Tomb Raider: The Best Versions Of Lara Croft

Now is a fantastic time to be a Tomb Raider fan! With two new games released and a TV series on the way, the franchise is thriving. Lara Croft is a legendary video game hero, celebrated for her impact and enduring popularity since her debut in 1996. Over the years, we’ve seen many different interpretations of Lara across various games and other media.

Whether it’s in video games, films, TV shows, or comics, Lara Croft’s character is always being adjusted and reimagined – sometimes improving her, and sometimes changing her in ways fans don’t love. With the upcoming release of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, let’s take a detailed look at each version of Lara and explore what makes them so popular with fans.

Special Mention: Sophie Turner’s Lara Croft (Upcoming Tomb Raider Series)

I’m so excited about the new Tomb Raider show coming to Amazon Prime Video! Sophie Turner is going to be Lara Croft, and it’s been in the works since 2024, though we don’t have a release date yet. From what I’ve heard, it sounds like the show will draw inspiration from the earlier games – the Original and Legend timelines – rather than the more recent Survivor trilogy. Apparently, Lara will already be a pretty seasoned adventurer when we meet her, and she’ll have some help from characters named Winston and Zip. I can’t wait to learn more!

Sophie Turner is an intriguing pick for the part, and many people know her from Game of Thrones. So far, we’ve only seen a single photo of her as Lara Croft, which isn’t enough to say if she’s a good fit. While she certainly looks the part, Lara Croft is really defined by her strength and personality, not just how she looks.

9. Tomb Raider: The Prophecy

Though Lara Doesn’t Get Much Screentime In This Game, She Still Has A Few Cheeky Quips And One-Liners

Released while the main Tomb Raider series was still in development, Tomb Raider: The Prophecy was a shorter spin-off game developed by Ubisoft Milan. Its brief length – around 3 to 4 hours – meant limited character development for Lara Croft. Combined with a lack of voice acting, this installment isn’t particularly memorable, though it does feature a few of Lara’s signature one-liners that remind players of her personality from earlier games.

Throughout the game, Lara remains surprisingly calm, even while battling magical wizards and skeletons, which feels a bit strange. While her classic look and signature dual pistols are intact, her personality doesn’t feel very developed in this Game Boy Advance spin-off.

8. Alicia Vikander’s Tomb Raider (2018)

The Lara Seen In The 2018 Movie Felt Just A Bit Too Bland For A Lot Of Fans

Following the success of the 2013 reboot, a new Tomb Raider movie came out in 2018, but it received a mixed response from audiences and critics. While visually impressive and containing some exciting moments, Alicia Vikander’s performance as Lara Croft didn’t quite capture the character’s boldness. This wasn’t due to the actress’s talent, but rather that the movie didn’t give Lara enough opportunity to shine, often making her feel like a passive observer.

One key issue with the movie is that Lara’s father is central to discovering the island of Yamatai, instead of Lara making the discovery herself through her own investigations. The film also lacked enough action, which could have showcased Lara’s skill and intelligence. Overall, the movie and Lara’s character felt overly serious and lacked a lighter touch.

7. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

An Extension Of The Survivor Trilogy With A Version Of Lara That Doesn’t Quite Fit The Timeline

This Netflix animated series offers a fresh, and sometimes controversial, take on Tomb Raider and Lara Croft. If you’re a fan of the franchise, it’s definitely worth checking out, but be prepared for a slightly different interpretation of the character. While the show follows the ‘Survivor’ timeline, this version of Lara is more self-assured and seasoned than the one in the video games. The story takes place after Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but flashbacks to before the 2013 reboot hint that she was already a capable explorer.

While The Legend of Lara Croft has a charming lead character, it could have benefitted from a different approach to its story. The new timeline makes some changes that don’t quite fit with the original material, and Lara’s personality is largely shaped by her connections to less compelling supporting characters like Jonah and Sam. The art style is unique, but it takes some getting used to and doesn’t feel as polished as the Castlevania series.

6. The Lara Croft Spin-Off Series

Lara Puts Her Bravery And Charisma On Full Display In The Spin-Off Games

Following the successful relaunch of the Tomb Raider series, Crystal Dynamics developed a pair of smaller, separate games—Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris. These games moved away from the traditional Tomb Raider format, offering arcade-style co-op gameplay with surprisingly compelling stories about Lara’s efforts to prevent powerful Mayan and Egyptian gods from dominating humankind.

These games fall between the classic Tomb Raider trilogy and the more recent survival-reboot series, resulting in a Lara Croft who blends elements of both. She maintains her iconic personality traits but is portrayed as more mature and empathetic. Keeley Hawes brilliantly captures Lara’s intelligence and humor through her voice acting, and her portrayal of bravery in difficult situations feels authentic to the character. While Lara’s typical passion for archaeology isn’t as prominent, she’s still depicted as a strong and capable adventurer.

5. Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider (2001)

Angelina Jolie’s Iteration Of The Character Was Tough While Still Showing A Lot Of Emotion

The 2001 Tomb Raider film, starring Angelina Jolie, successfully portrayed Lara Croft as both adventurous and likable, while also giving her character emotional depth. Beyond the exciting action sequences – like her fight with robotic enemies in a tomb – the movie also explores Lara’s sadness and isolation following her father’s death.

The story comes to a critical point when Lara finally gets the chance to bring her father back to life using a strange device called the Triangle. This leads to a deeply emotional moment where she must choose between personal benefit and doing what’s right by destroying it. While the second film, The Cradle of Life, doesn’t maintain the same level of excitement, Lara remains a compelling character and continues to deliver thrilling action sequences, largely thanks to Angelina Jolie’s commitment to performing her own stunts.

4. Lara Croft In Tomb Raider Comics (Top Cow)

The Most Underrated Version Of Lara Croft

Character Debut: Tomb Raider/Witchblade #1
Run: 1997 – 2005 (The Tomb Raider comic series started in 1999)

Given how well-known Lara Croft is, it’s no surprise she has a significant history in comic books, starting with a team-up in 1997. She later got her own comic series, which ran from 1999 to 2005 – covering most of the peak of her initial popularity, and ending just before the release of Tomb Raider: Legend.

This version of Lara Croft is quite similar to the classic character, but she has a more developed and vibrant personality. The stories have a different origin and take place in a separate timeline. If you enjoy self-contained adventures with a little bit of ongoing story, the Top Cow comic series is a great choice – it really captures what makes Lara Croft special and is simply enjoyable to read.

3. The Tomb Raider Survivor Trilogy

Lara’s Personal Journey From Explorer To Survivor Is A Dark, Gritty, And Captivating Version Of Her Character

Playing through the Survivor trilogy felt like a real journey for Lara Croft. It’s about watching her change from this regular explorer into a total badass, and honestly, it mostly works. The story is super engaging, showing how everything that happens to her really shapes who she becomes. In the first game, getting stranded on Yamatai was brutal. I mean, she had to do whatever it took to survive – kill animals, scavenge for food, even steal – and it definitely changed her. She started off pretty naive, but quickly became cold and resourceful just to make it through.

Lara Croft’s dedication to finishing her father’s research in Rise of the Tomb Raider deepened her character significantly. Though her development wasn’t as extensive in the third game, the entire Survivor trilogy crafted a compelling story, making Lara a remarkably realistic and relatable hero.

If you want more adventures starring this version of Lara, check out Dark Horse’s comics series.

2. The Original PS1 Tomb Raider

Cool, Calculated, And Witty, Lara Became A Gaming Icon As Soon As She First Appeared In 1996

The Lara Croft most people remember comes from the original games, starting with the first title and continuing through Angel of Darkness in 2003. From the moment she appeared, this Lara – courageous, clever, and incredibly charming – became a gaming icon, challenging industry norms and inspiring countless protagonists. Her decision to leave a life of privilege to pursue her passions for history and archaeology highlights both her adventurous spirit and her independent, rule-breaking nature.

The original Lara Croft is simply a joy to experience, with her cheerful personality and witty lines – she’s almost as memorable as Leon S. Kennedy! Even though she doesn’t often show deep emotion, her carefree spirit and action-hero skills made her incredibly popular, and fans were thrilled to see her return in the remastered versions.

1. Lara Croft In The Legend Trilogy

Excellently Showcases All The Best Parts Of Lara’s Character, Including Her Passion For Archeology

Following the disappointing sales of Angel of Darkness, development of the next Tomb Raider game went to Crystal Dynamics. They wanted to refresh the entire series, including reimagining Lara Croft herself. The result was a Lara who combined the classic cool confidence and intelligence with a touch of vulnerability, creating what many fans see as the most engaging and well-rounded version of the character yet.

This three-game series offers compelling moments where Lara explores her deep love of history, like her conversations with Anaya about the value of learning from the past and self-discovery. Seeing the impact of loss around her, such as Amanda’s tragic fate, adds depth to Lara’s character and makes her feel more human. Crystal Dynamics successfully reintroduced players to Lara Croft with this reboot trilogy, breathing new life into the iconic character.

2026-01-19 17:38