Timeline
Lara Croft's adventures span three separate, incompatible game continuities. Each section is ordered by the sequence Lara experienced her adventures within that universe — not by real-world release date. The films occupy their own standalone continuities.
Classic Era
Core Design · 1996–2003 · An independent continuity
1996
Tomb Raider Game
Archaeologist Lara Croft sets out to recover the Scion, an artifact of Atlantean origin. After battling through ancient ruins and deadly foes, she uncovers Natla’s true intentions and destroys the Scion to stop her from dominating the world.
1997
Tomb Raider II Game
Lara Croft races against a cult to secure the Dagger of Xian, an artifact capable of turning its wielder into a dragon. Her journey spans from Venice to China, ending in a final confrontation to prevent its misuse.
1998
Tomb Raider III Game
Lara Croft searches for four artifacts tied to a meteorite, traveling from Nevada to Antarctica. She faces dangerous enemies, including mutated creatures, and ultimately stops a scientist seeking to harness the meteorite’s power.
1999
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation Game
A young Lara Croft’s early expedition leads to betrayal and sets the stage for a later quest where she releases the god Set. She battles to stop Armageddon, ultimately sealing Set away, though her own fate remains uncertain.
2000
After Lara is presumed dead, her friends recount previously untold adventures, including quests for powerful artifacts across Rome, the ocean depths, and remote islands. The discovery of her backpack hints that she may still be alive.
2003
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness Game
Lara Croft is accused of murder and becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving a cult seeking to revive an ancient power. With help from Kurtis Trent, she works to stop the alchemist Eckhardt from awakening a destructive entity.
First adventure
In a reimagining of her original adventure, Lara Croft seeks the Scion, facing deadly creatures and rival treasure hunters. She uncovers Natla’s plan to revive an Atlantean army and confronts a twisted reflection of herself.
Present day
Tomb Raider: Legend Game
Driven by her mother’s disappearance, Lara Croft searches for Excalibur, uncovering links to Avalon. Her journey leads her to Amanda Evert, a former friend turned enemy, ending in a confrontation that leaves lingering questions about her mother’s fate.
Shortly after Legend
Lara Croft searches for answers about her parents and confronts Natla, who plans to unleash the Midgard Serpent. With the help of Thor’s relics, Lara faces her doppelganger and learns the truth about her mother, stopping the threat while accepting her loss.
2013
Tomb Raider Game
On her first expedition, Lara Croft is shipwrecked on a remote island controlled by a cult devoted to the Sun Queen Himiko. She uncovers the island’s secrets, stops a deadly ritual, and escapes, beginning to understand her father’s obsession with the unknown.
Shortly after Yamatai
Still haunted by Yamatai, Lara Croft searches for the secret of immortality in the lost city of Kitezh. Alongside Jonah, she battles Trinity and uncovers the truth behind her father’s death, ultimately destroying the Divine Source and committing herself to continuing the fight.
Shortly after Kitezh
Shadow of the Tomb Raider Game
Lara Croft unintentionally triggers a Mayan apocalypse and races to stop the Trinity organization from completing a ritual that could end the world. As she explores ancient tombs and faces supernatural forces, she resists the temptation to reshape reality, ultimately sacrificing herself to save humanity and finding peace in her choice.
After Shadow
The Legend of Lara Croft Series
Following the events of the Survivor Trilogy, Lara Croft distances herself from her friends to pursue increasingly dangerous solo expeditions. She returns home when a powerful artifact is stolen from Croft Manor by someone with a personal connection, setting off a global pursuit that forces her to confront who she truly is.