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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Universal acclaim
Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 44 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Action | Adventure
Written by:
George Lucas (story)
Philip Kaufman (story)
Lawrence Kasdan
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Release Date:
Theatrical: June 12, 1981
DVD: October 21, 2003
Running Time: 115 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: PG
Starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina, and Wolf Kahler
You're in for thrills as Indiana Jones (Ford) confronts snakes, Nazis and one astonishing cliffhanger after another -- all topped off by the discovery and opening of the mystical Ark of the Covenant. (Paramount)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: A.I. Artificial Intelligence Amistad Catch Me If You Can E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Empire of the Sun Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Jaws Jurassic Park Minority Report Munich Saving Private Ryan Schindler's List The Color Purple The Lost World: Jurassic Park The Terminal War of the Worlds
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
Plays like an anthology of the best parts from all the Saturday matinee serials ever made.
Read Full Review >Dallas Observer Luke Y. Thompson
Spielberg can never top this. Period.
The New York Times Vincent Canby
One of the most deliriously funny, ingenious and stylish American adventure movies ever made.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten
Harrison Ford gave one of his most memorable performances as Indiana Jones, a dashing Saturday matinee idol for the modern age.
Read Full Review >Premiere Howard Karren
Steven Spielberg turns the pure adventure of Saturday afternoon serials into a solidly entertaining spectacle.
ReelViews James Berardinelli
Has all the right ingredients: a smart script, a likable hero, a dash of romance, more than a touch of comedy, and a lot of fast-paced action.
Read Full Review >Variety Staff (Not Credited)
Spielberg has deftly veiled proceedings in a sense of mystical wonder that makes it all the more easy for viewers to suspend disbelief and settle back for the fun.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel
An adventure film that plays like an old-time 12-part serial that you see all at once, instead of Saturday-to-Saturday. It's a modern "Thief of Baghdad." It's the kind of movie that first got you excited about movies when you were a kid. (Translation for today's children: It's better than anything on TV.) [12 June 1981]
TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)
Ford's performance is an underrated but remarkable achievement; he succeeds in fully embodying a comic-book style hero without ever descending into camp.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps
Finds the right balance between reverence and wit.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Dave Kehr
Travels fast and straight down a linear plot, and the ceaseless rush quickly becomes monotonous.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 44 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
aditya m gave it a3:
Are you people really serious with this movie? I cannot believe myself as I watched the movie that this has been directed by Steven Spielberg let alone acclaiming this as one of best movies. You got to be kidding, whoever had praised it so much. Steven Spielberg is a master director, but this is not a movie that has to be taken by him. This must be joke . Really a joke that people are considering it so high. The Novelette The Thirty nine steps was reminded to me when I watched this movie. Even that was hyped but isn't worth it.
Andrew P. gave it a10:
The greatest adventure movie ever made! Forget the 30/100 review, that is bull!
Joey Z. gave it a10:
Best Indiana Jones Movie ! This movie had great special effects ,a great story , and great acting. Probably the best movie I've ever seen!
paul l. gave it a10:
Geez, that "Chicago reader" critic DAve Kehr is not in a mood for this film and probably because he drinks too much alcohol and pills which turn him into crazy maniac! This is the best of all Indiana Jones series!
Walter C. gave it a0:
Who could possibly enjoy this? It was sick! Full of unnessecary killing and just like Saving Private Ryan, it makes the Germans look stupid! The Ark of the Covenant? Horrible plot device! And the theme? Barely hummable!
Devon C. gave it an8:
It's unmissable. The action is outstanding, the romance between Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood was spellbinding, and the whole thing all together is just great. Despite it's flaws, it's definitely in my top 10 favourites.
Steve C. gave it a9:
ATTENTION - INDY 4 [***SPOLIER***] The ark ends up in a box in a warehouse at AREA 51 which turns out to be a place for hiding the American Governments secrets
