If you love action movies then at least one of the Indiana Jones films will likely have a special place in your collection. Possibly all of them? The 2023 release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny brought the saga to a close giving us the perfect opportunity to reflect on the best and worst of the Indiana Jones movies.
The brainchild of Star Wars director George Lucas and Jaws director Steven Spielberg, the adventure films are the epitome of summer blockbusters. Helped by his previous role as Han Solo in the sci-fi series, Harrison Ford was propelled to A-list stardom thanks to the success of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Even with several iconic characters to his name, Indiana Jones will likely be the one he is most synonymous with.
Below you’ll find all five Indiana Jones movies, ranked from best to worst.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The fourth film in the franchise yet the first to grace our list, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was the series’ biggest miss.
Ford is starting to look tired in his role as Indy, with the likes of Cate Blanchett’s villain Irina Spalko adding a suitably manacing element. It was great to see Karen Allen return as Marion Ravenwood but Shia LaBeouf’s Mutt Williams and Ray Winstone’s Mac are meaningless characters. Even the appearance of John Hunt fails to elevate the adventure.
Indiana Jones films have always had a sprinkle of lunacy. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on the other hand poured it on, serving up an ending we’d rather forget. It wasn’t the ridiculousness of it all, more the unsatisfying blandness.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
It must be said that it was a close call between Dial of Destiny and Crystal Skull for fifth place. Dial of Destiny was only slightly better thanks to the excellent Mads Mikkelsen as the Nazi villain, and – for Chit Hot at least – the satisfying end to the franchise. Some may disagree with that thought yet there’s no denying it was an apt way to end the show.
However, the rest of the film is somewhat bland and a little drawn out. Ford is on point, with a character portrayal that’s deeply involved in examining his past and the choices he has made. Plus some of the set pieces like the opening railway scene give us a hark back to Indy films of old.
We all know that the Indiana Jones films should have stopped at the third instalment but they didn’t. At least Dial of Destiny ends on a more positive note.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Onto the 80s originals and in third place it had to be Temple of Doom. As the trilogy’s middle child Spielberg and Lucas went for a much darker tone. This Temple of Doom apart from the rest, almost adding a horror element to Jones’ raucous behaviour.
The film starts nice and lively and the presence of Ke Huy Quan’s Short Round gives the film a consistent levity. Spielberg and Lucas didn’t want to repeat themselves with Jones’ second outing. So instead of the tough Marion, we get Kate Capshaw’s Willie Scott. Here we have a damsel in distress character, constantly screeching and moaning, making her scenes the most grating of the film.
There are plenty of classic moments though, such as the minecart chase and the booby-trapped temple. Just try to ignore some of the cultural depictions that caused one or two controversies.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
There’s so much to enjoy in Last Crusade that it’s difficult to know where to begin. The biggest draw is most certainly the on-screen dynamic between Sean Connery and Ford as father and son. We’ve got wild west themes, Nazi villains and River Phoenix as a young Indy.
Last Crusade has a wonderful narrative, mixing in both sequel and origin stories. We get to see where Indy comes from as well as the formation of some of his hallmark traits. Certainly the most ambitious film of the franchise up to this point, Indy’s globe-trotting adventure for a mysterious, mythological artefact is refined movie gold.
If any of the films managed to capture the essence and magic of Lost Ark then it was this.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
It is quite often the case in most major movie franchises that the first film is the most highly regarded. That’s not always the case – such as Terminator 2. But where Indiana Jones is concerned Raiders of the Lost Ark had that perfect amount of movie magic.
The 1981 original saw Harrison Ford at his best, mixing action-hero with his comedy, rogueish overtones. Audiences’ first trip with Jones into the 1930s and ’40s, Raiders of the Lost Ark is an adventurous thrill ride full of memorable set pieces and compelling acting that keeps viewers glued to their seats. A film more about its journey than the finish, some have questioned the narrative and how effective Indy really is. Honestly, Indiana Jones films aren’t meant to be examined that deeply, enjoying them for the cinematic Spielberg spectacle that they are.
During its 40 years, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark still manages to masterfully entertain audiences.
And that’s it! Did you agree with our list or should others have ranked higher? Let us know in the comments below.
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