Several filmmakers have spoken of their appreciation for "Raiders of the Lost Ark" or cited it as an inspiration in their own careers, including Chris Carter, Simon Kinberg, Jon Turteltaub, Dan Brown and Joe Johnston. The experience had an explicit influence on Johnston's directorial effort "" (2011), including villain Arnim Zola being dressed similarly to Toht. Director Steven Soderbergh released a black-and-white edit of the film in 2014 removing all the original sounds, intending for viewers to focus on Spielberg's staging and editing. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, it was among the action films director James Gunn recommended people watch, and one of the 35 films recommended by "The Independent".