Summary

• Netflix's new Tomb Raider show continues the platform's successful streak with video game adaptations, promising a thrilling continuation of Lara Croft's story.
• The mainstream appeal of Tomb Raider gives it a huge advantage over other animated gaming adaptations, setting it up to be a massive hit.
• While Tomb Raider has potential to be a top adaptation, it faces tough competition from Netflix's standout animated series like Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

Good video game adaptations are becoming more and more common, as Prime Video's Fallout was the latest big hit to transition perfectly into a TV format, and I'm optimistic about Netflix's series.

The platform's new Tomb Raider show will follow the games' story, making the series a sequel to Shadow of the Tomb Raider, continuing Lara Croft's recent story. Given the latest video game trilogy had some strong reviews, Netflix has definitely picked a great modern Tomb Raider story to work with which gives me confidence in the new project. Looking at the platform's track record with gaming adaptations, I have no doubt that they can nail Lara Croft's new chapter and continue this positive streak in the process.

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft will be released on Netflix on October 10, 2024.

Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft Is Continuing Netflix’s Animated Video Game Adaptation Streak

Netflix Has A Great Track Record When It Comes To Animated Video Game Adaptations

While Netflix has definitely caused plenty of frustration in recent times, I can't help but be impressed by their animated video game adaptations, and Tomb Raider looks set to continue. Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners are some of my favorite shows Netflix has ever produced, but the platform has also released plenty of other great animated gaming adaptations in recent years. Castlevania, The Cuphead Show!, and Sonic Prime also received great ratings, proving that these sorts of projects are one of Netflix's specialties.

Despite frequently canceling animated projects too soon, Hayley Atwell as Lara Croft in the new Tomb Raider project alongside their track record with gaming adaptations, it is hard to imagine this new series failing. The animation looks great, the general story is already one that audiences are familiar with, and it has a huge star at the heart of the show, indicating success should be on the way.

With so many promising signs, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft looks poised to continue this great video game adaptation streak, and after years of disappointing adaptations, I'm so relieved gamers are finally getting the shows and movies we deserve. Video games have some of the most unique universes and interesting narratives in modern entertainment, so to see them finally work in a TV or movie format is incredibly satisfying, and if Netflix's new Tomb Raider show is set to continue this, I'm here for it!

Netflix’s Tomb Raider Series Already Has One Huge Advantage

Lara Croft's Mainstream Appeal Should Give Netflix's Tomb Raider Show A Large Audience

Although Netflix has plenty of hit video game adaptations, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft has one huge advantage. The franchise's mainstream appeal is enough to pull in a massive audience that may have never played Tomb Raider, as proved by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander's movies both performing well, making Tomb Raider and Lara Croft a cinematic draw. This gives Tomb Raider a status that most of Netflix's other gaming adaptations don't have, other than Sonic Prime.

My love for Cyberpunk 2077 is what made me check out Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and while I haven't played League of Legends, my general interest in video games alongside the show's stellar reputation made me curious enough to give Arcane a watch. However, audiences that aren't interested in gaming may not have the same reason to get invested in these shows, meaning their marketing and performance alone are all that can really help attract a more mainstream viewership.

Netflix's Tomb Raider show has a much bigger appeal than almost any other animated gaming adaptation the platform has ever produced, hinting at Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft becoming a massive hit.

Tomb Raider's popularity avoids this, as it is a massive franchise beyond the video game world. Casting Hayley Atwell be the next Lara Croft actor will only help sell the project even more, as her stint with Marvel alongside her recent Mission: Impossible role makes the project feel even bigger. Therefore, Netflix's Tomb Raider show has a much bigger appeal than almost any other animated gaming adaptation the platform has ever produced, hinting at Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft becoming a massive hit.

Will Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft Be Netflix’s Best Video Game Adaptation Yet?

The New Tomb Raider Show Will Have To Compete With Some Truly Excellent Adaptations

Tomb Raider's strong reputation and widespread appeal give it a great chance at being one of Netflix's greatest video game adaptations, but it is unlikely to be the best. While I may have a slight bias, Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners have stood tall as Netflix's best-animated adaptations, and their reviews prove it. Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners both have 100% Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes, while Arcane slightly leads in audience scores, with a 96% rating as opposed to Cyberpunk's 95%. Alongside this, Arcane has an impressive 9.0 IMDb score while Cyberpunk: Edgerunners boasts an irable 8.3.

This highlights that the response to these shows was fantastic, with each series deservedly getting love from critics and audiences. Although Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft has plenty of potential, suring these shows is a momentous challenge. I have plenty of belief in the show delivering a high-quality story for us all to enjoy, but there is far too much competition for the Tomb Raider series to emerge as Netflix's top adaptation. Despite this, the show does have all the tools to be a certified hit, and I look forward to seeing Netflix continue its gaming adaptation streak.