There’s been a lot of talk about Indiana Jones recently, with the release of the fifth installment in the mega-successful action-adventure franchise on the horizon, and the news that this will be Harrison Ford’s last-ever outing as the iconic adventurer. The first movie in the series, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was released in 1981 and changed the movie landscape forever, creating one of Hollywood’s most beloved and recognizable heroes in the process. Since then, Ford has gone on to don the fedora and whip a further three times as Indiana Jones in 1984’s The Temple of Doom, 1989’s The Last Crusade, and the 2008 legacy sequel The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
One of the most successful movie franchises of all time, Indiana Jones is known for its soaring scores, outrageous action set-pieces, memorable villains, comedic quips and sight gags, and, of course, Dr. Jones’ fascinating ability to solve the most mind-boggling ancient puzzles, clues, and codes as he hunts down ancient artifacts. While we wait for the fifth and final Harrison Ford Indiana Jones movie, we take a look at nine movies that will appeal to fans of the franchise.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY9/9 Uncharted
Uncharted is based on the mega successful video game franchise of the same name, which follows the exploits of the globe-trotting, wise-cracking intrepid treasure hunter Nathan Drake. The movie won over fans of the game and introduced the explorer to a whole new audience thanks to a fun and game-accurate portrayal from Tom Holland and a great supporting cast, including Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Fans of Indiana Jones will certainly see a bit of Indy in Nathan Drake and be impressed by the movie’s huge action set pieces and beautiful locations.
8/9 Secret of the Incas
Even with the briefest glance at the 1954 adventure film Secret of the Incas, certain similarities to Indiana Jones can be immediately observed in that its lead played by Charlton Heston bares more than just a passing resemblance to Dr. Jones himself. Complete with a brown leather jacket, fedora, tan pants, and an over-the-shoulder bag, he traverses Peru in search of an ancient Incan treasure. It’s been revealed that the cast and crew of Raiders of the Lost Ark watched Secret of the Incas together and the influence on the franchise is obvious.
7/9 National Treasure
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Nicolas Cage is in top form as the treasure hunter and cryptographer in a race against rival hunters for the biggest treasure haul in American history after finding a secret coded map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Those who enjoyed seeing Indiana Jones decode ancient maps and decipher clues are in for a treat with National Treasure as there are mysteries and puzzles aplenty. Cage, while not quite as energetic as Dr. Jones, also shares a similar sense of humor and a certain eccentricity.
6/9 Sahara
Indiana Jones always had somewhat of a complicated relationship with his women companions, with multiple romances being explored over the series. Sahara, whilst still being a huge action-adventure movie, is also an enjoyable rom-com that sees the lead protagonist, played by the ever charismatic Matthew McConaughey, searching for a hidden treasure, talking on a dangerous warlord intent on releasing a deadly plague onto society, and dealing with his complicated feelings towards a beautiful WHO doctor played by Penélope Cruz.
5/9 The Lost City
The most recent movie on the list, released in early-2022, The Lost City acts as both an homage and a parody of the iconic action-adventure movies like Indiana Jones that came before it. The premise revolves around Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum as a romance novelist and her cover model, respectively, who must escape a billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) who wants them to find the lost ancient city described in one of her books. Unlike Dr. Jones, our stars here are completely inept when put in perilous situations. The highlight of this fish out of water comedy has to be Brad Pitt’s laugh out loud cameo that will linger long in your mind after the end-credits roll.
4/9 The Mummy
With a well-deserved Brendan Fraser renaissance taking place after his success at film festivals with The Whale, and numerous other promising projects in the works, it’s a perfect time to revisit what is most probably his greatest movie to date: the fantastic The Mummy. Featuring all the action, adventure, romance, and humor we love about the Indiana Jones franchise and sprinkling in some horror elements, The Mummy has to be one of the most enjoyable movies since the original Indiana Jones trilogy in the 80s.
3/9 Congo
Based on a novel by Michael Crichton, who also authored Jurassic Park, and fresh off the success of Jurassic Park’s movie adaptation, Congo was released in 1995 and stars Laura Linney, Ernie Hudson, and Tim Curry. A team of weird and wonderful characters are sent to the Congo jungle in search of a lost diamond hunting team, but end up against a whole host of unexpected dangers in this wild jungle adventure movie. Fans of some of the sillier aspects of the Indiana Jones series will be sure to find fun in this sometimes-ridiculous action romp.
2/9 Stargate
At first glance, it might be difficult to comprehend what’s similar between a sci fi space movie like Stargate and Indiana Jones. Well aside from the shocking sci-fi elements found in the last Indiana Jones installment, it bares more of a resemblance than initially meets the eye. Stargate revolved around the notion that the pyramids of Egypt are not actually tombs and may have been the work of aliens or lost civilizations, which is very much in the vein of Indiana Jones. As we witness the team, led by Kurt Russell as Colonel Jonathan J. “Jack” O’Neill, try to unravel these ancient mysteries, it often feels as if we’re watching Indiana Jones in space, and that is not necessarily a bad thing at all.
1/9 Romancing the Stone
Released a few years after the hugely successful Raiders of the Lost Ark and just months before The Temple of Doom, Romancing the Stone was probably the closest thing you were going to get to Indiana Jones not starring Harrison Ford. This action-adventure doubled down on the romantic and comedic elements found in Indiana Jones, and with its fantastic cast, including Michael Douglas, Kathleen Douglas and Danny DeVito, went on to become a huge hit in its own right, grossing in excess $100 million on a $10 million budget and spawning the hit sequel Jewel of the Nile.
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