Harrison Ford is a pro when it comes to popular franchises and action movies. Appearing in franchises like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, and Jack Ryan, Ford knows how to portray lasting characters whose presence can translate to several films that are still replayed decades later. Along with franchises, Harrison Ford appeared in several other standalone films that only increased his acting prowess. Check out just a piece of his acting in these six Harrison Ford movies.
6. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Starting our list of Harrison Ford movies is Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. One of the more thrilling installments in the Indiana Jones franchise, Indie goes in search of the magical Sankara stone, but instead finds an ancient evil that threatens all who come into contact with it. Ford does well next to Kate Capshaw and Ke Huy Quan‘s characters, showing off his acting chops while also delivering another Indie adventure.
5. What Lies Beneath (2000)
Fifth on our list of Harrison Ford movies is What Lies Beneath. A standalone film, it was Ford’s first dive into the horror genre, paired alongside Michelle Pfeiffer. The two played a couple dealing first with empty-nest syndrome, and then the sudden arrival of ghosts. Ford’s embodiment of a not-so-nice character does a lot for the film, creates tension, and pits it against the horror of ghosts in the best ways.
4. Witness (1985)
Next on our list of Harrison Ford movies is Witness. Many see this film as Ford’s best performance onscreen, earning him his first and only Oscar nomination. Ford plays Detective John Book, who’s investigating the murder of an undercover cop. The evidence leads him to a witness, an 8-year-old Amish boy, Samuel Lapp. Book decides to escort them back to Amish country, but they get ambushed along the way, and the Amish people take Book in and decide to protect him. Ford’s tender yet strong performance drives the film, evidenced by his nomination.
3. Blade Runner (1982)
Rounding out the top three Harrison Ford movies is Blade Runner. While it is a classic today, when the film was first released in 1982, it was met with mixed reviews and considered a box-office flop. Set in the distant future of 2019 (yes, you read that right), Ford plays ex-police officer Rick Deckard. Deckard is a blade runner, a hunter of bioengineered beings called replicants.
2. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Second on our list of Harrison Ford movies is Star Wars: A New Hope. While all the Star Wars movies with Ford could be on this list, this is where it all began. Ford played Han Solo, a space pilot who was a little unorthodox, but teamed up with Mark Hamill’s Luke and Carrie Fisher’s Leia, and helped take down the Empire. They have since become a beloved piece of film history, due in large part to the characters within them.
1. Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Last but not least on our list of Harrison Ford movies is Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Similar to A New Hope, this is where it all began for Ford as the legendary adventurer-archaeologist Indiana Jones. Surprising moviegoers after they equated him with Han Solo, Ford portrayed Jones as an everyman who faces trial after trial, but somehow manages to find a way out. He has played the character a total of five times from 1981 to 2023.