So, you’re trying to settle a debate or maybe just figure out how long of a weekend you need for a marathon. Honestly, the answer seems like it should be simple, but it depends on how much of a "purist" you want to be.
If we’re talking about the big-budget, theatrical releases starring Harrison Ford, there are five Indiana Jones films. That’s the number most people are looking for. You’ve got the original trilogy from the 80s, the "we don't talk about it as much" one from 2008, and the big finale that hit theaters in 2023. But if you’re a deep-diver who cares about canon and weird TV spin-offs from the 90s, that number starts to get a little bit fuzzy.
The Official List: All Five Indiana Jones Movies
Let’s look at the actual lineup. It’s a wild ride that spans over 40 years of filmmaking.
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): This is the one that started it all. Nazis, a golden ark, and that giant boulder. Interestingly, it didn’t even have "Indiana Jones" in the title originally.
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984): A prequel, actually. It takes place a year before Raiders. It’s way darker—think hearts being ripped out and chilled monkey brains.
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989): Many fans call this the best one. Sean Connery shows up as Indy’s dad, and they go hunting for the Holy Grail. It felt like a perfect ending.
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008): After a 19-year break, Indy came back. Aliens (sorry, "interdimensional beings"), nuclear fridges, and Shia LaBeouf. People have feelings about this one.
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023): The final chapter. Harrison Ford suited up one last time at age 80 to take on more Nazis and a time-traveling dial.
Wait, what about the TV show?
Here is where the "how many Indiana Jones films are there" question gets tricky. Back in the early 90s, George Lucas produced The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. It wasn't just a show; they eventually re-edited the episodes into 22 feature-length TV movies.
Technically, these are movies. They have titles like My First Adventure and Phantom Train of Doom. If you count those, the number of "Indy films" jumps from five to 27.
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But let’s be real. Most people don’t count them. They’re great for history buffs because Indy meets people like Teddy Roosevelt and Pablo Picasso, but they don't have that "blockbuster" feel. Harrison Ford even cameos in one of them (Mystery of the Blues), sporting a beard and a saxophone. It’s a vibe.
Is there going to be a 6th movie?
Short answer: probably not with Harrison Ford.
Harrison has been pretty vocal that Dial of Destiny was his swan song. He’s 83 now, and while he’s still acting in shows like Shrinking and Marvel movies, he’s basically hung up the whip. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has mentioned that while "Indy will never be done," they aren't looking at a sixth film right now.
There have been rumors of a reboot or a Disney+ series, maybe following a different character like Short Round (Ke Huy Quan) or Indy’s goddaughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge). But as of 2026, nothing is officially filming.
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The "Secret" Order to Watch Them
If you're planning a watch party, don't just go by release date. Since Temple of Doom is a prequel, the chronological order of the story is actually:
- Temple of Doom (Set in 1935)
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (Set in 1936)
- Last Crusade (Set in 1938)
- Crystal Skull (Set in 1957)
- Dial of Destiny (Set in 1969)
It’s kind of fun to see Indy go from a cynical mercenary in Temple to a guy who actually respects the artifacts by the end of Raiders.
The Final Verdict
If someone asks you at a bar, just say five.
The five theatrical films are the core of the legend. Everything else—the TV movies, the novels, the video games—is just extra "fortune and glory" for the superfans.
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If you want to experience the full story right now, your best bet is heading to Disney+. As of early 2026, all five films are streaming there together, which is a rare treat given how much they used to bounce around between different platforms like Paramount+ and Netflix due to licensing headaches.
Grab some popcorn, skip the fridge-hiding scene if you must, and enjoy the ride.
Next Steps for Your Marathon:
Start your viewing with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom if you want to experience the timeline chronologically, or stick to release order starting with Raiders of the Lost Ark to see how the filmmaking evolved. If you find yourself wanting more after the five main films, look for The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones on streaming to see the 22 TV-movie chapters of Indy's early life.