Netflix has added a true Hollywood classic to its streaming platform, and film fans are delighted.
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford, is now available to watch, offering viewers the chance to experience one of the greatest films ever made.
How Raiders of the Lost Ark was created
© DisneyThe idea for Raiders of the Lost Ark began in the early 1970s when George Lucas wanted to create a modern tribute to the adventure serials of the 1930s and 1940s.
After the success of Star Wars in 1977, Lucas revisited the concept and pitched it to Spielberg. Spielberg, who had expressed interest in directing a James Bond-style adventure, immediately came on board.
Together with screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and producer Philip Kaufman, they crafted a story centred around a daring archaeologist and a mythical biblical artefact.
What is Raiders of the Lost Ark about?
© DisneySet in 1936, the story follows Dr. Indiana Jones, who is recruited by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can get their hands on it.
The film opens with one of the most iconic action sequences in cinema history, as Indiana retrieves a golden idol from a booby-trapped temple in South America.
From there, the adventure spans continents, featuring thrilling chases, secret tombs, and a memorable face-off with an old flame, Marion Ravenwood, played by Karen Allen.
A major box office success
© DisneyWhen Raiders of the Lost Ark was released in June 1981, it became the highest-grossing film of the year, earning over $300 million worldwide.
It received nine Academy Award nominations and won five, including Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.
Audiences and critics alike praised the film for its fast-paced storytelling, impressive stunts, and charismatic lead performance from Harrison Ford, then 39 years old.
A film that changed the blockbuster forever
© DisneyIndiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark had a huge influence on the action-adventure genre and helped shape what audiences now expect from a Hollywood blockbuster.
It introduced viewers to Indiana Jones, one of cinema's most iconic characters, and spawned a successful franchise that includes four sequels and multiple spin-off projects.
In 1999, it was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Critical acclaim for Raiders of the Lost Ark
© DisneyThe film continues to hold a near-perfect approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is frequently cited in polls and critic lists as one of the greatest films of all time.
Film experts have praised Spielberg's tight direction, John Williams' memorable score, and Ford's charismatic performance.
Harrison Ford: 5 suprising facts
© Getty Images1. Advertising man
Alongside his acting career, Harrison became a major figure in Japan due to his appearances in several commercials. His most notable endorsement was for Kirin Lager.
2. Hollywood heartthrob
In his younger years, Harrison portrayed iconic characters like Hans Solo and Indiana Jones, earning him swooning fans. Off camera, Harrison he was married three times and had a three-month romantic affair with Carrie Fisher during the filming of Star Wars.
3. Real-life pilot
Harrison isn't just a pilot in The Expendables - he's a trained aviator who has saved people in real life. Though never asked by authorities, the actor owns multiple planes and helicopters putting his skills to good use. In 2001, he rescued a lost Boy Scout in Wyoming’s Yellowstone, according to ABC News.
4. Spider Ford
While celebrities often have planets named after them, Harrison has a spider species named in his honour. The spider species Calponia harrisonfordi was named after him according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
5. Signature chin scar
One of Harrison's distinct features is his chin scar, which he explained to Parade was the result of "a fast car crash." When he was younger, he was driving to work and veered into a telephone pole while trying to put on his seatbelt.
One fan on X recently said: "Raiders of the Lost Ark isn't just a movie. It's a blueprint for how adventure stories should be told." That's the perfect way to describe the movie.
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark is now available to stream on Netflix.
