What are The Lord of the Rings movies in order? So you’re thinking about watching The Lord of the Rings movies and you’re not sure where to start? Totally fair. Between the original trilogy, the Hobbit prequels, and now that Rings of Power show, it feels kind of messy. But honestly, it’s not that complicated once you lay it out.
The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
This is the beginning. Frodo gets the Ring, we meet Gandalf, the Shire, all the good stuff. The Fellowship sets out on their journey.
The Two Towers (2002)
The group splits, the action picks up, and the battles get wild.
The Return of the King (2003)
Everything wraps up here. It’s long, it’s epic, and it’s worth it. Watch these three first. Don’t overthink it.
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What About The Hobbit?
Years later, Peter Jackson made The Hobbit into three movies. These actually happen before Frodo’s story, but most people agree you shouldn’t start with them.
Here’s the order if you do want to watch them:
- An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
They’re fun in parts, but they don’t hit the same as the main trilogy. I’d say treat them as bonus content, watch them after you’ve gone through the main movies.
Release Order vs Timeline Order
- Release order (the way the movies came out): Fellowship → Two Towers → Return of the King → Hobbit Trilogy
- Chronological order (the timeline inside the story): Hobbit Trilogy → Fellowship → Two Towers → Return of the King
Here’s the thing: release order is better if it’s your first time. You get the story the way it was told to the world originally, and it just flows better. If you start with The Hobbit movies, you’ll probably be less excited for the main trilogy.
Theatrical or Extended Cuts?
Another question people always ask: which version do you watch?
- Theatrical = shorter, what played in theaters. Perfect for a first watch.
- Extended = way more detail, extra scenes, deeper lore. Awesome if you’re already a fan.
First time? Stick to theatrical. Then, if you get hooked, go back for the extended editions later.
Do You Need Rings of Power?
Nope. Amazon’s Rings of Power is set way before any of this and doesn’t tie directly into the movies. Watch it if you want more Middle-earth, but don’t worry about it for your first watch.