The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, in release order and story order.
Release order — recommended
- The Fellowship of the Ring2001
- The Two Towers2002
- The Return of the King2003
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey2012
- The Desolation of Smaug2013
- The Battle of the Five Armies2014
The Hobbit films came later and are full of nods that only land if you already know the Rings trilogy.
Story order — chronological
- The Hobbit trilogy60 years earlier
- The Lord of the Rings trilogy
The Rings of Power series sits thousands of years earlier still, in the Second Age, and needs no prior viewing.
Every title, with ratings and where to stream
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I watch The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings first?
Release order, so Lord of the Rings first. The Hobbit films were made afterwards and are full of nods that only land if you already know the later story.
How many Middle-earth films are there?
Six: three Lord of the Rings films and three Hobbit films.
Where does The Rings of Power fit?
Thousands of years before both trilogies, in the Second Age. It is a separate story that needs no prior viewing.
Should I watch the extended editions?
For a first viewing the theatrical cuts are fine. The extended editions add substantial material and are a favourite for rewatches.