Why all of Spielberg’s Indiana Jones movies were removed from Disney+ explained

Indiana Jones Fans logging into Disney+ may be dismayed by most of the franchise’s disappearance from the platform, but there is a simple explanation for their sudden absence. It was a major sliding doors moment for the Indiana Jones movie franchise where the originally cast Tom Selleck was forced to drop out due to his commitment to Magnum PI’s Pilot, with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg then turned to Harrison Ford. The rest is cinematic history.

The star would play the role five times on the big screen, while Ford also cameoed on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series in the 1990s. Indiana Jones has become a beloved adventure franchise and is defined by Ford’s leading turn, their spectacular setpieces and the blend of history and adventure. Ford signed off on the role after 2023 Indiana Jones and the Dial of DestinyWhich is the only entry not directed by Steven Spielberg, with James Mangold setting in instead.

Disney did not have the distribution rights to the first four Indiana Jones movies

Paramount retains the distribution rights to the Steven Spielberg era of Indiana Jones

Beginning October 1, 2024, 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 All were removed from Disney+. This leaves Dial of Destiny Like the heel Indiana Jones Adventure available on the streamer, along with tie-in specials Dial of Destiny: A Special Look And Eternal Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford.

Some viewers may be confused about the Spielberg films suddenly disappearing, especially if Disney owns the IP. This goes back to Disney purchasing Lucasfilm in 2012 for a sum of $4 billion, which gave the House of Mouse ownership of major franchises like Star Wars And Indiana Jones. however, Paramount Pictures still retained the distribution rights to the Spielbergs Indiana Jones movies, despite Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm.

Disney reached an agreement with Paramount in 2023 to stream the first four outings on Disney+ to coincide with the release of Dial of Destiny. That licensing agreement has now expired, leading to the films being removed from the platform. This can be frustrating for many, and sadly, it has become increasingly common for streaming services to suddenly remove major titles with little to no warning.

What does Disney own when it comes to Indiana Jones?

Will the Steven Spielberg Indiana Jones movies return to Disney+?

Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm was major news in the early 2010s, not least of which was the announcement of new Star Wars Sequels. Again, there can be some confusion about what Disney does or does not own when it comes to Indiana JonesEspecially when most of the series is pulled from their streaming service. in short, Disney owns the Indiana Jones IP, including the right to produce future movies or TV shows Based on the character.

That’s why The Disney-produced Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the last man standing on Disney+. However, owning the IP does not retroactively entitle them to distribute the previous four adventures, and they have no doubt to pay an expensive licensing fee to put them on the service. In theory, the franchise is a very valuable piece of property, but there appear to be no current plans to return to it.

Where will the Indiana Jones movies go now?

The Indiana Jones series probably won’t go to a museum

In the streaming era, there is a certain level of irritation from viewers who have to subscribe to multiple platforms just to have access to the films and shows they want. With their removal from Disney+, The Spielberg Indiana Jones Movies are currently unavailable to stream from any serviceAlthough it probably won’t take long for them to find a new home.

The most obvious place for the Indiana Jones Adventures to End is Paramount’s own serviceParamount+. Even if the final entry is missing, adding most of the franchise to the platform will not hurt the subscription numbers. An alternative plan could involve Paramount securing a new distribution deal with another major streamer, with Netflix being the most likely candidate.

Their removal from Disney+ makes it highly unlikely that the Quadrilogy will return there anytime soon. It is also doubtful that Paramount will opt to make them unavailable for a certain period of time, as again, the series is simply too profitable to consider such a tactic.

What is the future of the Indiana Jones franchise?

Is Dial of Destiny truly Indy’s ultimate adventure?

It was genuinely emotional seeing Ford sign off with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’s Finally, as it is so rare to see the same actor play such an iconic role over 40 years. Before the release of the sequel, Ford stressed that the fifth installment would be his last time donning the iconic hat and whip.. He went a step further with this announcement Full film:

This is the final film in the series, and this is the last time I will play this character. I think it will be the last time he will appear in a film.

Despite a broadly positive critical reception, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was a box-office bomb. Even if Ford has no interest in continuing with the part, the odds of a direct sequel are low. in 2022, There have been reports of Disney+ preparing a Indiana Jones TV series, but by the time Dial of Destiny was ready for release, the idea was quietly scrapped. Ford also told Full film He would have no involvement if such a spinoff ever came to fruition.”Fruitful.”

It is an upcoming video game titled Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Set to arrive on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 in December 2024, however As for live-action Indiana JonesIt seems that there is nothing in development. This should not be taken as a sign that the property will Never Return, because as much as Dial of Destiny Was pictured as a finale, there will always be an audience for Indiana Jones.

The most probable direction for the series is a complete rebootWith a new actor stepping into Ford’s shoes as Indy. It would feel disrespectful to make a new entry in the original continuity, be it a prequel or sequel. A TV series feels like a more realistic direction — be it live-action or animated — that follows the good doctor on his various, globetrotting misadventures.

Devotees of Indiana Jones Are used to long gaps between outings, such as the 19-year wait between The Last Crusade And Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. They may be in a similar stretch until the next entry now, but it’s almost guaranteed to happen. In a way, it’s already surprising that Disney hasn’t tried to exploit the brand more than it has, but it would be really shocking if Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Truly was the end of the franchise.

Source: Time, Full film