Angelina Jolie, 50, Lara Croft Throwback Photo Leaves Fans Stunned

A throwback photo of Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft has gone viral again, sending fans down memory lane. The image, taken during the filming of 2003’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, shows Jolie in her iconic action-hero look.

Social media account Cinesthetic recently shared the photo on X, writing, “Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft (2003) . The post quickly went viral, with fans praising her performance and debating whether anyone has ever matched her portrayal. One fan commented, “This was peak casting back then and it still holds up.”

Jolie’s role as Lara Croft was a turning point in her career. Before the blockbuster, she was mostly known for indie films and her Oscar-winning role in Girl, Interrupted. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider proved she could lead a major studio franchise, making her one of the most recognizable female action stars of the 2000s.

Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft (2003) pic.twitter.com/c3gSgP6zuC

— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) February 26, 2026

Today, Jolie’s career is just as busy, though her focus has shifted. She has been earning praise for her role in Maria, a biopic about opera legend Maria Callas directed by Pablo Larraín. “It was intense. I trained for seven months in opera to bring her to life,” Jolie said during a recent interview.

She has also wrapped filming on the comedy-drama Anxious People, based on the Fredrik Backman novel, starring alongside Aimee Lou Wood and Jason Segel. Fans are looking forward to her return to action with the upcoming spy thriller Maude v Maude, where she will share the screen with Halle Berry.

And Disney fans have something to look forward to as Jolie has confirmed she will return for Maleficent 3, continuing the story of the dark fairy and Queen Aurora.

Beyond movies, Jolie has been busy with her creative projects and humanitarian work through Atelier Jolie. She has hosted workshops in New York and continues to spotlight artisans from around the world. From raiding tombs on screen to raising awareness for global causes, Jolie remains a major influence in entertainment and beyond.

What do you think? Has any actress come close to matching Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft? Share your thoughts in the comments.