After a surprising disappearance from its streaming library, Disney+ has quietly reinstated the four classic (well…three classic and Crystal Skull…) Indiana Jones films directed by Steven Spielberg: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Lucasfilm
Their temporary removal, alongside other titles vanishing from Disney’s platform in recent months, drew criticism and confusion from subscribers, especially given the company’s usual emphasis on Disney+ being the home of iconic franchises.
Notably, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles remains absent from Disney+, without any official explanation. This ongoing gap is emblematic of a broader pattern in which titles occasionally vanish from the service with little to no public notice—a trend documented by That Park Place on YouTube.
According to reporting by That Park Place’s Jonas J. Campbell and Vash Sky, internal cost-cutting strategies and potential tax write-offs appear to be factors behind these removals.
Of course, Indiana Jones is not the only storied property to encounter abrupt streaming upheavals.
In 2023, Disney took down the Willow sequel series, which had continued the narrative begun in Ron Howard’s 1988 fantasy film. The series met with sharp critical pushback from fans of the original for its embrace of identity politics and “girl boss” characters in place of those (like Willow…) audiences came to love so many years ago.
(L-R): Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) and Elora (Ellie Bamber) in Lucasfilm’s WILLOW exclusively on Disney+. ©.
The removal happened mere months after the new series finished its run—a move that confused many. Disney reportedly received a hefty tax credit for removing the show that outweighed the financial benefit of keeping it available. There was no home video or digital release for the show outside of Disney+.
Star Warwick Davis, who led both the original Willow film and the Disney+ continuation, called the removal “disappointing,” particularly on behalf of viewers who never got around to seeing it. In statements reported by multiple outlets, Davis lamented that dedicated fans were abruptly left with no legitimate way to access the show.
This image just came up as a photo memory. A BTS shot from the #Willow Series. 😃 It’s a travesty that @DisneyPlus value shareholders over subscribers in their creative decision-making. #Justsaying
I only ever saw each episode once!😡 pic.twitter.com/lA49jObIyd
— Warwick Davis (@WarwickADavis) December 11, 2024
The Disney+ original series Haley’s On It also vanished from the platform with little to no explanation by Disney. However, a That Park Place source close to the situation let it slip that Bob Iger himself okayed that exclusion, as it cost more to keep the show on Disney’s ad-sponsored platform than they were making off of it.
That means the audience for the America Ferrera animated show must have been virtually nonexistent.
A scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Lucasfilm
The initial removal of the four Spielberg Indiana Jones films was chalked up to a rights dispute between Disney and Paramount.
Are you glad to see classic Indiana Jones movies return to Disney+? Do you think Disney will bring back other removed titles? Sound off in the comment section below and let us know!
