# Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

> 2008 film directed by Steven Spielberg

**Wikidata**: [Q182373](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182373)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Jones_and_the_Kingdom_of_the_Crystal_Skull)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull

## Summary
*Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* is a 2008 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, serving as the fourth installment in the Indiana Jones franchise. It follows archaeologist Indiana Jones as he races against a secret society to recover a powerful artifact known as the Crystal Skull, blending historical adventure with cinematic spectacle and dark fantasy elements.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: Premiered on May 21, 2008, with general release on May 22, 2008.
- **Director**: Steven Spielberg.
- **Production Companies**: Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Pictures.
- **Sequel/Prequel Context**: Follows *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* (1989) and precedes *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023).
- **Box Office Gross**: $790,653,942 (worldwide), $317,101,119 (domestic).
- **Budget**: $185,000,000.
- **Running Time**: 122 minutes.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Genre**: Action, adventure, dark fantasy.
- **Part of Series**: Indiana Jones film series.
- **Awards**: Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing.
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 65 language editions.
- **IMDb ID**: tt0367882.
- **Wikidata Item**: Q292034.
- **Website**: [Lucasfilm Production Page](https://www.lucasfilm.com/productions/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull/).
- **Alternative Title**: Indy IV.
- **Follows**: *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* (1989).
- **Followed By**: *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023).

## FAQs
**What is *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull*?**
*Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* is a 2008 action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, part of the Indiana Jones franchise. It follows archaeologist Indiana Jones as he races against a secret society to recover the Crystal Skull, blending historical adventure with cinematic spectacle and dark fantasy elements.

**Who directed *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull*?**
Steven Spielberg directed the film. It was produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

**What is the film's place in the Indiana Jones series?**
It is the fourth film in the Indiana Jones series, following *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* (1989) and preceding *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023).

**What genres does the film belong to?**
It is classified as an action film, adventure film, and dark fantasy.

**What awards did the film receive?**
It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing.

**What is the film's runtime and box office performance?**
The film has a runtime of 122 minutes. It grossed $790,653,942 worldwide and $317,101,119 domestically, with a production budget of $185,000,000.

**What is the film's production background?**
Produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by Paramount Pictures, the film was made on a $185,000,000 budget and became a major box office success.

**What is the film's critical reception?**
It received positive reviews, with ratings such as 6.9/10 on IMDb, 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 65/100 on Metacritic.

**What are the key themes and elements of the film?**
The film explores themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the pursuit of power, set against a backdrop of ancient civilizations and secret societies. It includes elements of dark fantasy, intense action sequences, and moral dilemmas.

**What is the film's cultural impact?**
It contributed to the global popularity of the Indiana Jones franchise, influencing pop culture, theme park attractions, and inspiring future adventure films.

## Why It Matters
*Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* is significant as a landmark in the action-adventure genre, blending historical adventure with cinematic spectacle and dark fantasy. It played a major role in establishing the franchise's cinematic legacy and demonstrated the commercial and artistic potential of high-concept adventure films. The movie influenced the portrayal of action-adventure narratives in cinema and continues to be a cultural touchstone for global audiences. Its success helped solidify the Indiana Jones brand into a cultural institution, with enduring influence on merchandise, theme parks, and broader media.

## Notable For
- Being the fourth film in the Indiana Jones series, following *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* and preceding *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny*.
- Grossing over $790 million worldwide, making it a box office success.
- Introducing iconic characters like Dr. Jones and the secret society, the Society of Jesus.
- Expanding the Indiana Jones brand into merchandise, theme parks, and broader media.
- Its influence on the action-adventure genre and cinematic stunts.
- Being produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by Paramount Pictures, two industry-leading companies.
- Winning the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing, highlighting top-tier production values.
- A darker tone and more intense action sequences compared to its predecessor.
- Introducing iconic characters like Dr. Jones and the secret society, the Society of Jesus.

## Body

### Production and Creative Team
*Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* was directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Lucasfilm Ltd., with distribution handled by Paramount Pictures. The film is part of the Indiana Jones media franchise, which has become a cultural institution. It was produced on a $185,000,000 budget and grossed over $790 million globally, making it a major commercial success.

### Release and Box Office
The film premiered on May 21, 2008, with subsequent release dates on May 22, 2008 (US) and May 23, 2008 (international). It was a box office hit, earning $790,653,942 in revenue worldwide and $317,101,119 domestically. The film's financial success helped establish it as a defining entry in 2000s blockbuster cinema.

### Genre and Themes
Classified as an action film, adventure film, and dark fantasy, *The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* explores themes of heroism, moral ambiguity, and survival. The film's narrative centers on Indiana Jones’ mission to recover the Crystal Skull from the Society of Jesus, introducing mythological and supernatural elements into the franchise.

### Awards and Recognition
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing, recognizing its groundbreaking sound design and editing. This nomination underscored the film's technical achievements and elevated its status in Hollywood.

### Franchise Context
It is the fourth installment in the Indiana Jones series, following *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* (1989) and preceding *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023). The film continued the franchise's legacy of combining historical adventure with cinematic spectacle.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The movie significantly influenced the action-adventure genre, inspiring future filmmakers and expanding the Indiana Jones brand into merchandise, video games, and theme park attractions. Its legacy is evident in its continued relevance in global pop culture.

### Critical Reception
Audiences and critics responded positively overall, with ratings including 6.9/10 on IMDb, 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 65/100 on Metacritic. These scores reflect its strong narrative and visual appeal.

### Behind the Scenes
The film was produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by Paramount Pictures, two industry leaders. It featured elaborate set pieces, stunts, and special effects that pushed cinematic boundaries in the 2000s.

### Cast and Characters
The film introduced iconic characters such as Dr. Jones and the secret society, the Society of Jesus, and featured memorable performances by Sean Connery (Dr. Jones), Cate Blanchett (Dr. Elsa Schneider), and John Rhys-Davies (Sallah). Harrison Ford reprised his role as Indiana Jones, further cementing the character's legacy.

### Sequel and Predecessor
It follows *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* (1989) and precedes *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023), forming a cohesive trilogy that shaped modern adventure cinema.

### International Reach
With 65 language versions on Wikipedia, the film has global recognition and continues to be a reference point in cinematic history.

### Technical and Artistic Merit
The film is notable for its Academy Award-nominated sound editing, stunts, and production design. It pushed the limits of 2000s filmmaking, contributing to its enduring popularity.

### Conclusion
*Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* remains a landmark in film history, blending action, adventure, and dark fantasy into a cinematic experience that continues to captivate audiences. Its legacy is preserved through its cultural impact, critical acclaim, and commercial success.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Rotten Tomatoes
4. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367882/releaseinfo)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367882/parentalguide)
7. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/chart/top_lifetime_gross/?area=XWW)
8. [IMDb](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0367882/)
9. [Bernie Pollack - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0689360/#credits)
10. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull/)
11. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
12. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=45890.html)
13. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
14. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/120281)
15. Cineplex
16. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=9666)
17. [Source](https://jmkextern.bmb.gv.at/app/detail.aspx?FILID=16093)
18. SoundtrackCollector
19. Bechdel Test Movie List
20. mymovies.it
21. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
22. Danish Film Database
23. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Indiana_Jones_and_the_Kingdom_of_the_Crystal_Skull-99GDXG)
24. Kanopy
25. TheTVDB
26. Trakt.tv
27. FilmVandaag.nl