It probably won’t surprise anyone to hear this, but I have been a massive fan of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft for a very long time. My love for this series started when I was just eight years old. I have clear memories of playing the very first Tomb Raider games at a friend’s house after school. We used his dad’s computer, and I spent most of my time either running away from scary animals while screaming and holding my breath, or practicing moves at Croft Manor instead of actually exploring tombs. Even back then, the feeling of wonder and excitement stayed with me, and it has never really left.

Since those days of playing Tomb Raider after school with a glass of juice and a few toys nearby, my passion for the series has only gotten stronger. If there is any Tomb Raider game or product out there, I will find it. I still enjoyed the recent trilogy of games, especially the first two, which I played many times. However, I did miss the pure ‘fun’ that the older version of Lara had. I missed her confidence, her attitude, and her unnecessary gymnastic moves. I missed her short shorts and high boots. And honestly, I really missed her two pistols.

However, I have to say that I feel very hopeful about the future of the series as we move toward 2026. Based on everything we have seen so far about the two new Tomb Raider games—Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst—along with the new TV series from Amazon and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, it looks like Lara is about to find her fun again. I am completely ready for it. The official Tomb Raider website has even updated Lara’s biography for Legacy of Atlantis, which is a complete remake of the first game, and for the brand-new Catalyst, to show this new era of Lara Croft.

The website now describes her as a fearless archaeologist and adventurer, famous for her constant search for ancient secrets and artifacts. As the wealthy heiress to the Croft family, she enjoys a life of luxury, but her real passion is uncovering the mysteries of the past. Her style and wit make her a charming figure, whether she is attending fancy parties or exploring dangerous tombs looking for lost treasures.

Her adventures often take her into a dangerous underworld filled with collectors, raiders, and threats. Her survival skills and knowledge with different weapons, including her famous two pistols, make sure she is always ready for any challenge. Mixing elegance with determination, Lara’s life is a combination of high-stakes adventure and amazing discoveries. Her legendary status as a Tomb Raider keeps growing, inspiring awe and admiration around the world.

This is wonderful news to my ears. The Lara Croft of 2026 is brave, experienced, wealthy, and a little bit fierce. This Lara has real expertise, she has style—hello, short shorts—and yes, she has her two pistols back. It is lovely news.

Then, there is Amazon’s live-action show, which started filming recently. Before production began, the team shared an image of Sophie Turner from Game of Thrones as Lara Croft. I do not care what the critics say, she looks amazing in the role. Turner mentioned she has been training for almost a year, and it shows. She looks incredibly fit and has the perfect body for Lara. She looks not just strong, but also agile and graceful.

What I love most about this first look at Turner’s Lara is the outfit. Amazon’s upcoming series is clearly embracing the classic and slightly campy Lara look from the 90s, with the red glasses, small shorts, tank top, backpack, and holsters. This version of Lara is iconic for a reason. She was on magazine covers, the face of Lucozade, and she inspired young girls like me to get out and see the world.

I absolutely adore this version of Lara. While I did enjoy the Netflix Tomb Raider cartoon series, which took inspiration from the more recent games, I feel much more excited by Amazon’s live-action show after seeing just this one image. Not to mention, the cast is incredible. Jason Isaacs! Sigourney Weaver! Celia Imrie! Amazon has gathered some serious talent.

Also, I know she might not be as popular since Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but I am excited to see what Phoebe Waller-Bridge will do with a live-action Tomb Raider series. The first TV show she created, Crashing, is still one of my favorites, and if you haven’t seen it, I definitely recommend it. It is full of Waller-Bridge’s sharp humor and a touch of innuendo. Meanwhile, Alien legend Sigourney Weaver has already said the Tomb Raider scripts are charming and witty, and I am inclined to trust her given Waller-Bridge’s history.

So yes, the year is 2026, and I believe it is the year Lara gets her groove back. You can count me in.