Below, we have explained in detail the order in which to watch The Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson, who adapted J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic books to the big screen, created wonderful movie productions that are hard to stop watching. The The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series have both become some of the most popular movies in the history of cinema, fascinating viewers with their captivating plots and stunning visual effects. Now, we will explain in detail in which order to watch The Lord of the Rings. Here is the recommended viewing order:
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1.The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The first movie of the Hobbit series is at the top of our Lord of the Rings watch list. The Hobbit series takes place long before the events of The Lord of the Rings. Therefore, it’s best to watch the Hobbit movies before diving into The Lord of the Rings. The plot is as follows:
Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, and 12 other dwarves set out to reclaim the Arken Stone, the all-important King’s jewel guarded by Smaug in the Lonely Mountain. As the group travels into the wilderness, they encounter hordes of goblins, orcs, wargs, and giant spiders. Meanwhile, Gandalf senses another looming threat.
Information about The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott
- Release Year: 2012
- Duration: 169 minutes (theatrical version)
- Country: New Zealand, United States
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Similar Movies: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on IMDb
2.The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The second Hobbit movie focuses on the challenging adventures of Thorin and his companions as they pass through the Misty Mountains and enter the Mirkwood forest. Forced to continue without the wizard Gandalf, the dwarves rely on Bilbo Baggins, who must uphold his end of the deal until they reach human-inhabited lands. The group must reach the Lonely Mountain and find the secret door to Smaug’s lair.
Information about The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch (voice)
- Release Year: 2013
- Duration: 161 minutes (theatrical version)
- Country: New Zealand, United States
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Similar Movies: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug on IMDb
3.The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The third Hobbit movie on our Lord of the Rings watch list is The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, and the dwarves have reclaimed the Lonely Mountain from Smaug. After Smaug’s fiery attack, the survivors of the lake town are left helpless. Smaug is slain by Bard using a legendary black arrow. Meanwhile, Thorin succumbs to the madness known as “dragon sickness,” worrying his companions. Lord Sauron has dispatched four Orc armies to secretly attack the Lonely Mountain. Now, Dwarves, Elves, and Men must unite or face destruction. As the five armies gather for war, Bilbo must fight to save himself and his friends.
Information about The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans
- Release Year: 2014
- Duration: 144 minutes (theatrical version)
- Country: New Zealand, United States
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Similar Movies: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies on IMDb
4.The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The fourth movie in our Lord of the Rings watch list revolves around the struggle to destroy a ring that could change the fate of the world. Long ago, several Rings of Power were forged, bringing nothing but bloodshed to Middle-earth. Centuries later, the last surviving One Ring re-emerges in Frodo Baggins’ possession, passed down from his uncle. After learning from Gandalf the ring’s true power and the threat of Sauron, who seeks to regain it, a group of warriors unites to carry the One Ring to Mordor, the only place it can be destroyed. Their long, perilous journey begins.
Information about The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen
- Release Year: 2001
- Duration: 178 minutes (theatrical version)
- Country: New Zealand, United States
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
- Similar Movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Fellowship of the Ring on IMDb
5.The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The second Lord of the Rings movie covers three main storylines: Frodo and Sam’s journey to Mordor guided by the ring’s former owner, Gollum; Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli’s efforts to aid Rohan with the resurrected Gandalf; and Merry and Pippin’s escape from captivity, their meeting with Treebeard the Ent, and the subsequent steps they take that influence the fate of Middle-earth.
Information about The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom
- Release Year: 2002
- Duration: 179 minutes (theatrical version)
- Country: New Zealand, United States
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
- Similar Movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Two Towers on IMDb
6.The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The sixth and final movie in the recommended viewing order shows Sauron launching his final assaults to seize control of Middle-earth. Gandalf and King Theoden of Rohan ride to defend Gondor, while Aragorn seeks out an army of the dead to aid in the struggle. Meanwhile, Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, betrayed by Gollum, press on toward Mordor in a desperate attempt to destroy the One Ring. All of these events culminate in an epic, world-altering confrontation.
This is the order in which you should watch The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movies to fully appreciate the epic story and timeless magic of Middle-earth. Enjoy your journey!
Information about The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom
- Release Year: 2003
- Duration: 201 minutes (theatrical version)
- Country: New Zealand, United States
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
- Similar Movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Return of the King on IMDb
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