Indiana Jones movies in order
Five films, and the second one is a prequel. That is the whole puzzle.
Updated 4 August 2026 · 6 titles tracked
Indiana Jones is one of the simplest franchises to navigate. Five films, almost no continuity between them, and one small wrinkle: Temple of Doom is a prequel, set in 1935, a year before Raiders of the Lost Ark.
You can swap them. You probably should not.
Every Indiana Jones film in order
Release order. Temple of Doom is set a year before Raiders, but sits second here for a reason.
- 1Raiders of the Lost Ark1981 · The Original Trilogy · Essential
- 2Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom1984 · The Original Trilogy
- 3Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade1989 · The Original Trilogy · Essential
- 4Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull2008 · The Later Films
- 5Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny2023 · The Later Films
- 6The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles1992 · Television
Should I watch Temple of Doom first?
Chronologically it comes first, and nothing breaks if you start there. But Raiders is the better introduction by a wide distance — it establishes the character, the tone and the reason anyone cares.
Temple of Doom is also the darkest and strangest of the films, and it is far easier to enjoy as a swerve within a series you already like than as your first impression of it.
The order, and the in-universe years
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1936), Temple of Doom (1935), The Last Crusade (1938), Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (1957), Dial of Destiny (1969).
Chronologically that is Temple of Doom, Raiders, Last Crusade, Crystal Skull, Dial of Destiny. The gap between the third and fourth films is nineteen years in-universe and nineteen years in real life, which the fourth film leans into.
What is essential
Raiders and The Last Crusade are the two great ones. Temple of Doom is worth it if you like the other two. Crystal Skull and Dial of Destiny are for completists — neither is disastrous, and neither is necessary.
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, a 1990s television series covering Indy's childhood and the First World War, is chronologically first and entirely optional.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Indiana Jones movies?
Release order: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Dial of Destiny. Raiders is the best starting point despite Temple of Doom being set earlier.
Is Temple of Doom a prequel?
Yes. It is set in 1935, a year before Raiders of the Lost Ark, despite being released three years later.
How many Indiana Jones movies are there?
Five films, plus The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles television series.