From worst to best fantasy adventure

In 2001 a new era began for the film world. The first Lord of the Rings part The Fellowship of the Ring conquered the cinemas almost at the same time as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. But it is Peter Jackson’s films that revolutionized the way fantasy worlds are portrayed and told. In celebration of Amazon’s upcoming Lord of the Rings series, we’re ranking every film that has ever blossomed from writer JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth fundus.

Watch the trailer for the Lord of the Rings series

Animated films also count when ranking Lord of the Rings adaptations

And that’s probably more than you realize. Because in our selection we also have them cartoons recorded, which were created before the first Middle-earth trilogy. Of course, the Hobbit films with Martin Freeman are there, which tell the direct history. as well as one Lord of the Rings adaptation you’ve probably never heard of.

The Moviepilot editors and fantasy fans Matthias Hopf, Jan Felix Wuttig and I, Hendrik Busch, were involved in the discussion about the best Lord of the Rings films. Enjoy browsing!

The best Lord of the Rings movies – 10th place: Khraniteli

The Russian Lord of the Rings adaptation Khraniteli was “discovered” in 2021. The Russian TV two-parter was shot and published in 1991 by Natalya Serebrjakowa. Today the work, which is almost 2 hours long in total, develops entertainment value when compared with the more modern versions. Incidentally, the same team had already adapted The Hobbit in 1985. And if you’re interested in more or less forgotten Middle-earth film adaptations, there’s also a Finnish series from 1993 and a two-part Swedish short film from 1971. If we’ve forgotten or missed something, let us know in the comments! (hb)

Best Lord of the Rings Movies – 9th place: The Return of the King (1980)

Anyone who grew up with Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy could look forward to one film per book, all in the spirit of Tolkien’s dramaturgy. The cartoon from the 1970s, on the other hand, only covered the first two parts of the story – and was never directly continued. Instead, the creative team was replaced: Ralph Bakshi was replaced by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr., who had already animated the 1977 The Hobbit. However, The Return of the King is anything but a successful sequel. After the idiosyncratic predecessor, the stylistic and narrative direction of the film has been completely turned inside out. (mh)

The best Lord of the Rings movies – 8th place: The Hobbit (1977)

The first attempt to pour Tolkien’s world into moving images: Just like the original, The Hobbit is aimed at a younger audience and tells Bilbo’s great adventure with bright colors and lots of singing. When it came to the visual design, Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. were not only influenced by Tolkien’s drawings. The works of British illustrator Arthur Rackham were also an important inspiration. Still, the Middle-earth created by Bass and Rankin Jr. isn’t nearly as big and alive as it is in the original book. Five years later, the duo has nevertheless submitted a fantasy masterpiece: The Last Unicorn. (mh)

The best Lord of the Rings films – 7th place: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

“Spread like butter on too much bread” – This saying by Bilbo Baggins fits well with the haggard feeling conveyed by the three Hobbit films – and especially the finale of the trilogy. The fact that Peter Jackson pounded three overlength films out of a narrow children’s book is noticeable in every minute of the last part: he conceals the obvious lack of ideas with sometimes unbearably long fight and battle scenes. And he creates hardly memorable scenes. A sign of poverty. Of the six new Middle-earth films, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is clearly the weakest. (hb)

The best Lord of the Rings films – 6th place: The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Thanks to Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, the 1978 cartoon now seems completely outdated. Last but not least, he only tells two thirds of the story. Nevertheless, Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings is an important precursor for the later live-action films: where Jackson later relied on modern CGI effects, the rotoscopy process was used here, among other things. Anyone who wants to bring Middle-earth to life must resort to the entire box of tricks of the cinema. And while we’re at it, the Middle-earth that comes to life in the 1978 film has some succinct touches that are also found in Jackson’s films. (mh)

The best Lord of the Rings movies – 5th place: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

While the first Hobbit film was shaped by the tranquil Shire, the sequel rages across Middle-earth. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is bigger, louder and faster. More characters, locations and storylines – and then follows one of the best scenes of the entire trilogy: the encounter between Bilbo and the dragon Smaug. Although the film doesn’t do justice to each of its side scenes to the same extent, Jackson pulls out all the stops in the finale. There are also strong moments to discover beforehand, such as the wild chase with the barrels through the river or the walk through the suspicious alleys of Esgaroth. Apart from that, one of Howard Shore’s most beautiful compositions is hidden in the film. (mh)

The best Lord of the Rings movies – 4th place: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Peter Jackson’s return to Middle-earth was sobering for many fans with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Clumsy, too long and far removed from the authentic look of the first trilogy, so the frequent verdict of the critics. What really broke the film’s neck was following in footsteps that could never be filled.

Because on its own, An Unexpected Journey is still a top-notch fantasy adventure. Martin Freeman can easily take on Elijah Wood. The dwarf troupe’s wit, grace and short temper can be felt in all their complexity. And the unique feeling of the Middle-earth trip comes up, albeit partly buried under masses of CGI. The first Hobbit film is a flawed gem that outshines its two sequels with heart for its characters. (jfw)

The best Lord of the Rings films – 3rd place: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King garnered the most Oscars of all three Lord of the Rings films, and it also has the most spectacle to offer. However, the conclusion here and there feels like the “higher, faster, further” version of The Two Towers. The long battle finale in particular lacks the calm and sensitivity that made the first two films so unforgettable. Don’t get me wrong, this is criticism at its finest, The Return of the King has to go head-to-head with two of the best fantasy films of all time, a thankless task. Therefore: Away from the negative criticism! And towards the accomplished final twenty minutes of farewell from Middle-earth that will make even the toughest dwarves weep. (hb)

The best Lord of the Rings films – 2nd place: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers has all the strengths of the first part. The breathless hunt of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli through Rohan sparks Lord of the Rings wanderlust, uniquely visually stunning cities, castles, forests, armor and necklaces bring Middle-earth to life. But most importantly, the second Lord of the Rings film unleashes one of the greatest battle sequences of all time in the battle for Helm’s Deep.

All of the dramatic developments, from Gandalf’s resurrection to Theoden’s change of heart and Aragorn’s return, converge on this unique finale. Never have fantasy creatures been seen marching toward their caged foes with such terror as the Uruk-Hais. The developments of the battle are self-constructed like a small, artistic film. Second place is more than deserved for that alone. (jfw)

Best Lord of the Rings Movies – #1: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The label “unfilmable” is given somewhat inflationary to describe particularly comprehensive fantasy works. It’s probably never been as true of a template as it is of Lord of the Rings. The Companions is also #1 on this list because it was the first gateway to this vast world. He invented music, images, sounds, even a whole material to make Middle-earth a sensual experience. This is an achievement that cannot be overstated.

We don’t just want to rate The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring based on its massive pioneering work. In the first part, Peter Jackson created blood-curdling scenes and warm moments of friendship in equal measure. The Fellowship of the Ring is a horror thriller, battle action, road movie and war film rolled into one. And yet discovery comes first. Both for the characters around Frodo Baggins and for the viewers, who are still looking forward to starting their Lord of the Rings marathons with The Fellowship of the Ring. (hb)

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