After Star Wars, Indiana Jones is George Lucas’s most famous creation. The rip-roaring adventures of the American archaeologist have become legendary motion pictures, and in 2008 the LEGO Group launched a selection of sets inspired by them. With a range of models drawing source material from the early 20th century, LEGO Indiana Jones offered some interesting models – even for those unfamiliar with the movies.
This page takes a closer look at the LEGO Indiana Jones theme, and the various treasures it has to offer.
LEGO Indiana Jones history
The Indiana Jones franchise follows the exploits of Henry ‘Indiana’ Jones Jr., an American professor of archaeology. His adventures take him around the world in search of treasure and knowledge, exposing him to many strange phenomena along the way. While the original trilogy took place in the mid to late ‘30s, the fourth film jumped ahead to the late ‘50s – reflecting the advancing years of its protagonist. The fifth film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, takes place in 1969 – although flashbacks to the past are hinted at in trailers.
The seeds of Indiana Jones were planted in the early ‘70s, when George Lucas wrote the first version of the character. Lucas was keen to reinvent the movie serials of the ‘30s and ‘40s – this reverence for the past would be put to great use in Star Wars, which can be interpreted as a grab-bag of older cultural artefacts. A meeting with Steven Spielberg in the late ‘70s helped get the Indiana Jones franchise off the ground.
The first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, released in 1981. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom released in 1984, whereas Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade released in 1989. After a long hiatus Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull launched in 2008, exploring a new vein of sci-fi elements. It also introduced ‘nuke the fridge’ into our cultural lexicon, describing the point a film series is brought down by over-use of special effects.
While the LEGO Group was in full flow by the ‘80s, it largely avoided licensed models at this time. The closest thing we got to LEGO Indiana Jones (before the real thing) was Adventurers, a tribute to the broad era that those movies were set in. This theme starred a dashing adventurer called Johnny Thunder, who –alongside his colleagues – explored various far-flung lands in search of treasure.
These included Egyptian and jungle-based sets, nodding to similar environs explored by Indiana Jones. Johnny Thunder would go on to become a LEGO fan favourite, cameoing in The LEGO Movie and even a LEGO Scooby-Doo set.
The launch of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008 finally inspired Indiana Jones LEGO models. 18 were released over two years, referencing both the new film and the three that preceded it. A pair of LEGO video games inspired by the films also launched at this time, offering plenty for Indiana Jones fans to sink their teeth into.
While LEGO Indiana Jones sets have long been retired, a fifth Indiana Jones film is due to release in 2023. It’s possible we’ll see a mix of new LEGO Indiana Jones sets at this time; given the improvements in construction techniques, this is a golden opportunity for the LEGO Group.
Rumours of eight new LEGO Indiana Jones have been shared by Promobricks at this point. These indicate that (like last time) we’ll be getting a mix of old and new subject matter.
77012 Fighter Plane Chase will supposedly recreate the dogfight in The Last Crusade, while 77013 Escape from the Lost Tomb depicts the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. 77014 The Temple of Doom will – in all likelihood – depict the titular temple from the second Indiana Jones movie.
The other LEGO sets will take their cues from the new movie, whose plot details are still largely a mystery. However, with a release next year, we may be able to make some educated guesses before too long.
LEGO Indiana Jones minifigures
Indiana Jones was – in retrospect – a curious choice for a LEGO theme. The franchise has won many fans thanks to its swashbuckling adventures and exotic locales. However, it also features numerous religious elements and unsavoury historical references – topics the LEGO Group tends to avoid. The most obvious of these is the Nazis, which play a major role in both the first and third movies.
These elements led to certain compromises within LEGO Indiana Jones sets. Nazi characters in the theme are referred to in vague terms, either as guards or German soldiers (though their generic appearance may, conversely, have expanded their use in play). Nazi imagery is completely absent from these sets as well, as are characters like Gestapo agent Arnold Toht.
The minifigures we did get are impressive, even if certain features mean they’re showing their age. Indiana Jones himself enjoys several different versions; most of these include his fedora, brown trousers and beige shirt. However, he does also wear more formal clothes on certain occasions. 7682 Shanghai Chase features an Indy with a tuxedo (although his fedora was also included) and 7197 Venice Canal Chase includes a besuited Indy, in reference to his Venice trip in The Last Crusade.
Many versions of Indy come with a bespoke whip element, reflecting his frequent use of a whip in the movies. This element is great fun; it includes an attachment point at both ends, and can return to its curled shape after being unfurled. In years to come it would see occasional use outside the range, mainly as a decorative item instead of a tool.
Indy’s father Henry Jones Sr., famously portrayed by Sean Connery, was another welcome addition. He appears in two sets inspired by The Last Crusade; his bearded, bespectacled face is captured with impressive detail. However, the grey pith helmet used for his hat lacked some accuracy compared to the source material.
Elsewhere, Indy is normally joined by a female companion (willing or otherwise) on his adventures. All of these made an appearance in the LEGO Indiana Jones theme; Marion Ravenwood, the original, enjoys three appearances in a variety of outfits. Nightclub singer Willie Scott also enjoys two appearances in LEGO form; one in her club Obi-Wan appearance, another in the sacrificial outfit she is forced to wear by the Thuggees. Art historian Elsa Schneider receives just one minifigure – a likely result of her close association with the Nazis in the movie, and the other limitations on subject matter that The Last Crusade demanded.
Interestingly, all three women receive coloured eyes in their LEGO versions. This was (and is) a rarity amongst LEGO minifigures. Today it’s reserved for very special characters, such as NINJAGO’s Lloyd and Monkie Kid’s Monkey King.
Other characters received various useful elements. The swordsman in 7195 Ambush in Cairo wears a turban; while the element didn’t originate here, it was rather rare at the time. A redesigned turban element has since been released, in more colours and with wider availability.
Two members of the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword appeared in 7197 Venice Canal Chase, sporting fezzes. While a little oversized, these hats (and the intricate printing on the figures themselves) make these characters a fine addition to any collection.
The LEGO Indiana Jones theme also introduced a tommy gun element. The simple shapes of the weapon translated well to LEGO form, and enjoyed appearances in several different themes. However, alongside certain other firearms the element appears to have fallen out of production. This suggests that the LEGO Group is reluctant to produce such weapons nowadays, even in toy form.
LEGO Indiana Jones sets
The LEGO Indiana Jones sets are very much focussed on play over display. This is probably for two reasons. The exciting nature of the films made play scenarios easy to create, and the idea of an ‘adult’ LEGO set was still in its infancy at the time; the first modular building, 10182 Café Corner, had only released a year before. As such, many Indiana Jones sets boast plenty of play features.
The most iconic set of this theme is probably 7623 Temple Escape, which recreates the opening scenes of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Many of the temple’s traps get LEGO versions; the bottomless pit, the wall shooting darts and – of course – the boulder all appeared. The seaplane Indy escapes on is also included, as are minifigures of Satipo and René Belloq.
Another aircraft can be found in 7683 Fight on the Flying Wing. This remains a distinctive aircraft in the LEGO product collection, thanks to its dark green colour scheme, extensive cockpit and massive wingspan. Space is included for both a pilot and a gunner, and the tips of the wings can be folded up or down as well.
An interesting feature of the set is an old-fashioned fuel truck. While vehicles of this era have been modelled before in LEGO, this particular subject matter remains unique in LEGO form. It’s distinguished by its cylindrical fuel tank, and a flexible hose to pump the fuel into a vehicle.
Minifigures of Indiana Jones, Marion Ravenwood and the bare-chested mechanic are included, as is a generic German pilot. This ensures you have everything you need to recreate the fight in the movie.
Another major location from the film – the Well of Souls, where the Ark of the Covenant is hidden – was recreated in 7621 Indiana Jones and the Lost Tomb. This set is packed with Egyptian references, including statues of Anubis and walls covered in hieroglyphics. C-3PO and R2-D2 also make an appearance in the set in a nod to their movie cameo, alongside several snakes to keep Indy on his toes.
The Ark of the Covenant naturally pops up in this set, although it is never identified by name or even referenced in official descriptions. It is also absent from 7622 Race for the Stolen Treasure, replaced by a generic treasure chest instead. Even so, this set’s 1930s-era vehicles were good compensation for this absence.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom receives just two LEGO sets inspired by it – unsurprising, given the dark subject matter of the film itself. Fortunately, the temple itself earned a LEGO version in 7199 The Temple of Doom. Much of the set recreates the film’s thrilling mine cart chase scene, via curved and sloping track elements. The Sankara stones also appear, as does Mola Ram – leader of the Thuggee cult. Sadly, the temple’s sacrificial apparatus is absent from this model.
As a similarly dark film, The Last Crusade received just three sets focussed on play. 7197 Venice Canal Chase recreates the boat chase in the film’s first half, while 7198 Fighter Plane Attack depicts the dogfight in the second. 7620 Indiana Jones Motorcycle Chase includes the motorbike and side car the Jones boys use to escape the Nazis, including the checkpoint they crash through.
As the most recent release, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull received the bulk of LEGO Indiana Jones sets. 7627 Temple of the Crystal Skull was the largest release here; it offers various traps, play features and rare elements (including the eponymous crystal skulls) but its design is rather skeletal and disjointed compared to previous efforts. Its use of a pre-moulded base plate also marks it as something of a relic by today’s standards – appropriate, given its subject matter.
Other sets, such as 7625 River Chase and 7626 Jungle Cutter, recreate the vehicles used by Soviet scientist Irina Spalko and her soldiers. Notably, the vehicles in these sets feature explicit references to the Soviet Union – a suggestion that this body was seen as less controversial to the LEGO Group than the Nazis.
Both of these vehicles feature period detailing and unusual features. The former recreates an amphibious car (though the LEGO version can’t float in real life) while the latter recreates a vehicle designed to cut through thick jungle foliage.
7628 Peril in Peru is another large release in the theme, recreating a 1950s passenger plane. This plane is rather attractive on its own merits, and features several supplementary vehicles. It also comes with several key characters including Indy, Irina Spalko and Mutt Williams – revealed in the film as Indy’s son.
A couple of smaller sets made an appearance in the Indiana Jones theme at this time. 7196 Chauchilla Cemetery Battle depicts the tomb of Franciso del Orellana in Peru, with the titular crystal skull included in the set. The tomb is actually built in two sections that can be separated, and a hidden door to the tomb itself is modelled here. Indy, Mutt and a pair of cemetery warriors can be found here, as can Mutt’s motorcycle.
7624 Jungle Duel recreates Irina Spalko’s camp in the Amazon jungle, with minifigures of Irina Spalko, Indiana Jones and Mutt Williams all included. The set surrounding them has many interesting features including a fabric tent, a destructible table and a weapons rack built using wheel elements. There’s even a trio of ants, reflecting the swarm of army ants from later in the movie.
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
In classic fashion, the LEGO Indiana Jones theme was joined by a video game. LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures was released in 2008 across multiple platforms. It recreated the events of the original three movies with a humorous LEGO twist, following the template LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game had established three years earlier.
While references to the Nazis remained absent, LEGO Indiana Jones took a much deeper dive into the events of the movies than the LEGO sets did. Players revisited the events of the movies through 18 levels (six for each movie) via simple combat and puzzle-solving. Collectable LEGO studs also allowed for new characters to be unlocked, which could be used in Free Play to hoover up secret items.
LEGO Indiana Jones built upon the foundation of LEGO Star Wars in interesting ways. Certain characters (like Indy and Willie) were limited by their phobias; if Indy encountered a snake, for instance, he would be unable to act unless he moved away or the snake was removed.
Moreover, while each character had unique, innate abilities, these could be borrowed by other characters via certain tools. If a character found a wrench, for example, they could use it to fix broken machinery regardless of their own skillset. More than 80 characters were available to use, and players could even create their own if they wanted.
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
In an unusual move, the LEGO Indiana Jones game received a direct sequel. LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues was released in 2009, and included content from Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as well.
Broadly speaking, LEGO Indiana Jones 2 stuck to the combat, exploration and puzzle solving template of the original. However, it also added a number of new features, many of which have been explored in later LEGO titles. A key change was a more open-world design with various tasks to complete; this allowed for greater flexibility in how we approached the game’s content. Studs were also needed to unlock various items (like vehicles and characters) to move through the game more easily. If you were playing with a friend, a smart split-screen feature allowed each of you to explore further apart than before. This became a staple of LEGO titles going forward.
While conventional levels were relatively thin on the ground, LEGO Indiana Jones did let you create your own levels as well. Players could raise and lower terrain and fill the levels with LEGO objects to play with (or pick apart existing levels, to better understand how they worked). Unfortunately there was no way to share creations online, limiting the feature’s appeal.
Even so, this sequel was positively received by critics at the time. While new titles like LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga remain well received, LEGO Indiana Jones 2 may still be a solid choice for the LEGO game fan.
LEGO Indiana Jones Black Friday
Should any new LEGO Indiana Jones sets release in the future, visit this page for our predictions on Black Friday discounts.
