AceShowbiz - As anticipation builds for Game of Thrones' Sophie Turner to embody the iconic adventurer in a new Prime Video series, fans have a perfect opportunity to revisit the origins of Lara Croft's live-action cinematic journey. The first two films featuring the globe-trotting archeologist, 2001's Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and its 2003 sequel, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, are set to find a new streaming home. Both movies will become available on Paramount+ starting November 1, offering a nostalgic catch-up or a fresh introduction to these foundational video game adaptations.

The original Tomb Raider video game took the world by storm upon its release in 1996, quickly becoming a blockbuster hit across consoles and PCs. The film rights were snapped up almost immediately, but the journey to the big screen proved to be a protracted one. The script for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider underwent numerous revisions, ultimately crediting five writers for the final screenplay. Simon West, known for action hits like Con Air, was brought on to direct, with Angelina Jolie famously cast as the titular heroine. However, creative control shifted during post-production; West was reportedly removed from final cut decisions, which were then entrusted to editor Stuart Baird, who had previously performed similar duties on John Woo's Mission: Impossible 2. Despite the behind-the-scenes challenges, the resulting film achieved significant box office success, becoming one of the highest-grossing video game adaptations of its time and swiftly paving the way for a sequel.

In Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, audiences join Lara on a perilous quest to locate the mysterious artifact known as the Triangle, while simultaneously searching for her long-missing father, portrayed by Jon Voight (Jolie's actual father). Her mission pits her against the formidable Illuminati leader Manfred Powell (Iain Glen) and a cunning rival treasure hunter, Alex West (a pre-James Bond Daniel Craig). The film delivered a blend of ancient mysteries, high-octane action, and a performance by Jolie that many still consider definitive for the character.

Two years later, Lara Croft returned for another adventure in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life. This time, she and the megalomaniacal weapons dealer Dr. Jonathan Reiss (Ciarán Hinds) are locked in a race to find Pandora's Box, a mythical artifact rumored to possess the power to either create or destroy life on a global scale. To aid her in this critical mission, Lara enlists the help of an old flame, Terry Sheridan (Gerard Butler), though his true intentions may not align with hers. The sequel aimed for bigger stakes and more elaborate set pieces, but faced a different fate.

Unfortunately, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life underperformed at the box office, and Angelina Jolie expressed no interest in reprising the role for a third time. This led to a hiatus for the cinematic franchise until it was eventually rebooted in 2018 with Alicia Vikander starring as Croft. While the 2018 Tomb Raider film nearly tripled its production budget, MGM's rights to the property expired before a sequel could be developed. Now, Prime Video is poised to resurrect the franchise once again with a new series spearheaded by acclaimed writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge and starring Sophie Turner. Don't miss the chance to stream the original Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life on Paramount+ starting November 1, 2025, and stay with Collider for all future updates on the evolving world of Tomb Raider.