The Definitive 9-Part Guide: How To Watch All Lord Of The Rings Movies And Shows In Order (Including 2024 Releases)

Deciding the best way to journey through Middle-earth’s cinematic history is no longer a simple task. With the recent release of new content and the announcement of more films, the world of J.R.R. Tolkien has expanded far beyond Peter Jackson’s original trilogy. As of December 2025, a complete viewing experience now includes two trilogies, a major streaming series, an animated feature, and more live-action films on the horizon, making the question of "which order to watch" more complex than ever.

This comprehensive guide provides the definitive list for both the Release Order (the way the audience first experienced the saga) and the Chronological Order (following the timeline of Middle-earth’s history), incorporating the latest 2024 and future releases like The Rings of Power Season 2, the animated film The War of the Rohirrim, and the upcoming feature film The Hunt for Gollum. Whether you are a lifelong Tolkien enthusiast or a new traveler to the Shire, this is the most up-to-date roadmap for your epic adventure.

The Complete Middle-earth Filmography: Release Order (The Recommended Viewing Path)

For first-time viewers, the Release Order is almost universally recommended. This path preserves the mystery, suspense, and narrative surprises intended by the filmmakers, starting with the iconic trilogy that defined a generation of fantasy cinema. The original Lord of the Rings films were released first, followed by the prequel The Hobbit trilogy, and finally, the streaming and animated projects that delve into earlier eras.

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The following list includes all major theatrical and streaming releases, ordered by their original premiere date:

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
   • Director: Peter Jackson
   • Key Characters: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Samwise Gamgee
   • Plot Summary: The journey begins as Frodo, inheriting the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo Baggins, must flee the Shire and embark on a quest with the Fellowship to destroy the Ring in the fires of Mount Doom.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
   • Director: Peter Jackson
   • Key Characters: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf the White, Gollum
   • Plot Summary: The Fellowship is broken, and the story splits. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli join the war against Saruman, culminating in the Battle of Helm's Deep, while Frodo and Sam continue their perilous journey, guided by the manipulative Gollum.
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
   • Director: Peter Jackson
   • Key Characters: Frodo Baggins, Aragorn, Sauron, Denethor, Eowyn
   • Plot Summary: The epic conclusion sees the final battle for Middle-earth at the Pelennor Fields and the Black Gate, while Frodo and Sam reach the desolate land of Mordor to complete their quest.
4. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
   • Director: Peter Jackson
   • Key Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Smaug, Azog
   • Plot Summary: A prequel set 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, following a younger Bilbo Baggins who joins a company of 13 Dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the dragon Smaug.
5. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
   • Director: Peter Jackson
   • Key Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Bard the Bowman, Legolas, Tauriel
   • Plot Summary: The company continues its journey, passing through Mirkwood and encountering the Elves, before finally reaching the Lonely Mountain and confronting the formidable Smaug.
6. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
   • Director: Peter Jackson
   • Key Characters: Thorin Oakenshield, Bard the Bowman, Thranduil, Gandalf
   • Plot Summary: The final prequel film culminates in a massive conflict over the treasure of Erebor, involving Dwarves, Elves, Men, Orcs, and Eagles.
7. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season 1) (2022)
   • Platform: Amazon Prime Video
   • Key Characters: Galadriel, Elrond, High King Gil-galad, Durin IV, The Stranger
   • Plot Summary: Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the films, this series explores the forging of the Rings of Power, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the glory of Númenor.
8. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season 2) (2024)
   • Platform: Amazon Prime Video
   • Release Date: Premiered August 29, 2024
   • Plot Summary: The newly forged Rings of Power begin to have their effect, and the true identity and plans of Sauron are revealed as he consolidates his power in the Southlands (now Mordor).
9. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024)
   • Format: Animated Film
   • Release Date: December 2024
   • Plot Summary: This film is set 250 years before the original trilogy and tells the story of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan, and the creation of Helm's Deep.

The Ultimate Chronological Order: Following Middle-earth's Timeline

For viewers who prioritize the internal history of Arda, the Chronological Order is the way to go. This order places the films and series according to the Ages of Middle-earth, starting with the earliest events and moving forward to the War of the Ring. This provides a deep dive into the lore, allowing you to witness the rise and fall of great kingdoms like Númenor and the initial forging of the Rings.

This timeline is based on the four great Ages of Middle-earth as described by J.R.R. Tolkien:

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From the Second Age to the Third Age: The True Historical Order

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season 1 & 2) (2022-2024)
   • Era: The Second Age
   • Significance: This is the earliest story in the cinematic canon, focusing on the initial return of evil (Sauron), the creation of the Elven Rings, the rise of the Elven-Smith Celebrimbor, and the height of the island kingdom of Númenor.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024)
   • Era: The Third Age (c. 250 years before the main trilogy)
   • Significance: While set in the Third Age, it is the earliest film focusing on the history of Men in Rohan, detailing the life of King Helm Hammerhand and the origins of the fortress of Helm's Deep.
3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Desolation of Smaug (2013), & The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
   • Era: The Third Age (60 years before The Lord of the Rings)
   • Significance: This trilogy documents Bilbo Baggins' unexpected adventure, his finding of the One Ring, the battle for Erebor, and the re-emergence of the Necromancer (Sauron) in Dol Guldur.
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), & The Return of the King (2003)
   • Era: The Third Age (The War of the Ring)
   • Significance: The climax of Middle-earth's history, focusing on Frodo's quest to destroy the One Ring and the final defeat of Sauron.

The Future of Middle-earth: Upcoming Projects You Need to Know

The Middle-earth saga is far from over. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have confirmed multiple new live-action films, expanding the cinematic universe beyond the existing six films and the Amazon series. This marks a significant new chapter for the franchise, bringing fresh stories to the big screen.

The Hunt for Gollum and Unannounced Films

In May 2024, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema announced plans for two new live-action films, with the first confirmed to be The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.

• The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
  • Status: In development/Pre-production
  • Expected Release: TBD (Likely 2026 or 2027)
  • Director: Andy Serkis (who played Gollum)
  • Producers: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens
  • Chronological Placement: The story will likely be set in the time between Bilbo's birthday (the start of The Fellowship of the Ring) and Frodo's departure from the Shire. It details Aragorn's search for Gollum, a critical event mentioned in the books that explains how Gandalf learned the truth about the One Ring.
• Second Unannounced Live-Action Film
  • Status: In development
  • Expected Release: TBD
  • Details: Warner Bros. has only confirmed that a second live-action film is also planned, with no further details on the plot, title, or chronological placement as of late 2024. This signals a renewed commitment to expanding the cinematic world of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Why the Original Trilogy Remains the Best Starting Point

While the chronological order offers a deep dive for lore experts, the Release Order remains the superior choice for a first viewing. The original trilogy—The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King—is a masterclass in world-building and narrative pacing. It introduces the core characters like Frodo Baggins, Aragorn, and Gandalf, and the central conflict with Sauron, maintaining a perfect balance of mystery and revelation.

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Watching The Hobbit films afterward, despite being prequels, works better because they rely on the audience's existing knowledge of the Third Age's greater stakes. Similarly, The Rings of Power, set in the Second Age, is designed to enhance the lore for those already familiar with the later events, making the historical context and the eventual fate of characters like Galadriel and Elrond more impactful.

The new projects, including the 2024 releases, are best viewed as an expansion of this established universe. Whether you choose to follow the historical timeline or the release timeline, the important thing is that the journey through Middle-earth is now richer, deeper, and more expansive than ever before.