As the countdown to "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Doom" continues, we thought not only about Dr. Jones, but also about the cinematic universe that has inspired or influenced him. In particular, this will be the last time Harrison Ford will play the titular character.

This provides the perfect opportunity to revisit both the excellent Indiana Jones films and the ones that are so similar that Indy may need a paternity test. Yes, this "good" qualifier means you won't see Crystal Skull in the following list of films. The weakest chapter in the series - which may have nothing to do with the new film - can be skipped (for now).

But unlike the Indiana Jones prequels, some of these films may surprise you in a good way. Here's a modern adventure featuring two accidental heroes, a classic children's adventure film that shares a star with Indiana Jones, and a treasure hunter with one-liners worth stealing that are out of the ordinary.

The biggest surprise in movie theaters over the past few years has been this little adventure film that came out of nowhere. Romance novelist Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) and pimp cover model Alan (Channing Tatum) are two of the unlikeliest of adventurers, and neither signed on for this story.

Instead, Loretta is kidnapped by a rich weirdo (Daniel Radcliffe) who helps her find a missing treasure. And then there's the actual adventurer (Brad Pitt), whose story is humorous as well.

Think of "Lost City" as a more comedic Indiana Jones that you didn't realize you needed.

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Now for something more familiar. The original Indiana Jones movie, from a story by George Lucas (Star Wars) and Philip Kaufman (The Unbearable Lightness of Being), was an unexpected hit, becoming the box office king of 1981.

The story is simple: in 1936, American archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) discovers that the Nazis are looking for the Ark of the Covenant. Adolf Hitler believes it is their ultimate weapon, and the U.S. military asks Jones to defeat the Fuhrer. Jones then travels the world with his ex-girlfriend Marion (Karen Allen), stopping in Cairo, on the island, and in the waters of Asia, to prevent the Ark from falling into the wrong hands.

If one had to pick just one Indiana Jones movie, "Raiders" would be an instant classic, conveying an old-fashioned adventure vibe that remains strong to this day. Ford was a perfect fit for the role and the opportunity, following the success of "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back."

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"The Mummy" is one of those rare outstanding films that seem to have gone years without being discussed before becoming a beloved piece of film history. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz play adventurer Rick O'Connell and Egyptologist Evelyn. He plays adventurer Rick O'Connell and she plays Egyptologist Evelyn, as the two bicker and squabble over everything, including a box and map that will lead them to the city of the dead, Hamunaptra.

The crowd-pleasing "The Mummy" also boasts solid special effects, but its real weapons are its stars. Fraser's Rick is great not because he's the perfect action hero, but because he's the kind of goofy leading man who matches perfectly with the ultra-competent Evelyn, who shatters the ceiling of leading ladies in action movies.

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While not a hit like "Raiders," "Temple of Doom," which was still a hit, brought Indy (Ford) back with two new friends. Jones, on the run with singer Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw) and orphan Short Round (Ke Hui Kwan), is plagued by confusion at every turn as they sail through the Himalayas, rescue stolen children, and search for a relic believed to fight evil.

Some have said that "Temple of Doom" is too dark or not suitable for children, but I would argue that the name of the film should have been warning enough. (Common Sense Media rates the film as suitable for audiences ages 11 and up.) The second Indiana Jones film is still a thrill ride with action, goofiness, romance, and gore, and is not to be missed.

Oh, and watch "Temple of Doom" to remember that "prequel" wasn't always a dirty word, as this film precedes "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

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Like "Raiders of the Lost Ark," Disney's "National Treasure" spawned a sequel (neither the show nor the sequel were hits). Like Dr. Jones, Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) is searching for a top-of-the-line treasure that no one believes is real. To find it, he needs only one thing. Steal the Declaration of Independence.

A guilty pleasure still worth reviewing, "National Treasure" works because Nicolas Cage makes it work. Benjamin Franklin Gates may be a ridiculous hero who says laughable things, but that's what makes him funny. What if it were "Indiana Jones"?

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In this chronological sequel to "Raiders," Indiana Jones is once again pitted against power-hungry Nazis in 1938, searching for his missing father Henry (Sean Connery). The dear old father, of course, is out in search of the Holy Grail, which is also Indy's new purpose.

The well-received "Crusade" returns to lighthearted adventure, but some felt that it rehashed too much of the familiar villains and search for famous artifacts. This chapter was also praised for its more vivid portrayal of a young Indiana Jones, played by River Phoenix.

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Shortly after his appearance in Temple of Doom, Ke Hui Quan reappeared on the action adventure film scene as Data, one of the Goonies. This group would go on far more local adventures than Dr. Jones' adventures, but would still fall into a ton of drama.

The adventure comes courtesy of their city's crime family and the discovery of a deformed and abused boy sloth (John Matuszak) whom they invite into the group. Like a kid-friendly Indiana Jones, "The Goonies" is a fast-paced adventure that everyone should enjoy. Look for young Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, and Corey Feldman.

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