20 Greatest Summer Blockbusters Ever Made

11. Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)

RottenTomatoes Score: 96% (9.2/10)

Box Office: $389.9 million

Why It's Awesome: Raiders of the Lost Ark practically invented the modern action adventure film formula, and of course, is responsible for creating one of the most iconic and entertaining movie characters in history, Indiana Jones himself.

You'd need a heart of stone not to be charmed by Steven Spielberg's exceptionally smart, witty and thrilling homage to the classic serials of the 1930s and 1940s, resulting in a rare film that has an almost equal appeal to both children and adults.

Harrison Ford is, of course, magnificent as Indy, effortlessly charismatic and going on a charm offensive throughout which only makes Lawrence Kasdan's splendid script shine even brighter.

The contemporary adventure film would look mighty different (and surely a lot worse) without Raiders, and so it's unsurprising you'll struggle to find someone who doesn't love it.