The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show1992

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Educational Indy prequel from the '90s that's rich in history but brutally dated—like watching your social studies teacher's favorite VHS.

78%

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The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

show

TV-G, 1992

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Educational Indy prequel from the '90s that's rich in history but brutally dated—like watching your social studies teacher's favorite VHS.

78%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the truth: Young Indiana Jones is educational gold wrapped in a package that modern kids will find nearly unwatchable.

The history is genuinely good—Lucas and team did their homework, weaving young Indy through real events with famous figures in ways that make the past come alive. If your kid is a history buff, there's real value here.

But the 1992 production values, glacial pacing, and earnest TV-movie aesthetic make this a tough sell in 2025. It's not bad, it's just... old. Like, really old. The kind of old where kids ask 'why does it look like that?' within five minutes.

Solid WISE fundamentals (wholesome, imaginative, safe, enriching) but massive watchability penalty. Best for history-obsessed tweens willing to overlook dated production, or as background viewing while doing homework. Everyone else should just watch the Harrison Ford movies.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media's 8+ rating is about right for content, but realistically this plays better for 10-12 year olds who are already into history. Younger kids will bounce off the slow pacing, and teens will find it painfully dated unless they're Indiana Jones completists.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Educational adventure series following young Indy through historical events, modeling curiosity and courage. Generally positive tone with mentorship themes. Some war/combat content given WWI setting, but handled appropriately for the TV-PG era. Pacing is slower and more deliberate than modern shows.

Imaginative

Creatively weaves fictional young Indiana Jones into real historical events and encounters with famous figures (Teddy Roosevelt, Picasso, etc.). Encourages curiosity about history, archaeology, and world cultures. Each episode explores different time periods and locations, sparking geographic and historical imagination.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 8+. WWI combat scenes and period-appropriate action/peril present but not graphic by modern standards. No sexual content or strong language. Some violence inherent to war stories and adventure scenarios. Kids mode available on platform. Generally predictable adventure-show safety profile.

Enriching

Genuinely educational with historical figures and events woven into storytelling. Teaches world history, geography, and cultural awareness through adventure narrative. Strong critical reception (78% RT critics, 86% audience, 7.3 IMDb) suggests meaningful content. Builds historical literacy and global perspective.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely educational: weaves real historical events and figures into adventure stories, making history tangible and exciting
Global perspective: travels through different countries and cultures, exposing kids to world history beyond American-centric narratives
Strong production pedigree: George Lucas-produced with decent budget for early '90s TV
Positive role model: young Indy is curious, brave, and respectful of other cultures
No modern content concerns: pre-dates the era of edgy kids' TV, so it's squeaky clean

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What to Watch For

WWI combat scenes and period violence—nothing graphic but war is a recurring theme
Pacing is glacially slow by 2025 standards; modern kids will find it boring unless they're already history nerds
Production values scream early '90s TV in ways that feel unintentionally funny
Some episodes run 90+ minutes, which is a big ask for content this dated

Conversation Starters

"Did you recognize any of the historical figures Indy met? Want to look them up and see what they really did?"
"How different was travel back then compared to now? What would it be like to explore without phones or internet?"
"What do you think it was like to be a kid during World War I?"
"If you could time-travel like Indy, which historical event would you want to witness?"

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