Lost in Middle-earth? A Chronological Quest Through Lord of the Rings (and Where That Rings of Power Thing Fits)
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Want to watch Lord of the Rings in the correct order, including the Hobbit movies and Amazon's Rings of Power series? This guide lays out the chronological timeline of Middle-earth, so you can experience Tolkien's saga from start to (almost) finish.
Right, so you're keen to dive into Tolkien's world, eh? Fair dinkum, it's a commitment! With Amazon's *Rings of Power* now wrapped up its second season (courtesy of Amazon), and more Middle-earth content on the way, figuring out where to start can feel like navigating the Mines of Moria without a map. Fear not, my friend! I've delved into the lore (and dodged a few Orcs) to bring you a chronological viewing guide that'll make sense of it all.
**Massive credit where it's due: This breakdown is based on the excellent chronological guide originally published by IGN South Africa.**
Okay, let's get to it. Forget release dates for a minute; we're going *deep* into Middle-earth history. Buckle up; it's longer than a Hobbit's second breakfast.
1. *The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024)*: Kicking us off is this animated feature. We’re talking 183 years before *Lord of the Rings* and 123 years before *The Hobbit*, mate. This one shines a light on Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox), the ninth King of Rohan, and especially his daughter, Hèra, in a right old conflict with the Dunlendings. Think of it as a Rohan origin story – but with more animated battles and less sweeping landscape shots.
2. *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)*: Sixty years before Frodo even thinks about rings, we have Bilbo's first adventure. Martin Freeman nails the younger Bilbo, who gets dragged into a dwarf quest by Gandalf. Expect dragons, riddles in the dark, and the fateful acquisition of a certain ring. Remember when everyone was excited about 48fps? Good times...
3. *The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)*: More dwarf-y shenanigans! The journey to the Lonely Mountain continues, Legolas shows up (because why not?), and Bilbo has a rather fiery chat with Smaug, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Honestly, Cumberbatch's Smaug is worth the price of admission alone. The destruction he causes sets up the big finale.
4. *The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)*: The epic conclusion to *The Hobbit* trilogy. It's, well, a battle. Five armies, to be precise. Spoilers are everywhere, so I won't say much more, but expect lots of action and a neat little bridge to the start of *The Lord of the Rings*. Prepare for a bittersweet goodbye to some beloved characters and the resolution to Thorin's quest.
5. *The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)*: The one that started it all (for most people, anyway). We meet Frodo, Gandalf, and a whole host of characters who will be running (and sometimes walking very slowly) across Middle-earth for the next few years. The Ring is revealed, the Fellowship is formed, and the adventure truly begins. But what does this mean? Well, danger is abound, and the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance!
6. *The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)*: Frodo and Sam wrestle with Gollum (both literally and figuratively), while the rest of the Fellowship are scattered to the winds. We get a cracking battle at Helm's Deep, and Gandalf gets a serious upgrade. It's all getting a bit grim, innit?
7. *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)*: The grand finale! Mordor, battles, emotional goodbyes, and the destruction of the One Ring. It's a rollercoaster of epic proportions. And then, the Fourth Age begins. Pass the tissues, would you?
**But what about *Rings of Power*?**
Ah, yes. Amazon's *Rings of Power* is set *way* back in the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before even *The Hobbit*. So, chronologically, it comes *before* anything else on this list. If you're a completist, you *could* watch *Rings of Power* Season 1 and 2 before *War of the Rohirrim*. But honestly? I'd recommend watching it after the main *Lord of the Rings* trilogy. It'll give you a better appreciation for the lore and the connections. Also, it's worth noting that *Rings of Power*, while having some bangers, is also considered a steaming pile by many. It's disconnected from Peter Jackson's films, so proceed with caution. If you're into it, then by all means, fire away!
**What's next for Middle-earth?**
There's a live-action movie called *The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum*, directed by and starring Andy Serkis slated for release in 2027. Peter Jackson is also executive producing. More LOTR movies are in development, so we'll be back for more! Season 3 of *Rings of Power* is also on the way, although no premiere date has been announced.
So, there you have it! A chronological journey through Middle-earth. Now, go forth and conquer! Just try not to lose any rings along the way.
Tags: Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Rings of Power, Chronological Order, Fantasy Movies
Original article: IGN South Africa