The Tomb Raider franchise is an iconic series of action-adventure games, films, and media centered around the character Lara Croft, a British archaeologist known for her exploration of ancient tombs and perilous environments. The franchise began with the original video game in 1996 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with Lara Croft becoming one of the most recognizable and influential characters in gaming history. Over the years, Tomb Raider has expanded into multiple video game series, films, comic books, and even theme park attractions, maintaining its relevance through various reboots and adaptations.