When older fans say that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg ruled Hollywood, they really do mean it. On 12th June 1981, a film that would soon enter movie history by recreating the action and adventure of years gone by was released into 1078 theaters. Steered by Hollywood’s hottest director (who needed a hit after the bloated expense of 1941 two years earlier) and the mind behind the highest grossing movie of all time, Raiders of the Lost Ark would not only unite Spielberg and Lucas but win five Academy Awards and deliver what was then the 4th highest grossing movie of all time (behind only Star Wars, Jaws and The Empire Strikes Back), spending over 40 weeks in the US box office top ten. By the time it left US screens in July of 1982 bringing in $354m worldwide (with consequent re-releases it now sits at $389.9 million unadjusted).
Let’s celebrate that golden era of Lucasfilm, and the fans who love our intrepid Doctor Jones so much.
“It’s not the years, it’s the mileage!” Cheers to Indy, let’s keep the party going! @Disney @Lucasfilm @Margaritaville https://t.co/jfHzBuxm3G
— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) June 12, 2024
