Which Indiana Jones film was the first in the series to be released?

Raiders of the Lost Ark was the first Indiana Jones film to be released.

Paramount Pictures released the film in 1981. It introduced Harrison Ford as archaeologist Indiana Jones and established the series’ blend of action, historical mystery, comedy, romance, and serial-adventure influences.

Although Raiders was the first movie audiences saw, its story is set in 1936. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, released in 1984, is set one year earlier, in 1935, so it is a prequel in the fictional chronology. This difference between release order and story order is one of the most common points of confusion about the franchise.

George Lucas conceived the character with filmmakers including Steven Spielberg, who directed Raiders. The movie’s success led to four theatrical sequels: Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Dial of Destiny.