Tomb Raider movies and Netflix watch order?

Three separate branches: Jolie films (2001–2003), Vikander reboot (2018), and Netflix Legend of Lara Croft (2024–2025) after the 2013–2018 games. None replace the game timelines. Full film and Netflix watch order → [Tomb Raider films timeline](/tomb-raider-media).

Lara Croft spin-offs and mobile games?

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010), Temple of Osiris (2014), Lara Croft GO (2015), Relic Run, and Tomb Raider Reloaded (2023) are side games—not numbered mainline sequels. Game Boy Color/Advance titles (2000–2002), including Tomb Raider: The Curse of the Sword (2001), are handheld-only spin-offs—do not insert them into the console Classic order between TR1 and TR2. Treat spin-offs as optional detours after you finish a main saga.

Where does Tomb Raider: Catalyst fit?

Crystal Dynamics stated Catalyst is set years after Tomb Raider: Underworld, with a more experienced Lara—part of the unified timeline alongside Survivor (as origin) and Legacy of Atlantis. Amazon Game Studios is the publisher on the new Crystal-led projects. Announced at The Game Awards 2025 without a firm launch date on this page. Verify platforms and order on official channels when it ships.

Release & story order

Tomb Raider timeline

Tomb Raider from Core Design's 1996 original through Crystal Dynamics' Survivor reboot and the upcoming Legacy of Atlantis—US release dates, three saga continuities (Classic, Legend, Survivor), studio reboots explained in the questions below, and why newcomers start with the 2013 game.

Updated August 2026

Start with:

Release order Story order

Release order

When Core Design and Crystal Dynamics shipped each mainline chapter—Classic Core (1996–2003), the Legend-era trilogy (2006–2008), the Survivor reboot (2013–2018), plus Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis planned for February 2027.

Newcomers → Tomb Raider (2013) → Rise of the Tomb Raider → Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Classic fans → Release order from 1996 through Angel of Darkness, then skip to Legend if you want modern controls
Legend path → Legend → Anniversary → Underworld—Anniversary replaces playing TR1 (1996) for that continuity
Full release history → Every mainline entry below; mobile and Lara Croft spin-offs stay in the questions below

Story order tips

Three separate continuities on the Story tab—Survivor (recommended), Classic Core, and Legend—plus upcoming unified chapters. Pick one colored section and play top to bottom; do not mix them into one plot.

Survivor block: Yamatai (2013 game) → Siberia (Rise) → Mexico/Peru (Shadow)—play back-to-back
Classic Core (alternate continuity): TR1 → TR2 → TR3 → Last Revelation → Chronicles → Angel of Darkness
Legend era (alternate continuity): Legend → Anniversary → Underworld
Crystal's unified canon places Survivor before future Legacy of Atlantis / Catalyst chapters—dates still settling

Story order

Survivor block: Yamatai (2013 game) → Siberia (Rise) → Mexico/Peru (Shadow)—play back-to-back
Classic Core (alternate continuity): TR1 → TR2 → TR3 → Last Revelation → Chronicles → Angel of Darkness
Legend era (alternate continuity): Legend → Anniversary → Underworld
Crystal's unified canon places Survivor before future Legacy of Atlantis / Catalyst chapters—dates still settling

Timeline

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

1996
Tomb Raider
PlayStationPCSega SaturnActionMainlineClassic
Tomb Raider (1996) introduces Lara Croft's first expedition across Peru, Greece, Egypt, and the Lost Valley as she races Natla for the Scion. Core Design's PS1 classic defined 3D action-adventure tombs for a generation.
Overview
Grid-based tank controls, dual pistols, and cinematic tomb set-pieces on PlayStation/Saturn/PC.
In-game setting
Classic opener—Natla, the Scion, Croft Manor tutorial. Remake path: Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Related media watch order: Tomb Raider movies.
Should you play it?
Start of Classic Core continuity—separate from Legend and Survivor. Remade as Anniversary (2007) inside the Legend path.
Release date
US launch October 25, 1996 (PlayStation, Sega Saturn); PC followed. Later on Steam and mobile reissues.
1997
Tomb Raider II
PlayStationPCActionMainlineClassic
Tomb Raider II sends Lara after the Dagger of Xian—from the Great Wall to Venice and a sunken Maria Doria. Vehicles and outdoor hubs expand Core Design's formula without leaving Classic continuity.
Overview
Boat, skidoo, and denser enemy combat outside pure tombs. Vertical levels and city infiltration broaden the adventure template set in 1996.
In-game setting
Marco Bartoli and the Tibetan climax close Classic chapter two. Next: Tomb Raider III. Spin-offs are optional.
Should you play it?
Play after Tomb Raider (1996) on Classic path only—not after Survivor or Legend. Skip if you only want the 2013 reboot trilogy.
Release date
US PlayStation and PC launch October 31, 1997.
1998
Tomb Raider III
PlayStationPCActionMainlineClassic
Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft hunts meteorite artifacts across India, London, Nevada, and Antarctica. Non-linear region hubs and a steeper difficulty curve define late-90s Classic Lara.
Overview
Choose order inside regions, stealth sections, and quad-bike set pieces. Harder platforming cemented its reputation as a demanding Classic entry.
In-game setting
Dr. Willard and four meteorite stones. Next Classic: The Last Revelation.
Should you play it?
Third Classic Core release and story beat—after TR2, before The Last Revelation. Not part of Survivor or Legend continuities.
Release date
US PlayStation and PC launch November 20, 1998 (subtitle Adventures of Lara Croft on packaging).
1999
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation
PlayStationPCDreamcastActionMainlineClassic
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation mixes young-Lara Cambodia flashbacks with a dark Egypt campaign against Set—marketed as a possible finale. Torch puzzles and denser narrative tone mark mature Classic Lara.
Overview
Flashback structure, inventory torch lighting, and a continuous Egypt hub. Sold as Lara's last adventure before Chronicles and Angel of Darkness continued Classic.
In-game setting
Set's armor and Cairo climax. Framing sequel anthology: Tomb Raider Chronicles.
Should you play it?
Play after Tomb Raider III on Classic path; leads into Chronicles framing. Ignore if following Survivor-only.
Release date
US launch November 22, 1999 on PlayStation and PC; Dreamcast version followed.
2000
Tomb Raider Chronicles
PlayStationPCDreamcastActionMainlineClassic
Tomb Raider Chronicles is a memorial anthology—four flashback missions framed at Croft Manor after Last Revelation's events. Shorter standalone chapters bridge toward Angel of Darkness.
Overview
Anthology format with Rome, submarine, and tower stealth chapters. Lighter structure than prior numbered epics, still Classic continuity.
In-game setting
Episodes set before Last Revelation; frame story sets up Angel of Darkness.
Should you play it?
Optional on Classic path—mostly side episodes; play before Angel of Darkness for full Classic closure. Skip on Survivor/Legend routes.
Release date
US launch November 24, 2000 on PlayStation, PC, and Dreamcast.
2003
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
PlayStation 2PCActionMainlineClassic
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness strands Lara in a Paris murder mystery with Kurtis Trent and a Nephilim plot. Buggy stealth systems ended Core Design's run and pushed Eidos to hand the series to Crystal Dynamics.
Overview
Attempted conversation trees, strength upgrades, and stealth on PS2/PC. Ambitious systems shipped unfinished—historically important as Classic's troubled finale.
In-game setting
Von Croy murder frame and unresolved Nephilim threads. Next studio era: Tomb Raider: Legend. Films parallel: Tomb Raider movies.
Should you play it?
End of Classic Core—Crystal Dynamics rebooted with Legend (2006), a new continuity, not an AoD sequel.
Release date
US PlayStation 2 and PC launch June 20, 2003. Last mainline from Core Design.
2006
Tomb Raider: Legend
PlayStation 2XboxXbox 360PCActionMainlineLegend
Tomb Raider: Legend is Crystal Dynamics' soft reboot—Bolivia to Ghana and King Arthur's tomb with modern controls and a personal Amelia Croft mystery. New continuity, not a sequel to Angel of Darkness.
Overview
Grappling hook, fluid traversal, and cinematic set-pieces rebuilt Lara for mid-2000s hardware after AoD's failure. Opens the Legend trilogy path.
In-game setting
Legend continuity opener—Amanda Evert and Excalibur hunt. Next: Anniversary remake of the 1996 plot in this timeline.
Should you play it?
Start Legend path here; skip Classic unless you want 1996–2003 first. Continues into Anniversary then Underworld. Survivor reboot arrives later in 2013.
Release date
US launch April 11, 2006 on PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, and PC.
2007
Tomb Raider: Anniversary
PlayStation 2PlayStation PortableXbox 360PCActionMainlineLegendRemake
Tomb Raider: Anniversary remakes the 1996 Natla/Scion arc in the Legend-era engine—same broad plot, new layouts and controls. It replaces playing TR1 (1996) on the Legend path.
Overview
Rebuilt Peru–Greece–Egypt–Atlantis route with Legend traversal and puzzle redesign. Remake-as-mid-trilogy chapter is unusual franchise structure.
In-game setting
Legend-era remake of game one. Trilogy closer: Tomb Raider: Underworld.
Should you play it?
Play after Legend, before Underworld—not a new post-Underworld chapter. Classic fans comparing versions can try 1996 TR1 separately.
Release date
US launch June 5, 2007 on PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, and PC.
2008
Tomb Raider: Underworld
PlayStation 3Xbox 360PlayStation 2PCActionMainlineLegend
Tomb Raider: Underworld closes the Legend trilogy with Thor's hammer, Avalon, and Amelia—direct sequel to Legend after Anniversary's remake interlude. Seamless tombs and underwater hubs define late Crystal Legend Lara.
Overview
Larger continuous spaces, underwater exploration, and mythology crossover finales. Ends Legend-era continuity on then-current consoles.
In-game setting
Natla and Amelia threads converge. Next Crystal reboot: Tomb Raider (2013). Media: Tomb Raider movies.
Should you play it?
End Legend path; Crystal's future Catalyst is described as years after Underworld in unified plans. Survivor trilogy is a separate continuity start in 2013.
Release date
US launch November 18, 2008 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and PC.
2013
Tomb Raider
PlayStation 3Xbox 360PCActionMainlineSurvivor
Tomb Raider (2013) fully reboots Lara—shipwrecked on Yamatai, forced into her first kill amid Himiko's storm and the Solarii cult. Default modern starting point despite sharing a title with 1996.
Overview
Survival crafting, bow focus, and cinematic origin storytelling from Crystal Dynamics under Square Enix. Third continuity after Classic and Legend.
In-game setting
Survivor opener—Himiko and Yamatai. Direct sequel: Rise of the Tomb Raider. Netflix/film branches: Tomb Raider movies.
Should you play it?
Start Survivor path here → Rise → Shadow. Prefer Definitive Edition on PS4/Xbox One if available. Not a sequel to Underworld.
Release date
US launch March 5, 2013 (PS3/Xbox 360/PC). Definitive Edition January 28, 2014 (PS4/Xbox One).
2015
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Xbox OneXbox 360PCPlayStation 4ActionMainlineSurvivor
Rise of the Tomb Raider follows roughly a year after Yamatai—Siberia, the lost city of Kitezh, and Trinity's hunt for the Divine Source. Expands hubs, tombs, and crafting on the Survivor path.
Overview
Richer base camps, optional challenge tombs, and timed Xbox exclusivity before PS4/PC ports. Deepens Survivor Lara's obsession and Jonah partnership.
In-game setting
Survivor middle chapter—Prophet of Constantinople threads. Finale: Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
Should you play it?
Play immediately after Tomb Raider (2013) on Survivor path. Next: Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Ignore Classic/Legend unless collecting every continuity.
Release date
US launch November 10, 2015 (Xbox One/Xbox 360); PC January 28, 2016; PlayStation 4 October 11, 2016.
2018
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
PlayStation 4Xbox OnePCActionMainlineSurvivor
Shadow of the Tomb Raider closes the Survivor trilogy in Mexico, Peru, and Paititi—Lara embraces the tomb raider identity while racing Trinity. Stealth and jungle hubs define the finale tone.
Overview
Stealth emphasis, difficulty modes, and dense jungle traversal on the trilogy's final engine pass. Definitive Edition later bundles DLC on modern stores.
In-game setting
Survivor finale until more unified chapters ship. Next announced mainline: Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (2027).
Should you play it?
End Survivor trilogy for now—play after Rise. Upcoming Legacy of Atlantis is a unified-timeline reimagining, not a direct Shadow plot sequel in the old sense.
Release date
US launch September 14, 2018 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
2027
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
PCPlayStation 5Xbox Series X/SNintendo Switch 2ActionMainlineUpcoming
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis reimagines the classic Natla/Scion story in Unreal Engine 5—announced for February 2027 with Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog. Not a straight 1996 port; part of Crystal's unified timeline plans.
Overview
UE5 reimagining with Amazon Game Studios publishing; Alix Wilton Regan voices Lara.
In-game setting
Upcoming unified chapter—not a disc remaster of 1996. Related watch-alongs: Tomb Raider movies.
Should you play it?
Not released yet—play Survivor trilogy first unless you treat launch as a fresh entry. Verify date/platforms on store pages.
Release date
Planned February 12, 2027 (US) on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Deluxe pre-orders may include early access—confirm before buying.