Although fans might argue that there are only two Peter Jackson trilogies in the The Lord of the Rings franchise, they also need to consider the release order that was wildly different from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels.
From the war for the One Ring lost for two and a half thousand years to the tumultuous rule of Helm Hammerhand, there have been a total of seven movies (and one upcoming) based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, and here’s how to watch all of them, in chronological order (and not on the basis of release dates).
8. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Set approximately 183 years before Bilbo Baggins finds the One Ring in The Hobbit trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim tells the tale of Hèra, the daughter of King Helm Hammerhand of Rohan.
Narrated by Miranda Otto (who portrayed the role of Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy), the 2024 animated film depicted the story of how King Helm of Rohan earned the nickname ‘Hammerhand’ (by killing his enemy with a single punch).
The film also details the rebellious fights of Rohan alongside Sauron’s plans to find the One Ring. The War of the Rohirrim also details how Hèra became an adventurous person while also showcasing her final stand at Helm’s Deep, and how Helm Hammerhand returned as a ghost.
Although being the latest flick in the franchise, The War of the Rohirrim also happens to be the oldest prequel to the main storyline, as of now.
7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The first film that introduced us to Martin Freeman’s iconic portrayal of Bilbo Baggins, alongside Richard Armitage’s Thorin Oakenshield, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is set 183 years after the events of War of the Rohirrim.
With Gandalf finding Bilbo Baggins in the Shire and offering him a journey to defeat Smaug and reclaim The Lonely Mountain (and Erebor), the journey kicks off with the company making their way through jungles, mines, and more in hopes of reclaiming Erebor.
The first film delves into Azog the Defiler’s return (a character notably dead in the novel) while a side-plot also involves Sauron lurking about in Mordor and gathering his armies.
The film ends with Bilbo Baggins finding the One Ring after winning a riddle competition with Gollum in the Misty Mountains (Riddles in the Dark). Of course, this sets a much larger stage where the simple action of Bilbo stealing the Ring will change the course of Middle-earth as we know it.
6. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The journey continues as Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves are captured by Mirkwood Elves, escape, reach Lake Town, take on some supplies, and reach the gates of Erebor.
With Bilbo Baggins sneaking in and quietly looting the Arkenstone (the symbol of Thorin Oakenshield’s power), Smaug is angered, and a chaotic battle ensues in Erebor.
Covering Smaug in molten gold with the furnaces and the treasure of Erebor, Smaug breaks down the door and flies towards Lake Town to inflict his reign of terror. Of course, the stakes get heightened as the movie ends on one of the most iconic cliffhangers of all time (“What have we done?”, Cut to black).
Of course, the Ring is still with Bilbo while the plot regarding Azog the Defiler and Sauron thickens.
5. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Probably the most heartbreaking movie in The Hobbit trilogy, The Battle of the Five Armies serves as the final chapter for the adventures of Thorin Oakenshield and co., as greed, power, and corruption take center stage in this tale.
The finale revolves around the Dwarves taking a final stand to defend Erebor from Thranduil and the men of Lake Town, while Azog brings his armies (with the help of Sauron), and Dane rescues his brother.
The film is appropriately named ‘The Battle of the Five Armies’ because the final scenes are indeed so chaotic. However, the film does bring a satisfying end to the trilogy, including Thorin and Azog’s fight, Legolas and Bolg’s battle, Bilbo departing, and returning to the Shire, and things go back to normal.
4. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
Set roughly 60 years after Bilbo Baggins returns to The Shire, it his his 111th birthday and Frodo Baggins couldn’t be any happier. However, with Bilbo disappearing and leaving the One Ring to Frodo Baggins, it is up to the brave Hobbit and his 8 companions to take the Ring to Mordor and cast it into the very fires of Mt. Doom, “from whence it came”.
The film ends with the Breaking of the Fellowship as Gandalf is lost in Moria, while Boromir dies while trying to defend Merry and Pippin. The Fellowship of the Ring marks Peter Jackson’s first entry into the The Lord of the Rings franchise, and it is indeed an exceptional piece of storytelling.
Side note: We know that the events of Andy Serkis’ upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum happen during the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. For ease of reading, The Hunt for Gollum has been given a separate space so that viewers can understand it better.
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, the hunt for Gollum, led by Aragorn and Gandalf, is written in the appendices section of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
As per the source material, Bilbo Baggins vanishes from his 111th birthday while leaving Frodo with the One Ring. However, it takes Frodo Baggins 17 years to leave The Shire and make for the village of Bree alongside Samwise Gamgee and Merry and Pippin, unlike the few days as shown in the movie.
It is during these 17 years that Gollum is tracked by Sauron as well as Aragorn, who catches him in the Dead Marshes and brings him to Gandalf for interrogation. It is through Gandalf’s interrogation that he returns to Frodo to warn him that Sauron knows two words, “Baggins” and “Shire”.
Naturally, Frodo sets off for Bree, and Andy Serkis’ upcoming film, The Hunt for Gollum, will be set during these 17 years during the events of The Fellowship of the Ring.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Following the Breaking of the Fellowship at the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, the story continues as Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli track the Uruk-hai who took Merry and Pippin.
Their quest leads them to the bloodied lands of Rohan, where a resurrected Gandalf meets them. Together, they head to Edoras, where a poisoned Theoden rules.
The subplot of Frodo and Sam involves getting captured by Faramir (alongside Gollum) and taken to an overrun Osgilliath, where Faramir frees them. On the Rohan side, the Battle of Helm’s Deep takes place, and the horn of Helm Hammerhand (as seen and heard in The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim) is heard.
The movie ends with Frodo and Sam a little closer to Mordor, with Isengard, flooded by Treebeard, Merry, and Pippin.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Last, but not least, Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King serves as the final chapter in the entire J.R.R. Tolkien saga in terms of movie adaptations.
The film continues the story forward with Gollum leading Frodo and Sam through Shelob’s Lair and Cirith Ungol while Gandalf, Aragorn, Theoden, Legolas, and Gimli go to Minas Tirith in hopes of having a last stand against the armies of Mordor.
The Battle of Minas Tirith is probably the best battle ever, with the Rohirrim arriving at Pelennor Fields and wanting to help Denethor and his armies. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli go on a little adventure to hire some ghost mercenaries who refused to fulfill their oath. Using the ghost mercenaries and the Rohirrim, the Men of Middle-earth (and women) defeat the armies of Mordor.
With Sam and Frodo being closer to Mt. Doom than ever, Aragorn leads a charge at the Black Gate. With Sauron distracted, Frodo and Sam (alongside a sneaky Gollum) enter Mt. Doom. After a battle, Gollum bites off Frodo’s fingers as he dances with joy.
Frodo pushes him into the lava, thus destroying the One Ring. The film’s ending is emotional, evocative, and satisfying to the core, with Frodo and Gandalf leaving for the Grey Havens alongside Bilbo Baggins.
So, if you’re planning to have a Lord of the Rings marathon, this is the chronological order in which you should watch the movies. If you have already seen The Fellowship of the Ring, we might suggest watching The Hunt for Gollum first (whenever it releases).
Which one of these movies is your favorite pick? Let us know in the comments below.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will release on December 17, 2027, in theaters (USA).
