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Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    A thrill ride and a half.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Many of the ethnic characters (Arab, German and French) are shady or downright barberous.
  • Violence :

    Lots of hand-to-hand battles (fists, swords, whips) and plenty of guns.
  • Sex :

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    A roller coaster has been made of this film.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Karen Allen's character wins a shots drinking contest by pounding down enough alchohol to kill the average person. The movie portrays this as funny.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Parents need to know that kids will see lots of hand-to-hand battles (fists, swords, whips) and plenty of guns. Nothing graphic, but still way up there in the body count department. Much of the thrill of this movie is in the fright factor, so cadavers, snakes, and nasty villains also abound. Perhaps its no surprise that this cinematic thrill-ride inspired a real-life roller coaster. The film had fast-food chain tie-ins when it premiered, as well.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about action movies as a genre. What makes for a good action film? Are they limited in any way? What are the female characters often like? Is action more important than plot?
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Our Members Say

Have You Seen It? Review It!

  • What did you think about Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 40 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Classic film

    The best in the Indiana Jones series. 12 and up will easily handle it.

  2. Kid Reviewer
    Age 7
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    the war of the killing ark

    indy can fight guys and girls but not a huge rock coming at him he can even go in danger because he can do a huge combat

  3. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    fine for 8 and up kids

    bloody and violent

  4. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Creepy!

    I only watched only a few minutes of this movie and I stopped because there was a really creepy bloody scene I choked on popcorn.

  5. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Kansas
    Kids ages: 5, 7
    I rate this title off for age 7 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Who cares if "all of the other kids" have seen it!

    I wish I would have checked this site before watching this movie with my 5 and 7 year olds. Most of their friends had seen it and other mothers told me it was fine for my kids. Not so. My kids were scared by the "creepiness" which occurs when Indy is inside the tomb and at the end when the Ark is opened and people literally MELT. They were afraid to be alone for a couple of days after watching this movie. I felt like a fab parent. :(

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