The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies are two of the most beloved and highest-grossing movie franchises in history. Both trilogies were developed from the novels created by J.R.R Tolkien and have grown massively since The Fellowship of the Ring was first released to theaters. The Lord of the Rings trilogy followed Frodo's journey to destroy the titular ring, as well as the battles that raged across Middle-earth, while The Hobbit went back in time, telling the story of how Bilbo Baggins first came to possess the Ring.

With new entries in the LOTR canon arriving lately, such as The Rings of Power and The War of the Rohirrim, it's always the perfect time to revisit the original trilogies. But that brings us back to the age-old question: should you watch the series in chronological or release order? The good news is, whatever your preference, we've got you covered. Here's our guide on how to watch the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies in chronological order and by order of release.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

After the huge success of the original trilogy, it was no surprise that more films in the Lord of the Rings were developed. In 2012, the franchise continued with the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Peter Jackson returned to the role of director after a 10-year break from the franchise, and the film was a huge success, providing a long-awaited revival of Middle Earth for fans of the franchise.

An Unexpected Journey takes place before the events of the original trilogy, so in chronological order, this should be the first film to watch. The film follows Bilbo, played by Martin Freeman, who was the first Hobbit to ever encounter the Ring that we know all too well. Starting with this trilogy means that you will gather all your information in the right order.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

The second film that was released in The Hobbit trilogy was The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, which was brought to theaters in 2013. This film brought the franchise to new heights and introduced dragons, Smaug in particular, which was met with positive reactions from fans. In this film, Bilbo sets out to defeat the dragon known as Smaug, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, to save the lost Dwarf from the Kingdom of Erebor. Since this film came directly after An Unexpected Journey, this is exactly where you should go next as you work your way through the series.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

A year later, 2014 saw the release of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, which appealed to fans of the Battle of Helm’s Deep, focusing on a huge battle and an action-packed film from beginning to end. The film depicts a battle that holds the fate of Middle-earth on its shoulders, and we see all kinds of characters engage in an epic battle that is perhaps the most action-packed of the entire series.

It seems like a nod to the action-packed sequences of The Return of the King, considering both are the final films in their individual trilogies and are equally visually striking and emotionally moving. When it came to the books, The Hobbit was just one novel, so this final installment in the trilogy features the original story's climax, making it the most thrilling of the three.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was released in 2001 and represents where the story began on and off-screen, though it is set after the events of The Hobbit. The film introduces us to the now-beloved characters of Frodo (Elijah Wood), Gandalf (Ian McKellan), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and the whole crew. It was the first time that Middle-earth had been brought to the screen, becoming a huge box office success.

The pace of the film is slower than that of future additions due to the time it had to spend on world-building. As a result, it signifies the perfect introduction to the lore, the Ring, and just how dangerous the mission they embark on will become. Frodo is the central character, and he is tasked with getting rid of the One Ring. Along the way, he meets a band of allies and enemies, making for gripping viewing.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was released only a year after The Fellowship of the Ring, in 2002. The film is a direct continuation and sees Frodo and Sam carrying on with their quest to destroy the ring at Mount Doom. In this film, they meet the legendary creature Gollum, played perfectly by Andy Serkis, who was a previous owner of the Ring and has been driven to insanity by its powers. At the same time, other members of the Fellowship prepare to fight Sarumon’s army at the Battle of Helm's Deep. The pressure was on for the film to be a success, and it certainly delivered, becoming the third highest-grossing film of all time when it was released (and a fan favorite).

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

The following year saw the release of the final addition to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The film is an action-packed thriller from the get-go and is without a doubt the most intense film in the trilogy. In this story, we see Frodo, Sam, and Gollum continue their quest to destroy the Ring while Aragon, Gandalf, and the Fellowship engage in a final epic battle against Sauron. The film was a massive success and critically praised, winning all 11 Academy Awards that it was nominated for, which is a huge feat. This is the culmination of the entire saga, making the perfect note to end on.

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Movies In Order of Release

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