What 1981 adventure film directed by Spielberg introduced Indiana Jones?

The 1981 adventure film directed by Spielberg that introduced Indiana Jones is Raiders of the Lost Ark. Harrison Ford plays Indiana Jones, an archaeology professor and adventurer racing against Nazi forces to find the Ark of the Covenant.

The film originated with George Lucas, who wanted to recreate the fast-paced serial adventures popular in the early twentieth century. Philip Kaufman helped develop the Ark-centered story, while Lawrence Kasdan wrote the screenplay. Spielberg joined as director after Lucas pitched the project to him in 1977.

Raiders became the first entry in the Indiana Jones franchise, followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The title was later marketed as Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.

It is sometimes confused with The Temple of Doom because that film was released later but is set earlier in the character’s timeline. Raiders remains the franchise’s original introduction to Jones and his globe-trotting blend of archaeology, action, humor, and mythology.