Based on the long-running video game series,Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croftis an animated action-adventure series that follows the franchise’s titular character at a new point in her complicated archeology career. A highly intelligent British archaeologist with a penchant for climbing and gun-toting, Lara Croft (played by Hayley Atwell inThe Legend of Lara of Croft’s cast) travels the world in search of lost artifacts — a path that often sees her entering dangerous ruins and coming face-to-face with unsavory characters. In the wake of 1996’sTomb Raider, the game spawned a successful multimedia franchise.
In theTomb Raidergames, players explore far-flung locations, solve cryptic puzzles, and avoid hostile traps and enemies — all elements that serve as a backbone for the Lara Croft-led movie adaptations too. After a strong run of annual releases in the ’90s and early 2000s, theTomb Raiderfranchise went dark. In 2013,video game publisher Square Enix revived the series withTomb Raider, a series reboot of Lara Croft’s origin story. With nearly 30 years of lore, theTomb Raiderfranchise’s chronologyis complex, butThe Legend of Lara Croftseason 1makes its placement in the timeline clear.
The Legend Of Lara Croft Takes Place After Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
Netflix’s Lara Croft Is The Same Character From The Rebooted Survivor Trilogy
The Legend of Lara Crofttakes place in the same continuity as the Survivor trilogy and works as a direct sequel toShadow of the Tomb Raider, currently the final entry in the video game series. Given the massive success of 2013’s trilogy-launchingTomb Raider, which has gone on to become the best-sellingTomb Raidergame of all time, it’s no surprise that the animated series is exploring more of this Lara Croft’s adventures. Based on Lara Croft’s in-universe birthday in theSurvivortrilogy — July 14, 2025 — she’s 21 inTomb Raider, which is set in 2013.
The second entry in therebootedTomb Raidergame series, 2015’sRise of the Tomb Raider, is set a year after the 2013 game. The third game inTomb Raider’sSurvivortrilogy, 2018’sShadow of the Tomb Raider, is set three years after the harrowing events ofRise of the Tomb Raider.Tomb Raidersaw newcomer Lara Croft becoming a hardened survivor;Rise of the Tomb Raiderfocused on Lara’s post-traumatic stress; and, finally,Shadow of the Tomb Raidercenters on a more confident and accomplished Lara Croft as she thwarts an apocalyptic event.
2013
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A headstone in Cozumel reads 2018.
The Legend Of Lara Croftstarts with a flashbackshowing one of Lara and Conrad Roth’s adventures. The show then jumps to three years into the future, which putsTomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croftsomewhere afterShadow of the Tomb Raider. The timeline does become a little messy given that Lara is still mourning Conrad after the events ofShadow, and there are a few other inconsistencies with the games as well.
How The Legend Of Lara Croft Ties Into Other Tomb Raider Games
The Tomb Raider Franchise Acknowledges 3 Distinct Timelines
As of 2024, theTomb Raiderfranchise is composed of a whopping 20 video games. That said,there are three differentTomb Raidertimelines that players can explore: the Original Saga Timeline, the Legend of Tomb Raider Timeline, and the Survivor Trilogy Timeline. Going in chronological order, the Original Saga canon featuresTomb Raider(1996),Tomb Raider: The Curse of the Sword(2001),Tomb Raider II(1997),Tomb Raider III(1998),Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation(1999),Tomb Raider: Chronicles(2000), and, finally,Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness(2003).
The Survivor Trilogy (2013–18) and the Original Saga (1996–2003) are viewed as separate timelines…
The Legend saga is composed of just three titles:Tomb Raider Anniversary(2007), which is a remake of the 1996 classic,Tomb Raider: Legend(2006), andTomb Raider: Underworld(2008). While the Survivor Trilogy (2013–18) and the Original Saga (1996–2003) are viewed as separate timelines, Netflix’s animated series can be viewed as a bridge between the two projects. Voiced by Hayley Atwell,Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft’s protagonist is older than the Survivor trilogy Lara, but still on her way to becoming the titularTomb Raiderof the original saga.
Can You Watch The Legend Of Lara Croft Without Having Played Tomb Raider?
The Legend Of Lara Croft Is A Direct Sequel To The Survivor Trilogy
The Legend of Lara Croftworks if you have never played theTomb Raidergames, but it is an even better experience if you are already familiar with that world. More specifically,those who have played the Survivor trilogy will have a better understanding of where this Lara Croft is emotionallyand will know everything that has led to where she is now. The Survivor trilogy also offers context on most ofThe Legend of Lara Croft’s supporting characters, many of whom played important roles in at least one of the Survivor games.
Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft Review - Netflix Anime Raises The Bar For Future Adaptations
Netflix’s Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is a stylish and entertaining adaptation of the iconic franchise that falters under its familiarity.
The Legend of Lara Croftseason 1’s ending also includes a major connection to the games that set up a second season. Considering that another game has yet to happen,Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croftis currently the closest thing to a sequel toShadow of the Tomb Raider. With a newTomb Raidergame in the works, it will be interesting to see whether it will reference characters or events from the Netflix show in any way, assuming it will take place in the Survivor continuity and not a brand-new one.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
This animated series follows the iconic tomb-raider Lara Croft as she embarks on thrilling adventures, exploring ancient civilizations and uncovering hidden secrets. Balancing intellect and physical prowess, Lara navigates treacherous environments and encounters formidable adversaries, all while striving to protect the world’s archaeological treasures.
