The Lord of the Rings Movies in Order | Where to Watch Them on Streaming Services

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From the Bridge of Khazad-dûm to the ride of the Rohirrim, the Lord of the Rings movies have some of the greatest fantasy sequences of all time. More than twenty years later, this epic trilogy is still an unrivaled experience for fantasy fans. If you want to know the different ways to watch The Lord of the Rings, gather your fellowship in front of the TV because this guide will show you how to watch The Lord of the Rings movies in order and where to stream them online.

This guide includes details for the franchise’s chronological order, release order, extended editions and related movies and TV shows. We’ll also show you every way you can buy, stream and rent them on streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video and MAX.

How to watch Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings franchise in release order

Taking eight years to film, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy began with the release of The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001, followed by The Two Towers in 2002, and Return of the King in 2003. In a rare feat for a cinematic trilogy, each film is beloved by fans while also receiving critical acclaim.

Despite The Hobbit being only one 320-page book, a three-part adaptation began in 2012 with An Unexpected Journey, followed by The Desolation of Smaug in 2013 and The Battle of the Five Armies in 2014. In comparison to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit trilogy was poorly received despite the return of Ian McKellen as Gandalf and positive reviews for Martin Freeman’s performance as Bilbo Baggins.

How to watch Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings franchise in chronological order

  • The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

  • The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

  • The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

If you want to watch the Lord of the Rings franchise in chronological order, you simply need to watch the Hobbit trilogy, followed by the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This means you’ll watch the adventures of Bilbo Baggins for three movies before following the adventures of his cousin and adoptive heir, Frodo Baggins.

How to watch The Lord of the Rings trilogy (extended editions) in order

Many fans won’t have seen the theatrical versions of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy for several years. This is because there are now extended editions of each movie, adding an additional 125 minutes to the trilogy’s runtime. The Lord of the Rings’ extended editions are considered by many fans to be superior to the theatrical release, so you may want to consider watching these versions instead – even if it’s your first viewing. They were overseen by Peter Jackson and offer a more in-depth adaptation that’s perfect for streaming.

Other adaptations

Now that we’ve covered the many different releases you need to know, here is a complete list of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies in release order (including all the extended editions) and where to watch them on streaming services today.

Netflix
Disney Plus
Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Crunchyroll
fuboTV
Max
Max Amazon Channel
Epix Amazon Channel
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Peacock Premium
Kocowa
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ with Showtime
Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel
Starz Apple TV Channel
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
Britbox Apple TV Channel
Paramount+ Amazon Channel
Discovery+ Amazon Channel
AMC+ Amazon Channel
The Roku Channel
Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
Starz Roku Premium Channel
AMC+ Roku Premium Channel
AMC+
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
YouTube Premium
YouTube Free
The CW
Hoopla
Fandango At Home
Starz
VUDU Free
Criterion Channel
PBS
FXNow
JustWatchTV
Tubi TV
Kanopy
FlixHouse
Microsoft Store
Sun Nxt
Crackle
AMC
AMC Theatres
Fandor
Curiosity Stream
NBC
MGM Plus
Freeform
History
A&E
Lifetime
Shudder
Screambox
Acorn TV
Sundance Now
GuideDoc
BritBox
MUBI
Netflix Kids
ALLBLK
History Vault
MyOutdoorTV
WWE Network
Pure Flix
Lifetime Movie Club
PBS Kids Amazon Channel
Cinemax Amazon Channel
Hallmark Movies Now Amazon Channel
PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel
MZ Choice Amazon Channel
Spamflix
Pluto TV
BYUtv
HiDive
VIX
Night Flight Plus
Retrocrush
Dekkoo
Shout! Factory TV
OVID
Chai Flicks
Mhz Choice
Vice TV
Shudder Amazon Channel
MUBI Amazon Channel
BritBox Amazon Channel
AcornTV Amazon Channel
Fandor Amazon Channel
Screambox Amazon Channel
Sundance Now Amazon Channel
Adult Swim
USA Network
Fox
FlixFling
Bet+ Amazon Channel
Rakuten Viki
TCM
Bravo TV
TNT
Food Network
BBC America
IndieFlix
TLC
HGTV
Investigation Discovery
Science Channel
Animal Planet
Discovery
Travel Channel
Here TV
VH1
DreamWorksTV Amazon Channel
Flix Premiere
TBS
AsianCrush
Revry
DOCSVILLE
Spectrum On Demand
OXYGEN
Hi-YAH
tru TV
DisneyNOW
WeTV
ARROW
Plex
Plex Live TV
Plex Player
WOW Presents Plus
Magellan TV
BroadwayHD
The Oprah Winfrey Network
Filmzie
MovieSaints
True Story
Martha Stewart TV
DocAlliance Films
OnDemandKorea
Darkroom
Hoichoi
iQIYI
Metrograph
Freevee
Public Domain Movies
Eventive
Cultpix
aha
FilmBox+
ShortsTV Amazon Channel
Bet+
Takflix
Klassiki
Starz Amazon Channel
Netflix basic with Ads
Cohen Media Amazon Channel
Popflick
ViX Premium Amazon Channel
Runtime
Fandango
Telemundo
Discovery +
Reveel
Ovation TV
Angel Studios
Cineverse
AD tv
Midnight Pulp
FYI Network
Xumo Play
National Geographic
Atom Tickets
Shahid VIP
DistroTV
myfilmfriend
Cinemark
Outside Watch
Cinepolis Cinemas
Full Moon Amazon Channel
Citytv
Univer Video
GlewedTV
Toon Goggles
A&E Crime Central Apple TV Channel
Acorn TV Apple TV
ALLBLK Apple TV channel
UP Faith & Family Apple TV Channel
Tastemade Apple TV Channel
Sundance Now Apple TV Channel
Shudder Apple TV Channel
ScreenPix Apple TV Channel
OUTtv Apple TV Channel
Lifetime Movie Club Apple TV Channel
Hallmark Movies Now Apple TV Channel
Eros Now Select Apple TV Channel
CuriosityStream Apple TV Channel
Cinemax Apple TV Channel
BBC Select Apple Tv channel
BET+  Apple TV channel
Carnegie Hall+ Apple TV Channel
IFC Films Unlimited Apple TV Channel
HISTORY Vault Apple TV Channel
HISTORY Vault Amazon Channel
Carnegie Hall+ Amazon Channel
Lifetime Movie Club Amazon Channel
Film Movement Plus
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Troma NOW
Regal Cinemas
Harkins Theatres
B&B Theatres
Marcus Theatres
Kino Film Collection
Tubi TV Live
Pluto TV Live
Cineverse LiveTV
Strand Releasing Amazon Channel
Peacock Premium Plus
ALLBLK Amazon channel
Apple TV Plus Amazon Channel
Motorvision TV Amazon Channel
Stingray Classica Amazon Channel
Stingray Djazz Amazon Channel
Stingray Karaoke Amazon Channel
TV1000 Russian Kino Amazon Channel
RetroCrush Amazon Channel
Filters
  1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

    #1

    Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.

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

    #2

    Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.

  3. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

    #3

    Frodo Baggins and the other members of the Fellowship continue on their sacred quest to destroy the One Ring--but on separate paths. Their destinies lie at two towers--Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupt wizard Saruman awaits, and Sauron's fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor. Frodo and Sam are trekking to Mordor to destroy the One Ring of Power while Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn search for the orc-captured Merry and Pippin. All along, nefarious wizard Saruman awaits the Fellowship members at the Orthanc Tower in Isengard.

  4. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Extended Edition)

    #4

    Frodo and Samwise press on toward Mordor. Gollum insists on being the guide. Can anyone so corrupted by the ring be trusted? Can Frodo, increasingly under the sway of the ring, even trust himself? Meanwhile, Aragorn, drawing closer to his kingly destiny, rallies forces of good for the battles that must come. Director Peter Jackson delivers an amazing second movie that won 2 Academy Awards and earned 6 total nominations, including best picture. The journey continues. So do the astonishing spectacle and splendor.

  5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

    #5

    As armies mass for a final battle that will decide the fate of the world--and powerful, ancient forces of Light and Dark compete to determine the outcome--one member of the Fellowship of the Ring is revealed as the noble heir to the throne of the Kings of Men. Yet, the sole hope for triumph over evil lies with a brave hobbit, Frodo, who, accompanied by his loyal friend Sam and the hideous, wretched Gollum, ventures deep into the very dark heart of Mordor on his seemingly impossible quest to destroy the Ring of Power.​

  6. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Extended Edition)

    #6

    The culmination of nearly 10 years' work and conclusion to Peter Jackson's epic trilogy based on the timeless J.R.R. Tolkien classic, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" presents the final confrontation between the forces of good and evil fighting for control of the future of Middle-earth. Hobbits Frodo and Sam reach Mordor in their quest to destroy the `one ring', while Aragorn leads the forces of good against Sauron's evil army at the stone city of Minas Tirith.

  7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

    #7

    A reluctant hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home - and the gold within it - from the dragon Smaug.

  8. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

    #8

    The Dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains, and Bilbo has gained the One Ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold back from the Dragon, Smaug.

  9. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

    #9

    Immediately after the events of The Desolation of Smaug, Bilbo and the dwarves try to defend Erebor's mountain of treasure from others who claim it: the men of the ruined Laketown and the elves of Mirkwood. Meanwhile an army of Orcs led by Azog the Defiler is marching on Erebor, fueled by the rise of the dark lord Sauron. Dwarves, elves and men must unite, and the hope for Middle-Earth falls into Bilbo's hands.

  10. The Hobbit

    The Hobbit

    1977

    #10

    Bilbo Baggins the Hobbit was just minding his own business, when his occasional visitor Gandalf the Wizard drops in one night. One by one, a whole group of dwarves drop in, and before he knows it, Bilbo has joined their quest to reclaim their kingdom, taken from them by the evil dragon Smaug. The only problem is that Gandalf has told the dwarves that Bilbo is an expert burglar, but he isn't...

  11. The Lord of the Rings

    #11

    The Fellowship of the Ring embark on a journey to destroy the One Ring and end Sauron's reign over Middle-earth.

  12. The Return of the King

    #12

    Two Hobbits struggle to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom while their friends desperately fight evil Lord Sauron's forces in a final battle.

  13. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

    #13

    Beginning in a time of relative peace, we follow an ensemble cast of characters as they confront the re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

  14. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

    #14

    183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy, a sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm Hammerhand and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.