Netflix's Tomb Raider Flops: Woke Reboot Doesn't Crack Top 10!

Netflix's Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft has crashed and burned, failing to make even a dent in the streaming giant's Top 10 list after its debut. The show generated a meager 1.8 million views in its first week, a paltry figure compared to the 2.4 million views for Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance—a glaring sign of its lackluster reception. The negative reaction began even before the premiere, with the show's trailer accumulating over 17,000 dislikes, signaling a significant disconnect with fans.

Comments from viewers hit hard, with one stating, “I see Lara is still falling repeatedly,” showcasing the frustration with the show's direction. Even more telling is the outrage over the absence of Lara Croft's iconic pistols in the trailer, prompting one viewer to exclaim, “Where… are… her… guns?” This outcry reflects a deeper disappointment with the series' departure from what made the Tomb Raider franchise beloved.

Showrunner Tasha Huo only added fuel to the fire by admitting that she wrote the show for "little girls," a move that alienates long-time fans of the franchise. Her comments about wanting to make Lara a more emotional and relatable character come off as misguided when fans crave the fierce, adventurous spirit that has defined Lara Croft for decades. With claims that Lara has historically been a "cold figure" written by men, Huo's attempts to humanize her seem to miss the mark, leaving fans longing for the iconic character they know and love.

As the series struggles to find its footing, it's hard not to wonder if the "woke" approach to storytelling is costing franchises their loyal fanbases. If Netflix continues down this path, it risks losing the very audiences that made Tomb Raider a cultural phenomenon. Fans are left questioning whether the series can ever reclaim its legacy, especially when major missteps threaten to drown Lara Croft in a sea of unfulfilled expectations.