If you plan to watch Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, you might be curious whether you need to catch up on the first four Indiana Jones movies. With over 40 years of franchise history, including TV shows, books, and comics, you may need to watch a lot to grasp the plot and characters fully. But what exactly is essential viewing?
What Should You Watch Before Seeing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny?
It may come as a surprise, but to fully understand Dial of Destiny, watching both Raiders of the Lost Ark and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (in that order) from the Indiana Jones franchise is essential. These films include crucial plot points, significant events, and essential characters referenced in the last movie. Watching these two films is critical to understanding Indy’s current situation and the reasons behind his life choices in between films.
Which Characters Return in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny?
However, if you don’t have the time to watch or don’t want to watch these movies, we have provided you with a reference of the essential characters and how they fit into the franchise so you won’t be lost watching the Dial of Destiny.
*** Spoiler Warning – everything below this should be treated as spoilers for Dial of Destiny ***
Marion Ravenwood
Marion Ravenwood, also known as Marion “Mary” Williams, was the daughter of an American archaeologist named Abner Ravenwood. She was married to Colin Williams and later to Indiana Jones, with whom she had a son named Henry III, nicknamed “Mutt.” She first appears in Raiders of the Lost Ark and then in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull but makes a significant appearance in Dial of Destiny.
Mutt Williams
Meet Henry “Mutt” Williams, also known as Henry Walton Jones III. He was the son of Marion Ravenwood and Indiana Jones, born out of wedlock. Sadly, his stepfather Colin Williams passed away during WWII, making him go down a troubled path, shown during his only appearance during Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Though Mutt doesn’t appear in the Dial of Destiny, he is frequently alluded to because of his death after enlisting in the army between Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Dial of Destiny.
Related: Why is Shia Labeouf Not in Indiana Jones 5?
Sallah
According to Indiana Jones, Sallah Mohammed Faisel el-Kahir was the most skilled digger in Egypt. The two have been friends since their teenage years and have gone on countless adventures together, many of which were not depicted in the films. Sallah first appeared in Raiders of the Lost Ark, is only referenced in a picture during Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and then appears in Dial of Destiny.
- This article was updated on June 26th, 2023
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