Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Kernel Score: 92% · 13,436 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Adventure, Action
Released: 1981-06-12
Runtime: 115 minutes
Is Raiders of the Lost Ark worth watching?
Must-watch. The template for the modern adventure film. Fast, funny and endlessly inventive, with a hero who gets beaten up as much as he wins. It still plays brilliantly decades on.
Watch it if you
- love old-school adventure with real stunts
- want a charming, quick-witted hero
- like treasure hunts and ancient mysteries
Skip it if you
- dislike anything set in the early 20th century
- find old-fashioned effects jarring
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Stream: Prime Video, Disney+, Fubo, Paramount+, YouTube TV
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When Dr. Indiana Jones – the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist – is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime.
Raiders of the Lost Ark parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that Raiders of the Lost Ark is a PG adventure film featuring Nazi villains, gunplay, and perilous action sequences.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — The adventure includes gunfights, whips, and confrontations with Nazi soldiers typical of its PG rating.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark
If you liked Raiders of the Lost Ark, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) — 94%: The best follow-up, adding a great father-son dynamic.
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) — 81%: Darker, wilder second outing with the same hero.
- Jurassic Park (1993) — 94%: Spielberg's other brilliant big-screen adventure.
- Star Wars (1977) — 94%: The other great swashbuckling adventure of that era.
- The Mummy (1999) — 76%: A lighter, comic take on treasure hunting and ancient curses.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) — 97%: Epic quest adventure built with the same sense of wonder.
Director
Cast
- Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones
- Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood
- Paul Freeman as Dr. René Belloq
- John Rhys-Davies as Sallah
- Ronald Lacey as Major Arnold Toht
- Wolf Kahler as Colonel Dietrich
- Anthony Higgins as Gobler
- Denholm Elliott as Dr. Marcus Brody
- Alfred Molina as Satipo
- Vic Tablian as Barranca / Monkey Man
Raiders of the Lost Ark FAQ
Is Raiders of the Lost Ark worth watching?
Must-watch. The template for the modern adventure film. Fast, funny and endlessly inventive, with a hero who gets beaten up as much as he wins. It still plays brilliantly decades on.
Where can I watch Raiders of the Lost Ark?
In the US you can stream Raiders of the Lost Ark on Prime Video, Disney+, Fubo, Paramount+ and YouTube TV and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Raiders of the Lost Ark OK for kids?
Raiders of the Lost Ark is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that Raiders of the Lost Ark is a PG adventure film featuring Nazi villains, gunplay, and perilous action sequences.
What movies are like Raiders of the Lost Ark?
If you liked Raiders of the Lost Ark, try Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park and Star Wars.