If you’re a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings, then you’ve likely wondered how to watch the movies in order. The Lord of the Rings franchise consists of six movies: the original trilogy of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, the prequel trilogy of The Hobbit, and two animated features.
This guide will explore the best watching order for the Lord of the Rings movies, learn about the extended editions and the animated movie, and discover where to stream or buy the movies. So, grab your popcorn and get ready for a Middle-earth marathon!
Overview of the Lord of the Rings Franchise
The Lord of the Rings is a series of epic fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, first published in 1954-1955. The story follows a fellowship of hobbits, humans, elves, and dwarves on their quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron.
The novels were adapted into three epic live-action films released between 2001 and 2003: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. The films were critically-acclaimed and won 17 Academy Awards, more than any other film series.
In 2012, the prequel trilogy of The Hobbit was released, adapting the 1937 novel of the same name. The Hobbit trilogy consists of An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies.
The Lord of the Rings franchise includes two animated films: The Return of the King (1978) and The Hobbit (1977).
The Best Watching Order for the Lord of the Rings Movies
If you’re looking to marathon the Lord of the Rings movies, there are a few different ways to do it. The simplest way is to watch the movies in the order they were released: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), The Return of the King (2003), An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Desolation of Smaug (2013), and The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).
However, this is not the best way to watch movies. The optimal order is to watch the original Lord of the Rings trilogy first, then The Hobbit trilogy, and then the two animated features. This way, you’ll get the full story of Middle-earth, from the creation of the One Ring to the destruction of Sauron.
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Fellowship of the Ring is the first installment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It follows the fellowship, a group of nine companions, as they embark on a quest to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron. The movie has a runtime of 178 minutes and was nominated for 13 Academy Awards, winning four.
The Fellowship of the Ring is a thrilling introduction to the Lord of the Rings franchise, introducing viewers to the world of Middle-earth and its characters. It is a must-watch for any fan of the series.
The Two Towers
The Two Towers is the second installment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It follows the fellowship as they split up, with some going to Rohan to assist King Théoden and the others going to Mordor to destroy the One Ring. The movie has a runtime of 179 minutes and was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two.
The Two Towers is a thrilling installment in the Lord of the Rings franchise. It is full of exciting battle sequences and introduces some of the most iconic characters in the series, such as Gollum, Treebeard, and the Ents.
The Return of the King
The Return of the King is the final installment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It follows the fellowship as they make their final stand against the forces of Sauron and attempt to destroy the One Ring. The movie has a runtime of 201 minutes and was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning all 11.
The Return of the King is an epic conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is full of thrilling battle sequences and a heart-wrenching conclusion, making it a must-watch for any fan of the series.
The Hobbit Trilogy
The Hobbit is a prequel trilogy to the Lord of the Rings, based on the 1937 novel of the same name. It follows the hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he embarks on an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. The trilogy consists of An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Desolation of Smaug (2013), and The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).
The Hobbit trilogy is a must-watch for any Lord of the Rings fan. It is a thrilling adventure featuring some of the beloved characters from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, such as Gandalf, Gollum, and Bilbo.
The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions
The Lord of the Rings extended editions is extended cuts of the original trilogy released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2003. The extended editions feature additional scenes and dialogue not present in the original theatrical releases.
The extended editions have a combined runtime of 576 minutes, making them much longer than the original theatrical releases. They are an excellent way to experience the Lord of the Rings trilogy story and are a must-watch for any fan of the series.
The Lord of the Rings Animated Movie
The Lord of the Rings is a 1978 animated musical film based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel of the same name. The film was produced by Rankin/Bass and has a runtime of 135 minutes. It follows a hobbit named Frodo as he embarks on a quest to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.
The Lord of the Rings animated movie is a classic and is a must-watch for any fan of the Lord of the Rings franchise. It is an entertaining and family-friendly take on the classic story, featuring an all-star voice cast and memorable songs.
Where to Stream or Buy the Lord of the Rings Movies
The Lord of the Rings movies is available to stream on a variety of streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu. The movies are also available to purchase on DVD and Blu-ray.
If you’re looking to stream or buy the Lord of the Rings movies, make sure to check out the extended editions. The extended editions are available to stream on Prime Video and to purchase on Blu-ray.
Conclusion
The Lord of the Rings is a classic fantasy series that has captivated audiences for decades. Whether you’re a fan of the novels or the movies, the best way to watch the Lord of the Rings movies is in the order described in this guide: the original trilogy, followed by The Hobbit trilogy, and then the two animated features.
So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and get ready for an epic Middle-earth marathon with the Lord of the Rings movies!
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