Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Set during the Cold War, the Soviets—led by sword-wielding Irina Spalko—are in search of a crystal skull which has supernatural powers related to a mystical Lost City of Gold. Indy is coerced to head to Peru at the behest of a young man whose friend—and Indy's colleague—Professor Oxley has been captured for his knowledge of the skull's whereabouts.

Critics were genuinely split on Crystal Skull: enthusiasts found it a worthy, fun return to pulpy adventure with Ford slipping comfortably back into the role, while detractors felt the production coasted on the franchise's goodwill, leaning on CGI and recycled plotting rather than earning its thrills. The alien-mythology climax and the question of whether the film feels lazy or simply breezy were the main fault lines, and audience opinion has drifted considerably more negative than contemporary critics suggested.