Honestly, walking into a theater for a new Indiana Jones movie in 2023 felt like a gamble. We all saw Dial of Destiny. Some of us loved the nostalgia, while others felt it was a bit like watching your grandpa try to run a marathon in dress shoes. But now that we’re sitting here in 2026, the dust has finally settled on the Harrison Ford era. The fedora is on the shelf. Or is it?
The chatter about where the franchise goes next hasn’t stopped. If anything, it’s gotten louder since Kathleen Kennedy stepped down as the president of Lucasfilm just a few days ago. People want to know if Disney is actually done with the whip and the leather jacket. The short answer? No. But the long answer is way more complicated and involves a lot of "maybe next decade" talk.
The Reality of New Indiana Jones Movies Right Now
Let’s be real for a second. Dial of Destiny didn't exactly set the box office on fire. It made about $384 million, which sounds like a lot until you realize the budget was basically the size of a small country's GDP. Because of that, the momentum for immediate sequels or spin-offs hit a brick wall.
Before she left her post in January 2026, Kathleen Kennedy was pretty blunt about it. She told Deadline that while "Indy will never be done," nobody at the studio is currently rushing to make another film. They’re giving it a breather. It’s the "let's wait until people miss him" strategy.
That hasn't stopped the rumor mill from churning out some wild theories. You've probably seen those concept trailers on YouTube with Angelina Jolie or Chris Pratt. Most of that is just fan-made noise. Right now, there is no official production date for a sixth movie. Harrison Ford is 83. He’s still acting—he’s great in Shrinking—but he has been very clear that he’s done with the character. He basically told reporters he needs to sit down and rest. Can you blame him?
What About the Spinoffs We Were Promised?
Remember when everyone was talking about a Helena Shaw series? Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character was polarizing, to say the least. Some fans thought she was the perfect torch-bearer, while others... well, others were less kind.
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There were serious talks about a Disney+ series. It was rumored to be a prequel or a spinoff focusing on a younger Abner Ravenwood (Marion’s dad). But James Mangold, who directed the last flick, has been pretty vocal about his distaste for "Easter egg" filmmaking. He’s not interested in directing a spinoff. He wants to tell original stories.
Here is the current status of those "other" projects:
- The Disney+ Series: Currently on ice. It isn't officially canceled, but it’s definitely not in active development.
- The Reboot Rumor: This is the big one. There's a persistent whisper that Lucasfilm might pull a "James Bond" and just cast a younger actor to play Indy in the 1930s again. No one has confirmed this, but it’s the most logical way to keep the brand alive without Ford.
- The Animated Route: Surprisingly, this is where some insiders think the franchise should go. Think The Clone Wars but with archaeology.
Why the Franchise is Moving to the Parks
If you can’t see a new Indiana Jones movie on the big screen, Disney is making sure you can see him at the theme parks. This is actually where the most "new" Indy content is happening right now.
Disney World is currently gutting the DinoLand U.S.A. section at Animal Kingdom to make room for a "Tropical Americas" land. The centerpiece? A brand-new Indiana Jones attraction. It’s not a clone of the ride in California. It’s a completely new story set in an ancient temple in the Maya region.
This tells us exactly what Disney thinks of the brand. They know the character is iconic, even if the last movie didn't sell enough popcorn. They are pivoting from being a movie-first franchise to a "legacy" franchise. It’s about the experience of being Indy, not necessarily watching a 90-year-old man dodge boulders.
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Does the World Actually Want More Indy?
It’s a tough question. When you look at the numbers, the original trilogy is untouchable. Raiders of the Lost Ark is basically a perfect film. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was the highest-grossing one, but it also gave us the "nuking the fridge" moment that fans still argue about at 2:00 AM on Reddit.
The problem with new Indiana Jones movies is that they have to compete with a ghost. They aren't just competing with other action movies; they're competing with our childhoods.
Some fans are adamant that it should end with Ford. They say, "No Ford, no Indy." But Hollywood doesn't really work that way. Look at Batman or Spider-Man. Icons eventually outlive their creators. The real challenge for Lucasfilm—now under the leadership of Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan—is deciding if they have the guts to recast a role that is so tied to one man’s face.
The Streaming Factor in 2026
If you’re looking to catch up, there is some good news. As of January 1, 2026, the entire collection is back on Disney+. For a while, the licensing was a mess because Paramount still owned the distribution rights to the first four.
Now, they’re all in one place. You can watch Temple of Doom and then immediately jump to Dial of Destiny to see how much the de-aging tech has improved. Seeing the 1944 version of Indy at the start of the last movie was a trip. It was the first time AI-assisted de-aging actually looked... human? Sorta.
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Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since we won't be seeing a new Indiana Jones movie in theaters this year, here is how you can get your fix of fedoras and ancient mysteries:
Check out the "Great Circle" Game
If you have a PC or Xbox, the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle game is the closest thing to a "new movie" we’ve had. It captures the 1930s vibe way better than the later films did.
Plan a Trip to Animal Kingdom
If you're a Disney Parks person, keep an eye on the construction updates for the Tropical Americas expansion. It’s scheduled to open in late 2027, and it’s going to be the definitive "Indy" experience for the next decade.
Revisit the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
It’s a deep cut, but it’s on Disney+ now. It’s weird, educational, and features a cameo by a bearded Harrison Ford that most people totally forgot exists.
The era of Indiana Jones as a blockbuster movie machine might be over for now, but the character is too valuable to stay buried for long. Eventually, someone is going to pick up that whip again. We just have to hope they know how to use it.