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Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A thrill ride and a half.
updated 11.06.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
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.
Read our full review by Randy White
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Our Members Say
See all 51 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
4 year old should watch this
Omg I love this movie. Anyone rember when that on guy was going to get in a big sword fight with Indy but insteed Indy just shots him. Lol
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
4 year old should watch this
Omg I love this movie. Anyone rember when that on guy was going to get in a big sword fight with Indy but insteed Indy just shots him. Lol
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Good movie.
Indiana Jones has LOTS of violence in it. I think that it should only be seen when there is lots of day left to go. It can be very scary at night.
- I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
You need to watch this with your child if less than 12 years of age.
This is the original movie from the series of treasure searching expeditions introduced by Steven Spielberg. This is very much a movie for boys. I would say it requires a parent to be with the child to add context to the action. The only problem you’ll have is keeping them contained as they try to recreate scenes by jumping from the couch. There is a drinking scene, a domestic slapping scene and a couple of the violence scenes are gory (early impaling by spikes and a late scene where a Nazi mechanic meets the spinning propeller). The distinction between good guys and bad guys is as clear as a Jersey divider with little ambiguity, which makes it easy for the 7 – 10 year olds to understand. And who doesn’t like to see the good guy prevail and get the girl in the end?
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Off For Ages 11 And Under; Iffy For Ages 12-13; On For Ages 14 And Up
Tons of blood: especially the plane scene.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
A classic Steven Spielberg. Great movie with great story and action.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
not for tweens but great for older kids.
It is avery good movie the best in the series. There is some swearing shooting and punching. There is quite alot of blood. I is the best but also the most violent.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Should be ok for tweens
Depending on your kids age and maturity level it should be okay. There is violence and mild language and some parts are a bit suspenceful.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
The best in the Indiana Jones series...
I just love this movie! Yeah, the effects can be a little cheesey at times, but it's still very good. The violence may be a little much fro young or sensitive viewers, and the language consiste of: d--n, h--l, b---ard, s--t, and b--ch. Each said one to three times. The sexual content is sparse and implied, but it still isn't age appropriate for younger viewers. Overall a great movie compared to what Hollywood puts out today.
- I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:
- Negative role models
Depends...
Depends on your family's personal attitudes. Kids can imagine worse than this. I like to laugh loudly during the horrific scenes (e.g., faces melting) to convey the message that it's just Hollywood. Worse is the bad role-modeling. Everyone is a mercenary, even the heroic couple. Don't really like that.
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
great for a younger kid thriller
not my fovorite indy movie but it was alright i suppose
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy 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.
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
fine for 8 and up kids
bloody and violent
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy 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.
- I rate this title off for age 7 and give itMy 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. :(
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
For ages 13 and up, but parents should be cautioned
Violent at parts, but mostly it's done in comedic way.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Not bad, very exciting and fun, but bloodier then the content says.
Okay, we need a category for gore on this one. Melting faces, one scary image, and not to mention a couple people getting penetrated by either arrows or spears from an ancient trap. Blood dribbles from peoples mouths when dead, and people are stuck in the middle of hundreds of snakes, and/or dried up corpses. A bloodier Indy movie, but still very exciting. Depends on your kid for the most part. Very swashbuckling and fun for fans! Some swearing, and one sexual kissing scene. A few immodesty with torn dresses etc., The third one is much better.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
What about gruesome melting faces???
It's been a while since I've seen this, but isn't there a possibly nightmare-inducing scene when they find the Ark and everyone's faces are liquidized? May be ok for 11 and up, but worth mentioning.
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
What about the language!
The language in this film is unacceptable. How many times does a movie have to take the Lord's name in vain before that is included in a "Family Friendly" review? There were at least two instances in this movie. Also, the violence was very graphic. As a college student, I didn't notice, but as a father watching with young children I was mortified. In my opinion, this should have been rated R and restricted to those 17 years and older.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 83% | of parents say it's too violent |
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