It is no secret that Lucasfilm’s fifth sequel in the Indiana Jones franchise did not do financially well at the worldwide box office over the summer. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny failed to bring people to theaters. However, it may find new success when it officially comes to Disney+ next month.
The latest in the Indiana Jones saga was released into theaters on June 30 this year, just in time for the Fourth of July holiday. With a lackluster performance, many anticipated the title to be released to streaming shortly after. Nevertheless, no date was announced. However, Disney has finally confirmed the Disney+ streaming release date for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Disney+ Release Date
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will come to Disney+ on December 1, 2023. This is five months after the film premiered in theaters. One would think it would have found its way to Disney’s streaming platform months ago, yet Disney rode this one out.
In one month, history’s greatest hero arrives on #DisneyPlus.@IndianaJones and the Dial of Destiny, streaming December 1. pic.twitter.com/sZco1Xc4DP
— Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) November 1, 2023
Granted, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has been available for video-on-demand (VOD) and digital purchase since August 29. The title actually did surprisingly well in the week it launched on digital.
Indiana Jones Streaming Release
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny secured the top position on various Video on Demand (VOD) charts when it launched. This included iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu. The movie was the most successful among all titles available for download that week, even with a high-definition (HD) format pricing of $19.99. It was the only released film that month to achieve this feat by ranking on all three VOD charts.
Indiana Jones 5 Box Office Failure
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was expected to be a major success for the Walt Disney Company. This film marked Disney’s first foray into the Indiana Jones franchise following its acquisition of Lucasfilm in October 2012. Disney’s confidence in the movie’s potential success was built on fan nostalgia and the reputation of the Indiana Jones series as a reliable box office draw.
However, this confidence led Disney to let the film’s budget spiral out of control. Analysts estimate that the movie’s total production costs significantly exceeded $220 million, making it one of the most expensive blockbusters ever. Despite these high production costs, the film only managed to earn $370 million worldwide, which was widely considered a disappointment.
In contrast, previous entries in the Indiana Jones franchise, such as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, all performed admirably for Lucasfilm when directed by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
The underwhelming performance of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny underscored the challenges Disney faced in living up to the legacy of the beloved franchise.
Last Indiana Jones Film for Harrison Ford
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny marks the final adventure of Harrison Ford as the legendary character. The film begins with a digitally de-aged Ford, but much of the story unfolds with an older Indiana Jones in 1969.
In this installment, Indiana Jones forms an unlikely partnership with his estranged goddaughter, Helena Shaw, portrayed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Their mission is to prevent a valuable relic from falling into the hands of a Nazi scientist who aims to alter the outcome of World War II.
This movie also sees the return of familiar faces, with Karen Allen and John Rhys-Davies reprising their roles. At the same time, new additions to the cast include Antonio Banderas and Mads Mikkelsen.
However, many people attacked the film. It was criticized as going “woke” due to the prominence of Jones’ goddaughter overtaking the hero’s role. Furthermore, a quote about capitalism in the film angered some detractors.
Perhaps Disney will be able to gain a bit of success by launching it on its Disney+ streaming service for the holiday. However, it will not easily rewrite the narrative established that the franchise has lost its thunder and went out as a box office bomb.