Tomb Raider Movies in Order: Jolie, Vikander and TV

Watch the Tomb Raider movies in release order: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), then Tomb Raider (2018). Angelina Jolie’s two films form one pair; Alicia Vikander’s film begins a different version of Lara’s story. If you only want to watch the 2018 adventure, you can start there.

Tomb Raider movies in release order

There are three released live-action films, but only the first two belong to the same movie series. Use the actor and year as your guide when a streaming service shows several results called Tomb Raider.

Which Tomb Raider movie should you start with?

For Angelina Jolie’s Lara, start with the 2001 film

Jolie’s Lara is already an accomplished adventurer when the first film begins. Choose this pair for globe-trotting treasure hunts without an extended origin story. Follow the 2001 film with The Cradle of Life, which sends her after Pandora’s Box. That is the second Jolie film, not the sequel to the 2018 reboot.

For Alicia Vikander’s Lara, start with Tomb Raider (2018)

Vikander’s film begins with a less experienced Lara investigating her missing father’s work. Its island expedition puts more emphasis on survival and on Lara learning what she can handle. Choose it if you would rather meet the character at the beginning of an adventure than join an established treasure hunter.

No game knowledge is needed for either movie version. The films introduce their own characters and circumstances; you do not have to finish a game trilogy before pressing play.

For a three-film marathon, release order is also the simplest choice. There is no shared film chronology that makes the 2018 story a prequel to Jolie’s two adventures.

Is there a sequel to Tomb Raider (2018)?

The 2018 film has no direct sequel in this released movie lineup. The Cradle of Life continues Jolie’s 2001 film, not Vikander’s story. For a different screen route, begin Netflix’s animated series at Season 1; its background comes from the games.

Where does The Legend of Lara Croft fit?

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is an animated television series voiced by Hayley Atwell. Its viewing order is Season 1 (2024), then Season 2 (2025). It is separate from the three-film count above.

Netflix places its animated series after the Survivor game trilogy: Tomb Raider (2013) → Rise of the Tomb Raider → Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The 2013 game and the 2018 film are different releases; watching the film does not cover that three-game backstory.

Start the animated series with Season 1 even if you have seen every movie. Its second season premiered on December 11, 2025, as confirmed by producer Story Kitchen. Watching the Survivor trilogy’s story first gives you more background on this Lara, but the two Jolie films and Vikander’s film are not prerequisites.

Is the new Tomb Raider series another movie?

No. The Sophie Turner project is a forthcoming live-action Prime Video series. Amazon’s production announcement identifies Turner as Lara and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as creator, writer and executive producer.

Keep the Sophie Turner series on a future TV watchlist. It is neither a fourth released film nor a sequel to Vikander’s movie.

If you are planning more game-to-screen viewing, our Mortal Kombat film guide also separates its original movies from its reboot instead of combining their stories.