Cinematical has up a tribute to Hollywood's lack of creativity. It's a listing of all the films that tried to capitalize on the adventurer/archeologist idea. Man, do they suck you dry.
Most Hollywood blockbusters spawn their share of low-budget ripoffs, but only a few really successful movies are influential enough to be followed by big-budget copycats. Usually these followers get media-infused taglines such as "Die Hard on a ... " or "Aliens in a ... ", with the labels likely originating at the studio pitch stage.
Though Raiders of the Lost Ark and its sequels were already derivative and referential works, the Indiana Jones franchise also inspired derivatives of its own, some that were exploitive, some that paid homage and some that are only linked through minor elements. So, in celebration of the latest Indy movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, here's a look back at all the "Indiana Jones as a ... " knock-offs that Hollywood has delivered in the last few decades:
(Note: Below is just the listing. For the whole listing with commentary, head on over to Cinematical at the source link below)
1. Indiana Jones as a woman: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
2. Indiana Jones as secondary to the spectacle: The Mummy (1999)
3. Indiana Jones as all-American: National Treasure (2004)
4. Indiana Jones as more general pulp fiction hero: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
5. Indiana Jones as Asian: Armour of God (1986) and Bulletproof Monk (2003)
6. Indiana Jones as kids: The Goonies (1985)
7. Indiana Jones as his own inspiration: King Solomon's Mines (1985)