Indiana Jones universe in order
Indiana Jones Marathon

Page Last Modified:

15 December 2025

Most Recent Release:

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny - 2023

Total Runtime:

1092 Minutes

Total Items:

7

Average User Score:

(7)

Indiana Jones universe in order

Grab some popcorn, put on the classic John Williams score, and get ready for the ultimate Indiana Jones universe marathon. If you've ever thought about watching Indy's adventures in release order or chronological order, we've got your back. There's an ideal way to binge all the films and series so that every whip crack and historical discovery hits just right.Whether you're new to the fedora or a seasoned pro, this viewing order brings the adventures of the legendary archaeologist to life the way George Lucas and Steven Spielberg intended: as one continuous, globe-trotting saga filled with Nazi villains, hidden temples, and mythical artifacts. And yes, we truly start with Young Indiana Jones. You can't really understand Indy's aversion to snakes if you don't know where it all started.

1092 Minutes 6 Movies 1 TV Show
  1. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Travels with Father Backdrop 1
    The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Travels with Father Movie 90 min. 1996
    While visiting Russia on his father’s lecture tour, Indy runs off on his own and meets Leo Tolstoy. Later, on a trip to Athens, Indy and his father are forced together by circumstance when they get into a bind in the monasteries of Meteora, where they share some memorable moments.
    USER SCORE 6
  2. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Backdrop 2
    The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles - Seasons 1-2 TvShow 365 min. 1993
    At the dawn of the 20th century, Indiana Jones discovered the world. From globetrotting family expeditions as a 9-year-old to the battlefields of World War I as a teenager, Indy’s experiences shaped the heroic, whip-cracking archaeologist he would become. At every turn, Indy encounters history in the making, meeting true-life activists, soldiers, writers, artists, and thinkers who helped influence the world we live in today.
    USER SCORE 5.2
  3. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Backdrop 3
    Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Movie 118 min. 1984
    After arriving in India, Indiana Jones is asked by a desperate village to find a mystical stone. He agrees – and stumbles upon a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs of an ancient palace.
    USER SCORE 7
  4. Raiders of the Lost Ark Backdrop 4
    Raiders of the Lost Ark Movie 115 min. 1981
    When Dr. Indiana Jones – the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist – is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime.
    USER SCORE 8
  5. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Backdrop 5
    Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Movie 127 min. 1989
    In 1938, an art collector appeals to eminent archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. Indy learns that a medieval historian has vanished while searching for it, and the missing man is his own father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr.. He sets out to rescue his father by following clues in the old man's notebook, which his father had mailed to him before he went missing. Indy arrives in Venice, where he enlists the help of a beautiful academic, Dr. Elsa Schneider, along with Marcus Brody and Sallah. Together they must stop the Nazis from recovering the power of eternal life and taking over the world!
    USER SCORE 8
  6. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Backdrop 6
    Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Movie 122 min. 2008
    Set during the Cold War, the Soviets—led by sword-wielding Irina Spalko—are in search of a crystal skull which has supernatural powers related to a mystical Lost City of Gold. Indy is coerced to head to Peru at the behest of a young man whose friend—and Indy's colleague—Professor Oxley has been captured for his knowledge of the skull's whereabouts.
    USER SCORE 6
  7. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Backdrop 7
    Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Movie 155 min. 2023
    Finding himself in a new era, and approaching retirement, Indy wrestles with fitting into a world that seems to have outgrown him. But as the tentacles of an all-too-familiar evil return in the form of an old rival, Indy must don his hat and pick up his whip once more to make sure an ancient and powerful artifact doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
    USER SCORE 7

Young Indiana Jones

Before Harrison Ford was in the spotlight, there was The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. This TV series aired in the early '90s, following Indy as a child and young teenager. Some episodes are fun and light, while others go deep into history, featuring encounters with historical figures like T.E. Lawrence, Picasso, and even Freud. River Phoenix offered a glimpse of young Indy in The Last Crusade, but this series takes the character to a new level. It gets the ball rolling on his fascination with archaeology, his disdain for authority, and, of course, his love for adventure. If you skip this step, you'll miss out on context and pure fan service.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

This film was released second, but it takes place before Raiders of the Lost Ark. We see Indy in full rogue mode: more cynical, more impulsive, and with the cheeky sidekick Short Round (played by the legendary Ke Huy Quan). From the iconic opening in a Shanghai nightclub to the insane mine cart chase, Temple of Doom is darker, faster, and more chaotic than the rest. It brings in the Thuggee cult and the magical Sankara Stones, setting the stage for the franchise's spiritual and supernatural stuff.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

This is where it all really started, at least for moviegoers in 1981. In your Indiana Jones marathon, it's the third step. Everything comes together here: the bullwhip, the fedora, the snake pit, and, of course, the Ark of the Covenant. Indy's showdown with Nazi villains, his chemistry with Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), and the legendary boulder chase make this pure pulp perfection.In Raiders, Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliott), and Belloq (Paul Freeman) are introduced as characters who either return or leave their mark on the lore.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Which of these is the most emotional? It's definitely a possibility. Sean Connery plays Henry Jones Sr., and we get a Holy Grail quest as well as a father-son story that's surprisingly deep. The humor is at its best here (the motorcycle chase in Germany is still the best), and the chemistry between Ford and Connery is the best there is. Julian Glover really shines as Walter Donovan, and Elsa Schneider (Alison Doody) brings an intriguing twist to the tale. And yes, you'll finally understand why Indy never loses his hat.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Let's jump ahead to the 1950s. It's clear right away that this film feels like it's from a different era, and that's exactly the point. Soviet baddie Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) replaces the Nazis, there are Roswell vibes in the air, and Indy's son Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) adds a new generation to the franchise. Crystal Skull often faces criticism, but as part of this marathon, it works surprisingly well. It looks at Indy's aging and his place in a world that's changing really fast. Bonus points for the return of Marion and some great callbacks to earlier films.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Here, all the threads come together. James Mangold is taking over directing from Spielberg, but he's keeping the franchise's spirit alive. Dial of Destiny is a film about time, both literally and figuratively. The Antikythera plays a key role, and Mads Mikkelsen really shines as Jürgen Voller, a Nazi scientist with sinister plans. Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena Shaw brings a fresh dynamic, and Antonio Banderas as Renaldo is a welcome addition to the cast. It's a farewell, a reflection, but also a confirmation that Indiana Jones will always be relevant. John Williams' music is unparalleled.

Why This Order?

If you want to feel Indy's character growth, you should watch the Indiana Jones movies in chronological order. You'll see how the boy from the Chronicles turns into the sarcastic yet principled hero in Raiders, how he deals with his traumas in Temple, and how his relationship with his dad shapes him in The Last Crusade. You get why he's so tired in Crystal Skull, and you feel his impact in Dial of Destiny. This order also lets you follow the spirit of the times: from the 1910s to the 1960s, with all the political tensions, cultural changes, and technological leaps that come with it. It's not just an adventure marathon; it's a journey through the 20th century.

Ready to start?

Get the popcorn ready, gather your friends, and give yourself the Indiana Jones marathon you deserve. Snakes? Yes. Ancient temples? Yes. Nazi villains? Absolutely! Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned fan looking to experience the Indiana Jones universe with fresh eyes, this chronological order is the ultimate way to go.