Originally created as a video game by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive in 1996, the series follows the adventures of Lara Croft, a fearless archaeologist and explorer who travels the world uncovering ancient artifacts and lost civilizations.
The franchise first reached the big screen in 2001 with Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie as the iconic adventurer. The film was a commercial success and helped establish Lara Croft as one of the most recognizable video game characters ever adapted into film. Jolie returned for the sequel, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life.
After a long break, the franchise was rebooted in 2018 with Tomb Raider, starring Alicia Vikander as a younger and more grounded version of Lara Croft inspired by the modern video game reboot.
The series continues to expand beyond film, with new adaptations in development including a live-action project starring Sophie Turner and an animated series based on the character.
Across games, films and television, Tomb Raider remains one of the most influential adventure franchises, blending action, mythology and globe-trotting treasure hunts.
The Tomb Raider franchise has had a varied journey on screen, with each era offering a different interpretation of Lara Croft.
The early 2000s films starring Angelina Jolie focused on stylish action and spectacle, leaning into the larger-than-life nature of the character and the blockbuster tone of the time. While critics were mixed on the storytelling, Jolie’s performance became iconic among fans.
The 2018 reboot starring Alicia Vikander took a more grounded approach, drawing heavily from the survival-focused reboot of the video games. This version explored Lara’s origins and presented a more vulnerable and determined hero.
With new adaptations currently in development, the future of Tomb Raider looks promising. Each new version of Lara Croft continues to reinterpret the character while maintaining the core elements that made the franchise popular — adventure, mystery and high-stakes treasure hunting.
Tomb Raider (New Film / Series)
A new adaptation of the Tomb Raider story is currently in development with Sophie Turner reportedly attached to play Lara Croft.
The project is expected to introduce a fresh interpretation of the character and expand the franchise for a new generation of audiences.