Lara Croft is a bit of a ghost when it comes to romance. You’ve probably spent hours scaling icy cliffs in Siberia or dodging traps in Peruvian jungles, but have you ever seen her go on a second date? Probably not. It's the question that keeps the Tomb Raider fandom in a perpetual state of debate: does Lara Croft have a love interest, or is she just married to the job?
Honestly, the answer depends entirely on which version of Lara you’re talking about. The 1996 classic Lara, the 2013 "Survivor" Lara, and the movie versions played by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander all handle love differently. Mostly by avoiding it like a poison dart trap.
The Survivor Trilogy and the Sam Problem
When the series rebooted in 2013, everything changed. We got a younger, more vulnerable Lara. We also got Sam Nishimura.
If you’ve played the first game of the reboot, you know Sam. She’s Lara’s best friend, the one she literally goes through hell to rescue from a sun-god ritual. For years, fans have pointed out that the chemistry there felt like more than just "besties." The way they look at each other? The way Lara prioritizes Sam over, well, everything? It’s intense.
Rhianna Pratchett, the lead writer for the 2013 game, has even admitted in interviews that she would have loved to make Lara gay. There was a specific comic book arc, Tomb Raider: Inferno, where a kiss between Lara and Sam was actually planned. At the last second, it was changed to a platonic hug.
Basically, the creators have toyed with the idea of a female love interest for years, but the games themselves keep things strictly in the "it's complicated" zone. By 2026, with the Netflix animated series The Legend of Lara Croft bringing Sam back into the spotlight, the subtext is louder than ever, yet the writers still haven't put a formal label on it. It’s frustrating for some, but it keeps the mystery alive.
The Men Who Tried (and Usually Died)
It’s not like there haven't been dudes. They just don't tend to last very long.
Take Kurtis Trent from The Angel of Darkness. Back in 2003, Kurtis was the "bad boy" with the psychic powers and the spinning blade weapon. There was some serious sparks-flying tension in those dark Parisian alleys. Fans either loved him or hated him, but he was the closest the original games ever got to giving Lara a legitimate equal and romantic foil. Then the game flopped, the trilogy was canceled, and Kurtis vanished into the "what could have been" pile.
In the movies, things get a bit more explicit.
- Terry Sheridan (Cradle of Life): Played by Gerard Butler. He was an "old flame" from Lara's past. They had a quip-heavy, flirtatious dynamic until—spoiler alert—she had to shoot him because he chose greed over her.
- Alex West (2001 Movie): Daniel Craig’s character. They were rival tomb raiders who clearly had a history. It was more "competitive flirting" than deep soulmate energy.
Then there's Jonah Maiava. Poor Jonah. He’s been by Lara’s side through three games and a Netflix series. He is her rock, her emotional anchor, and the person she trusts most in the world. But is he a love interest? Not really. Their bond is deeply familial. They love each other, but they aren't in love. In the later games, Jonah even gets his own romantic subplot with a character named Abby, effectively putting any "Lara and Jonah" theories to bed.
Why Lara Stays Single
There’s a reason Lara Croft doesn't have a steady partner.
She’s an icon of independence. Since 1996, her whole "vibe" has been the lone wolf. Toby Gard, her original creator, wanted her to be a character who didn't fit the typical "damsel" or "girlfriend" tropes of the 90s. Putting her in a domestic relationship feels... wrong. Imagine Lara Croft arguing about whose turn it is to do the dishes while she’s supposed to be stopping a cult from ending the world. It doesn't track.
Also, let's be real: Lara is a bit of a mess. She’s obsessed. She’s traumatized. She has a habit of getting everyone around her killed or seriously injured. In the Tomb Raider comics and games, she often pushes people away because she knows her lifestyle is a death sentence for anyone she cares about.
The Actionable Truth for Fans
So, where does that leave us? If you're looking for a definitive "yes," you won't find it in the official canon. Lara Croft is effectively asexual or aromantic by choice—or at least by the way her life is structured.
If you want to dive deeper into her romantic history, here is how you should approach it:
- Read the Dark Horse Comics: This is where the Sam and Lara relationship gets the most development. It’s as close to "canon" romance as you'll get.
- Watch the 2024/2025 Animated Series: The show explores Lara’s emotional baggage and her relationship with Sam in a way the games never had time for.
- Play Angel of Darkness (Remastered): If you want to see the "what if" of Lara having a male partner who can actually keep up with her, the Kurtis Trent interactions are essential.
Ultimately, Lara’s true love interest is the adventure. It sounds cheesy, but it’s the only thing she’s ever been consistent with for thirty years. She doesn't need a partner to be a complete character, and for a lot of players, that's exactly why she's still the GOAT.
To get the full picture of her most "romantic" dynamic, start with the 2013 reboot and follow the story through the Inferno comic series. It provides the emotional closure the games often skip.
