J.R.R. Tolkien’s Center-earth epic of The Lord of the Rings has captivated audiences for many years, beginning with The Hobbit in 1937. His story finally prompted what can be one of many longest-standing and most profitable franchises throughout literature, movie and tv.
Peter Jackson first introduced Tolkien’s world to life with The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy within the early 2000s, adopted by The Hobbit films a decade later. Eight years after the ultimate Hobbit installment, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay introduced the fantastical universe to tv with The Rings of Energy on Amazon Prime in 2022, with the second season premiering on Aug. 29, 2024. The Lord of the Rings can also be getting the anime therapy later this yr by The Lord of the Rings: The Struggle of the Rohirrim, which will probably be launched in theatres on Dec. 13.
Whether or not you are new to the collection or revisiting the epic saga, figuring out the place to start out will be tough, because the six movies and tv collection happen over 1000’s of years.
Right here’s how you can watch the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, in addition to the Rings of Energy collection, in each launch and chronological order.
Find out how to watch the Lord of the Rings films and TV present in launch order
- 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 Sudden Journey (2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armies (2014)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy (2022 – Current)
Find out how to watch the Lord of the Rings films and TV present in chronological order
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy
Set 1000’s of years earlier than the occasions of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Energy takes place through the Second Age of Center-earth. In response to the collection showrunners, The Rings of Energy gives an in depth backstory narrative for among the main plot factors within the iconic saga.
“The Rings of Energy unites all the most important tales of Center-earth’s Second Age: the forging of the rings, the rise of the Darkish Lord Sauron, the epic story of Númenor and the Final Alliance of Elves and Males,” Payne and McKay stated. “Till now, audiences have solely seen on-screen the story of the One Ring –however earlier than there was one, there have been many.”
The collection lays the muse for the occasions that unfold in later movies, such because the creation of the One Ring and options characters like Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo), who’re additionally distinguished within the later tales.
The collection is within the throes of its second season after premiering in August 2024.
The Hobbit: An Sudden Journey (2012)
An Sudden Journey is ready 60 years earlier than the occasions of The Lord of the Rings, and marks the start of Bilbo Baggins’ (Martin Freeman) journey within the timeline. The story begins with the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) recruiting Bilbo to affix Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and his band of Dwarves on a quest to reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. The journey is fraught with hazard as they face quite a few challenges, together with trolls, Orcs and a voyage by the Misty Mountains, the place Bilbo encounters Gollum (Andy Serkis) and obtains the One Ring. In the meantime, Gandalf seeks assist from the White Council, together with Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), who senses the rising darkness in Center-earth and helps Gandalf’s issues a couple of rising evil, foreshadowing the bigger battle that may unfold.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Set in the course of the hunt to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, The Desolation of Smaug continues the journey of Thorin and his firm, as they’re pursued by Azog’s Orcs and face the specter of the dragon Smaug. Alongside the best way, they search refuge with Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt), navigate the hazards of Mirkwood and encounter Wooden-elves earlier than reaching Laketown. In the meantime, Gandalf uncovers Sauron’s rising energy in Dol Guldur.
The movie builds as much as the climactic encounter between Bilbo and the dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch), who awakens to wreak havoc on Laketown. The movie takes place within the years main as much as the occasions of The Lord of the Rings, setting the stage for the eventual Struggle of the Ring and the conclusion of The Hobbit trilogy.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armies
The Battle of the 5 Armies takes place instantly after the occasions of The Desolation of Smaug, and sees the decision of the battle with Smaug, the place Bard (Luke Evans) emerges as a hero by slaying the dragon. The narrative builds towards an epic confrontation involving dwarves, elves, males and orcs, with alliances cast within the titular battle.
The movie concludes within the timeline the place The Lord of the Rings begins, 60 years later, as Bilbo returns to the Shire, the place he’s paid a go to by Gandalf on his 111th birthday.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Set within the Third Age of Center-earth, The Fellowship of the Ring follows the story of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wooden), a younger cousin of Bilbo, who inherits the One Ring. With Sauron’s forces pursuing the Ring to reclaim it, Frodo embarks on a journey to destroy it.
Frodo types the Fellowship, and so they face quite a few challenges as they navigate the perilous Mines of Moria and the paranormal forest of Lothlórien — an elve realm dominated by Galadriel. The movie units the stage for the epic battle that may decide the destiny of Center-earth.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Two Towers picks up the place The Fellowship of the Ring left off, and the journey intensifies because the Fellowship is split and Frodo and Sam (Sean Astin) proceed their quest to destroy the Ring, guided by the treacherous Gollum. The narrative splits into a number of threads, following the scattered members of the Fellowship as they face their respective challenges.
The movie’s central battle revolves across the rising risk of Sauron and Saruman as their forces unfold throughout Center-earth, culminating within the epic Battle of Helm’s Deep, finally setting the stage for the ultimate confrontation.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Return of the King brings the trilogy to its epic conclusion within the remaining days of the Struggle of the Ring. As Frodo and Sam make their remaining push towards Mount Doom, the remainder of the Fellowship rallies the forces for a final stand towards Sauron’s military. The story concludes with the destruction of the One Ring, the downfall of Sauron and the restoration of peace. Aragorn is topped King, and Frodo departs for the Timeless Lands, marking the tip of an period and forsaking a legacy.
The place to look at the Lord of the Rings films and TV present
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is on the market to stream on Max, and The Hobbit trilogy can also be on Max. The Rings of Energy is streaming completely on Amazon Prime Video.
