Is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is likely a skip if you enjoy Adventure movies.
It features a runtime of 100 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Review
Last updated: January 11, 2026
The Premise
Released in 2001, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider enters the Adventure genre with a narrative focused on Orphaned heiress, English aristocrat and intrepid archaeologist, Lara Croft, embarks on a dangerous quest to retrieve the two halves of an ancient artifact which controls time before it falls into the wrong hands. Under the direction of Simon West, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Angelina Jolie. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Mastery & Style
From a technical standpoint, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Social Impact & Cultural Context
Beyond the narrative, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider resonates with current cultural themes in the Adventure space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
Where to Watch & Streaming Info
As of early 2026, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is available for streaming on Netflix. For audiences in the US, UK, and India, digital rentals are typically available on platforms like Apple TV roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release.
Narrative Arc & Plot Breakdown
The plot of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider centers on a unique premise within the Adventure landscape. Orphaned heiress, English aristocrat and intrepid archaeologist, Lara Croft, embarks on a dangerous quest to retrieve the two halves of an ancient artifact which controls time before it falls into the wrong hands. As an extremely rare planetary alignment is about to occur for the first time in 5,000 years, the fearless tomb raider will have to team up with rival adventurers and sworn enemies to collect the pieces, while time is running out. But, in the end, who can harness the archaic talisman's unlimited power? The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 2001 cinema will find fairly predictable.
Ending Explained & Sequel Potential
The ending of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a Lara Croft: Tomb Raider sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final Editorial Verdict
Final verdict for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001): with an audience rating of 5.9/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Adventure, Action, Fantasy cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $115,000,000 |
| Worldwide Gross | $274,703,340 |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Budget
The estimated production budget for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is $115,000,000. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Where to Watch Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Online?
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Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.9/10, and global collection metrics, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2001 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie hit or flop?
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider has received mixed reviews with a 5.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider worth watching?
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Adventure, Action, Fantasy movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Lara Croft: Tomb Raider online?
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also check for it on platforms like Netflix depending on your region.
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People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie hit or flop?
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider has received mixed reviews with a 5.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider worth watching?
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Adventure, Action, Fantasy movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Lara Croft: Tomb Raider online?
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also check for it on platforms like Netflix depending on your region.
What is the story of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider?
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is a Adventure, Action, Fantasy movie that follows: Orphaned heiress, English aristocrat and intrepid archaeologist, Lara Croft, embarks on a dangerous quest to retrieve the two halves of an ancient artifact which controls time before it falls into the...
Is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider family friendly?
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is classified as Adventure, Action, Fantasy. We recommend checking the official age rating before watching with children.
What language is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider available in?
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is primarily available in its original language, with subtitles and dubbed versions available on various streaming services and digital stores.
Part of the Tomb Raider Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full FranchiseSynopsis
Orphaned heiress, English aristocrat and intrepid archaeologist, Lara Croft, embarks on a dangerous quest to retrieve the two halves of an ancient artifact which controls time before it falls into the wrong hands. As an extremely rare planetary alignment is about to occur for the first time in 5,000 years, the fearless tomb raider will have to team up with rival adventurers and sworn enemies to collect the pieces, while time is running out. But, in the end, who can harness the archaic talisman's unlimited power?
Critic Reviews
**Lara Croft: Tomb Raider captures the spirit of the games and casts the perfect actress as its lead. It's not a perfect film, but one it's still of the better video game adaptations ever made.** Lara Croft: Tomb Raider had high expectations to overcome with legions of die-hard video game fans wanting to see everything they dreamed of on the big screen. With a perfect lead actress and a director known for wild action films, Tomb Raider was brought to life in one of the most faithful video game adaptations ever made (for better or worse). This movie brought the 2000s-era Tomb Raider games to life with all the style and camp of the decade - Matrix glasses, grunge rock, mediocre computer effects, and over-the-top action. While it wasn't a mind-blowing epic, it was a fun ride that captured some of the Indians Jones meets James Bond style of the games. Angelina Jolie was born to play this role and nailed the look and strength of Lara Croft and looked like she had a blast doing it too. Throw in Daniel Craig before he was Bond and every video game movie's villain, Ian Glen, and you got yourself a ridiculous 2000s action flick that nails the Tomb Raider spirit of that time. With the same vibe and effects of the Resident Evil movie franchise, Tomb Raider has flaws, but it's still a lot of fun. Don't take it too seriously and you will have a good time.
I thought this was a good movie to bring to life from a video game. Angelina Jolie was the perfect person for this role. It's pretty much like the video game.
Angelina Jolie brings loads of energy and attitude to this action-packed CGI fest. She's the eponymous daughter of a titled archaeologist who lives at (and regularly wrecks) her family's Buckinghamshire manor house. She's at an auction where an ancient gizmo sells for way over the odds. She manages to procure said bejewelled object and next thing her house is being attacked and the piece is stolen. She now has to use all of her wits and considerable ninja skills to track it down and that involves following it's trail to an ancient site that's long been hidden in China's icy wastes. It's all very formulaic, yes, but with Daniel Craig and Iain Glen adding to the duplicity and even the odd appearance from her motivational dad (Jon Voight) it brings the video game to life quite enthusiastically. Jolie proves to be quite a charismatic lead and the visual effects do their job adequately mingling the "Stargate" with the "Mummy" quite impressively. Nope, it will never trouble a BAFTA jury but as a piece of adventure cinema it's perfectly watchable with a lively soundtrack and a constantly moving storyline.