Cinopsys
Few film series are as beloved as Peter Jackson's Middle-earth saga. There are two trilogies — The Lord of the Rings and the later Hobbit prequels — and for a first watch, release order is the way to go.
Watch in release order first — the Hobbit films were made as prequels and land better once you know where the story is heading. Save the chronological route for a rewatch.
Middle-earth films in release order
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring2001Frodo sets out to destroy the One Ring as a fellowship forms around him.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers2002The fellowship is scattered as the war for Middle-earth begins.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King2003The epic, multi-Oscar-winning conclusion to the trilogy.
The Hobbit trilogy
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey2012A younger Bilbo joins Thorin's company to reclaim a lost kingdom.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug2013The company reaches the Lonely Mountain — and its dragon.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies2014Armies clash for the mountain in the trilogy's finale.
The new Middle-earth films
Warner Bros. is expanding Middle-earth again, starting with an animated feature.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim2024An anime film set generations before the trilogy, during the reign of Helm Hammerhand.
The Hunt for Gollum2027UpcomingAndy Serkis directs and returns as Gollum in a new live-action film.
How to watch Middle-earth in chronological order
The films jump around Middle-earth's history, so a chronological rewatch reorders them like this:
- Start with The War of the Rohirrim, set roughly 183 years before the rest.
- Then the Hobbit trilogy (about 60 years before the Ring quest).
- Finish with The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
For a first watch, release order is still the most rewarding — start with Fellowship.
Track Middle-earth in Cinopsys
Nearly 20 hours of film (more with the extended editions) is a real marathon. In Cinopsys you can build a Middle-earth list, tick each film off as you watch, and see your total runtime and top-rated entries. It's free, with no ads.
Begin the journey
Press play on The Fellowship of the Ring, and let Cinopsys track the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I watch the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies?
For a first watch, use release order: the Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003) followed by the Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014). Chronologically the Hobbit films come first, so save that route for a rewatch.
Should I watch the theatrical or extended editions?
Either works. The extended editions add a substantial amount of footage and are fan favourites for rewatches, while the theatrical cuts are an easier first watch given the films' length.
How many Lord of the Rings movies are there?
There are six main films — three Lord of the Rings and three Hobbit — plus the 2024 animated The War of the Rohirrim, with the live-action The Hunt for Gollum due in 2027.
How can I track which Middle-earth movies I've watched?
Use Cinopsys: build a Middle-earth list, mark each film as watched, and see your progress and stats. It's 100% free with no ads.