Indiana Jones Future Is No Longer Movies (And That’s Okay)

Published Oct 18, 2026, 10:45 PM EDT

Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero. 

With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.

Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

Indiana Jones is undoubtedly one of the most iconic adventure heroes in movie history. That said, even the world's greatest adventurer/archaeologist can't outrun time forever.

For over 40 years, Harrison Ford has brought Indiana Jones to life with all kinds of epic stories in search of ancient artifacts and facing all kinds of foes and dark forces. That said, one has to wonder what's next for the Indiana Jones franchise, especially after the release of 2023's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. After all, Dial of Destiny was clearly designed as a farewell to Ford's legendary character, depicted at the end of his career with one last adventure in the end of the 60s.

Fortunately, the apparent end of Indiana Jones movies doesn't have to mean the end of Indiana Jones altogether. There's plenty Lucasfilm is doing (and could still do) to expand the Indiana Jones franchise, and it feels more than okay if movies are no longer part of the plan.

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Dial of Destiny Proved The Sun Has Set On Indiana Jones Movies

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was always going to be a more difficult movie to make and a "harder sell" than the earlier films in the franchise, with the story having to acknowledge the decades that have passed since Ford first played the character in the original 1981 film.

Making his age and retirement part of the story, Dial of Destiny stars an Indiana Jones past his prime, dealing with the regrets of the past and a world that is gradually leaving him behind. Despite its more divisive reception, the movie has genuine merit and value as a compelling examination of what becomes of a hero who's actually allowed to have more adventures behind him than ahead.

Despite its less-than-stellar box office performance, Dial of Destiny gave Ford a chance to close out his time as Indy on his terms, while also suggesting that the sun has pretty much set on Indiana Jones movies short of a full franchise reboot with a younger actor. While theoretically possible, it's likely that recasting such an iconic role would be even more divisive and controversial.

Instead, perhaps it's okay that Indy's time on the big-screen has come to an end. After all, there's plenty that can still be done with the franchise, and Lucasfilm is already proving it.

There's Still Plenty The Indiana Jones Franchise Can Do Beyond Films

Fortunately, the Indiana Jones franchise has already found some pretty great success beyond movies. For example, 2024's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade) received a very warm reception from gamers, with MachineGames and Bethesda having captured the spirit of the classic movies, while also proving how other mediums can deliver just as much of an authentic adventure as a live-action film.

Additionally, Disney is expanding the Indiana Jones franchise with a brand-new ride coming to Florida's Animal Kingdom with Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, an exciting new adventure with Ford providing his likeness for the ride's animatronics. Likewise, Jason Aaron and Aaron Kuder will be kicking off Indiana Jones and the Sword of Pandemonium this December, a new Marvel Comics series starring Indy and Marion Ravenwood in the aftermath of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

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Across the board, these projects offer a variety of different ways to explore the Indiana Jones franchise and keep it going, though Lucasfilm could and should go even further. An animated series could have some very exciting potential, not to mention spin-offs starring other beloved characters in the franchise. I mean, actor Ke Huy Quan is right there. I'd imagine he'd more than likely love to return as an adult Short Round, with the character perhaps having been inspired by Indy to get into the archaeology field himself.

Keeping that in mind, it should never be said that the Indiana Jones franchise is over or dead just because movies are no longer part of the equation. Even without them, there's far too much potential on the table.