Scarlett Johansson stars as Lara Croft in this high-octane reboot. After her father’s mysterious death, Lara uncovers an ancient conspiracy tied to the Spear of Destiny, a relic capable of rewriting history. Teaming up with rogue archaeologist Kazimir (Oscar Isaac), she battles the shadowy Trinity Organization across Nepal, Egypt, and a hidden Antarctic ruin. A shocking betrayal reveals Kazimir is Trinity’s leader, forcing Lara to destroy the spear rather than let it fall into enemy hands. The film ends with Lara establishing her own expedition team, setting up a sequel with a post-credits tease of the lost city of Atlantis.
With a $200 million budget, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2025) is one of the most ambitious action films of the year. Directed by Chloé Zhao (Eternals, Nomadland), the film blends practical stunts with cutting-edge CGI, including a jaw-dropping free-fall sequence over the Himalayas. Johansson trained for months in parkour, martial arts, and firearms, performing 90% of her own stunts. Filming spanned South Africa, Iceland, and Cambodia, with elaborate tomb sets built to scale.
Release Strategy:
Originally slated for Christmas 2024, the film was pushed to June 6, 2025, to avoid competition with Avatar 3. The first trailer debuted during the Super Bowl, racking up 150 million views in 24 hours. A viral #FindTheSpear AR game boosted engagement, while IMAX preview screenings sold out instantly.
Box Office & Reception:
The film opened to 145milliondomestically∗∗and∗∗145milliondomestically∗∗and∗∗320 million worldwide, surpassing Uncharted as the highest-gaming adaptation debut. Critics praised Johansson’s “charismatic, physically commanding” performance (92% on Rotten Tomatoes) but noted the plot was “predictable yet fun.” Audiences loved the tomb puzzles and brutal fight choreography, leading to a $850 million global haul.
Cultural Impact & Future:
- Merchandise sales (Lara’s signature dual pistols, journals) hit $75 million.
- A Netflix animated series was greenlit, exploring Lara’s early adventures.
- The post-credits Atlantis tease set up a 2028 sequel, with Johansson confirmed to return.
