The Lord of the Rings - Watch Order: Release Order

Other Watch Orders:
2001 - 20146 Films17h 13m4.7 Average

Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth chronicles the epic struggle between good and evil, following hobbits, wizards, elves, and men as they battle the dark forces of Sauron. The Release Order follows the sequence in which the films were released, beginning with The Lord of the Rings trilogy from 2001-2003, followed by The Hobbit prequel trilogy from 2012-2014.

This watch order allows viewers to experience the films as audiences originally did, with the epic scope and mature themes of The Lord of the Rings establishing the world before exploring the lighter, more adventure-focused origins in The Hobbit, though it does mean watching the story events out of chronological sequence.

1
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring poster

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

20012h 59m5
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Ian Holm

Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.

AdventureFantasyAction
2
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers poster

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

20022h 59m5
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis

Frodo Baggins and the other members of the Fellowship continue on their sacred quest to destroy the One Ring--but on separate paths. Their destinies lie at two towers--Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupt wizard Saruman awaits, and Sauron's fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor. Frodo and Sam are trekking to Mordor to destroy the One Ring of Power while Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn search for the orc-captured Merry and Pippin. All along, nefarious wizard Saruman awaits the Fellowship members at the Orthanc Tower in Isengard.

AdventureFantasyAction
3
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King poster

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

20033h 21m5
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis

As armies mass for a final battle that will decide the fate of the world--and powerful, ancient forces of Light and Dark compete to determine the outcome--one member of the Fellowship of the Ring is revealed as the noble heir to the throne of the Kings of Men. Yet, the sole hope for triumph over evil lies with a brave hobbit, Frodo, who, accompanied by his loyal friend Sam and the hideous, wretched Gollum, ventures deep into the very dark heart of Mordor on his seemingly impossible quest to destroy the Ring of Power.​

AdventureFantasyAction
4
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey poster

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

20122h 49m4.3
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott

Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit enjoying his quiet life, is swept into an epic quest by Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves who seek to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug, the dragon.

AdventureFantasyAction
5
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug poster

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

20132h 41m4.5
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom

The Dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains, and Bilbo has gained the One Ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold back from the Dragon, Smaug.

FantasyAdventureAction
6
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies poster

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

20142h 24m4.3
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly

Following Smaug's attack on Laketown, Bilbo and the dwarves try to defend Erebor's mountain of treasure from others who claim it: the men of the ruined Laketown and the elves of Mirkwood. Meanwhile an army of Orcs led by Azog the Defiler is marching on Erebor, fueled by the rise of the dark lord Sauron. Dwarves, elves and men must unite, and the hope for Middle-Earth falls into Bilbo's hands.

ActionAdventureFantasy