For a first-time viewer, watch the Lord of the Rings movies in release order. Start with the three-film Lord of the Rings trilogy from 2001–2003, then watch the three Hobbit prequels released from 2012–2014. If you prefer the in-world timeline, reverse the trilogies: watch The Hobbit films first, followed by The Lord of the Rings.
Lord of the Rings movies in release order
For a first-time viewer, watch the six main films in release order. This introduces Middle-earth through The Lord of the Rings trilogy before taking you back to the events that precede it in The Hobbit trilogy.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
The first film, The Fellowship of the Ring, was released in the United States on December 19, 2001. The first Hobbit film followed almost 11 years later, arriving in the United States on December 14, 2012.
Why release order is best for first-time viewers
Release order follows the way audiences originally encountered the connected film cycle. The Lord of the Rings trilogy establishes the world, its central conflict, its visual style, and its major characters. The Hobbit trilogy then works as a prequel journey into the earlier history of Bilbo Baggins, the dwarves, the Lonely Mountain, and the Ring.
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Lord of the Rings movies in chronological order
To watch the six-film story in in-world chronological order, begin with Bilbo’s adventure and then continue into Frodo’s. This is the recommended sequence for a rewatch or for viewers who specifically want the broad Middle-earth timeline.
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
What happens in each film?
| Order | Film | Story position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey | Bilbo joins Thorin Oakenshield and a company of dwarves on a quest to reclaim Erebor, the Lonely Mountain. |
| 2 | The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug | The company continues toward the Lonely Mountain while confronting dangers along the route and the dragon Smaug. |
| 3 | The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies | The Hobbit story reaches its major military and political climax. |
| 4 | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | Frodo inherits the One Ring and begins the quest to destroy it. |
| 5 | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | The Ring quest continues as the conflict with Sauron expands into open war. |
| 6 | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | The quest and the war reach their conclusion. |
Which order should you choose?
| If you are… | Choose… | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Watching the films for the first time | Release order | It preserves the original introduction to the world and the filmmakers’ intended sequence of reveals. |
| Rewatching the complete cycle | Chronological order | It lets Bilbo’s story lead directly into the later Ring quest. |
| Already familiar with the trilogy and curious about its backstory | Chronological order | The prequel context is likely to be more rewarding once you already know the central trilogy. |
| Trying to keep the first viewing as concise as possible | Release order, theatrical editions | The theatrical cuts are generally the simplest starting point. |
Theatrical or extended editions?
Both versions follow the same six-film order. The choice is about how much additional material you want, not about changing the chronology.
- Theatrical editions: Usually the most straightforward option for a first viewing. They present the versions originally released in cinemas.
- Extended editions: Add scenes and other material and are a strong option for fans, repeat viewings, and anyone who wants the most expansive version of the film cycle.
Viewers who want all six films together can look for a six-film extended edition collection containing both trilogies. Before buying, check the listing carefully for your region and confirm the included format—such as Blu-ray or 4K UHD—as well as subtitles, bonus discs, digital-copy terms, and seller details. Editions and package contents can vary.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThere is no universal requirement to watch the extended editions first. If you are new to Middle-earth, the theatrical films are a sensible entry point; if you already know the stories or want additional material, choose the extended versions.
What about The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim?
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is an optional animated feature from New Line Cinema. Its story is set earlier in Middle-earth than the six live-action Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films. It was released theatrically in the United States on December 13, 2024, with international releases beginning December 11, 2024.
It should not be silently inserted into the standard six-film Peter Jackson order. For a completionist chronological viewing, you can place it before The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. However, it is a separate animated production rather than a seventh entry in the live-action six-film cycle.
Optional chronological placement
- The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
What about The Hunt for Gollum?
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is an announced upcoming project associated with Andy Serkis and members of the Peter Jackson creative team. It is not part of the currently released movie list, so it should not be added to a watch order as though it were available.
Release scheduling for the project has changed across announcements. Check a current studio announcement for its status and date when the film becomes relevant to your viewing plans.
Is The Rings of Power part of the movie order?
No. Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a separate television adaptation set in Middle-earth. It is not one of the six theatrical films and should not be mixed into this movie-order list.
If you want to watch it as well, treat it as a separate television series rather than trying to insert its seasons between the films.
Where can you watch the Lord of the Rings movies?
There is no permanent worldwide streaming home for all six films. Availability can change by country, service, licensing window, and edition. A film may be available through a subscription service in one region while requiring a rental or purchase in another.
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Before starting, check the current listings in your country and distinguish among:
- subscription streaming;
- digital rental;
- digital purchase;
- DVD, Blu-ray, or 4K UHD purchase; and
- theatrical versus extended editions.
Any availability information published with this guide should include the geography and the date it was checked. For the most reliable six-film access, physical media avoids some licensing changes, but you still need to verify the format and regional compatibility before purchasing.
Want the source material?
The films can be followed without reading the books first. If you want to compare the adaptations with Tolkien’s source material, consider a physical edition of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Reading them is optional, and the books are best treated as companion material rather than a prerequisite for choosing a movie order.
For merchandise, collectibles, posters, replica props, board games, and film art books, look specifically for officially licensed Middle-earth products and verify the seller and licensing information.
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First time watching? Use release order: Fellowship, Two Towers, Return of the King, then the three Hobbit films.
Want the in-world timeline? Use chronological order: An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, The Battle of the Five Armies, Fellowship, Two Towers, and Return of the King.
Rank #4
- Author: J. R. R. Tolkien.
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Pages: 300
- Publication Date: 2012-09-18
- Edition: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best order to watch the Lord of the Rings movies for the first time?
For a first viewing, watch The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, followed by The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies.
What is the chronological order of the Lord of the Rings movies?
Watch the three Hobbit films first, followed by The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
Should I watch the theatrical or extended editions?
It is optional. The theatrical editions are a straightforward choice for first-time viewers, while the extended editions add material and are especially suitable for fans and repeat viewings.
Is The Rings of Power part of the Lord of the Rings movie order?
No. The Rings of Power is a separate television adaptation, not one of the six theatrical films.
The Bottom Line
For newcomers, watch the six main films in release order. For a chronological rewatch, begin with the three Hobbit films and then watch the three Lord of the Rings films. Treat The War of the Rohirrim as an optional animated prequel, and keep unreleased projects and separate television adaptations out of the current six-film order.
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