'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' turns 40

It’s a prequel. It’s darker. It doesn’t have Nazis. Just how problematic is the second Indiana Jones movie?

Image: LucasFilm

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom arrived in theaters in May 1984, 20 years ago this week. Once again directed by Steven Spielberg, it was very successful, making just under $180 million domestically, making it the #2 movie of 1984, behind only Ghostbusters (so it was “back off man- I’m a scientist” vs. “nothing shocks me- I’m a scientist.”)

However, there’s been a sense, going back to around the time of its release, that Temple of Doom was a lesser movie than its 1981 predecessor, Raiders of the Lost Ark, which is seen almost universally as a beloved classic. 

A prequel to Raiders set in the 1930s, Temple of Doom is quite a bit darker than its predecessor, and rather than Nazis, its main antagonists are a cult in India called the Thuggee. Raiders love interest Marion Ravenwood is absent, with Kate Capshaw stepping into the female lead as Willie Scott, an American nightclub singer. Some fans of the series have made it clear, over time, that they’re not big fans of Willie as a character. 

Temple of Doom’s reputation has also suffered a bit over time for another reason: It’s been accused of, at best, cultural insensitivity and, at worst, outright racism for its depiction of the characters in India. Indiana Jones has been called a “white savior,” while the stereotypes have been called out as well.