Ranking Every Lord of the Rings Movie From Worst to Best

Ranking Every Lord of the Rings Movie From Worst to Best

Oh, how the epic tales of Middle-Earth doth captivate the minds of audiences both near and far! Verily, The Lord of The Rings series doth stand as a beacon of greatness, both in the realm of written word and on the silver screen. Let us embark on a grand adventure as we rank each cinematic creation from the world of Tolkien, from the weakest to the most splendid!

In this journey of rankings, let us establish a few ground rules. We shall focus solely on the films that graced the theaters, excluding the Rankin/Bass specials from our consideration. And pray, do not expect to find Rings of Power listed herein, for though it be a recent offering, its television origins bar it from our noble list.

And now, dear readers, we present to thee the finest Lord of the Rings movies, arrayed from the most lacking to the most magnificent!

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

‘Tis a sad truth to declare, but The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies bears the mark of superfluity. One might argue that the entire trilogy of The Hobbit is filled with unnecessary appendages, but this chapter stands out in its redundancy. Commencing where Desolation of Smaug should have reached its conclusion, the film then meanders aimlessly, lacking in soul and purpose. ‘Twas never meant to exist, for The Hobbit was to be but a duology, making this endeavor a misguided one indeed. The very essence of The Battle of the Five Armies screams of its unwarranted presence.

6. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

In contemplating The Hobbit saga as a whole, one cannot deny its peculiar nature. Portrayed as a grand and weighty series, the original book belies such grandeur. Amidst tonal inconsistencies, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey claims a singular distinction – that of being the slowest amongst its Lord of the Rings brethren. Unlike Fellowship of the Ring, which introduced a grand narrative alongside a diverse band of heroes, this tale fails to distinguish each dwarf that accompanies Bilbo on his quest, diminishing the adventure’s memorability.

‘Tis an oddly unattractive production, owing much to Peter Jackson’s dalliance with 48 FPS and an overabundance of CGI. Though it bears the mark of a Lord of the Rings film, it fails to ascend to the heights reached by its predecessors.

In relation :  The Reason Kazama Kiryu Went to Prison in Yakuza Season 1

5. The Lord of the Rings (1978)

For a span of time, Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings held the singular honor of being the only animated rendition of Tolkien’s saga until the advent of 2024’s The War of the Rohirrim. ‘Tis a creation that may not resonate with all, for Bakshi’s utilization of rotoscoping may prove divisive. Furthermore, the film does not wholly embrace Tolkien’s original vision, yet there exists a certain charm in Bakshi’s depiction of Middle-Earth that distinctly sets it apart from Jackson’s interpretation. At moments, it may stray into the realm of the absurd, and the portrayal of characters like Gandalf may meet resistance from those accustomed to Ian McKellan’s portrayal. Yet, despite its ambitious deviations, Bakshi’s work exudes a personality that surpasses much of the Hobbit trilogy.

4. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Though deeming The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug as the finest entry in the Hobbit series may be likened to crowning the tallest hobbit, this film possesses notable strengths that elevate it above its kin.

Unlike the original trilogy, which at times struggled to maintain focus in its middle chapters, The Desolation of Smaug presents a more cohesive narrative, wasting little of its modest runtime. Action sequences delight, characters are imbued with depth and growth, but ’tis Benedict Cumberbatch’s Smaug that shines brightest, a technical marvel that stands as the trilogy’s crowning achievement. Had The Hobbit retained its duology form and incorporated the commencement of The Battle of Five Armies within, perchance The Desolation of Smaug may have ascended to the top three.

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

Behold, we arrive at the apex of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, with the order of precedence serving as the greatest enigma. ‘Tis commonly agreed that The Two Towers stands as the trilogy’s weakest, not owing to any egregious fault, but rather due to its middle positioning. Bereft of the character development, world-building, and grandeur that endeared The Fellowship of the Ring to hearts, nor the resplendent action that immortalized Return of the King, what remains? Helm’s Deep. This monumental chapter propels the tale beyond the Hobbit films with its grandeur, its action, its emotional resonance. ‘Tis not a slight upon The Two Towers</em, but when juxtaposed against the stellar other two, ’tis but a hair’s breadth away from greatness.

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

Once, it was believed that Tolkien’s opus, The Lord of the Rings, was beyond the realm of cinema, given its vastness and intricate lore. Yet, ’twas Peter Jackson who dared to dream and delivered a fantasy film of unparalleled depth and satisfaction. Within mere moments, the viewer is ensconced in the mythology of Middle-Earth, amidst the tale of the Fellowship, the races they encounter, and the stakes that loom over all. Though lacking the intense battles that would define subsequent installments, The Fellowship of the Ring remains a masterful fantasy epic, paced to perfection.

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

Crowned as the most adorned cinematic creation of all time, or so it stood until Everything Everywhere All At Once claimed the throne in 2022, The Return of the King stands as the pinnacle of cinema itself. Every desire one harbors for a fantasy film, nay, for any film, is met within its frames. Characters imbued with emotion, action that grips the soul, a soundtrack that entrances, cinematography that dazzles, and an ending that satiates every yearning fan – ’tis Return of the King in all its glory. In achieving the impossible, this film delivers an immaculate conclusion that leaves all who partake of it wholly satisfied. Not merely the finest Lord of the Rings entry, but one of the supreme creations in the annals of cinematic history.

Moyens I/O Staff has motivated you, giving you tips on technology, personal development, lifestyle and strategies that will help you.