the point of looking like cartoons.
While it's obviously understandable that graphics weren't as sophisticated in 2008 as they are in 2023, the animation was cringeworthy even in the context of its time, especially the scene featuring Shia LaBeouf swinging on vines with CGI monkeys. The impact of the poor and overused CGI is further compounded by the fact that Spielberg sets such a high bar for himself with his longtime use of practical effects in classics like Jaws and Jurassic Park. Everyone involved deserved better!
Related: Every Steven Spielberg Movie, Ranked
4. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
The darkest entry of the Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom brings some great elements and some not-so-great elements together for a middling effect. One great element: Ke Huy Quan as Short Round, who as a child had incredible chemistry with Ford, including an improvised card game scene—all of which made their reunion at the 2023 Oscars even more moving.
A weak link: Kate Capshaw did her best as nightclub singer Wilhelmina "Willie" Scott, but her character is so undeveloped that she just feels like a cartoonish damsel in distress stereotype.
In terms of story and plot, Temple of Doom takes a horror turn, which some may love, but might be too gory for some viewers. That said, it has some of the best action scenes of the franchise, so it's worth checking out if you're not too squeamish.
Related: Harrison Ford on What's Next for the Indiana Jones Franchise
3. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Paramount Pictures
Director James Mangold takes the reins from Spielberg for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The film never quite reaches the heights of prime Indy, but it's exactly what you want from an Indiana Jones movie regardless: Adventure, action, wisecracks galore. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a great asset, bringing levity and gravitas that complement Ford's easygoing gruffness as the title hero. The third act features a twist that we won't reveal here, save to say that the film is a worthy and sweet sendoff for the franchise.
Related: Harrison Ford's Best Movie Quotes of All Time
2. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Co-starring a perfectly cast Sean Connery as Indy's estranged father, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is one of the best origin stories for a franchise. While on its surface it appears like an Indy adventure that you'd expect, the audience is able to better understand where Indy came from and how he became who he is, thanks in large part to Ford and Connery's chemistry, plus a stellar River Phoenix as a young Indy in flashback scenes.
Also? The timeless visual of Ford as Indiana Jones punching the crap out of a Nazi never gets old.
Related: Harrison Ford's 15 Best Movie Roles
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
The original and still the best is Raiders of the Lost Ark. Watching Indy's inaugural adventure fighting Nazis (who knew that'd be evergreen and topical more than 40 years later?) and his own ophidiophobia, plus Ford's combination of swagger and occasional anxiety, make Indy both an action hero and still somehow relatable. Ford's chemistry with Allen is palpable, and Spielberg's ratio of action scenes to dialogue is perfect, keeping audiences from getting fatigued with either element.
Another bonus? Raiders of the Lost Ark also brings Alfred Molina to the big screen for the first time ever, and that guy makes everything better.