Raiders of the Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas, was released in theaters, becoming a major success and influencing the action-adventure genre.
Indiana Jones navigates a booby-trapped temple in the South American jungle to retrieve a golden idol.
Indy escapes with the idol but is confronted by rival archaeologist Belloq and his native allies, resulting in a tense chase.
Back in the United States, Indy meets with his colleague Marcus Brody to discuss the upcoming Nazi interest in the Ark of the Covenant.
Indiana Jones is commissioned by the U.S. government to locate and secure the Ark before the Nazis can get it.
Indy travels to Nepal to find Marion Ravenwood, who possesses an amulet linked to the Ark's location.
Indy and Marion are captured by Nazi agents led by Toht but manage to escape from their imprisonment in Nepal.
Indy and Marion arrive in Egypt, teaming with Sallah to locate the Well of Souls where the Ark is buried.
They find the Ark inside the Well of Souls, but are confronted by Belloq and Nazi forces who seize it.
Belloq takes possession of the Ark, intending to unlock its supernatural powers for the Nazis.
Indy and Marion witness the opening of the Ark; supernatural forces eliminate the Nazis, allowing Indy and Marion to survive.
Indy hands the recovered Ark over to the government, where it is ultimately stored in a vast warehouse.
