10 Ways The Indiana Jones Movies Have Aged Poorly

The Indiana Jones movies are some of the most entertaining adventure movies ever, but there are some elements which have aged poorly. The Indiana Jones franchise started in 1981 with Raiders of the Lost Ark, so it’s understandable that some things look a little different after 44 years.

Taking a closer look at Indy’s adventures in 2025 reveals that some aspects seem a little questionable by today’s standards. They may not be the squeaky-clean family-friendly fun that they appear to be. It’s hard to imagine the Indiana Jones movies looking the same if they were made today.

10

Indy’s Goal Of Collecting Exotic Artifacts Isn’t So Noble

Indy’s Treasures Might Not Belong In A Museum After All

Indy looking at cross in The Last Crusade

The artifacts in Indiana Jones are a key component of the franchise, whether it’s something with magical properties like the Holy Grail or not. Indy is introduced in Raiders of the Lost Ark as he tries to take a golden idol from a remote temple, but scenes like this now look a little problematic.

Some of Indy’s actions now look like they reinforce western colonialist ideals.

One of Indy’s most famous quotes, “It belongs in a museum“, now seems outdated, as more and more people advocate for the return of looted cultural artifacts in western museums and galleries. Some of Indy’s actions now look like they reinforce western colonialist ideals.

9

Some Of The Casting Wouldn’t Fly Today

The Indiana Jones Movies Have White Actors In Ethnically Diverse Roles

Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) stands smiling in a red fez in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

The original Indiana Jones features several white actors playing Arabic, South-East Asian or African characters, although this isn’t always easy to spot. A lot of these actors only have minor background roles, but there are some instances that are much harder to ignore.

Welsh actor John Rhys-Davies, also famous for playing Gimli in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, plays Indy’s Egyptian friend Sallah. Rhys-Davies first appeared in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but he later returned for The Last Crusade and even 2023’s Dial of Destiny.

8

Indy’s Relationship With Marion Is Questionable

It Can Be Hard To Ignore Indy And Marion’s Backstory

Marion is one of the most interesting side characters in the Indiana Jones franchise, but the origins of her relationship with Indy have always been problematic. The couple first started a relationship when Marion was just 15 years old, and Indy was several years older.

Indy has always been a morally gray hero, but his inappropriate relationship with a young Marion is a step too far. It makes him look creepy, not mysterious or unconventional. This is one side of Indy’s character that makes him much harder to root for, even if he and Marion’s relationship does progress when they are both adults.

7

Willie Is A Stereotypical Damsel In Distress

Kate Capshaw’s Character Lacks Any Real Depth

Indy watching Willie and Short Round scream in the minecart in Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom 

Rather than being a pure sequel, Temple of Doom shakes up the Indiana Jones timeline by telling a story that takes place before Raiders of the Lost Ark. This means that there’s no Marion, but Willie replaces her as Indy’s love interest. This is a huge step-down, because Willie lacks any of Marion’s fight or resourcefulness.

Willie is a typical “damsel in distress” character, who constantly needs Indy to save her as she screams her head off. She offers some comedic relief, but her cartoonish inepтιтude means that she has no real depth. She’s never more than an accessory to Indy’s adventure.

6

Indy’s Insignificance In Raiders Of The Lost Ark Has Been The Target Of Jokes

Indy Barely Impacts The Plot At All

Indiana Jones doesn’t affect the plot very much in Raiders of the Lost Ark. If he was never on the scene, the Nazis would still have gotten their faces melted off by the Ark of the Covenant in the end. Ultimately, Indy’s heroic exploits and perilous near-death experiences don’t amount to very much.

Raiders of the Lost Ark is still a thrilling adventure movie, but Indy’s role in it has become the subject of jokes. There was a whole episode of The Big Bang Theory about Indy’s relatively minor role in Raiders, which highlights just how widespread this joke has gotten over the years.

5

Indiana Jones Spoiled Its Perfect Ending After The Last Crusade

The Franchise Never Should Have Returned

Riding into the sunset in Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ends with the image of Indy and his friends literally riding off into the sunset after foiling the Nazis one last time. It could be an overly sentimental ending, but The Last Crusade earns its moment of triumph. Unfortunately, this moment has been tainted by the subsequent sequels.

The Last Crusade provides a fitting finale to Indy’s story, and not just because of this closing scene. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull also manages to pull off a touching ending, even though it had no real need to exist. By contrast. Dial of Destiny‘s ending is a big disappointment, proving that the franchise shouldn’t have sullied its perfect ending.

4

Indy Surviving A Nuclear Blast Seems Ridiculous

Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull’s Wildest Moment Hasn’t Gotten Any Better

Indy emerges from a fridge in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull took the Indiana Jones franchise in a controversial new direction, veering into sci-fi instead of simply dabbling in fantasy like the original trilogy. Even in a movie that introduces interdimensional aliens, the scene in which Indy survives a nuclear explosion stands out as being particularly far-fetched.

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull‘s nuclear test scene was divisive at the time, and it’s only gotten more laughable over the years. The idea that Indy can tuck himself into a lead-lined fridge and survive being rattled around by an atomic bomb is ludicrous to the point that it makes him seem superhuman.

3

Temple Of Doom’s Orientalism Uses Indian Stereotypes

Indy’s Trip To India Indulges Some Harmful Tropes

Willie is served monkey brains in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Temple of Doom is probably the most controversial Indiana Jones movie of all, packed with scenes that seem offensive by today’s standards. Indy’s journey to India is rife with harmful stereotypes, some of which are played for laughs and some of which contribute directly to the narrative.

According to Temple of Doom, India is a country filled with violent zealots of demonic religious cults, supersтιтious rural villagers and people who feast on chilled monkey brains and live snakes. This is a prime example of orientalism in Hollywood, and it perpetuates false narratives about India.

2

Temple Of Doom Uses A White Savior Narrative

Indy Literally Falls From The Sky To Help A Group Of Indian People

Harrison Ford on a rope bridge in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Along with Temple of Doom‘s harmful portrayal of Indian people, the second Indiana Jones movie also use the “white savior” trope, in which a white character swoops in to save the day for people of a different culture. Indy retrieves the Sankara Stones and frees the child slaves almost single-handedly.

The “white savior” trope has often been criticized as a veiled form of white supremacy in Hollywood movies. It would be harsh to suggest that this is the intent of Temple of Doom, but the sequel indulges this trope nonetheless, continuing to reinforce dangerous stereotypes.

1

Some Parts Of The Dial Of Destiny Are Doomed To Age Poorly

Indy’s Latest Outing Already Has Some Questionable Elements

Young Indiana Jones with a stern look on his face in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Dial of Destiny is only two years old, but it’s clear to see that there are some elements which won’t stand the test of time. Even though it was a commercial flop that received mixed reviews at the time, things could get even worse for the most recent Indiana Jones movie, whether it ends the franchise for good or not.

Things could get even worse for the most recent Indiana Jones movie, whether it ends the franchise for good or not.

Dial of Destiny opens with a digitally de-aged Harrison Ford on a classic Indiana Jones adventure. This opening sequence already looks a little uncanny, so it will probably start to look even worse if the technology becomes more convincing in the next few years.

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