There is no shortage of fantastical entertainment these days, especially with high-fantasy television on the rise. But while the quality of fantasy TV certainly varies, there is one six-part saga that continues to delight no matter how many times you revisit it. If you’ve already guessed that we’re talking about The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies by Peter Jackson, then you’ve caught us red-handed. Based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, Jackson’s original fantasy trilogy and its three-part prequel are endlessly rewatchable — and it helps that both the theatrical and extended editions are available for streaming on HBO Max.
Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Movies Are High-Fantasy at Its Best
It’s hard to argue with the idea that The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best that live-action fantasy (or perhaps fantasy in any distinctly visual medium) has to offer. Not only did it masterfully bring the world of Tolkien to life on the screen, adapting the material in ways that (although not always accurate to the text) managed to capture the spirit of the original work quite fondly. From the opening prologue that sets the stage to the first moments we arrive in the Shire, full of peace and beauty and laughter, Jackson firmly establishes the stakes — on both a large scale and a smaller, more personal one — before thrusting us into the quest to destroy the One Ring in Mordor. The results are spectacular, and the trilogy quickly garnered critical and audience acclaim alike, amassing a total of 30 Academy Award nominations and walking away with over half of them. To say that The Lord of the Rings in its entirety is anything less than a stunning achievement of technical mastery, narrative suspense, and breathtaking worldbuilding would be false, and there’s a reason so many of us revisit the series annually.
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Whether you prefer the opening hour of The Fellowship of the Ring set primarily in the bucolic Shire, the epic Battle at Helm’s Deep seen in The Two Towers, the climactic finish that is The Return of the King (multiple endings and all), or love all three equally, there is enough action, excitement, and philosophy to go around. With an 11-hour runtime on the extended editions that, frankly, could have run longer, The Lord of the Rings is the quintessential modern example of a blockbuster trilogy that sticks the landing and appeals to just about everybody. The endearing nature of the four Hobbits mixed with the bravery and strength of their taller companions is inspiring, no matter the fact that we’re following an Elf, Dwarf, and a wizard. Jackson did the impossible and took a story that had previously been adapted unevenly and turned it into a remarkable piece of cinematic art worthy of praise. Indeed, they beg continual rewatches that satisfy no matter how many times you’ve followed the Fellowship across the map.
Naturally, those looking to explore the further reaches of Middle-earth ought not sleep on The Hobbit trilogy. Set about 60 years before The Fellowship of the Ring, the prequel adventure takes a band of Dwarves and their Hobbit companion to the Lonely Mountain in search of a lost treasure — and to slay the dragon responsible. Unlike with The Lord of the Rings, where Jackson was forced to condense Tolkien’s narrative by cutting out entire chapters and even the original ending of The Return of the King, The Hobbit novel was expanded upon with supplemental material, some from the professor’s other works and some original to the films themselves. The result was An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies, which puts the Dwarven company into the fire at every turn. It’s a bit of a departure from Tolkien’s work, but remains an enjoyable companion piece for die-hard fans and casual viewers alike.
Should You Watch The Hobbit Trilogy First?
Of course, The Lord of the Rings blows The Hobbit (which only received eight Oscar nominations) out of the water at just about every turn, from the practical effects and recapturing the spirit of the books to the way the original trilogy looks and feels. The Hobbit, by comparison, feels a bit more cartoonish, utilizing far more digital effects than Jackson’s first venture to Middle-earth. To be fair, the filmmaker had less time to craft the prequels than he did his first high-fantasy adventure, but even with that time crunch in mind, the results speak for themselves. Folks shouldn’t write off these prequels, however. Sure, some Tolkien purists will abhor the changes and additions, but there is still laughter, fun, and excitement to be found in The Hobbit trilogy. So long as you don’t go in expecting something as rousing and remarkable as The Lord of the Rings, you may just find it thoroughly entertaining.
As for the order in which to watch these six Middle-earth adventures, it’s really up to you. Release order is the most common since The Lord of the Rings is truly the main event, but there are benefits to a chronological rewatch for those looking to watch the narrative in the way the characters themselves live it out. As far as the “theatrical vs. extended” debate is concerned, you can’t really go wrong with either, but this author would recommend the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings for their robust expansion of the world and careful depiction of the lead and supporting characters, as well as the theatrical editions of The Hobbit, which already runs a bit too long by the third entry. However, the choice is ultimately yours, just so long as you resist the temptation of the One Ring…
