Enduringly popular video game star Lara Croft has graced the silver screen on multiple occasions, each time drawing a respected actress to the role. The first version, released in 2001, starred Angelina Jolie on the come up, but its 2003 sequel disappointed fans and bombed at the box office.
The 2018 iteration, starring Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander, offers a more grounded adaptation of the archeologist’s adventures as Ms. Croft discovers the island where her father mysteriously disappeared and travels there to uncover its secrets. Along the way, she’s tested beyond her limits, surviving boat crashes, arrows to the side, and the jungle elements.
Whether it is better than the Jolie version is up for debate, but Vikander acquits herself nicely; even fans who were iffy on the movie were surprised by her verve—and she is returning for a sequel directed by Lovecraft Country creator Misha Green, which means a truly great Tomb Raider movie could still happen.
Where to stream: The 2001 version is on Hulu; the 2018 remake is available as a digital rental from YouTube, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, Vudu, and Prime Video