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26 Unforgettable Lines from the Indiana Jones Movies

Published: March 14, 2024 by Dan Myers

The original “Indiana Jones” trilogy was built to stand the test of time. The globetrotting adventures of Harrison Ford’s iconic action hero, archaeologist Indiana Jones, lured in audiences on day one and still hasn’t let go. The films’ fan base has only grown larger over the years as new generations have fallen in love with them, with additional installments released in 2008 and 2023. The original three films – 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” 1984’s “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” and 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” remain timeless classics, and like most classic films that are infinitely rewatchable, they’re full of famous quotes.

When “Raiders of the Lost Ark” burst onto the scene in 1981 – with the dream team of director Steven Spielberg, writer Lawrence Kasdan, and storyteller George Lucas at the helm – it was a big a blockbuster as was ever made, and was the highest-grossing film of the year, remaining in some theaters for over a year. Harrison Ford gave a career-defining performance, it’s regarded as one of the very best films ever made, and it made a lasting impact on pop culture. Inspired by the serial adventure films of Hollywood’s early Golden Age, the film follows Indy (and his tough-girl former love interest, Marion Ravenwood) as he tries to track down the lost Ark of the Covenant in 1936, while keeping the Nazis at bay. A smashing success, it grossed nearly $390 million at the box office on a $20 million budget.

The second film, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” while not as universally critically beloved, was also the highest-grossing film of the year of its release, grossing $333 million on a $28 million budget. Darker and more violent than the first film, the (unspoken) prequel sends Indy to British India, where he’s tasked by villagers with finding a mystical stone and rescuing their children from a murderous cult.

The third, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” was a true return to form, with Indy and his father, portrayed by Sean Connery in one of the decade’s most brilliant casting moves, teaming up to take on the Nazis once again, although this time they’re on a quest for the Holy Grail. Once again the highest-grossing film of the year, “Last Crusade” was also a critical smash, bringing in $474 million on a $48 million budget, with many fans agreeing that it’s just as good as the first.

It’s nearly impossible to rewatch the “Indiana Jones” movies without finding yourself quoting along with Indiana, Henry Jones, Sr., and the rest of the gang. There’s something about Harrison Ford’s signature wit that shines through in his dialogue, making lines that would seem relatively benign when spoken by another actor become truly memorable. It’s no wonder that he also delivers some of the most legendary lines in the “Star Wars” movies, too.