All 3 Tomb Raider Movies in Order

Angelina Jolie is the classic Lara Croft. She radiates pure confidence and power, with two pistols that feel like a natural extension of her body. The film itself breathes the early 2000s: flashy editing, a thumping soundtrack and bizarre stunts that defy gravity. Jolie carries the entire production on her shoulders. The Illuminati plot makes little sense and the dialogue sometimes sounds like an energy drink commercial, but as uncomplicated popcorn entertainment it still holds up.

The second installment tries for a more serious tone with more Indiana Jones influences. Lara travels from Greece to China and Africa in search of Pandora's Box, accompanied by her shady ex (Gerard Butler). Visually it looks more polished, with real locations and more attention to archaeology. Unfortunately, the more grown-up approach delivered less fun. Jolie seems less eager and the dynamic with Butler feels forced. On paper it ticks all the right boxes, but it lacks the manic energy of its predecessor.

In 2018, Alicia Vikander portrayed a very different heroine. Her Lara is a young woman who has to fight for every inch, with no superpowers or untouchable bravado. The plot follows the 2013 game reboot and sends her to a dangerous island to track down her missing father. The action feels physical and raw. The script leans on familiar patterns and the CGI sometimes falls short, but the effort is palpable. This version is about surviving rather than showing off, which Vikander pulls off convincingly.