Indiana Jones action figures

Collecting Indiana Jones action figures

The ultimate guide to collecting Indiana Jones figures. Explore Hasbro’s 6-inch Adventure Series, the 3.75-inch Retro Collection, and rare Kenner grails. This is your map to finding fortune and glory.

Posted by By The Collector 19 Min Read

Indy action figures collecting tips and guide

The success of the Indiana Jones films helped established the demand for its action figure. Toy companies and action figures manufacturers are producing several toy lines to satisfy the fans. Based on the historical fantasy adventures of the fictional archaeologist, Indiana Jones action figures are among the highly sought after items to add in an action figure collection.

Indiana Jones action figures

Let’s be honest. You hear that first swell of John Williams’ score, and you’re there. You feel the grit, the weight of the fedora, and the familiar snap of the whip. Indiana Jones isn’t just a character; he’s an entire feeling. He’s the spirit of adventure that lives in all of us. And for collectors, that spirit doesn’t just live on screen—it lives on our shelves.

For decades, collecting Indiana Jones action figures was a hobby of patience. It was a market defined by long, quiet droughts broken by sudden bursts of product. You had the OGs, the kids who grew up with the original Kenner figures in 1982, holding onto their well-loved (or impossibly mint) treasures. Then you had the 2008 revival, a massive line that gave us almost too much choice before vanishing just as quickly.

And then… silence. For the better part of a decade, Indy was lost to the warehouse aisles, a forgotten artifact.

But fortune and glory, kid. Welcome to the modern golden age.

With the launch of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and the blockbuster 2024 video game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the floodgates have burst open. Hasbro has unleashed a multi-pronged assault of collector-focused lines that are, without exaggeration, the best we have ever seen. We’re talking 6-inch collector-grade figures, nostalgia-drenched 3.75-inch retro lines, and high-end masterpieces from the likes of Hot Toys.

If you’re an old-school collector returning to the fold or a brand-new adventurer wondering where to start, you’ve come at the perfect time. This is your map. This is the ultimate 2025 guide to collecting Indiana Jones. X does mark the spot.

Part 1: The Foundation – The “Adventures of Indiana Jones” by Kenner (1982-1983)

You have to start at the beginning. When Raiders of the Lost Ark hit theaters, it was a smash hit. But toy merchandising was a different beast then. Kenner, flush with their galaxy-sized success from Star Wars, eventually secured the license and released their 3.75-inch “Adventures of Indiana Jones” line in 1982.

Bafflingly, the line underperformed. Kids, it seemed, weren’t as taken with the pulp-adventure aesthetic as they were with X-Wings and lightsabers. The line was quickly discontinued, leading to one of collecting’s great ironies: the initial failure is the very reason the line is so valuable today.

The line consisted of:

  • Wave 1 (1982):
    • Indiana Jones (with pistol and whip)
    • Marion Ravenwood (with her monkey)
    • Toht (with melting head hand)
    • Belloq (in his white suit)
    • Sallah (in his dig robes)
    • Cairo Swordsman
    • German Mechanic
  • Wave 2 (1983):
    • Indiana Jones (in German uniform)
    • Arabian Horse
  • Playsets & Vehicles:
    • Map Room Action Playset: A small set recreating the Tanis map room.
    • Well of the Souls Action Playset: The crown jewel for many, this set included the Ark of the Covenant and some snakes.
    • Desert Convoy Truck: This German truck is a fan-favorite and notoriously difficult to find complete with its canvas top.

The true “holy grail” of this line is the Belloq (Ceremonial Robes) figure. Originally intended for the second wave, it was cancelled and offered only as a mail-away exclusive. Finding one in its original Kenner mailer box is a quest worthy of Indy himself. These vintage figures are the bedrock of any serious Indy collection, and their simple, five-point-articulation charm has an undeniable pull.

Part 2: The “Lost” Years and the First Revival (1984 – 2008)

The collecting landscape for Indy went quiet after the Kenner line.

  • Temple of Doom (1984): LJN, not Kenner, produced a small line of 3.75-inch figures. Only three were released: Indiana Jones, Mola Ram, and the Giant Thuggee. They are stylistically very different from the Kenner figures and are a rare, interesting footnote.
  • The Last Crusade (1989): Inexplicably, the third film had almost no action figure tie-ins. The hobby was a merchandise desert, with only some Galoob Micromachines and high-end Horizon model kits to speak of.

The First Revival: Hasbro (2008)

It took 19 years, but Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull brought our hero back to theaters—and to the toy aisle. Hasbro, now the titan of the industry, unleashed a line that, at the time, was staggering in its scope.

Primarily in the 3.75-inch scale, this line was a collector’s dream. It didn’t just cover the new film; it exhaustively mined the original trilogy. For the first time, collectors could get figures of Temple of Doom Indy, Henry Jones Sr., Elsa Schneider, and dozens of army-builder-friendly German and Russian soldiers.

The line included:

  • Single-carded 3.75-inch figures (from all four films)
  • Deluxe 3.75-inch packs (Indy with his horse, Mutt Williams on his motorcycle)
  • Vehicles (German trucks, the Jungle Cutter)
  • Playsets (including a Raiders “Lost Temple” set)
  • 12-inch “Ultimate Indiana Jones” figures

The line was massive. So massive, in fact, that it oversaturated the market. By 2009, these figures were warming pegs and hitting clearance bins. Much like the Kenner line, it was almost too much, too soon. After a few store-exclusive waves and a legendary “Lost Wave” set at San Diego Comic-Con in 2011, Indy went back into the archives.

Part 3: The Modern Golden Age – Hasbro’s Adventure Series (2023 – Present)

This is where the game changed forever. After another decade-long wait, Hasbro finally gave Indiana Jones the “prestige” treatment, inducting him into the 6-inch, super-articulated, digitally-sculpted format that defines modern collecting. The Indiana Jones Adventure Series is Hasbro’s equivalent to Star Wars: The Black Series or Marvel Legends, and it is glorious.

The line is built around a “Build-an-Artifact” (BAA) concept, where each figure in a wave comes with a piece to build a larger set piece. This line is the main focus for most Indiana Jones collectors today.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the releases so far:

Adventure Series Mainline Waves

Wave 1: “Build-an-Artifact: The Ark of the Covenant” (Raiders)

  • Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
  • Marion Ravenwood (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
  • Sallah (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
  • Rene Belloq (Ceremonial Robes)
  • Major Arnold Toht

Wave 2: “Build-an-Artifact: Skull Temple” (Temple of Doom/Dial of Destiny)

  • Indiana Jones (Temple of Doom)
  • Short Round
  • Indiana Jones (Hypnotized)
  • Indiana Jones (Dial of Destiny)
  • Helena Shaw (Dial of Destiny)

Wave 3: “Build-an-Artifact: The Grail Table” (Last Crusade/Dial of Destiny)

  • Indiana Jones (The Last Crusade)
  • Dr. Henry Jones Sr.
  • Dr. Elsa Schneider
  • Grail Knight
  • Dr. Jurgen Voller (Dial of Destiny)
  • Renaldo (Dial of Destiny)

Adventure Series Exclusives (The Thrill of the Hunt)

A huge part of the modern hobby is tracking down exclusives. Hasbro has spread the line across all major retailers.

Hasbro Pulse / Fan Channel Exclusives:

  • Professor Indiana Jones (Build-an-Artifact: Headpiece Staff): This “Indy in his suit” figure came with the pieces to build the Staff of Ra.
  • Walter Donovan (Build-an-Artifact: False Grail): Includes “rapidly aging” alternate heads.
  • Indiana Jones (Temple Escape): A deluxe Raiders set with the golden idol, sandbag, and a stone pillar base.
  • Indiana Jones (Last Crusade – German Disguise): Indy as he appeared at the book burning.

Target Exclusives:

  • Indiana Jones (Map Room): A Raiders figure with a section of the Map Room floor and digging tools.
  • Indiana Jones (Club Obi-Wan): Indy in his white tuxedo from Temple of Doom, complete with a flaming skewer and the antidote vial.
  • Kazim (Last Crusade): The leader of the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword.

Walmart Exclusives:

  • Marcus Brody & Rene Belloq (Ark Showdown): A two-pack of Indy’s friend and rival from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
  • Indiana Jones (Cairo): A deluxe Raiders set that includes Indy, the monkey, and a street-market stall.

Amazon Exclusives:

  • “Dial of Destiny” Pack: A 3-pack featuring Indiana Jones, Jurgen Voller, and Helena Shaw, offered as an alternative to the mainline wave.

Convention Exclusives:

  • Indiana Jones (Raiders – SDCC 2023): A stunning deluxe package designed to look like the original Raiders of the Lost Ark poster, featuring Indy with the idol.

This 6-inch line is the definitive, ongoing collection. The face-printing technology is exceptional, the articulation is premium, and the character selection is (finally) giving us the deep-cut heroes and villains we’ve always wanted.

Part 4: For the Nostalgists – Hasbro’s Retro Collection (2023 – Present)

As if the Adventure Series wasn’t enough, Hasbro delivered a knock-out blow of nostalgia with the Indiana Jones Retro Collection. These 3.75-inch figures are not re-issues. They are brand-new sculpts created in the style of the original 1982 Kenner line, complete with five points of articulation and intentionally “retro” detailing.

They even come on cardbacks that mimic the original Kenner design, right down to a faux-weathered “damage” print to make them look like they’ve been sitting in an attic since 1982. This line is pure, unfiltered nostalgia.

Retro Collection Wave 1 (Raiders)

  • Indiana Jones
  • Marion Ravenwood
  • Toht
  • Belloq (White Suit)
  • German Mechanic

Retro Collection Wave 2 (Temple of Doom / Last Crusade)

  • Indiana Jones (Temple of Doom)
  • Short Round
  • Indiana Jones (The Last Crusade)
  • Dr. Henry Jones Sr.
  • Sallah

For collectors who grew up with the originals, or those who just love the simple aesthetic, the Retro Collection is a dream come true.

Part 5: The High-End Collector (Mezco, Hot Toys, and More)

If your budget allows for more “fortune” than “glory,” the high-end market is where you’ll find the true museum-quality pieces.

  • Mezco One:12 Collective (1/12 Scale): Mezco produces 6-inch figures with hyper-detailed sculpts, high-end articulation, and tailored-cloth outfits. Their Raiders Indiana Jones (in both standard and deluxe “Raiders” editions) and Major Toht figures are considered centerpieces by many.
  • Bandai S.H.Figuarts (1/12 Scale): The Japanese import giant has released its own Raiders Indiana Jones, known for its incredible articulation and precise accessories.
  • Hot Toys (1/6 Scale): This is the top of the mountain. Hot Toys’ 12-inch figures are less “action figures” and more “miniature human replicas.” Their release for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (MMS716 and the Deluxe MMS717) features a scarily realistic Harrison Ford likeness, a full-cloth outfit, and an arsenal of accessories, including a rolling-whip effect.
  • Gentle Giant (Jumbo & Busts): Gentle Giant has a long-running “Jumbo” line, which takes the original 1982 Kenner figures and re-creates them as 12-inch, perfectly scaled-up replicas. They also produce highly detailed mini-busts and statues based on the films.

Part 6: The New Frontier – “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” (2024-2025)

The biggest news in the Indyverse isn’t a film; it’s the blockbuster video game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Released by Bethesda and MachineGames in late 2024, this original story set between Raiders and Last Crusade has been a massive critical and commercial success.

It has also injected a whole new wave of energy and, more importantly, new characters and designs into the franchise.

As of early 2025, Hasbro has not officially announced figures for the game. However, it is the worst-kept secret in the collecting community. You can fully expect:

  1. Adventure Series (6-inch): A “Great Circle” version of Indiana Jones is all but guaranteed, featuring his new game-specific look. Fans are also clamoring for the new characters, such as investigative reporter Gina Lombardi and the sinister Emmerich Voss.
  2. Retro Collection (3.75-inch): A “Great Circle” Indy in the Kenner style seems like a no-brainer.
  3. High-End: The game’s popularity makes it a prime target for Hot Toys, Mezco, and statue companies.

For collectors, The Great Circle is the next big wave. This is what you should be saving up for, as it will undoubtedly dominate the hobby for the next year.

Part 7: A Modern Collector’s Guide – Tips for Your Own Hunt

The original article’s advice on maintenance is timeless (keep figures out of direct sunlight, dust them), but finding them has changed.

  • Where to Buy (Modern):
    • Hasbro Pulse: This is Hasbro’s direct-to-consumer site. It’s the best place for pre-orders and their own exclusives.
    • BigBadToyStore & Entertainment Earth: These are the workhorses of the online collector. Reliable for pre-ordering entire waves.
    • Target, Walmart, and Amazon: You must watch these sites (and their apps) like a hawk for their specific exclusives.
    • eBay: The only place for vintage Kenner and the only option for tracking down secondary market “holy grails” or missed exclusives.
    • Fan Communities: Facebook groups and Reddit (like r/IndianaJones) are invaluable for news, trade, and community.
  • MOC vs. Loose (Mint on Card): In the Adventure Series, this is a real debate. The packaging features beautiful artwork, and many collectors (myself included) keep an “opener” and a MOC copy. For the Retro Collection, the card is half the appeal, but they are made to be punched out and played with, just like in ’82.
  • The “Windowless Box” Fiasco: For a brief, dark period in 2023, Hasbro switched to “plastic-free” solid-front boxes for the Adventure Series. Collectors hated it, as you couldn’t check the paint quality. Thankfully, Hasbro listened to feedback and has since returned to window-display boxes. If you see a solid-front box (like the first wave of Dial of Destiny figures), don’t be alarmed—it’s just a relic from that strange time.
  • Spotting Fakes (Vintage): The 1982 Kenner line is rife with reproductions. Be wary of “re-carded” figures (original figures glued to a fake cardback). The biggest red flag is fake weapons. Original Kenner accessories do not float in water, while many repros do. Always buy from reputable vintage dealers.

The Map Is Just Getting Bigger

It has truly never been a better time to be an Indiana Jones fan. The hobby is no longer about patiently waiting for something to happen. It’s about trying to keep up.

We are in a true renaissance. We have the definitive 6-inch Adventure Series for modern collectors, the pitch-perfect 3.75-inch Retro Collection for the nostalgists, and mind-blowing high-end pieces for the “museum” curators.

And it’s not ending. The success of The Great Circle ensures that the line will continue, exploring new territory while still digging into the past to give us the Temple of Doom and Last Crusade figures we’ve been waiting 40 years for.

Collecting Indiana Jones is not just about owning plastic figures. It’s about holding adventure in your hand. It’s about seeing that fedora on your shelf and remembering that the world is full of ancient temples, lost artifacts, and incredible stories.

The hunt has only just begun. Fortune and glory, fellow collectors.