Indiana Jones Merchandise: Gear, Apparel and Collectibles

Indiana Jones merchandise falls into four groups: costume pieces, replicas, apparel and display items, all tied to the five films. Those films are Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). Steven Spielberg directed the first four, and James Mangold directed Dial of Destiny.

Where should you shop? Start with a seller whose listing names the licensor and gives clear product details, because licensed items usually carry that information and unlicensed copies often do not. Stock changes often, so read the listing before you pay. If you live in the UK or Australia, confirm the seller ships to you first, because shipping and import charges can change the real price of an order placed in the US.

Which item does Indiana Jones always carry? The best answer is the fedora. The opening of Last Crusade shows a young Indiana Jones in 1912 taking a valuable cross from treasure hunters and escaping them, and that is the scene that earns him the hat. It makes a sensible starting point for a costume or a gift.

Fakes are the main trap. Fan made items, bootleg prints and unlicensed replicas look alike in a thumbnail but are not the same product, and the same caution applies to any listing that promises a prop from a specific film. Read the description closely and check who is selling it.

If you want to see what the gear is modeled on, the Indiana Jones character page covers the hero, and the Indiana Jones artifacts page covers the relics the replicas copy. For the full series, start at the Indiana Jones movies hub.

The best way to shop for Indiana Jones merchandise is by category, because each one suits a different buyer. What follows is my opinion on what fits whom, not a price check.

Hats, jackets and costume pieces. Where can you buy an Indiana Jones jacket? Look for a licensed listing that names the licensor and includes a size chart, and check that the seller ships to your country, because stock and sellers vary between the US, UK and Australia. In my opinion, a hat and a jacket bought separately give you more choice than a boxed costume set.

Whips and handheld props. The whip is the item people ask about right after the hat. A prop whip is a display piece or a costume accessory, and a toy version is a different product again. Check the length and the material in the listing before buying, and keep it away from young children.

Idol and artifact replicas. The golden idol that opens Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1936 is, in my opinion, the best subject for a first replica: Indy escapes a booby trapped temple in Peru, then loses the idol to his rival René Belloq. Other relics a collector can look for are the Ark of the Covenant, the sacred stone from Temple of Doom, the cross from Last Crusade, the crystal skull from the 2008 film and the Antikythera dial from Dial of Destiny. The Indiana Jones artifacts page lists them all, and a shelf replica suits a collector who already owns the films.

Apparel and everyday gear. T-shirts, caps, bags and pins are usually the cheapest way into the range. They suit casual fans, and they are a safe bet when you do not know a person's size or taste.

Posters, prints and display pieces. Art tied to a single film suits someone with a favorite. The 2023 film, with its Antikythera dial plot, offers a more recent subject for a design.

Gift ideas by fan type. What are some good gift ideas for Indiana Jones fans? For a Raiders purist, a fedora or an idol replica. For someone who loves the father and son chemistry of Last Crusade, with Sean Connery as Professor Henry Jones, a quote shirt or a poster fits. For a younger viewer who likes Short Round from Temple of Doom, apparel is safer than a prop. For a newer fan who started with Dial of Destiny, a poster or a cap is an easy first piece.

Whichever way you go, buy from a seller that names the licensor, keep the receipt, and read the return policy for your country. When the shopping is done, the Indiana Jones movies in order guide gives you a plan for a first or fifth rewatch, and the Indiana Jones 6 page tracks whether a new film could bring a new range.