We discuss ten movies like Indiana Jones you must watch. Add these well-recommended films to your watch list.
The latest trailer for the new thrilling pulp-inspired Indiana Jones movie has dropped, and fans of the franchise are already on the edge of their seats awaiting the whole movie. Crotchety horse riding seventh highest earning replicant slaying movie icon Harrison Ford is back as Indy, whip-cracking his way to another box office hit. At Ready Steady Cut, we are already excited.
As we enjoyed our morning coffee and croissants, talk precariously turned to Harrison and the franchise, and of course, before long, we decided this would be a good time to look at ten films like Indiana Jones you must watch.
10 Movies like Indiana Jones you must watch
The Goonies (1985)
When we first meet Indy, it was through the incredible Raiders of the Lost Ark, a classic from 1981 that would thrill cinema-goers, making it one of the most loved 80’s films ever made. In a similar vein, probably riding on a wave of nostalgia, came another rip-roaring adventure, with its feet firmly in the realm of pulp fiction.
The Goonies is a magical family adventure that is still watched today. The comedy-adventure shares many beats with Raiders and comes from a story by Steven Spielberg, so it has to be on our list today.
Romancing the Stone (1984)
There is no doubt that this fantastic and often underrated gem was hugely influenced by Indy. Starring Kirk Douglas clone and Liberace impersonator Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, this romantic comedy adventure shares the same kind of action with Raiders while also letting the two leads shine.
Echoes of classic Hollywood pairings and a rip-roaring old-fashioned escapade make this a must-watch Indy-style movie.
Tomb Raider (2018)
You could probably reference any of the Tomb Raider movies for our list, as the style and tone of this franchise shout Indiana Jones at you. The Lara Croft character certainly owes a lot to Indy, but the female lead gives this franchise a really fresh feeling.
Plenty of quests for lost artifacts and menacing villains behind every darkened corner certainly conjure up the pulp noir that made Indiana Jones so successful. Alicia Vikander was a wicked Lara.
Librarian: Quest For The Spear (2004)
The Librarian is another Indy clone that some of you may have missed out on as it’s more of a TV-based property, yet it might surprise you to learn that the character, played by Noah Wylie, has appeared in three made-for-TV films and a TV series too.
As well as that, there are books and comics that continue the story, so there’s a real fan base out there for more stories. It’s noteworthy that the library itself contains the Ark of the Covenant as one of its mysterious treasures.
National Treasure (2004)
Disney gets on board with the pulp adventure genre and goes all in by casting manic bee-hating shouty self-parody Nicholas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates, an American treasure hunter and cryptographer on the hunt for lost Freemason treasure. The success spawned a sequel, and the franchise holds its own, attracting top talent to the films, spawning a sequel and a TV series. Worth a view if you enjoy light-hearted action romps.
Relic Hunter (1999)
More TV here, with a long-running and never noticed adventure series starring Tia Carrere as Sydney Fox, a professor who is also an international relic hunter searching for ancient artifacts to return to museums or the descendants of the original owners. The show lasted for three seasons and sixty-six episodes before Sydney managed to find everything she was looking for and move on.
Jumanji (1995)
Although the plot and tone are different from Indy, this fantasy adventure manages to evoke some of the atmospheres from Indy movies. The story centers on a magical board game that releases jungle-based hazards upon its players that you can’t help but compare to some set pieces from previous outings with Dr. Jones.
This incredibly successful franchise continues to provide great family entertainment, moving with the times with each entry.
The Lost City of Z (2016)
Ex-movie football hooligan and likable son of anarchy Charlie Hunnam plays Percy Fawcett, a young British officer that is sent off to Brazil to discover an ancient lost city.
Based on the book by David Grann, this is a more grounded and less fantastic tale than the Indy films, and it failed to light the box office up, which is a shame, as the excellent cast, including Tom Holland and Robert Pattison, all give great performances. If you dismissed this at the time, you might want to give it another chance.
Duck Tales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)
Remember when Disney made cartoons? Well, this Duck-centric animated movie, spinning out of the popular TV series, is a real homage to Raiders and features Scrooge McDuck and Huey, Dewey, and Louie as they venture to Egypt in search of a pyramid and a magic lamp. Great family fun and done with a nod and a wink to the adults watching with the kids.
Jungle Cruise (2021)
More Disney on screen here, as the somewhat floundering company tries to launch another huge franchise based on a theme park ride. Even writing that sentence seems weird, and this misstep has been relegated to the memory hole of audiences that didn’t really get on deck with the offering.
The plot, as it was, follows Dr. Lily Houghton, played by quiet alien killing machine Emily Blunt, who hires sassy skipper Frank Wolff, played by Shazam franchise-destroying narcissist Dwayne Johnson, to explore the Amazon River and jungle. They are looking for an ancient magical tree that holds the power to heal, but so far, we have only had speculation about further sailings.
Do you have any other recommendations for movies like Indiana Jones? Let us know in the comments.
