---
name: "Middle-earth"
canonical: "https://film.one/collections/middle-earth"
films: 3
series: 0
years: "2001–2003"
average_fi1m_score: 88
updated: "2026-09-19T08:56:09.005747+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Middle-earth

Peter Jackson's two trilogies, one of them essential, and the Amazon series.

**Which order?** Watch The Lord of the Rings first, in release order. The Hobbit films are a prequel and a lesser thing.

Best on Fi1m: [*The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring*](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-fellowship-of-the-ring.md) (90).

## The films, in release order

1. [*The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring*](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-fellowship-of-the-ring.md) (2001) — Fi1m 90: Peter Jackson’s fantasy adventure is absorbing, frightening and worth the time even for those unmoved by hobbits. The battles occasionally crowd out the people, but Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood give us ample reason to care.
2. [*The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers*](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers.md) (2002) — Fi1m 85: *The Two Towers* is a stirring fantasy adventure, though Peter Jackson’s divided storylines sometimes make it lumber. Andy Serkis gives Gollum enough fear and spite to compete with the armies for our attention.
3. [*The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-return-of-the-king.md) (2003) — Fi1m 88: Peter Jackson’s fantasy finale is thrilling and moving, with Elijah Wood and Sean Astin keeping the vast battles from taking over. It deserves the long evening, though several stretches could be shorter.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/collections/middle-earth