GameTimeline

Watch order

Tomb Raider film & TV timeline

Angelina Jolie's early-2000s films, Alicia Vikander's 2018 reboot, and Netflix's Legend of Lara Croft animated series in US release order—with three separate storylines and a clear split from the games on /tomb-raider.

Updated July 2026

Release order

When each Tomb Raider film or Netflix season premiered in the US—one row per theatrical film or full season drop. Jolie's two films (2001–2003), Vikander's reboot (2018), and Legend of Lara Croft seasons 1–2 (2024–2025) are separate branches.

  • Jolie films only → 2001 → The Cradle of Life (2003)
  • After the games → play Tomb Raider (2013), Rise, and Shadow, then Netflix S1 → S2
  • Netflix only → Legend S1 → S2 (continues the 2013–2018 game story)
  • Vikander film (2018) → optional; inspired by the 2013 game but a different plot—watch anytime or skip
Story order tips

When events happen in each adaptation's fiction—Jolie's globe-hopping adventures, Vikander's separate Yamatai origin story, and Netflix picking up right after the 2013–2018 game trilogy. None of these rows belong on the game Story tab on /tomb-raider.

  • Jolie universe → 2001 Illuminati plot → 2003 Pandora's Box quest—standalone Hollywood arc
  • Vikander film → young Lara before the 2013 game in spirit—similar setup, different story details
  • Netflix → directly after Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018 game)—Season 2 continues Season 1
  • Do not merge Jolie film years into game Story rows on /tomb-raider

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

    Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

    TheatricalFilmLive-action

    Angelina Jolie as Lara—Illuminati and the Triangle of Light.

    Overview
    Simon West directs—launched the early-2000s Tomb Raider film line with Jolie in the title role.
    In-game setting
    Loosely inspired by Tomb Raider (1996)—not tied to any game plot.
    Should you play it?
    Start here for the Jolie two-film arc only.
    Release date
    US theatrical premiere June 15, 2001.
  2. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life

    Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life

    TheatricalFilmLive-action

    Sequel—Pandora's Box and a new villain in Africa and China.

    Overview
    Jan de Bont directs the second Jolie outing—higher action scale than the 2001 film.
    In-game setting
    Standalone Hollywood sequel—no link to the games or Netflix.
    Should you play it?
    Watch after the 2001 film in Jolie release order.
    Release date
    US theatrical premiere July 25, 2003.
  3. Tomb Raider

    Tomb Raider

    TheatricalFilmLive-action

    Alicia Vikander as a younger Lara—London courier to Yamatai.

    Overview
    Roar Uthaug reboot—separate from the Jolie films, loosely based on the 2013 Tomb Raider game.
    In-game setting
    Draws from the 2013 game's Yamatai setup (Himiko, Trinity)—not the same plot as the game or Netflix series.
    Should you play it?
    Optional watch anytime; Netflix assumes you finished the 2013–2018 game trilogy, not this film.
    Release date
    US theatrical premiere March 16, 2018—about six months before Shadow of the Tomb Raider (September 14, 2018).
  4. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft — Season 1

    Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft — Season 1

    NetflixTV seriesAnimation

    Eight episodes—Hayley Atwell voices Lara after Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

    Overview
    Powerhouse Animation for Netflix—Crystal Dynamics story oversight; continues the 2013–2018 game story.
    In-game setting
    Continues the 2013–2018 game trilogy—does not follow the Vikander film plot.
    Should you play it?
    Start here for Netflix-only viewers who know how Shadow of the Tomb Raider ends.
    Release date
    US Netflix premiere October 10, 2024 (all eight episodes, same day).
  5. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft — Season 2

    Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft — Season 2

    NetflixTV seriesAnimation

    Eight episodes—final season; full drop December 11, 2025.

    Overview
    Closes the animated series—Tasha Huo showruns both seasons.
    In-game setting
    Direct continuation of Season 1 in the game storyline—leads toward future Crystal Dynamics projects.
    Should you play it?
    Watch after Season 1—one continuous Netflix story.
    Release date
    US Netflix premiere December 11, 2025 (all eight episodes).

FAQ

Which movie universe to pick, Jolie vs Vikander vs Netflix, game links, and cancelled sequels.

Watch order

Canon & games

The Tomb Raider games timeline (/tomb-raider) covers every main game from 1996 through Legacy of Atlantis (2027). This page lists theatrical films and the Netflix animated series only.

Jolie films (2001–2003) — their own Hollywood story. Vikander reboot (2018) — a separate film based on the 2013 game, not the same plot. Netflix Legend of Lara Croft — continues the 2013–2018 game trilogy after Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Watching one branch does not replace playing the games.

No. Pick one branch: Jolie (2001 → 2003), Vikander reboot (2018 alone—sequel cancelled), or Netflix (S1 → S2 after the 2013–2018 games). They do not connect to each other.

Optional & extras

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.