Jabarkan Penayangan dari Raiders of the Lost Ark

Pada musim panas tahun 1981 (Juni–September), industri film mengalami penurunan selama lebih dari setahun, yang berpunca dari beberapa kesuksesan film terlaris, kenaikan biaya produksi film, berkurangnya penonton, dan kenaikan harga tiket. Musim ini diperkirakan turun 10% atau $250 juta dibandingkan tahun sebelumnya. Over 60 films were scheduled for release—more than the previous year—by studios eager to make the next blockbuster film. This increased competition to attract audiences, mainly those aged 12 to 24, at the most profitable time of the year.

Film adiwira Superman II diperkirakan menguasai musim panas, dan berdasarkan para ahli industri dan jajak pendapat penonton, film-film seperti History of the World, Part I, film James Bond terbaru, For Your Eyes Only, dan  The Great Muppet Caper, juga diperkirakan tampil dengan baik. Conversely, audience polling by CinemaScore showed little awareness or anticipation for Raiders until nationwide previews a week prior to its release. The New York Times reported Paramount had provided theater owners with a more beneficial deal than usual to ensure Raiders was screened in the best theaters and locations.

Acara pers untuk film ini menelan biaya $10.000, dengan menampilkan dua unta, gajah, dan ular piton. Film prints were supplied to theaters in lead-sealed containers to prevent tampering alongside a letter to theater managers stating they were responsible for any misuse of the film. This letter inspired a whistleblower at one theater to alert Paramount of the planned theft of a Raiders print to make pirated copies. The 1,200 film prints cost an estimated $1.7million.