 The film received mixed reviews upon its release , but over the years the film 's reception has shifted to a more positive tone . American Movie Classics considers Temple of Doom to be one of 1984 's best films . On Rotten Tomatoes , the film has an approval rating of 85 % , based on 63 reviews , with an average rating of 7 @.@ 3 / 10 . The site 's critical consensus reads , " It may be too " dark " for some , but Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom remains an ingenious adventure spectacle that showcases one of Hollywood 's finest filmmaking teams in vintage form . " On Metacritic the film has a rating of 57 out of 100 , based on 14 critics , indicating " mixed or average reviews " . 
