How to Watch theLord of the RingsMovies and TV Show in Order: A Guide to Middle-earth’s Epic Saga

Mar. 15, 2025

Orlando Bloom in ‘Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’.Photo:Pierre Vinet/New Line Cinema/THA/Shutterstock

Pierre Vinet/New Line Cinema/THA/Shutterstock

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth epic ofThe Lord of the Ringshas captivated audiences for decades, starting withThe Hobbitin 1937. His tale ultimately prompted what would be one of the longest-standing andmost lucrative franchisesacross literature, film and television.

Whether you’re new to the series or revisiting the epic saga, knowing where to start can be tricky, as the six films and television series take place over thousands of years.

Here’s how to watch theLord of the RingsandHobbitmovies, as well as theRings of Powerseries, in both release and chronological order.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Morfydd Clark as Galadriel; Lloyd Owen as Elendil in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.BEN ROTHSTEIN/PRIME VIDEO

Set thousands of years before the events ofThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Rings,TheRings of Powertakes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth. According to the series showrunners,TheRings of Poweroffers an extensive backstory narrative for some of the major plot points in the iconic saga.

“The Rings of Power unites all the major stories of Middle-earth’s Second Age: the forging of the rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Númenor and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men,” Payne and McKay said. “Until now, audiences have only seen on-screen the story of the One Ring –but before there was one, there were many.”

The series lays the foundation for the events that unfold in later films, such as the creation of the One Ring and features characters like Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo), who are also prominent in the later stories.

The series is in the throes of its second season after premiering in August 2024.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey(2012)

Martin Freeman in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock

New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock

An Unexpected Journeyis set 60 years before the events ofThe Lord of the Rings,and marks the beginning of Bilbo Baggins’ (Martin Freeman) adventure in the timeline. The story begins with the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) recruiting Bilbo to join 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 danger as they face numerous challenges, including trolls, Orcs and a voyage through the Misty Mountains, where Bilbo encounters Gollum (Andy Serkis) and obtains the One Ring. Meanwhile, Gandalf seeks help from the White Council, including Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), who senses the growing darkness in Middle-earth and supports Gandalf’s concerns about a rising evil, foreshadowing the larger conflict that will unfold.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug.Mgm/Kobal/Shutterstock

Mgm/Kobal/Shutterstock

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies.Mark Pokorny/New Line/Mgm/Wingnut/Kobal/Shutterstock

Mark Pokorny/New Line/Mgm/Wingnut/Kobal/Shutterstock

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Dominic Monaghan, John Rhys-Davies and Billy Boyd in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring.Pierre Vinet/New Line/Saul Zaentz/Wing Nut/Kobal/Shutterstock

Pierre Vinet/New Line/Saul Zaentz/Wing Nut/Kobal/Shutterstock

Set in the Third Age of Middle-earth,The Fellowship of the Ringfollows the story of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a young 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.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Bernard Hill and Viggo Mortensen in The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers.Pierre Vinet/New Line/Saul Zaentz/Wing Nut/Kobal/Shutterstock

The film’s central conflict revolves around the growing threat of Sauron and Saruman as their forces spread across Middle-earth, culminating in the epic Battle of Helm’s Deep, ultimately setting the stage for the final confrontation.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis and Sean Astin in The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King.New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock

The Return of the Kingbrings the trilogy to its epic conclusion in the final days of the War of the Ring. As Frodo and Sam make their final push toward Mount Doom, the rest of the Fellowship rallies the forces for a last stand against Sauron’s army. The story concludes with the destruction of the One Ring, the downfall of Sauron and the restoration of peace. Aragorn is crowned King, and Frodo departs for the Undying Lands, marking the end of an era and leaving behind a legacy.

The Lord of the Ringstrilogy is available to stream onMax, andThe Hobbit trilogyis also onMax.TheRings of Poweris streaming exclusively onAmazon Prime Video.

source: people.com