Why All Of Spielberg’s Indiana Jones Movies Were Removed From Disney+ Explained

Indiana Jones fans recently logging into Disney+ may have been surprised to find that most of the franchise has vanished from the platform. While “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” remains available for viewing, the absence of the previous four Spielberg-directed films—Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull—has left some fans puzzled. The reason for this sudden disappearance, however, is more straightforward than it seems.

A Journey Through Cinematic History

The Indiana Jones series, now a beloved cornerstone of adventure cinema, almost took a different path. The character of Indiana Jones, as portrayed by Harrison Ford, has become iconic, but Ford wasn’t the original choice for the role. Actor Tom Selleck was initially cast, only to drop out due to his commitment to the Magnum P.I. pilot. This led to director Steven Spielberg and creator George Lucas turning to Harrison Ford, fresh off his Star Wars fame, to don the fedora and whip. Ford went on to define the role across five films, turning Indiana Jones into a pop culture phenomenon.

From Spielberg’s spectacular setpieces to Ford’s charismatic portrayal, the franchise expertly blends history with thrilling adventure. Ford’s tenure as the daring archaeologist even extended into a cameo on the 1990s TV series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. Despite the 2023 release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, directed by James Mangold—marking the first time Spielberg stepped aside—the bulk of the franchise remains tied to Spielberg’s iconic direction. Yet, as of October 1, 2024, most of those films have been removed from Disney+.

Disney Doesn’t Own Distribution Rights to the First Four Movies

Disney’s 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm for $4 billion brought both Star Wars and Indiana Jones under its expansive umbrella. However, the deal didn’t include everything—specifically, the distribution rights to the first four Indiana Jones movies. Paramount Pictures, which originally distributed the films, retained those rights despite Disney’s purchase of the Lucasfilm intellectual property.

To coincide with the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023, Disney struck a temporary agreement with Paramount to stream the first four Indiana Jones movies on Disney+. That licensing deal, unfortunately for fans, has since expired, which explains why the films have been removed from the platform. The unpredictability of such licensing agreements has led to an increasing trend of streaming services removing major titles without notice, much to the frustration of viewers.

What Exactly Does Disney Own?

While Disney does own the Indiana Jones IP—granting them the ability to produce future films or TV series centered on the character—they do not automatically gain control over the distribution of previous films in the franchise. This is why Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the only film left standing on Disney+, accompanied by specials like Dial of Destiny: A Special Look and Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford.

Though Disney can produce new content under the Indiana Jones banner, the earlier films remain outside their distribution reach unless they strike further deals with Paramount. And while Disney has invested heavily in the Indiana Jones brand, its control over the franchise remains incomplete without the distribution rights to the Spielberg-helmed classics.

The Future of Indiana Jones

With Dial of Destiny marking Harrison Ford’s farewell to the role, the future of the Indiana Jones franchise remains uncertain. While owning the IP makes the franchise a valuable asset for Disney, there are no current plans for new movies or shows, at least for now. As for the original four films, fans may need to seek them elsewhere—or wait and see if Disney strikes another streaming deal to bring them back. For now, the iconic early films have disappeared from Disney+, leaving Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny as the sole adventure still streaming on the platform.

In a world where streaming services constantly update and adjust their libraries, the licensing game can be complicated and frustrating for loyal fans. While the absence of these beloved Indiana Jones films may sting, the explanation behind their removal boils down to contractual agreements—and the complexities of owning a beloved but multifaceted franchise.