All 5 Indiana Jones Films Ranked from Least to Most Favorable - MovieMaker Magazine

      The finest Indiana Jones film is regarded as one of the greatest movies ever created, while the weakest installment arguably never should have been released.

      Although George Lucas is predominantly recognized as the mastermind behind Star Wars, he also introduced Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, the scholar archaeologist and occasional adventurer dedicated to exploring the world for museum-worthy artifacts.

      He is rugged, irritable, exceptionally intelligent—both mentally and with a whip. Portrayed by Harrison Ford (and briefly by River Phoenix in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), he could be considered the most remarkable action-adventure lead actor that Hollywood has ever seen.

      In a fortunate collaboration, Lucas teamed up with his close friend Steven Spielberg for the franchise, with Spielberg directing nearly all of the Indiana Jones films. When the movies excel, they reach great heights; when they falter, they make the others appear even more exceptional.

      Here is our list ranking all five Indiana Jones films, from least to most favorable.

      **Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny**

      Just to clarify, we are fans of the Indiana Jones series—we adore them so much that we wish they had concluded after three films. Spielberg did not direct the 2023 film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but we suspect it might have been only marginally better had he done so.

      James Mangold, an acclaimed director known for films like Logan and Walk the Line, took over the directing reins, while Spielberg served only as an executive producer for this installment.

      The film's primary issue was time, which affects us all. Harrison Ford—one of the greatest actors and film stars—was nearing 80 during production.

      One appealing aspect of Indiana Jones films is that he is always the underdog, often beaten and outnumbered in humorous ways. However, Dial of Destiny stretched believability too far, especially with its poorly conceived CGI-heavy opening that featured a significantly de-aged Ford.

      Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny became the lowest-grossing film in the series, bringing in approximately $384 million against a substantial budget—Forbes estimated it resulted in a loss exceeding $100 million.

      We also felt the ending was excessive, which regrettably placed it on our list of sequels that no one should have to see.

      **Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull**

      This film is acceptable, but it falls short of our expectations for an Indiana Jones adventure. The franchise should deliver thrilling moments, perfectly timed deadpan humor, and introductions to intriguing mythologies, all constructed for cinema (or preferably, drive-in) audiences.

      Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull features an intriguing backdrop—we appreciated its tribute to 1950s sci-fi films and atomic age B-movies, particularly exemplified in the wonderfully absurd scene where a refrigerator saves Indy from an atomic blast.

      We also liked the cast. Cate Blanchett portrayed the uninspired villain, a KGB agent vying with Indy for a telepathic crystal skull located in Peru—a nice nod back to the first scene set in Peru in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

      Harrison Ford was in great form, and we were excited to see Karen Allen reprise her role as Marion Ravenwood. Shia LaBeouf was passable as Mutt Williams, though we regret his involvement in the franchise due to his disappointing fate revealed in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. We enjoyed the film's hints at Mutt potentially taking over the Indy legacy—before Indy himself dismisses that idea.

      **Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade**

      As mentioned earlier, we genuinely wish this film had been the final chapter—the Indy franchise could have made for a superb trilogy.

      After the drastic shift found in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Last Crusade returned the series to its roots: Indiana Jones battling Nazis. We loved it, and the addition of Sean Connery as Indy’s father, Henry, elevated it to instant classic status.

      The film is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and its conclusion—Indiana deciphering a series of perilous puzzles to discover the Holy Grail—was brilliantly devised, inviting the audience to engage instead of merely watching Indy navigate physical challenges.

      We absolutely cherish this movie, along with the two remaining films on our list.

      **Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom**

      Indeed, we believe Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom surpasses Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. While we appreciate both films, we anticipate that many might disagree with our ranking here, so allow us to clarify.

      Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a nonstop thrill ride from start to finish, more than perhaps any other film. Even when there’s a moment of exposition during the dinner scene, classic Indiana Jones distraction appears—specifically the grotesque food offered at Pankot Palace.

      That scene has faced criticism for implying that the fictional people of Pankot—and, by extension, those resembling them—are somehow primitive. However, consider that the savvy palace