The Lord of the Rings Movies Watch Guide: What Order and How to Stream

Experiencing “The Lord of the Rings” might just offer you an unforgettable movie marathon. Luckily, these days it’s simple to find all the movies whenever you want and tailor your Middle-earth adventure according to your preference. Whether you’re a dedicated re-watcher, a fresh fan, or guiding someone new to the fandom, here’s where to locate each “Lord of the Rings” movie currently and the optimal viewing sequence. With seven films in the franchise, deciding how to dive into “The Lord of the Rings” can be perplexing, but there’s one way that encompasses them all.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Typically speaking, it would be more logical to embark on a marathon of Middle-earth stories by starting with the Lord of the Rings trilogy rather than The Hobbit trilogy. Contrary to Tolkien’s novel order, the movies were produced out of sequence, and this is evident. The Hobbit films are filled with visual and thematic nods to the original trilogy, making them more effective as a prequel when viewed after the fact. Furthermore, the Lord of the Rings trilogy stands out as the superior series, so if you find yourself running low on energy and decide to stop early, at least you’ll have experienced the best the saga has to offer.

Currently, “The Fellowship of the Ring” is available for streaming on Max, and it’s worth mentioning that this platform offers both the theatrical version and the extended cut. In many instances, you might prefer the extended cut. If you’re hesitant about a subscription, you can alternatively buy or rent the movie from major video-on-demand services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube. These platforms also offer the extended editions for purchase, but they don’t provide rental options for the extended versions.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that you’ll soon encounter “The Two Towers” next in your journey. You can find it streaming on Max and most prominent Premium Video On Demand services. Remember, if you choose to follow my recommendation and opt for the extended editions, these films aren’t exactly speed runs. For instance, the theatrical cut of “Two Towers” spans 2 hours and 52 minutes, but the extended edition stretches to a whopping 3 hours, 55 minutes. Watching the entire trilogy on a leisurely winter Sunday is feasible, but it calls for approximately 12 hours of uninterrupted screen time. Enjoy the ride!

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King can also be found on Max and the same PVOD platforms as its predecessors. I’d like to briefly discuss the physical media options available for this trilogy. The DVD and Blu-ray releases have been exceptionally well-received, boasting some of the best bonus content ever produced for a movie series. If you don’t already own them, they are highly recommended. However, to get your hands on these bonus-rich editions, you may need to explore secondhand markets. At present, Warner Bros. is only selling a DVD box set that contains only the theatrical versions of the films.

4K Ultra HD collections are particularly beneficial for Blu-ray enthusiasts as they offer both the standard and extended versions of all three films, in addition to numerous popular bonus features that have been compiled over the years. Regrettably, the six-film set launched concurrently does not feature extended editions; these are only available on Blu-ray or DVD individually.

The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim

As a fervent enthusiast, I can’t help but suggest you take a break and immerse yourself in the latest cinematic marvel, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim”. While following the qualitative sequence is part of the reason, this film offers a unique perspective when viewed at this point in our journey. With the political landscape of Rohan and Gondor freshly etched in your memory, this prequel, set 183 years before Frodo embarks on his quest with the One Ring, will make perfect sense. The captivating narrative is brought to life once more by Miranda Otto reprising her role as Eowyn. “The War of the Rohirrim” can be found in many theaters currently, or you can enjoy it from home through most major Premium Video On Demand services.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Let’s delve into the controversial trilogy adaptation of “The Hobbit.” This series may have a divided opinion among fans due to its reputation. Despite being shorter than “The Lord of the Rings” movies, it was expanded into three films. Generally speaking, either the first or second movie is deemed the best by many fans. However, you might find that these films don’t provide the same level of enjoyment as the original trilogy.

If you’re a frequent viewer and have seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy multiple times, you’ll recognize that The Hobbit series comes towards the end of our list because it’s not always watched repeatedly. After finishing the extended versions of the initial trilogy, if you still crave more Middle Earth, you might choose to watch this final installment for another serving, but it’s not essential. I suggest the same approach for new fans, and if you’re trying to spark interest in this series within a friend or loved one, I advise taking a break before The Hobbit and contemplating whether you really want to delve that deeply into it. For a novice viewer, it may be more beneficial to have several Lord of the Rings marathons under their belt prior to watching The Hobbit, unless they’re particularly eager about it.

Regarding where to view “An Unexpected Journey,” there seems to be a minor anomaly. At the moment, Max doesn’t offer the extended edition of the movie. Instead, you can stream the theatrical version on their platform or find the extended cut on a PVOD store, or even purchase a physical disc. The extended edition is only 13 minutes longer, so the difference isn’t as significant as one might think.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

You can stream “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” on Max and various PVOD outlets, offering both the original and extended versions. This film is often considered the peak of the prequel trilogy, largely due to Benedict Cumberbatch’s captivating portrayal of the dragon. If you manage to find the extra features, I strongly suggest watching his making-of documentary after you’ve finished. The actor poured a great deal of effort into this role, even though it was brief.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Wrapping up now with “The Battle of the Five Armies”, which can be found in two versions across Max and PVOD platforms. Unfortunately, this conclusion might not satisfy, but fear not as more films are on the horizon! If you’re interested in exploring other realms, consider giving “The Rings of Power” on Prime Video a try. On the other hand, revisit “Fellowship” for another round of adventure.

2025-01-13 07:09