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Tomb Raider (film)

Tomb Raider is a 2018 action-adventure film directed by Roar Uthaug and based on the 2013 Tomb Raider video game reboot.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tomb Raider is a 2018 action-adventure film directed by Roar Uthaug and based on the 2013 Tomb Raider video game reboot. It stars Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft and serves as a reboot of the film franchise, rather than a sequel to the earlier Angelina Jolie films. The film follows Croft as she searches for her missing father and investigates a dangerous island tied to his disappearance.

Premise

The story follows Lara Croft as she searches for her missing father and travels to a remote island connected to his final expedition. There she uncovers a dangerous mystery tied to a hidden tomb and the fate of the people involved.

Production

Tomb Raider was directed by Roar Uthaug from a screenplay by Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Alastair Siddons. It adapts the 2013 video game reboot rather than continuing the storyline of the earlier films.

Cast

Alicia Vikander portrays Lara Croft. The supporting cast includes Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, and Kristin Scott Thomas.

Franchise context

The film is the third Tomb Raider film overall. Unlike the first two films starring Angelina Jolie, this version restarts the film continuity with a younger Lara Croft inspired by the 2013 game.

Key facts

  • The film is a reboot of the earlier Tomb Raider film series.
  • It is based primarily on the 2013 Tomb Raider video game and includes some elements from its sequel.
  • Alicia Vikander plays Lara Croft.
  • Supporting cast members include Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, and Kristin Scott Thomas.
  • It is the third live-action Tomb Raider film after the 2001 and 2003 releases.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canadian cinemas and is part of a globally recognized action franchise that has had strong audience awareness in Canada through the Tomb Raider games and earlier films.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tomb Raider (film)?
Tomb Raider is a 2018 action-adventure film based on the Tomb Raider video game series, specifically the 2013 reboot.
Who stars as Lara Croft?
Alicia Vikander stars as Lara Croft.
Is Tomb Raider (2018) a sequel?
No. It is a reboot of the film series, not a direct sequel to the earlier Tomb Raider films.
What is the film based on?
It is based mainly on the 2013 Tomb Raider video game and includes some elements from its sequel.
Who directed the film?
Roar Uthaug directed the film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_Raider_(film)
    Supports: Release year, director, writers, cast, reboot status, and relation to the video game series
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_Raider
    Supports: Franchise background, Lara Croft as the central character, and series context
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tomb_Raider_media
    Supports: Film series placement and identification of the three live-action Tomb Raider films