Middle-earth can begin with Bilbo leaving his comfortable home or with Frodo inheriting a burden he never asked for. Chronology gives you the earlier adventure first. Release order introduces the world through the films that established its modern screen identity.
This guide focuses on Peter Jackson’s six films and The War of the Rohirrim, with The Rings of Power explained separately.
Choose what to watch
Choose order
Release order
Release order
- 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
- 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 Rings of Power — Seasons 1–2 (2022, 2024) — TV series; separate screen continuity
- The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Story order
- The War of the Rohirrim
Rohan’s past, roughly 183 years before the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy Animated Film
- An Unexpected Journey
- The Desolation of Smaug
- The Battle of the Five Armies
- The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Two Towers
- The Return of the King
Story order: The Rings of Power TV continuity
The series is set in Middle-earth’s Second Age, thousands of years before the Third Age stories in the films. It is a separate screen adaptation continuity; watch its released seasons in order.
Season 3 is announced for 11 November 2026; it has not premiered as of this guide’s 18 October 2026 update.
- The Rings of Power — Season 1
- The Rings of Power — Season 2
No entries match this selection.
Where does The Rings of Power fit?
The Rings of Power (2022 • TV series) explores the Second Age, thousands of years before the main Hobbit and Lord of the Rings adventures. On a broad Middle-earth history chart, it comes first. However, it is a separate adaptation with its own creative choices; it should not be presented as a seamless prequel to every detail of Jackson’s films.
For an expanded thematic marathon, begin with the released seasons of The Rings of Power, then follow the film chronology above. For a consistent film marathon, keep the series separate.
The older animated adaptations — The Hobbit (1977 • Animated Film), The Lord of the Rings (1978 • Animated Film) and The Return of the King (1980 • Animated Film) — are also separate screen interpretations, not missing chapters in Jackson’s saga.
Peppermoon’s recommendation
Start with Fellowship, The Two Towers and Return of the King. Then return for Bilbo’s adventure. The theatrical editions are a comfortable first viewing; the extended editions are rewarding when you want more time with the characters and world.
Sources: Amazon’s Middle-earth viewing guide (https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/where-to-watch-lord-of-the-rings); Expanded screen watch order (https://www.gamesradar.com/how-to-watch-lord-of-the-rings-in-order-movies-shows/).