Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies constitute one of the most beloved and acclaimed fantasy film series of all time. There are several logical sequences in which one can watch these films. These movies are adaptations of the novels by British author J.R.R. Tolkien, set in the fictional world of Middle-earth.
The story revolves around a diverse group of characters, including Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits, as they strive to defeat the malevolent forces that endanger their realm. Watching The Lord of the Rings movies in order can provide a comprehensive understanding of this epic saga.
Peter Jackson’s two trilogies unfold at distinct moments in the timeline, allowing viewers to select how they prefer to experience the story. When deciding on The Lord of the Rings Movies in Order, fans can choose between the release order and the chronological order.
Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, as they unveil information at different points and alter the impact of various plot twists and surprises. Additionally, the introduction of The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime Video has further complicated and enriched the cinematic timeline, making it even more intricate and non-linear.
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How Many Lord of the Rings Movies are There?
There are a total of six films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth universe: three movies from The Lord of the Rings series and three from The Hobbit series. In addition, there is a 1997 animated version of The Hobbit, which is distinct from the more recent adaptations.
Warner Bros. has recently announced several new Lord of the Rings movies, and the second season of Rings of Power is scheduled to premiere on Amazon Prime later this year.
Where Does Rings of Power Fit in the Lord of the Rings Timeline?
Amazon’s “Rings of Power” series takes place in the Second Age of Middle-earth, millennia before the storyline of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, which occur in the Third Age.
This era will explore significant events such as the creation of the rings, the ascent of the Dark Lord Sauron, the legendary saga of Númenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, as detailed by showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay.
For those interested in The Lord of the Rings movies in order, this series offers a fascinating prelude to the epic tales that follow.
How to Watch The Lord of the Rings Movies By Release Date
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
- Rings of Power TV Series (2022)
The Lord of the Rings Movies in Chronological Order
1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
The timeline for The Lord of the Rings Movies in Order can be a bit perplexing because The Hobbit trilogy takes place 60 years prior to The Lord of the Rings, even though it was released ten years after the latter.
The epic saga begins with “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” released in 2012. This film features Martin Freeman as a young Bilbo Baggins, a role originally portrayed by Ian Holm in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
In this movie, Gandalf enlists Bilbo to support Thorin Oakenshield (played by Richard Armitage) and his company in their quest to reclaim the Dwarven kingdom under Erebor, also known as The Lonely Mountain, from the dragon Smaug. During his journey, Bilbo meets Gollum for the first time and takes possession of the One Ring.
2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
Thorin and his group press on toward The Lonely Mountain, battling enormous spiders and orcs en route. Orlando Bloom reprises his role as Legolas, a beloved character from The Lord of the Rings movies, and is joined by the new character Tauriel, portrayed by Evangeline Lilly of Ant-Man fame.
The company eventually arrives at Esgaroth, a town situated on a lake south of Erebor. Here, Bilbo ventures into the mountain and has a tense encounter with Smaug, the dragon voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Smaug then leaves his lair, heading towards Esgaroth, setting the stage for the climax of The Hobbit trilogy.
3. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
The showdown with Smaug comes to an end, setting the stage for the epic confrontation known as the Battle of the Five Armies. This climactic battle sees the forces of men, dwarves, elves, and two orc tribes clashing in a high-stakes struggle.
Without giving too much away, The Battle of the Five Armies delivers a resolution-packed narrative that seamlessly transitions into the beginning of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The story concludes at the Shire, 60 years later, with Gandalf visiting Bilbo on his 111th birthday, setting the stage for The Lord of the Rings Movies.
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The initial installment of the Middle-earth saga, based on release dates (and the fourth in the chronological sequence), is 2001’s “The Fellowship of the Ring.”
This movie transitions the focus from Bilbo Baggins to his significantly younger cousin, Frodo Baggins, portrayed by Elijah Wood. After some introductory scenes that establish the present circumstances in Middle-earth, the story takes us back to Bilbo’s 111th birthday festivities in the Shire.
In his final journey, Bilbo leaves the One Ring with Frodo. Gandalf advises Frodo to flee the Shire because Sauron, the dark lord from The Lord of the Rings, along with his sinister followers, especially the Nazgûl, nine ghostly riders on horses, are on the hunt for the ring.
Frodo leaves the Shire accompanied by his close friend Samwise Gamgee (portrayed by Sean Astin) and fellow hobbits Merry (played by Dominic Monaghan) and Pippen (played by Billy Boyd).
After facing numerous dangers and meeting key figures like Aragorn (Mortensen), Legolas (Bloom), and Saruman (Christopher Lee), a strategy is formed to annihilate the Ring by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor, the very place where the Rings of Power were created.
This mission is to be undertaken by a diverse group known as the Fellowship of the Ring. This fellowship includes the wizard Gandalf; hobbits Frodo, Samwise, Merry, and Pippin; the elf Legolas; the dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies); and the humans Aragorn and Boromir (Sean Bean).
Their perilous adventure takes them to the mystical land of Lothlórien, an Elven haven governed by Galadriel, portrayed by Cate Blanchett in The Lord of the Rings movies in order.
Galadriel also features prominently in The Hobbit trilogy and is a central character in the new Amazon series, where a younger version of her is played by Morfydd Clark. In Lothlórien, Galadriel counsels Frodo, who then chooses to press on to Mordor accompanied only by his loyal friend, Sam.
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
In “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Toers,” Frodo and Sam are joined by a hesitant new travel companion, Gollum, portrayed by Andy Serkis. Gollum, a hobbit who was once twisted by the influence of the One Ring, accompanies them as they journey towards Mordor.
However, their progress is halted by an unexpected obstacle. Meanwhile, other members of the Fellowship set out on a daring rescue mission. Gandalf returns in a new guise, and the trilogy witnesses its inaugural grand battle at Helm’s Deep gorge.
6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Similar to the climactic events in The Battle of the Five Armies, detailing the plot of The Return of the King would reveal too many spoilers. Therefore, we will outline only the most significant plot points.
Gollum, using the corrupting power of the Ring, turns Frodo against Sam and guides Frodo into a perilous trap. Meanwhile, the remaining members of the Fellowship engage in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields — an epic, concluding confrontation against Sauron’s dark army. To fully appreciate The Lord of the Rings Movies in Order, it’s crucial to witness these pivotal moments.
Disguised as Mordor inhabitants, Frodo and Sam finally infiltrate the dark land with assistance from the Fellowship. Their mission reaches its end, paving the way for the Fourth Age of Middle-earth and delivering a poignant conclusion. To experience the full narrative, viewers should watch The Lord of the Rings movies in order.
source: Gamerode