--- title: "Raiders of the Lost Ark: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark" critics_score: 89 critics_reviews: 19 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): what the critics said Critics' score 89 from 19 reviews: 19 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimous: nineteen in, all of them positive, and most treat the film as the high point of the series. The praise gathers around the set pieces, with the opening temple, the boulder and the desert truck chase named again and again, and around Harrison Ford, whose tired, rueful hero several critics consider his best work. Spielberg’s staging, the pace, John Williams’s score and the sparring between Ford and Karen Allen come up nearly as often, and more than one writer credits the film with setting the pattern for the modern blockbuster. Reservations are scarce and small. The spread runs from roughly 70 to full marks, and the only cooler notice, from Total Film, concerns the IMAX re-release, where some effects look their age even as the boulder still lands. A few critics mention the theme-park pacing without minding it, and one or two read the film as a knowing parody of old serials rather than a straight adventure, which is as close to disagreement as the reviews get. ## Evening Standard — William Mata Rating 5/5. 12 March 2024. The critic ranks it the best in the Indiana Jones series and calls it the most even and complete film, possibly the best-executed Lucasfilm release. They single out the opening temple scene, classic moments like the propeller death and fedora save, and the genuinely scary Nazi villains. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/indiana-jones-films-ranked-harrison-ford-b1091051.html) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 5/5. The critic calls it a definitive action masterpiece and breathless fantasy extravaganza. They praise the witty invention, raw spirit of adventure, and Spielberg at the height of his powers, especially the spine-tingling climactic effects. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-b9cwoi/raiders-of-the-lost-ark/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 5/5. 23 September 2024. The critic hails it as the greatest adventure movie ever made. They single out Harrison Ford's wry, world-weary performance and the bone-crunching intensity of the central desert chase sequence. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/raiders-of-the-lost-ark) ## The AV Club — Tom Breihan Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2020. The review celebrates Raiders as a perfect distillation of cliffhanging adventure serials into pure cinema and the ultimate Disneyland-style thrill ride. It praises the virtuoso staging of action set pieces, the self-conscious silliness, and the way it transforms spectacle into something enduringly entertaining. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/indiana-jones-made-his-nazi-punching-debut-in-the-ultim-1841917523) ## Empire — Danny Eccleston Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Spielberg delivers a note-perfect adventure movie and the start of a great franchise after the disappointment of 1941. The film excels through its spectacular set-pieces, brisk storytelling, and iconic moments like the improvised gun-vs-sword scene. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/empire-essay-indiana-jones-raiders-lost-ark-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 April 2000. The film is a technical exercise and exuberant serial that succeeds as great entertainment while embedding Spielberg's anti-Nazi and religious themes. Harrison Ford embodies the indestructible hero at the center of nonstop action and fun. [Read the review](https://rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-1981) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Arthur Knight Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 June 1981. The critic hails the film as terrific entertainment and a solid achievement in every department. He singles out the stunt work, lavish sets, and pulse-pounding score for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/raiders-lost-ark-review-1981-movie-1011481) ## The New York Times — Vincent Canby Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 1981. From the opening moments, the film races at a breakneck pace as one of the most deliriously funny, ingenious and stylish American adventure movies ever made. It refines tacky serial sources into a work with its own rare sensibility, full of humor and style without being a sendup. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/12/movies/moviesspecial/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.html) ## The Times — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 September 2012. Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark is rereleased and you are strongly advised to catch it on an IMAX screen. It is easy to forget just how breathlessly exciting was this original ripping yarn, with playful humour and special effects that hold up remarkably well, and Harrison Ford has never been better as the dashing archaeologist. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/raiders-of-the-lost-ark-pzdb0f7k3mc) ## Variety — Stephen Klain Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 June 1981. The film is a crackerjack fantasy-adventure that turns pulp serial origins into exhilarating escapist entertainment with broad appeal. Spielberg balances escapist fun and hard-edged action with mystical wonder, strong characterizations from Ford and Allen, and top technical craft. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1981/film/reviews/raiders-of-the-lost-ark-1200425049/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 July 2023. The piece declares Raiders the only truly great Indiana Jones film and one of the greatest adventure movies ever made. It singles out the unbroken chain of great set pieces and the perfect pairing of Spielberg’s direction with Ford’s star turn for praise. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2023/07/raiders-of-the-lost-ark-is-the-only-great-indiana-jones-film.html) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 June 2021. The critic praises Raiders as a remarkable achievement in action cinema, highlighting its stunt choreography, production design, and enduring special effects. He notes it as a pulp epic rooted in serial traditions. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/indiana-jones-4-movie-collection-4k-review-steven-spielberg/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 September 2012. Spielberg's rollicking adventure yarn still looks buoyant and dashing after 30 years. The film is crammed with great stuff like creepy spiders and skulls, and rays of sunlight that open granite doors, and remains a treat. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/sep/20/raiders-of-lost-ark-review) ## The New Yorker — David Denby Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 26 May 2008. The critic highlights the original film's romping confidence and electrifying energy as both an action-adventure and an exuberant parody of old serials. He singles out the inventive physical action sequences, the chemistry between Harrison Ford and Karen Allen, and the formula's blend of formula and surprise for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/06/02/indy-charts) ## Los Angeles Times — Dennis Lim Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 11 May 2008. The piece positions Raiders as the template for the modern blockbuster with its relentless pace and theme-park aesthetic. It singles out the unvarying momentum, John Williams' score, and the strong spark between Harrison Ford and Karen Allen as reasons it has held up best among the early films. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-11-ca-secondlook11-story.html) ## Total Film — Neil Smith Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 September 2012. The IMAX re-release of the 1981 classic is worth seeing for its enhanced sound mix and newly visible details in the visuals. Some effects look dated on the big screen, but the boulder chase and whip cracks remain thrilling. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/indiana-jones-and-the-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-review/) ## Collider — Chase Hutchinson Rating A-. 29 June 2023. The critic calls it a near-perfect work and the undisputed high mark of the series. They praise Harrison Ford's vulnerable yet charming performance as Indiana Jones, the film's kinetic action sequences, and Spielberg's direction that balances thrills with emotional investment. [Read the review](https://collider.com/indiana-jones-and-the-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-review/) ## Film Stories — A J Black Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2023. The critic highlights the film's enduring appeal, its blend of humor, thrills, and darker elements, and praises its set pieces, character depth, and status as the gold standard of adventure films. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/features/indiana-jones-revisited-heading-back-to-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-1981/) ## HeyUGuys — Dave Roper Rating *****. 17 January 2011. Praises the iconic set pieces, Harrison Ford's perfect casting, Spielberg's direction, and declares it the finest action adventure film and one of Spielberg's best. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/video-vault-raiders-of-the-lost-ark/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.md