Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- energetic
- nostalgic
- witty
- blockbuster movie night
- adventure marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film entertaining and competently staged, while considering it weaker and less inspired than the earlier Indiana Jones adventures.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The crystal skull functions as the central object motivating Jones, the Soviets, and the expedition to Peru.
Jones is pursued by Soviet agents led by Irina Spalko while the story links archaeological discovery to fears about Western security.
The film repeatedly stages jungle peril, vehicle chases, archaeological exploration, and supernatural revelation in the style of classic adventure serials.
The crystal skull investigation connects Maya-associated ruins and mysterious relics to the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
Films like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and why
Raiders of the Lost Ark
pulp adventure, globe-spanning treasure hunt, supernatural artifact, and energetic action spectacle
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
archaeological adventure, ancient relics, serialized thrills, and comic heroic momentum
The Rocketeer
Cold War espionage, extraterrestrial mystery, and large-scale action adventure
The Mummy
classic treasure-hunt structure, exotic locations, supernatural mythology, and family-accessible spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Steven Spielberg
- Release Date
- 2008-05-21
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (9269)
Cast
- Harrison Ford
- Cate Blanchett
- Karen Allen
- Shia LaBeouf
- Ray Winstone
- John Hurt
- Jim Broadbent
- Igor Jijikine
- Dimitri Diatchenko
- Ilia Volok
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus, fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull about?
- An aging archaeologist races Soviet agents through Cold War South America to return a mysterious crystal skull before its secrets become a global threat.
- What is Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as moderate.
- What did critics think of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull?
- Critics broadly found the film entertaining and competently staged, while considering it weaker and less inspired than the earlier Indiana Jones adventures.
- Which films are like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull?
- Films with a similar feel include Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Rocketeer, and The Mummy.
- How long is Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull?
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull?
- In United States, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull streams on Disney Plus, fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
- National Treasure: Book of Secrets2007
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales2017
- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider2001
- The Mummy Returns2001
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian2009
- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life2003
- Tomb Raider2018
- The Mummy1999
- Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides2011
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny2023
