From its epic scale and unparalleled sense of journey to its beloved characters and the unforgettable relationships between them, The Lord of the Rings stays one of many best fantasy movie franchises of all time. Now, due to Amazon’s Center-earth TV collection, LotR is again within the zeitgeist. ring of energyis scheduled to return to theaters in January 2026.
Watching The Lord of the Rings films so as is a very simple activity. We have put collectively this text to assist even freshmen navigate each The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies correctly. With collection freshmen in thoughts, The next temporary synopsis is spoiler-free. Transcend a normal plot abstract and introduction of characters.
For those who desire to observe the films in that order (like I do), there is a second record on the backside of the article with the films ordered by their precise launch date.
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Additionally see our information to studying. Lord of the Rings books ordertogether with The Silmarillion.
What number of Lord of the Rings films are there?
There’s 7 films complete Works set in JRR Tolkien’s Center-earth: 3 Lord of the Rings movies, 3 Hobbit movies, and 1 animated characteristic movie. There’s additionally an older animated trilogy: The Hobbit (1977), The Lord of the Rings (1978), and The Return of the King (1980), however these are separate from the brand new movies and will not be included right here.
The place does the Ring of Energy match into the Lord of the Rings timeline?
Amazon’s Rings of Energy collection is about within the Second Age of Center-earth. 1000’s of years earlier than the occasions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Set within the Third Age. In line with showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, that is the period in Center-earth that may see “the forging of the Ring, the rise of the Darkish Lord Sauron, the epic saga of NΓΊmenor, and the ultimate alliance between Elves and Males.”
Watch Lord of the Rings films in chronological order
1. The Lord of the Rings: Battle of the Rohirrim (2024)
The 2024 animated characteristic movie The Battle of the Rohirrim is about 183 years earlier than The Lord of the Rings trilogy and 123 years earlier than The Hobbit. Just like the live-action trilogy, “Conflict of the Rohirrim” is about within the Third Age of Center-earth.
The Rohirrim Conflict follows Helm Hammerhand (voiced by Brian Cox), the ninth king of Rohan, and his household. The story primarily focuses on Helm’s daughter Hela and her position within the battle between Rohan and Home Dunlending.
learn our article Assessment of The Lord of the Rings: Battle of the Rohirrim.
2. The Hobbit: An Surprising Journey (2012)
The Hobbit trilogy is about 60 years earlier than The Lord of the Rings, despite the fact that it was launched ten years later.
Chronologically, the story begins in 2012’s The Hobbit: An Surprising Journey, with Martin Freeman taking part in the position of younger Bilbo Baggins (performed by Ian Holm within the LotR trilogy). Gandalf, one among a number of characters whose tales run by way of each trilogies, recruits Bilbo to Thorin (Richard Armitage) and his companions to assist them reclaim the dwarven kingdom beneath Erebor, also referred to as the Mountain of Solitude, which has been plundered by the dragon Smaug. Alongside the best way, Bilbo meets Gollum for the primary time and obtains the One Ring.
learn our article Assessment of The Hobbit: An Surprising Journey.
3. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
Thorin and his companions proceed their journey to the Mountain of Solitude, dodging large spiders and orcs alongside the best way. Legolas, performed by Orlando Bloom (one other LotR staple), joins the fray together with newcomer Tauriel (performed by Ant-Man’s Evangeline Lilly). Whereas the group reaches Esgaroth, a lake city south of Erebor, Bilbo descends into the mountains the place he meets Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). Smaug ultimately leaves his lair and departs for Esgaroth, concluding the Hobbit trilogy.
learn our article Assessment of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
4. The Hobbit (2014)
The battle with Smaug is resolved, and the battle of the movie’s title begins, involving people, dwarves, elves, and two tribes of orcs. The Battle of the 5 Armies is ripe for decision (therefore spoilers), so it is much more ambiguous right here, however be ready for an action-heavy film that lastly takes us again to the Shire, 60 years sooner or later, the place the Lord of the Rings trilogy started, with Gandalf visiting Bilbo on his 111th birthday.
learn our article Assessment of βThe Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armiesβ.
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The primary Center-earth film by launch date was 2001’s The Fellowship of the Ring. The angle shifts from Bilbo to his a lot youthful cousin Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wooden). After some exposition explaining the present state of Center-earth, we return to Bilbo’s 111th birthday celebration within the Shire.
Bilbo leaves Frodo with the One Ring and units off on his remaining journey. Gandalf warns Frodo that he should go away the Shire as Sauron (of The Lord of the Rings) and his evil henchmen, particularly the Nazgul, 9 ghosts on horseback, come for the ring. Frodo leaves the Shire together with his greatest good friend Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) and fellow hobbits Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippen (Billy Boyd).
After a number of perilous journeys and the introduction of characters together with Aragorn (Mortensen), Legolas (Bloom), and Saruman (Christopher Lee), a plan is devised to destroy the Ring of Energy within the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor, the place it was solid. The plan can be carried out by a ragtag group referred to as the “Companions of the Ring.” The Hobbit’s Frodo, Samwise, Merry, and Pippen. Elf Legolas. Gimli the dwarf (John Rhys-Davies). and the people Aragorn and Boromir (Sean Bean).
After a deadly journey, they arrive at Lothlorien, an elven kingdom dominated by Galadriel, performed by Cate Blanchett. Galadriel additionally seems in The Hobbit trilogy and is likely one of the principal characters in Amazon’s new collection (this youthful model of Galadriel is performed by Morfydd Clarke). Galadriel advises Frodo, and Frodo decides to proceed his journey to Mordor with out the others, taking solely Sam, his most trusted confidant, with him.
learn our article Assessment of The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings.
6. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Frodo and Sam tackle a 3rd reluctant touring companion, Gollum (voiced by Andy Serkis), a hobbit who was corrupted by the facility of the One Ring way back. The trio arrive on the outskirts of Mordor, however are stranded by an surprising intervention. The opposite members of the Fellowship embark on a rescue mission. Gandalf takes on a brand new kind. And the primary epic battle of the trilogy takes place within the canyons of Helm’s Deep.
learn our article βThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towersβ ββevaluate.
7. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Like The Battle of the 5 Armies, the plot of The Return of the King is mainly all spoilers, so I am going to solely spotlight probably the most normal story beats right here. Gollum makes use of the Ring’s affect to drive Frodo into battle with Sam and leads Frodo into the lair of his fearsome enemy. In the meantime, different members of the Fellowship participate within the Battle of Pelennor Fields, a serious remaining battle in opposition to Sauron’s darkish forces.
Frodo and Sam ultimately enter Mordor in disguise and full their authentic plan with the assistance of different members of the Fellowship. The journey ends and we enter the Fourth Age of Center-earth, with a bittersweet finale.
learn our article Assessment of βThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingβ.
watch Lord of the Rings films by launch date
- The Lord of the Rings: 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 Surprising Journey (2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Last Battle (2014)
- Ring of Energy TV Sequence (2022-Current)
- The Lord of the Rings: Rohirrim Conflict (2024)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (2027)
The way forward for The Lord of the Rings
The following huge display screen entry within the collection can be a live-action movie referred to as The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. The Hunt for Gollum, directed by and starring Andy Serkis, is scheduled to be launched in theaters on December 17, 2027. Peter Jackson can be connected as an govt producer, and Ian Holm has already been confirmed to return as Gandalf. Fortunately, this upcoming film does not appear to have something to do with the (reasonably dangerous) Gollum online game.
Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema additionally signed a deal to supply extra Lord of the Rings films. Few particulars have been revealed, however we do know that the deal contains “a number of” movies.
When is Ring of Energy Season 3?
Ring of Energy: Season 2 aired its remaining episode in October 2024. Followers of the present can be completely happy to know that filming for season 3 has already wrapped, however no premiere date has been introduced. Based mostly on the timing between when Season 2 was introduced and when it was truly launched, we may doubtlessly count on Season 3 to reach nearer to February 2027.