The Lord of the Rings (film series)

{{Main|The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|l1=The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring}}

In the Second Age, lords of Elves, Dwarves, and Men each receive Rings of Power. Sauron secretly forges the One Ring, giving it power over the other Rings. Men and Elves battle Sauron. Isildur cuts the Ring from Sauron's finger, ending the Second Age. The Ring corrupts Isildur, who is killed by Orcs. The Ring is lost for 2,500 years until Gollum finds it. Centuries later, the Ring is found by the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

Sixty years later, Bilbo passes on the Ring to Frodo. The Wizard Gandalf discovers it is the One Ring, and warns Frodo to leave. Frodo sets out with Sam, pursued by Sauron's nine Nazgûl servants. They meet Merry and Pippin and evade the Nazgûl, reaching Bree, but Gandalf is not there, captured by the evil Wizard Saruman. A Ranger named Strider guides them to Rivendell, but they are ambushed on Weathertop by the Nazgûl. Their leader stabs Frodo with a Morgul blade. Arwen, Strider's beloved Elf, rescues Frodo. Gandalf escapes from Saruman's tower. Arwen's father Elrond holds a council. It decides the Ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. Frodo volunteers to take the Ring, accompanied by eight others. Bilbo gives Frodo his sword Sting, and a mithril mail-shirt.

The company travels through the Mines of Moria. Gollum follows them to reclaim the ring. They are attacked by Orcs and a troll. A Balrog attacks; the others escape as Gandalf confronts the Balrog and is pulled into darkness. The Fellowship reaches Lothlórien, where Galadriel, the Elf-queen, tells Frodo that he alone can complete the quest. The Fellowship travels downriver. Boromir attempts to take the Ring and is killed by Orcs; Merry and Pippin are captured. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli head to rescue Merry and Pippin while Frodo and Sam travel towards Mordor.

{{Main|The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers|l1=The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers}}

Frodo and Sam get lost in hills near Mordor, tracked by Gollum. Capturing Gollum, Frodo gets him to guide them.

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli enter the kingdom of Rohan. The Orcs are killed by Éomer's riders of Rohan; Merry and Pippin escape into Fangorn Forest. Éomer gives Aragorn horses. In Fangorn, Aragorn's group meets a resurrected Gandalf. Gandalf leads them to Rohan's capital, Edoras; Gandalf frees Théoden from Saruman's control. Théoden travels to Helm's Deep to defend against Saruman's army. In Fangorn, Merry and Pippin meet the Ent Treebeard. He takes them toward Isengard, where they see how Saruman has destroyed the forest. Enraged, the Ents storm Isengard, trapping Saruman in his tower.

Aragorn arrives at Helm's Deep. They fight off a night attack; at dawn, the Orc army is destroyed by the trees of Fangorn Forest.

Gollum leads Frodo and Sam to the well-defended Black Gate, and recommends another route. Frodo and Sam are captured by Faramir's Rangers. Frodo helps Faramir catch Gollum. Learning of the One Ring, Faramir takes them to Gondor to bring it to his father, Denethor, but lets them go. Feeling betrayed, Gollum decides he will reclaim the Ring by leading them to the giant spider Shelob.

{{Main|The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|l1=The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King}}

Gandalf, Théoden and the others go to Isengard, and reunite with Merry and Pippin. Gandalf retrieves Saruman's palantír, and the group returns to Edoras to celebrate their victory at Helm's Deep. Pippin looks into the palantír, seeing Sauron and a burning tree. Gandalf deduces that the enemy plans to attack Gondor; he rides there with Pippin to warn its leader, Denethor. Pippin triggers the lighting of warning beacons to call Rohan for help.

Frodo and Sam witness the Nazgûl leader heading to Gondor with his army of Orcs. Sam and Frodo argue.

Elrond gives Aragorn Andúril, reforged from the shards of Elendil's sword Narsil, and urges him to claim Elendil's throne in Gondor. Aragorn travels the Paths of the Dead, and pledges to release the ghosts there from their curse should they come to Gondor's aid.

Gollum leads Frodo into Shelob's lair. Shelob paralyses and binds Frodo. Sam wounds Shelob. Mourning Frodo's apparent death, Sam takes the Ring to complete the quest, but realizes his mistake when Orcs take Frodo captive. He rescues Frodo, and the two continue towards Mount Doom.

Faramir, sent by Denethor on a suicide charge, returns gravely wounded; Denethor, believing him dead, falls into madness. Gandalf marshals the defenders, but the Orc army breaks into the city. Denethor attempts to burn himself and Faramir on a pyre, but Pippin and Gandalf rescue Faramir; Denethor dies.

Théoden leads his army against the Orcs. In the ensuing battle, they are opposed by Oliphaunt-riding Haradrim, and the Nazgûl leader mortally wounds Théoden; his niece Éowyn and Merry kill the Nazgûl. Aragorn's Army of the Dead overcome Sauron's forces; Aragorn releases the Dead from their curse.

Aragorn marches on Mordor to distract Sauron from Frodo and Sam's quest, drawing the enemy to confront him. Gollum attacks. Frodo succumbs to the Ring's power and puts it on. Gollum bites off his finger, reclaims the Ring, and falls into the lava; the Ring, Sauron, Mordor, and the Orcs are destroyed. Frodo and Sam are rescued by Eagles.

The Fellowship reunites in Gondor. Aragorn is crowned King and marries Arwen. The hobbits return home and Sam marries Rosie Cotton. Four years later, Frodo, still traumatised, leaves for the Undying Lands with Bilbo, Gandalf, and the remaining Elves. He gives Sam the Red Book of Westmarch, detailing their adventures.

Jackson began abstract discussions on casting during the development of the scripts with Miramax.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/12/peter-jackson-rebukes-harvey-weinsteins-ashley-judd-mira-sorvino-lord-of-the-rings-1202228217/ |title=Peter Jackson Rebukes Harvey Weinstein's Denial On Ashley Judd & Mira Sorvino |date=15 December 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318230523/https://deadline.com/2017/12/peter-jackson-rebukes-harvey-weinsteins-ashley-judd-mira-sorvino-lord-of-the-rings-1202228217/ |archive-date=18 March 2020}} Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens compiled a casting wishlist, which included Cate Blanchett for Galadriel and Ian Holm for Bilbo.{{sfn|Nathan|2018|p=270}} Wondering whether Patrick Stewart would be right for the part of Gandalf, Philippa Boyens drew a tape of him performing opposite Ian McKellen, only to suggest the latter to Jackson.{{sfn|Nathan|2018|pp=303–309}} McKellen became Jackson's first choice for Gandalf.{{cite web |url=https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2014/11/29/95113-ian-mckellen-talks-on-gandalfs-last-day/6/ |title=Ian McKellen talks on Gandalf's last day |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118102705/https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2014/11/29/95113-ian-mckellen-talks-on-gandalfs-last-day/6/ |archive-date=18 November 2019 |website=The One Ring |date=29 November 2014}} Christopher Lee sent Jackson a photograph of himself in a wizard's costume, wanting to play Gandalf,{{cite book |first1=Robert W. |last1=Pohle Jr. |first2=Douglas C. |last2=Hart |first3=Rita |last3=Pohle Baldwin |title=The Christopher Lee Film Encyclopedia |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-8108-9270-5 |page=155}} but Jackson decided Lee would instead be better as Saruman.

Miramax wanted a recognisable name for Gandalf and suggested Max von Sydow or Paul Scofield and, wanting an American star, even mentioned Morgan Freeman.{{harvnb|Nathan|2018|p=1103}} When New Line took over, they suggested Christopher Plummer or Sean Connery for the part (both declined).{{harvnb|Nathan|2018|pp=296–302}} When von Sydow inquired for the part later, his agent told him they were looking for an English actor.{{cite web |url=https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2003/04/11/25698-max-von-sydow-as-gandalf-2/ |title=Max von Sydow As Gandalf? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318230524/https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2003/04/11/25698-max-von-sydow-as-gandalf-2/ |archive-date=18 March 2020 |website=The One Ring |date=11 April 2003}}

While casting, Jackson looked for backup options for the various parts, including Lucy Lawless and Nicole Kidman for Galadriel; Anthony Hopkins or Sylvester McCoy (eventually cast as Radagast in The Hobbit trilogy) for Bilbo; Paul Scofield, Jeremy Irons, Malcolm McDowell, or Tim Curry for Saruman.{{cite web |title=Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit trilogies (Peter Jackson 1999–2011) |url=http://www.crawleyscastingcalls.com/index.php/component/movies/index.php?option=com_movies&Itemid=90&id=115&lettre=ALL |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108093901/http://crawleyscastingcalls.com/index.php/component/movies/index.php?option=com_movies&Itemid=90&id=115&lettre=ALL |archive-date=8 January 2020}} For Gandalf, they looked into Tom Baker, Tom Wilkinson, Sam Neill, Bernard Hill (who was instead cast as Théoden),{{sfn|Nathan|2018|pp=303–309}} and Peter O'Toole,{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/theater/02ridi.html |title=Every Inch a King (and Buff, Too) |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117062020/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/theater/02ridi.html |archive-date=17 January 2018 |last=Riding |first=Alan}} and into several older actors who auditioned for other parts, such as Patrick McGoohan and Anthony Hopkins.

Miramax and Jackson discussed Daniel Day-Lewis for Aragorn, starting "fanciful internet speculation" that Day-Lewis was approached for the part numerous times, although Jackson eventually inquired about him. Jackson cast Stuart Townsend, whom the studio deemed too young. After shooting began, Jackson agreed and decided to recast the role. They approached Viggo Mortensen, but also spoke to Russell Crowe (who auditioned for Boromir previously), as a backup choice.{{harvnb|Nathan|2018|pp=328–345}}

Patrick McGoohan, their first choice for Denethor, proved "quite grumpy"{{harvnb|Nathan|2018|pp=314–328}} when they met, and they instead looked into Donald Sutherland and John Rhys-Davies, and ultimately cast John Noble. Davies was recast as Gimli, instead of Billy Connolly (later cast as Dáin in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies), Robert Trebor, and Timothy Spall. In conversations with Miramax, Liam Neeson's name came up for Boromir, but he declined. New Line suggested Nicolas Cage, but the filmmakers declined and cast Sean Bean.

The following are the cast members who voiced or portrayed characters appearing in the extended version of the films.{{cite web |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring |publisher=Yahoo! Movies |url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1807537463/cast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018194153/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1807537463/cast |archive-date=18 October 2007 |access-date=9 May 2019}}{{cite web |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers |publisher=Yahoo! Movies |url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1804738128/cast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016165238/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1804738128/cast |archive-date=16 October 2007 |access-date=9 May 2019}}{{cite web |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King |publisher=Yahoo! Movies |url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1804738130/cast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014145739/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1804738130/cast |archive-date=14 October 2007 |access-date=9 May 2019}}

{{refbegin|}}

:{{Cast indicator/note|NoteFOTR|FOTR|he only worked on The Fellowship of the Ring}}

:{{Cast indicator/note|NoteTT|TT|he only worked on The Two Towers}}

:{{Cast indicator/note|NoteROTK|ROTK|he is only credited as editor on The Return of the King}}

{{refend}}

{{Main|Middle-earth in motion pictures}}

File:Peter Jackson01.jpg at the premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on 1 December 2003 at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington.]]

Previous attempts to film J. R. R. Tolkien's works were made by William Snyder, Peter Shaffer and John Boorman. These attempts resulted in a couple of unproduced scripts, concept art and an animated short. Other filmmakers and producers to have had an interest in adapting Tolkien are said to include Walt Disney, Al Brodax, Forrest Ackerman, Denis O'Dell (who considered Richard Lester to direct, but instead approached David Lean, Stanley Kubrick, and Michelangelo Antonioni) and George Lucas. The rights to adapt Tolkien's works passed through the hands of several studios, having been briefly leased to Rembrandt Films before being sold perpetually to United Artists (UA). In 1976, UA passed the rights to The Lord of the Rings (and a part of those to The Hobbit) to Fantasy Films.

In 1977, an animated adaptation of The Hobbit was produced as a television special by Rankin and Bass and in 1978 Ralph Bakshi made an animated feature of the first half of The Lord of the Rings. While profitable, the film did not make enough money to automatically warrant the sequel which would close the story and an argument with producer Saul Zaentz led Bakshi to abandon the project. Rankin/Bass then followed in 1980 with an animated television adaptation of The Return of the King. Several other Tolkienesque fantasy films were produced at the time, including Jim Henson and Frank Oz's The Dark Crystal and Lucas's Willow.{{cite news |last1=Pfeiffer |first1=Oliver |title=Clip joint: 80s cult fantasy cinema |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2011/apr/27/clip-join-80s-cult-fantasy-cinema |access-date=21 May 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=27 April 2011}}

At the time of the release of Bakshi's film, a teenaged Peter Jackson had not read the book, but "heard the name",{{Cite web |url=http://www.conlanpress.com/resources/peter_jackson_on_Tolkien_inspiration_2-6-04.mp3 |title=Peter Jackson, as quoted at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, on February 6, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009173240/http://www.conlanpress.com/resources/peter_jackson_on_Tolkien_inspiration_2-6-04.mp3 |archive-date=9 October 2006}} and went to see the film: "I liked the early part—it had some quaint sequences in Hobbiton, a creepy encounter with the Black Rider on the road, and a few quite good battle scenes—but then, about half way through, the storytelling became very disjointed and disorientating and I really didn't understand what was going on. However, what it did do was to make me want to read the book—if only to find out what happened!"{{Cite book |last=Sibley |first=Brian |title=Peter Jackson: A Film-Maker's Journey |pages=6}} Jackson bought a tie-in paperback edition. He later read The Hobbit and The Silmarillion and listened to the 1981 BBC radio adaptation. Assuming someone would one day adapt it to a live-action film, Jackson read up on some previous attempts to bring the piece to the screen.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XDsSr3sGSI&t=2369s |title=Peter Jackson Exeter interview, 2015 |website=YouTube |date=30 July 2015 |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219180831/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XDsSr3sGSI&t=2369s |url-status=live}} He had not watched the Rankin and Bass television specials.{{Cite news |work=Ain't It Cool News |date=1998-12-30 |url=https://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/v3/de/news/tolkienfilme/news_19958.php |title=20 Questions with Peter Jackson – Part 2 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130403174527/http://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/v3/de/news/tolkienfilme/news_19958.php |archive-date=3 April 2013 |via=Herr der Ringe Film}}"Peter Jackson interview". Explorations. Barnes & Noble Science Fiction newsletter. October–November 2001.

In 1995, while completing post-production on The Frighteners, Jackson and Fran Walsh discussed making an original fantasy film, but could not think of a scenario that was not Tolkien-esque, and eventually decided to look up the film rights. They went to Harvey Weinstein from Miramax Films, who got the rights from Saul Zaentz. Jackson knew it would take multiple films to do Tolkien justice,{{Cite book |last=Sibley |title=A Filmmaker's Journey |pages=36–40}} but initially pitched a single trilogy: one film based on The Hobbit and, if that would prove successful, two Lord of the Rings films shot back-to-back. Jackson began rereading The Hobbit, looking at illustrations and commissioning concept art from the book, but the rights eventually proved unattainable, having been split between Zaentz and UA. Weinstein tried to buy the studio's share of the rights, but was unsuccessful.{{cite web |last=McWeeny |first=Drew |title=What Peter Jackson's original two-movie Lord of the Rings almost looked like |date=17 February 2021 |url=https://www.polygon.com/lord-of-the-rings/22283921/peter-jackson-movies-lotr-alternate-versions-weinstein |publisher=Polygon |access-date=21 March 2021}}

With The Hobbit postponed for a later prequel, Jackson proceeded with making two or more Lord of the Rings films: "We pitched the idea of three films and Miramax didn't really want to take that risk, but we agreed on two."{{Cite web |url=https://charlierose.com/videos/17671 |title=Peter Jackson interview with Charlie Rose, 2002 |date=22 February 2002 |website=Charlie Rose |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524163214/https://charlierose.com/videos/17671 |archive-date=24 May 2020 |access-date=24 May 2020}} He began writing the scripts with Walsh and Stephen Sinclair, storyboarding with Christian Rivers, and discussing casting ideas with the Weinsteins.

As the scripts took shape, it became clear that the budget required would exceed Miramax Films' capabilities. The Weinsteins suggested cutting the project to one film. Jackson inquired whether it could be around four hours in duration, but Miramax Films insisted on two hours, suggesting major cuts to the story, which Jackson refused. Harvey Weinstein threatened to replace Jackson with screenwriter Hossein Amini and directors John Madden or Quentin Tarantino. Jackson believed this was an empty threat to get him to concede to making a one-film version himself.

Harvey Weinstein eventually relented and agreed to put the project into turnaround, but his onerous conditions were meant to prevent the project from being taken up by another studio.{{Cite book |title=Peter Jackson: A Film-Maker's Journey |pages=39–40}} Jackson got an audience with New Line Cinema CEO Robert Shaye, who accepted the project, but requested that it be expanded into a trilogy. New Line Cinema had many promising reasons that the trilogy would be successful, which led them to sign on.{{cite book |last1=Thompson |first1=Kristin |title=The Frodo Franchise: The Lord of the Rings and Modern Hollywood |date=2007 |location=Berkeley |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520247741 |page=18 }} Final cut rights were shared contractually between Jackson and Bob Shaye, but there was never any interference in Jackson's cut.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=7 July 2021 |title='The Lord Of The Rings' Trilogy: A Look Back At A Breathtaking Gamble 20 Years Later |url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/the-lord-of-the-rings-20-years-peter-jackson-bob-shaye-new-line-cinema-cannes-magazine-feature-1234785740/ |access-date=7 July 2021 |website=Deadline}} Initially, each film had a production budget of $60 million, but New Line Cinema accepted Jackson's request for an increased budget after a 26-minute preview of The Fellowship of the Ring was presented at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.{{cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=7 July 2021 |title=Peter Jackson Recalls Blowing Up at Studio on 'Lord of the Rings' Set Over Budget Battle |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/07/peter-jackson-screamed-studio-lord-of-the-rings-budget-battle-1234649369/ |access-date=1 July 2022 |website=IndieWire}}{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Collier |date=12 April 2022|title=How The Cannes Film Festival Set The Stage For Lord Of The Rings |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/830110/how-the-cannes-film-festival-set-the-stage-for-lord-of-the-rings/ |access-date=1 July 2022 |website=/Film}}

{{Main|Production of The Lord of the Rings film series|l1=Production of The Lord of the Rings film series}}

File:Alan Lee 2005.JPG, a Tolkien illustrator who assisted in the visual design, at Worldcon 2005 in Glasgow.]]

Jackson began storyboarding and screenwriting the series with Christian Rivers, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens in 1997 and assigned his crew to begin designing Middle-earth at the same time.{{Cite book |last=Russell |first=Gary |author-link=Gary Russell |title=The Art of the Two Towers |publisher=Harper Collins |year=2003 |isbn=0-00-713564-5}} Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens did not write each film to correspond exactly to its respective book, opting instead to write a three-part adaptation with some sequences missing, some sequences created from scratch, and some sequences moved from one area to another, regardless of its placement in the books. To allow the story to be clearer for viewers, Jackson took a more chronological approach to the story than Tolkien's complex interlacing of storylines. During shooting, the screenplays continued to evolve, in part due to contributions from cast members looking to further explore their characters.

Earlier versions of the script included additional characters like Fatty Bolger, Glorfindel, Elladan, Elrohir, Erkenbrand, Imrahil, and Forlong.{{cite book |last=Sibley |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Sibley |title=Peter Jackson: A Film-maker's Journey |publisher=Harper Collins |year=2006 |isbn=0-00-717558-2 |location=London |pages=329–387 |chapter=Quest for the Ring}} At one point, Jackson even considered reintroducing Tom Bombadil in a cameo.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugEFwc5bMB8&list=PLCZgoww3m_249koI9ngypkNy5kKy3J3SX&index=70 |title=Philippa Boyens interview in Comic-Con, 2014 |website=YouTube |date=27 July 2014 |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219180829/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugEFwc5bMB8&list=PLCZgoww3m_249koI9ngypkNy5kKy3J3SX&index=70 |url-status=live}} Gimli was going to swear throughout the films and Arwen would join the Fellowship in Rohan and share a nude scene with Aragorn in the pools of the Glittering Caves.{{sfn|Nathan|2018|pp=200–203}}

Jackson hired long-time collaborator Richard Taylor to lead Weta Workshop on five major design elements: armour, weapons, prosthetic makeup, creatures, and miniatures. At New Line's request, animation supervisor Jim Rygiel replaced Weta Digital's Mark Stetson. In November 1997, famed Tolkien illustrators Alan Lee and John Howe joined the project;{{cite video |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Appendices |medium=DVD |publisher=New Line Cinema |year=2002}} but Jackson also relied on the work of Ted Nasmith, who later turned down an offer to join Alan and John. Jackson wanted realistic designs in the style of historical epics rather than fantasy films, citing Braveheart as an inspiration:{{Cite book |last=Falconer |first=Daniel |title=Middle Earth: From Script to Screen |pages=2}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ggVDYcvNxg |title=Peter Jackson interview on Charile Rose, 2002 |website=YouTube |date=16 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228201928/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ggVDYcvNxg|archive-date=28 February 2020}}{{Cite web |url=http://archives.theonering.net/perl/newsview/2/994347571 |title=Media Watch: Cinelive Magazine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411221626/http://archives.theonering.net/perl/newsview/2/994347571 |archive-date=11 April 2012 |website=The One Ring}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/v3/de/news/tolkienfilme/news_20888.php |title=Film Crew Embarks on Tolkien Adventures |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219180831/https://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/v3/de/news/tolkienfilme/news_20888.php |url-status=live |newspaper=HDRF.de}}{{cite news |url=https://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/v3/de/news/tolkienfilme/news_20705.php |title=HdR in der französischen Presse |newspaper=HDRF.de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403150027/http://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/v3/de/news/tolkienfilme/news_20705.php |archive-date=3 April 2013}}

{{blockquote|It might be clearer if I described it as an historical film. Something very different to Dark Crystal or Labyrinth. Imagine something like Braveheart, but with a little of the visual magic of Legend. [...] It should have the historical authority of Braveheart, rather than the meaningless fantasy mumbo-jumbo of Willow.{{Cite news |work=Ain't It Cool News |date=1998-12-30 |url=https://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/v3/de/news/tolkienfilme/news_19946.php |title=20 Questions with Peter Jackson |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130403163103/https://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/v3/de/news/tolkienfilme/news_19946.php |archive-date=3 April 2013 |via=Herr der Ringe Film}}}}

Production designer Grant Major was charged with converting Lee and Howe's designs into architecture, creating models of the sets, while Dan Hennah worked as art director, scouting locations and organizing the building of sets. Ngila Dickson collaborated with Richard Taylor on producing costumes, while Peter King and Peter Owen designed makeup and hair. Most of these crew members (and others) returned to work on The Hobbit.{{Cite news |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gollum-actor-andy-serkis-serve-175685 |agency= The Hollywood Reporter |date= 6 April 2011 |access-date= 1 May 2011 |title= Gollum Actor Andy Serkis to Serve as Second Unit Director on 'The Hobbit' (Exclusive) |first=Carolyn|last=Giardina}}

Jackson and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie considered shooting in large format like 65 mm film,{{Cite web |url=https://collider.com/peter-jackson-the-hobbit-48fps-interview/ |title=Peter Jackson Talks THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, Coming on When Guillermo del Toro Left, and Post-Converting LORD OF THE RINGS to 3D |last=Roberts |first=Sheila |date=14 December 2012 |website=Collider |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108005311/https://collider.com/peter-jackson-the-hobbit-48fps-interview/ |archive-date=8 January 2020 |access-date=24 May 2020}} or to master the films at 4K, but both were cost-prohibitive and could not be done on New Zealand soil.{{Cite web |url=https://archiv.arri.de/news/newsletter/articles/74839/berl_lesnie.htm |title=ARRI Newsletter: Andrew Lesnie at the 2004 Berlinale |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903171409/http://archiv.arri.de/news/newsletter/articles/74839/berl_lesnie.htm|archive-date=3 September 2011}} They decided to shoot on fine-grain Super 35 mm film and subject the films to rigorous digital grading.

File:Hobbiton, New Zealand.jpg and Frodo Baggins in the Shire, as filmed in New Zealand]]

Principal photography for all three films was conducted concurrently in many locations within New Zealand's conservation areas and national parks. Filming took place between 11 October 1999 and 22 December 2000. Pick-up shoots were conducted annually from 2001 to 2004.{{cite video |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King "Appendices" |medium=DVD |publisher=New Line Cinema |date=2004}} The series was shot at many different locations, with seven different units shooting, and soundstages around Wellington and Queenstown.{{Cite book |last=Sibley |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Sibley |title=The Making of the Movie Trilogy |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-618-26022-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/lordofringsmakin00sibl |pages=}} Along with Jackson directing the whole production, other unit directors included John Mahaffie, Geoff Murphy, Barrie M. Osborne, Rick Porras, George Marshall Ruge, and any other assistant director, producer, or writer available. Miniature Photography took place throughout the entire period, amounting to over 1,000 shooting days.

Weta Digital developed new technologies to allow for the groundbreaking digital effects required for the trilogy, including the development of the MASSIVE software to generate intelligent crowds for battle scenes, and advancing the art of motion capture, which was used on bipedal creatures like the Cave Troll or Gollum. With Jackson's future films, motion-capture technology came to be pushed so far that it became referred to as "digital makeup", although it was later clarified that during The Lord of the Rings period, it was still fairly reliant on the CG animators.{{Cite web |url=https://otherthings.com/blog/2014/05/randy-cook-speaks-out-on-digital-makeup/ |title=Randy Cook Speaks Out On "Digital Makeup" |date=13 May 2014 |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219180856/https://otherthings.com/blog/2014/05/randy-cook-speaks-out-on-digital-makeup/ |url-status=live}}

Each film had the benefit of a full year of post-production time before its respective December release, often finishing in October–November, with the crew immediately going to work on the next film. Jackson originally wanted to edit all three films with Jamie Selkirk, but this proved too much work. The next idea was to have John Gilbert, Michael Horton, and Selkirk, respectively, editing the three films simultaneously, but after a month that proved too difficult for Jackson,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nFH-dnjtrY |title=Michael Horton interview |website=YouTube |date=10 July 2016 |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219180824/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nFH-dnjtrY |url-status=live}} and the films were edited in consecutive years, although Selkirk continued to act as "Supervising Editor" on the first two entries. Daily rushes would often last up to four hours, and by the time The Fellowship of the Ring had been released, assembly cuts of the other two films (4{{frac|1|2}} hours each) were already prepared. In total, 1,828 km (six million feet) of film was edited down to the 11 hours and 26 minutes (686 minutes) of extended running time.

{{Main|Music of The Lord of the Rings film series|l1=Music of The Lord of the Rings film series}}

File:Howard Shore, Canadian Film Centre, 2013-1.jpg, composer of the music of the films.]]

Howard Shore composed, orchestrated, conducted and produced the trilogy's music. Shore visited the set in 1999, and composed a version of the Shire theme and Frodo's Theme before Jackson began shooting.{{Cite web |url=https://audioboom.com/posts/7119168-episode-119-peter-jackson-philippa-boyens-on-the-music-of-mortal-engines-lord-of-the-rings |title=Episode 119: Peter Jackson & Philippa Boyens On The Music Of Mortal Engines & Lord Of The Rings |website=Soundtracking with Edith Bowman|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318230531/https://audioboom.com/posts/7119168-episode-119-peter-jackson-philippa-boyens-on-the-music-of-mortal-engines-lord-of-the-rings|archive-date=18 March 2020}} In August 2000, he visited the set again and watched the assembly cuts of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King.{{cite web |last=Davidson |first=Paul |title=Lord of the Rings Composer Confirmed |publisher=IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/15/lord-of-the-rings-composer-confirmed |date=15 August 2000 |access-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831202427/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/034/034262p1.html |archive-date=31 August 2011|url-status=live}} In the music, Shore included many (85 to 110) leitmotifs to represent various characters, cultures and places—the largest catalogue of leitmotifs in the history of cinema, surpassing, for comparison, that of the entire Star Wars film series. For example, there are multiple leitmotifs just for the hobbits and the Shire. Although the first film had some of its score recorded in Wellington, virtually all of the trilogy's score was recorded in Watford Town Hall and mixed at Abbey Road Studios. Jackson planned to advise the score for six weeks each year in London, though for The Two Towers he stayed for twelve.{{cite video |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers "Appendices" |medium=DVD |publisher=New Line Cinema |year=2003}}

The score is primarily played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, ranging from 93 to 120 players throughout the recording. London Voices, the London Oratory School Schola boy choir, and many artists such as Ben Del Maestro, Sheila Chandra, Enya, Renée Fleming, James Galway, Annie Lennox, and Emilíana Torrini contributed. Even actors Billy Boyd, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Miranda Otto (extended cuts only for the latter two), and Peter Jackson (for a single gong sound in the second film) contributed to the score. Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens served as librettists, writing lyrics to various music and songs, which David Salo translated into Tolkien's languages. The third film's end song, "Into the West", was a tribute to a young filmmaker Jackson and Walsh befriended named Cameron Duncan, who died of cancer in 2003.{{cite video |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King "Appendices" |medium=DVD |publisher=New Line Cinema |year=2004}}

Shore composed a main theme for the Fellowship rather than many different character themes, and its strength and weaknesses in volume are depicted at different points in the series. On top of that, individual themes were composed to represent different cultures. Infamously, the amount of music Shore had to write every day for the third film increased dramatically to around seven minutes. The music for the series has been voted best movie soundtrack of all time for the six years running, passing Schindler's List (1993), Gladiator (2000), Star Wars (1977), and Out of Africa (1985), respectively.{{Cite web |title=Lord of the Rings voted 'best movie soundtrack' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34748803 |website=BBC News |date=7 November 2015 |access-date=22 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120090121/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34748803 |archive-date=20 November 2015}}

{{main|Recordings of the music for The Lord of the Rings film series}}

The trilogy's online promotional trailer was first released on 27 April 2000 and set a new record for download hits, registering 1.7 million hits in the first 24 hours of its release.{{cite web |url=http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/download-press-release.html |title=Lord of the Rings News | LoTR movie internet trailer preview |date=10 April 2000 |publisher=Xenite.org |access-date=30 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821192740/http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/download-press-release.html |archive-date=21 August 2008}} The trailer used a selection from the soundtrack for Braveheart and The Shawshank Redemption among other cuts. In 2001, 24 minutes of footage from the series, primarily the Moria sequence, was shown at the 54th Cannes Film Festival, and was very well received.{{cite web |last=Davidson |first=Paul |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/15/lotr-footage-wows-journalists |title=LOTR Footage Wows Journalists |publisher=IGN |date=15 May 2001 |access-date=30 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215011403/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/200/200155p1.html |archive-date=15 February 2012}} The showing also included an area designed to look like Middle-earth.

The Fellowship of the Ring was released on 19 December 2001. It grossed $47.2 million in its U.S. opening weekend and made over $868 million worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2001/ |title=2001 Worldwide Box Office |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=15 March 2024}} A preview of The Two Towers was inserted just before the end credits near the end of the film's theatrical run.{{cite web |last=Davidson |first=Paul |title=A Longer Fellowship Ending? |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/25/a-longer-fellowship-ending |work=IGN |access-date=19 January 2022 |date=25 January 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713004734/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/317/317797p1.html |archive-date=13 July 2011}} A promotional trailer was later released, containing music re-scored from the film Requiem for a Dream.{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/answer-man/movie-answer-man-11172002 |title=Movie Answer Man |publisher=rogerebert.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830235453/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20021117%2FANSWERMAN%2F211170301 |archive-date=30 August 2009|access-date=19 January 2022}} The Two Towers was released 18 December 2002. It grossed $62 million in its first U.S. weekend and out-grossed its predecessor with over $923 million worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2002/ |title=2002 Worldwide Box Office |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=11 October 2024}} The promotional trailer for The Return of the King was debuted exclusively before the New Line Cinema film Secondhand Lions on 23 September 2003.{{cite web |url=https://movieweb.com/the-return-of-the-king-trailer-confirmed-for-september-26th-plus-ian-mckellen-speaks-about-the-reshoots/ |title=The RETURN OF THE KING trailer confirmed for September 26th! Plus Ian McKellen speaks about the reshoots! |date=16 September 2003 |publisher=Movieweb.com |access-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726071720/http://www.movieweb.com/news/14/1714.php |archive-date=26 July 2008}} Released 17 December 2003, its first U.S. weekend gross was $72.6 million, and became the second film, after Titanic (1997), to gross over $1.1 billion worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2003/|title=2003 Worldwide Box Office|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=15 March 2024}}

The films are the highest-grossing in New Zealand cinema history, and the second-highest grossing franchise filmed in New Zealand behind Avatar.{{cite web |date=10 March 2024 |title='Rings' sinks 'Titanic' record |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/rings-sinks-titanic-record/4BTSWWUJYKAXGJEBHQOVEEJFHE/ |access-date=10 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald}}

{{hatnote|Each film is linked to the "Box office" section of its article.}}

{{NoteFoot}}

The Lord of the Rings trilogy received widespread acclaim and is ranked among the greatest film trilogies ever made.Sources that refer to The Lord of the Rings being praised as one of the greatest film trilogies ever made include:

• {{cite web |first=Willow |last=Green |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211130624/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/trilogy/ |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/trilogy/ |title=The 33 Greatest Movie Trilogies |website=Empire |archive-date=11 December 2015 |date=27 September 2010 |access-date=5 July 2019 |ref=none}}
• {{cite web |first=Robin |last=Parrish |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702001439/http://screenrant.com/best-film-movie-trilogies-ever-all-time/ |url=https://screenrant.com/best-film-movie-trilogies-ever-all-time/ |title=The Best Movie Trilogies Of All Time |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=2 July 2016 |date=29 June 2016 |access-date=5 July 2019 |ref=none}}
• {{cite web |first=Chelsea |last=Ritschel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921001143/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/best-movie-trilogy-film-jurassic-park-lord-of-the-rings-indiana-jones-a8547876.html |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/best-movie-trilogy-film-jurassic-park-lord-of-the-rings-indiana-jones-a8547876.html |title=From 'Jurassic Park' to 'The Godfather': America's favourite movie trilogies, ranked |website=The Independent |archive-date=21 September 2018 |date=20 September 2018 |access-date=5 July 2019 |ref=none}} Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "the trilogy will not soon, if ever, find its equal",{{cite web |url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-turan16dec16,2,3219427.htmlstory?coll=cl-mreview |title='The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922004749/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-turan16dec16%2C2%2C3219427.htmlstory?coll=cl-mreview |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=22 September 2010 |date=16 December 2003 |last=Turan |first=Kenneth |access-date=14 May 2019}} while Todd McCarthy of Variety described the films as "one of the most ambitious and phenomenally successful dream projects of all time".{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514133516/http://variety.com/2003/film/awards/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-return-of-the-king-2-1200537614/ |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-return-of-the-king-2-1200537614/ |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King |website=Variety |date=5 December 2003 |archive-date=14 May 2019 |access-date=14 May 2019 |url-status=live}} The Fellowship of the Ring was voted the greatest fantasy movie of all time in a reader's poll conducted by American magazine Wired in 2012, while The Two Towers and The Return of the King placed fourth and third respectively.{{cite news |last=Gilsdorf |first=Ethan |author-link=Ethan Gilsdorf |title=And the Winner Is... Reader's Choice for Top 10 Fantasy Movies |magazine=Wired |date=30 December 2012 |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/12/winners-fantasy-movies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222061621/http://www.wired.com/2012/12/winners-fantasy-movies/ |archive-date=22 December 2016}} The Independent ranked The Lord of the Rings trilogy at No. 2 on its list of "10 greatest movie trilogies of all time".{{cite web |title=10 greatest movie trilogies of all time |date=15 May 2021 |website=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/greatest-movie-trilogies-star-wars-b1847608.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/greatest-movie-trilogies-star-wars-b1847608.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-status=live}} The Lord of the Rings trilogy is ranked at No. 2 in /Film{{'}}s list of "The 15 Greatest Trilogies Of All Time",{{cite web |last=Gaughan |first=Liam |date=2 February 2022 |title=The 15 Greatest Film Trilogies Of All Time Ranked |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/754613/the-15-greatest-film-trilogies-of-all-time-ranked/ |access-date=21 August 2022 |website=SlashFilm}} while Empire ranked it at No. 1 in its list of "The 33 Greatest Movie Trilogies".{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Willow |date=4 July 2022 |title=The 33 Greatest Movie Trilogies |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/trilogy/ |access-date=21 August 2022 |website=Empire}}

The series appears in the Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association: Top 10 Films, Time{{'}}s All-Time 100 Movies, and James Berardinelli's Top 100.{{cite web |first=James |last=Berardinelli |title=Berardinelli's All-Time Top 100 |website=Reelviews |url=http://preview.reelviews.net/top100/toc.html |access-date=16 March 2007 |url-status=live |archive-date=20 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420111431/http://preview.reelviews.net/top100/toc.html}} In 2007, USA Today named the series as the most important films of the past 25 years.{{Cite news |title=Hollywood highlights: 25 movies with real impact |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/top25-movies.htm?csp=34 |date=2 July 2007 |first=Susan |last=Wloszczyna |access-date=3 July 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707011314/http://www.usatoday.com/life/top25-movies.htm?csp=34 |archive-date=7 July 2007}} Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Bringing a cherished book to the big screen? No sweat. Peter Jackson's trilogy — or, as we like to call it, our preciousssss — exerted its irresistible pull, on advanced Elvish speakers and neophytes alike."Geier, Thom; Jensen, Jeff; Jordan, Tina; Lyons, Margaret; Markovitz, Adam; Nashawaty, Chris; Pastorek, Whitney; Rice, Lynette; Rottenberg, Josh; Schwartz, Missy; Slezak, Michael; Snierson, Dan; Stack, Tim; Stroup, Kate; Tucker, Ken; Vary, Adam B.; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Ward, Kate (11 December 2009), "THE 100 Greatest Movies, TV shows, albums, books, characters, scenes, episodes, songs, dresses, music videos, and trends that entertained us over the past 10 years". Entertainment Weekly. (1079/1080):74-84 Paste named it one of the 50 Best Movies of the Decade (2000–2009), ranking it at No. 4.{{cite news |title=The 50 Best Movies of the Decade (2000–2009) |work=Paste Magazine |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2009/11/50-best-movies-of-the-decade-2000-2009.html?p=5 |access-date=14 December 2011 |date=3 November 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208152020/http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2009/11/50-best-movies-of-the-decade-2000-2009.html?p=5 |archive-date=8 December 2011}}

In another Time magazine list, the series ranks second in "Best Movies of the Decade".{{cite magazine |last=Corliss |first=Richard |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2009/12/29/the-10-best-movies-of-the-decade/slide/the-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy-2001-03/ |title=The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–03) – 10 Best Movies of the Decade |magazine=Time |date=29 December 2009 |access-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501045205/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0%2C28804%2C1949837_1949237_1949176%2C00.html |archive-date=1 May 2011}} In addition, six characters and their respective actors made the list of 'The 100 Greatest Movie Characters', also compiled by Empire, with Viggo Mortensen's portrayal of Aragorn ranking No. 15, Ian McKellen's portrayal of Gandalf ranking No. 30, Ian Holm's portrayal of Bilbo Baggins (shared with Martin Freeman for his portrayal of the same character in The Hobbit films) ranking No. 61, Andy Serkis' portrayal of Gollum ranking No. 66, Sean Astin's portrayal of Samwise Gamgee ranking No. 77, and Orlando Bloom's portrayal of Legolas ranking No. 94.{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/100-greatest-movie-characters/ |title=The 100 Greatest Movie Characters |access-date=18 May 2019 |date=29 June 2015 |website=Empire Online |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329121320/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/100-greatest-movie-characters/ |archive-date=29 March 2016}}

{{hatnote|Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article.}}

The series drew acclaim from within the industry, including from the film directors Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and George Lucas.{{harvnb|Nathan|2018|p=849}}{{cite web |first=Roger |last=Friedman |author-link=Roger Friedman |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/george-lucas-all-set-for-failure |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524161858/https://www.foxnews.com/story/george-lucas-all-set-for-failure |title=George Lucas 'All Set for Failure' |quote=Lucas also told me that he and Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson have become good friends |website=Fox News |date=16 January 2003 |archive-date=24 May 2020 |access-date=24 May 2020 |url-status=live}} John Boorman, who once wrote a script for a Lord of the Rings film, said he was happy his own version was unmade{{harvnb|Nathan|2018|p=40}} as Jackson's film trilogy was "of such scope and magnitude that it can only be compared to the building of the great Gothic cathedrals."{{Cite book |last=Boorman |first=John |title=Adventures of a Suburban Boy |publisher=Farmer, Straus and Giroux |location=New York |pages=50}} Forrest J. Ackerman, who once presented a film treatment to Tolkien, and appeared on Jackson's Bad Taste said his pitch "could never have been given the grand treatment that Peter Jackson afforded it."{{Cite book |last=Hughes |first=David |title=Tales From Development Hell (New Updated Edition): The Greatest Movies Never Made? |publisher=Titan |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-85768-731-9 |pages=8}} Arthur Rankin said Jackson was making "marvellous films."{{Cite web |title=Arthur Rankin Jr., Interview at the Museum of Television & Radio (2003) – Part 3 |website = YouTube| date=5 February 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COto1-Ur1S4 |access-date=19 December 2020|archive-date=17 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217040910/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COto1-Ur1S4&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live}}

However, some filmmakers were more critical. Heinz Edelmann, who pitched the idea of an animated feature when United Artists considered shooting the films with the Beatles, thought it was "badly directed."{{Cite web |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/heinz-edelmann-interview |title=The Heinz Edelmann Interview |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406150154/http://www.awn.com/animationworld/heinz-edelmann-interview|archive-date=6 April 2016}} Ralph Bakshi, who made an animated film based on the first half of the trilogy, didn't watch the films, but was told{{Cite web |url=http://www.theonering.com/news/other-news/a-brief-interview-with-ralph-bakshi-what-does-ralph-think-of-peter-jackson-apos-s-lotr |title=A Brief Interview with Ralph Bakshi – What does Ralph think of Peter Jackson's LOTR? |date=22 August 2002 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903203034/http://www.theonering.com/news/other-news/a-brief-interview-with-ralph-bakshi-what-does-ralph-think-of-peter-jackson-apos-s-lotr|archive-date=3 September 2019}} that Jackson's film was derivative of his.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fpsmagazine.com/feature/040703bakshi-6.php |title=Interview: Ralph Bakshi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714120916/http://www.fpsmagazine.com/feature/040703bakshi-6.php|archive-date=14 July 2017}} Ahead of the films' release, he said he did not "understand it" but that he does "wish it to be a good movie." Later, he begruged Saul Zaentz for not notifying him of the live-action film, and said that Jackson had his film to study and therefore had "a little easier time than I did." Afterwards, he grumbled that Jackson "didn't understand"{{Cite web |title=Ralph Bakshi on the recent DVD release of "Wizards" |url=http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/interview/1032/RALPH+BAKSHI+INTERVIEW |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629035543/http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/interview/1032/RALPH+BAKSHI+INTERVIEW |archive-date=29 June 2012}} Tolkien and created "special effects garbage" to sell toys,{{Cite web |first=Cliff |last=Broadway |title=The Bakshi Interview: Uncloaking a Legacy |url=https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2015/04/20/97766-the-bakshi-interview-uncloaking-a-legacy/ |website=TheOneRing.net |url-status=live |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118203245/https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2015/04/20/97766-the-bakshi-interview-uncloaking-a-legacy/ |date=20 April 2015 |archive-date=18 January 2020}} as well as being derivative of his own film. Bakshi further blamed Jackson for not acknowledging the influence that the animated film had on him, saying (falsely) that he denied having seen Bakshi's film at all{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/26/an-interview-with-ralph-bakshi |title=An Interview with Ralph Bakshi |date=26 May 2004 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318230523/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/26/an-interview-with-ralph-bakshi|archive-date=18 March 2020}} until being forced to mention him, at which point (according to Bakshi) he mentioned Bakshi's influence "only once" as "PR bolony." However, he did praise Jackson's special effects{{Cite web |first=Ethan |last=Gilsdorf |author-link=Ethan Gilsdorf |title=A 2006 INTERVIEW WITH RALPH BAKSHI |url=http://www.ethangilsdorf.com/ethanfreak-blog/2014/3/22/a-2006-interview-with-ralph-bakshi.html |website=Ethan Gilsdorf |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119013413/http://www.ethangilsdorf.com/ethanfreak-blog/2014/3/22/a-2006-interview-with-ralph-bakshi.html |date=22 March 2014 |archive-date=19 January 2017}} and, in 2015, even apologised for some of his remarks. Bakshi's animator Mike Ploog{{Cite book |last=Ash |first=Roger |title=Modern Masters Volume 19: Mike Ploog |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |year=2008 |pages=41}} and writer Peter Beagle both praised the live-action film.

{{Main|List of accolades received by The Lord of the Rings film series|l1=List of accolades received by The Lord of the Rings film series}}

File:SDCC13 - Ian McKellen.jpg received multiple accolades for his portrayal of Gandalf, including a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 74th Academy Awards.]]

The three films together were nominated for a total of 30 Academy Awards, of which they won 17, both records for any movie trilogy.{{cite web |first=Adam |last=Rosenberg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206222950/https://mashable.com/archive/star-wars-oscars-numbers |url=https://mashable.com/archive/star-wars-oscars-numbers |title='Star Wars' ties 'Lord of the Rings' with 30 Oscar nominations, the most for any series |website=Mashable |date=14 January 2016 |archive-date=6 December 2024 |access-date=1 July 2019 |url-status=live}} The Fellowship of the Ring earned 13 nominations, the most of any film at the 74th Academy Awards, winning four; The Two Towers won two awards from six nominations at the 75th Academy Awards; The Return of the King won in every category in which it was nominated at the 76th Academy Awards, setting the current Oscar record for the highest clean sweep, and its 11 Academy Awards wins ties the record held by Ben-Hur (1959) and Titanic (1997).{{cite news |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-oscars-won-by-a-film |title=Most Oscars won by a film |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814213244/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-oscars-won-by-a-film |archive-date=14 August 2018 |url-status=live}} The Return of the King also became only the second sequel to win the Oscar for Best Picture after The Godfather Part II (1974).{{cite news|last=Meier|first=Alex|title=Best picture winners list: Every single movie to win top Oscar|url=https://abc7ny.com/every-oscar-best-picture-winner-list-every-movie/14457885/|publisher=WABC-TV|date=11 March 2024|access-date=30 June 2024}}

Additionally, members of the production crew won the Academy Award for Technical Achievement for the rendering of skin textures on creatures on The Return of the King,{{Cite book |last=Thompson |first=Kristin |title=The Frodo Franchise: The Lord of the Rings and Modern Hollywood |publisher=University of California Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-520-24774-1 |pages=52}} and Stephen Regelous won the Academy Award for Scientific and Engineering Award for the design and development of MASSIVE, "the autonomous agent animation system used for the battle sequences in The Lord of the Rings trilogy."{{Cite web |url=https://www.oscars.org/sci-tech/ceremonies/2004 |title=THE 76TH SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL AWARDS 2003 {{!}} 2004|date=5 October 2014 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302062701/https://oscars.org/sci-tech/ceremonies/2004|archive-date=2 March 2020}}

{{notelist}}

Each film in the series won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, the MTV Movie Award for Movie of the Year, and the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film. The first and third films also won the BAFTA Award for Best Film. The New York Film Critics Circle awarded The Return of the King its Best Picture Award at the 2003 Awards Ceremony, hosted by Andrew Johnston, chair of the organisation at that time, who called it "a masterful piece of filmmaking."{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/new-york-film-critics-honor-rings-wbna3720057 |title=New York film critics honor 'Rings' |publisher=Today |date=15 December 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231051508/http://www.today.com/id/3720057 |archive-date=31 December 2014|access-date=19 January 2022}}

{{main|Peter Jackson's interpretation of The Lord of the Rings|l1=Peter Jackson's interpretation of The Lord of the Rings}}

Commentators have compared Jackson's film trilogy with Tolkien's written work, remarking that while both have been extremely successful commercially, they differ in many respects. Critics have admired Jackson's ability to film the long and complex work at all; the beauty of the cinematography, sets, and costumes; and the epic scale of his version of Tolkien's story. They have however found the characters and the story greatly weakened by Jackson's emphasis on action and violence at the expense of psychological depth; the loss of Tolkien's emphasis on free will and individual responsibility; and the replacement of Frodo's inner journey by an American monomyth with Aragorn as the hero.

As for whether the film trilogy is faithful to the novel, opinions range from Verlyn Flieger's feeling that a film adaptation is not even worth attempting,{{cite web |url=http://www3.dbu.edu/mitchell/tolkiencritbriefintro.htm |title=A Beginner's Guide to Tolkien Criticism |first=Philip Irving |last=Mitchell |publisher=Dallas Baptist University |access-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430112142/http://www3.dbu.edu/mitchell/tolkiencritbriefintro.htm |archive-date=30 April 2012}} Wayne G. Hammond's opinion that the film sacrifices the book's richness of characterization and narrative for violence, thrills, and cheap humour,{{cite web |last=Croft |first=Janet Brennan |author-link=Janet Brennan Croft |title=Anticipation and Flattening in Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring |website=faculty-staff.ou.edu |publisher=University of Oklahoma |url=http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/C/Janet.B.Croft-1/anticipationandflattening.htm |access-date=11 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031065417/http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/C/Janet.B.Croft-1/anticipationandflattening.htm |archive-date=31 October 2011}} or Christopher Tolkien's view that Jackson's interpretation is unacceptable,{{cite news |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2012/07/05/tolkien-l-anneau-de-la-discorde_1729858_3246.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709045110/http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2012/07/05/tolkien-l-anneau-de-la-discorde_1729858_3246.html |title=Tolkien, l'anneau de la discorde |last=Rérolle |first=Raphaëlle |newspaper=Le Monde |date=5 July 2012 |access-date=15 May 2019 |archive-date=9 July 2012 |language=fr |url-status=live}} to granting, with Jackson and Boyens, that the film version is inevitably different.{{cite web |title=20 Questions with Peter Jackson |url=http://members.tripod.com/peter_jackson_online/lotr/articles/20_questions.htm |via=members.tripod.com |access-date=30 April 2010}} From that standpoint, scholars such as Brian Rosebury and Tom Shippey have described the films as a partial success, giving some of the feeling and capturing some of the key themes of the novel.{{cite book |last=Rosebury |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Rosebury |title=Tolkien: A Cultural Phenomenon |title-link=Tolkien: A Cultural Phenomenon |date=2003 |orig-year=1992 |publisher=Palgrave |isbn=978-1-4039-1263-3 |pages=204–220}}{{cite book |last=Shippey |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Shippey |title=The Road to Middle-Earth |date=2005 |edition=3rd |orig-year=1982 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-261-10275-0 |pages=409–429}} Yvette Kisor considers that Jackson was unfaithful to many of Tolkien's details, but succeeded in achieving something of the same impact and feelings of providence, eucatastrophe, and interconnectedness. Dimitra Fimi suggests that Jackson was continuing Tolkien's tradition of adapting folklore, incorporating both the fans' views on that folklore, and cinematic traditions such as the zombie in the film trilogy to produce its own modern folklore.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Timmons |first=Daniel |title=Jackson, Peter |editor-last=Drout |editor-first=Michael D. C. |editor-link=Michael D. C. Drout |encyclopedia=J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia |year=2013 |orig-year=2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-86511-1 |pages=303–310}}{{cite book |last1=Bogstad |first1=Janice M. |last2=Kaveny |first2=Philip E. |chapter=Introduction |title=Picturing Tolkien |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jNjKrXRP0G8C&pg=PA5 |year=2011 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-8473-7 |pages=5–23 |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219180829/https://books.google.com/books?id=jNjKrXRP0G8C&pg=PA5 |url-status=live}}

The first two films were released on two-disc standard edition DVDs containing previews of the following film. The success of the theatrical cuts brought about four-disc extended editions, with new editing, added special effects and music.{{cite web |last=Patrizio |first=Andy |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Special Extended Edition) |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/08/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-return-of-the-king-special-extended-edition |work=IGN |access-date=19 January 2022 |date=8 December 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005407/http://uk.dvd.ign.com/articles/571/571469p1.html |archive-date=13 July 2011}} Jackson came up with the idea of an extended cut for LaserDisc and DVD formats while in preproduction. He could insert some of the violence that he thought he would have to trim to get a PG-13 rating for the theatre and he could tailor the pacing to the demands of the small screen, which he said were "completely different".The Fellowship of the Ring Appendices: Assembling an Epic. Jackson has stated that he considers the theatrical cuts to be the "definitive versions" of the films due to their deliberate pacing{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/08/interview-peter-jackson-2?page=4|title=Interview: Peter Jackson|work=IGN|date=9 December 2003 |access-date=21 December 2022}} but also that he believes the extended cuts will be "ultimately seen as the more definitive versions of the films".The Return of the King, Director's Commentary.

The extended cuts of the films and the supplemental special features (dubbed "appendices") were spread over two discs each in a four-disc box set for each film.{{Efn|The folding cases are decorated with drawn concept art behind each DVD and an in-sleeve map of the Fellowship's travels during the film; a folding booklet includes guides to the menu options. A slipcase to enclose all three box sets was sold online.}} A limited collector's edition was also released featuring sculpted bookends. The Fellowship of the Ring was released on 12 November 2002, containing 30 minutes of extra footage.{{Efn|The case features an Alan Lee painting of the Fellowship entering Moria, with the Moria Gate depicted on the back of the outer sleeve. An Argonath-styled bookend was included with the collector's edition.}} The Two Towers, released on 18 November 2003, contains 44 minutes of extra footage.{{Efn|The case features a Lee painting of Gandalf the White's entrance. The collector's edition includes a Sméagol statue, with a crueller-looking statue of his Gollum persona available to order for a limited time.}} The Return of the King was released on 14 December 2004, with 51 minutes more footage.{{Efn|The case exhibits a Lee painting of the Grey Havens. A model of Minas Tirith is included with the collector's edition, with Minas Morgul available by order for a limited time.}}{{efn|The extended editions also feature longer credit sequences listing the names of The Lord of the Rings fan-club members who contributed to the project.}} The extended cuts have also played at cinemas, most notably the first two for a 16 December 2003 marathon screening (dubbed "Trilogy Tuesday") culminating in a screening of the third film.{{Efn|Attendees were given a limited-edition keepsake from Sideshow Collectibles containing a random frame of film from each of the three movies.}} In 2006, both versions of each film were released together in a limited edition, which includes a new feature-length documentary for each film (but not the extras from the previous releases).{{cite magazine |last=Daly |first=Steve |date=29 August 2006 |title=Is yet another LOTR reissue really worth it? |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/08/29/yet-another-lotr-reissue-really-worth-it/|access-date=6 October 2021 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

Warner Bros. released a box set of the trilogy's theatrical versions on Blu-ray on 6 April 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/61612-the-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy-hits-blu-ray-april-6 |title=The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Hits Blu-ray April 6! |work=ComingSoon.net |date=14 December 2009 |access-date=19 January 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216003933/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=61612 |archive-date=16 December 2009}} The four-disc extended sets were released on Blu-ray in a box set on 28 June 2011, with an additional disc including the feature-length documentary.{{cite web |title='The Lord of the Rings' Extended Edition Heads To Blu-Ray |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2438720/lord-of-the-rings-blu-ray/ |publisher=MTV |access-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311014330/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/03/07/lord-of-the-rings-blu-ray |archive-date=11 March 2011}}{{cite web|last=Dellamorte|first=Andre|date=20 June 2011 |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy: Extended Edition Blu-ray Review |website=Collider |url=https://collider.com/lord-of-the-rings-extended-edition-blu-ray-review/97669|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918222935/http://collider.com/lord-of-the-rings-extended-edition-blu-ray-review/97669|archive-date=18 September 2012 |access-date=6 October 2021}} In 2014, Blu-ray steelbook editions of the five-disc extended editions were released.{{cite web |author=Demosthenes |date=1 February 2014 |url=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2014/02/01/86614-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-fellowship-of-the-ring-coming-soon-in-five-disc-blu-ray-steelbook-format/ |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring coming soon in five-disc blu-ray steelbook format |website=theonering.net |access-date=26 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026234243/http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2014/02/01/86614-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-fellowship-of-the-ring-coming-soon-in-five-disc-blu-ray-steelbook-format/ |archive-date=26 October 2016}}{{cite web |last=Palmer |first=Michael |url=https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/4591/fellowship_extended.html |title=The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Extended Edition |website=bluray.highdefdigest.com |date=29 August 2012 |access-date=26 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027055259/http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/4591/fellowship_extended.html |archive-date=27 October 2016}} In 2016, a six-disc Blu-ray was released containing only the theatrical films of both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as a 30-disc bookshelf-themed set of the extended versions of both trilogies and all the special features from previous releases.{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Sean |date=17 August 2016 |title=The $800 'Lord of the Rings' Box Set is Completely Ridiculous |website=Inverse |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/19864-the-800-lord-of-the-rings-box-set-is-completely-ridiculous |access-date=14 August 2023 }} The Blu-ray releases were criticised for colour-timing issues which degraded the look of the films.{{Cite web |last=Ponniah |first=Gabriel |date=7 February 2021 |title=Lord Of The Rings 4K vs HD: Which Is Better? |website=ScreenRant |url=https://screenrant.com/lord-rings-4k-restoration-hd-comparison/ |access-date=17 February 2021}}

In 2020, both trilogies were released on Ultra HD Blu-ray, featuring both the theatrical and extended versions.{{cite news |last=Brew |first=Simon |date=9 October 2020 |url=https://www.filmstories.co.uk/news/lord-of-the-rings-and-the-hobbit-set-for-4k-release-in-december/ |title=Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit set for 4K release in November |newspaper=Film Stories |access-date=30 November 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021183914/https://www.filmstories.co.uk/news/lord-of-the-rings-and-the-hobbit-set-for-4k-release-in-december/ |archive-date=21 October 2020}} All six films were remastered to give them a more consistent colour treatment.{{Cite web |last=Kurp |first=Josh |date=1 December 2020 |title=Peter Jackson Remastered 'Inconsistent' 'Lord Of The Rings' Trilogies |url=https://uproxx.com/movies/lord-of-the-rings-4k-remaster-peter-jackson/|access-date=6 December 2020 |website=Uproxx |archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219180612/https://uproxx.com/movies/lord-of-the-rings-4k-remaster-peter-jackson/|url-status=live}} Jackson explained that visual effects shots were improved for this release by {{nowrap|"[removing]}} and [painting] out any imperfections," but that they had not been {{nowrap|"[upgraded]}} or {{nowrap|[enhanced]".}}{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Josh |date=7 December 2020 |title=Peter Jackson didn't pull a Lucas on Lord of the Rings, but here's what did change in the 4K remasters |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/peter-jackson-4k-remasters-lord-of-the-rings-the-hobbit |url-status=live|access-date=7 December 2020 |website=SyFy Wire |archive-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219180632/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/peter-jackson-4k-remasters-lord-of-the-rings-the-hobbit}} An audio remastering was made as well, with the films receiving a new Dolby Atmos mix. A 31-disc collector's set including both versions of all six films in 4K and Blu-ray formats, was released in 2021 for the 20-year anniversary of the first film;{{cite web |last=Gilliam |first=Ryan |date=9 September 2021 |title=31-disc Lord of the Rings 4K Blu-ray box set is the most Lord of the Rings yet |url=https://www.polygon.com/22664926/lord-of-the-rings-4k-blu-ray-box-set-hobbit-middle-earth-ultimate-collectors-edition |access-date=6 October 2021 |website=Polygon}} this, however, does not include the appendices.{{cite web |last=Bricken |first=Rob |date=10 September 2021 |title=Lord of the Rings 4K Ultimate Collector's Edition Isn't That Ultimate |website=Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/lord-of-the-rings-ultimate-collector-s-edition-isn-t-1847646012 |access-date=6 October 2021}}

By 2017, The Lord of the Rings films had a home-media revenue of more than $2.4 billion.{{cite web |title=Lord of the Rings Total Franchise Revenue |publisher=Statistic Brain Research Institute |url=http://www.statisticbrain.com/lord-of-the-rings-total-franchise-revenue/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627165316/http://www.statisticbrain.com/lord-of-the-rings-total-franchise-revenue/ |archive-date=27 June 2018 |date=2 January 2018}}

The release of the films saw a surge of interest in The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien's other works, vastly increasing his impact on popular culture.{{Cite web |last=Gilsdorf |first=Ethan |author-link=Ethan Gilsdorf |date=16 November 2003 |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2003/11/16/lord_of_the_gold_ring/ |title=Lord of the Gold Ring |website=The Boston Globe |access-date=19 January 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827073302/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2003/11/16/lord_of_the_gold_ring/ |archive-date=27 August 2006}} The success of the films spawned numerous video games and many other kinds of merchandise.

{{Further|Middle-earth in motion pictures#Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema}}

From 2012 to 2014 Peter Jackson and his studio Wingnut Films made The Hobbit trilogy consisting of the films The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. The trilogy works as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings films.{{cite web|last=Maytum|first=Matt|title=Peter Jackson confirms that The Hobbit will become three films|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/peter-jackson-confirms-that-the-hobbit-will-become-three-films/|work=GamesRadar+|date=31 July 2012|access-date=30 June 2024}}{{cite web|last=Foundas|first=Scott|title=Film Review: 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies'|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-the-hobbit-the-battle-of-the-five-armies-1201367492/|work=Variety|date=1 December 2014|access-date=30 June 2024}} Though critics generally considered the trilogy to be inferior to the original films, it was still a financial success.{{cite web|last=Mendleson|first=Scott|title='The Hobbit' Trilogy Grossed Almost $3 Billion And No One Cared|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/02/11/the-hobbit-trilogy-grossed-almost-3-billion-and-no-one-cared/|work=Forbes|date=11 February 2015|access-date=30 June 2024}}

In 2024, an anime prequel film titled The War of the Rohirrim was released. It is directed by Kenji Kamiyama, with Miranda Otto reprising her role from live-action, serving as the film's narrator.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=15 June 2022 |title='The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim': Anime Voice Cast Counts Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Miranda Otto & More |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/lord-of-the-rings-the-war-of-the-rohirrim-brian-cox-miranda-otto-1235045883/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615130310/https://deadline.com/2022/06/lord-of-the-rings-the-war-of-the-rohirrim-brian-cox-miranda-otto-1235045883/ |archive-date=15 June 2022 |access-date=25 June 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Additionally, two new live-action films are in development with Jackson returning as producer. The first of these, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, will be directed by Andy Serkis for a planned release in December 2027.{{Cite web |last=Felt |first=Klein |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum Movie Gets Disappointing Release Update (Official) |url=https://thedirect.com/article/hunt-for-gollum-movie-lord-of-the-rings-release-official |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=The Direct |language=en}}

In 2020, the actor Josh Gad aired a virtual cast reunion as the fourth episode of the web series Reunited Apart, a charity fundraising effort during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting Share Our Strength's campaign called "No Kid Hungry". Many actors from the original cast participated, along with Jackson, Boyens, and Shore.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_U0S6x_kCs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601001920/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_U0S6x_kCs |title=One Zoom to Rule Them All | Reunited Apart Lord of the Rings Edition |website=YouTube |date=31 May 2020 |archive-date=1 June 2020 |access-date=2 June 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Caitlin |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-josh-gad-reunites-stars-of-lord-of-the-rings-while-raising-money-for-kids-in-need/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602191945/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-josh-gad-reunites-stars-of-lord-of-the-rings-while-raising-money-for-kids-in-need/ |title=Actor Josh Gad reunites stars of "Lord of the Rings" while raising money for kids in need |website=CBS News |date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=2 June 2020 |access-date=2 June 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Axon |first=Samuel |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/06/one-zoom-to-rule-them-all-lord-of-the-rings-cast-reunites-to-share-memories/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602161634/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/06/one-zoom-to-rule-them-all-lord-of-the-rings-cast-reunites-to-share-memories/ |title=One Zoom to rule them all: Lord of the Rings cast reunites to share memories |website=Ars Technica |date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=2 June 2020 |access-date=2 June 2020 |url-status=live}} The charity raised over $100,000.{{cite web |last=Gad |first=Josh |author-link=Josh Gad |url=https://twitter.com/joshgad/status/1267846683204804609 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602193742/https://twitter.com/joshgad/status/1267846683204804609 |title=I want to cry. During this darkest hour, you all came together and raised over $100,000 for ⁦@nokidhungry so that every child can get a hot meal right now. Bless you all! |website=Twitter |date=2 June 2020 |archive-date=2 June 2020 |access-date=2 June 2020 |url-status=live}}

{{See also|Tolkien tourism}}

File:Airbus A320-232, Air New Zealand AN0537013.jpg painted this Airbus A320 in The Lord of the Rings livery to promote The Return of the King in 2004.]]

As a result of the series' success, Peter Jackson has become a major figure in the film industry in the mould of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, in the process befriending some industry heavyweights like Bryan Singer and Frank Darabont. Jackson has since founded his own film production company, Wingnut Films, as well as Wingnut Interactive, a video game company. He was also finally given a chance to remake King Kong in 2005. The film was a critical and box office success, although not as successful as The Lord of the Rings series. Jackson has been called a "favourite son" of New Zealand.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=594&ObjectID=584301 |title=NZer of the year: Peter Jackson |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=29 December 2001 |access-date=1 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929175303/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=594&ObjectID=584301 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=live}} In 2004, Howard Shore toured with The Lord of the Rings Symphony, playing two hours of the score. Along with the Harry Potter films, the series has renewed interest in the fantasy film genre. Tourism in New Zealand is up, possibly due to its exposure in the series,{{cite web |url=http://theculturedtraveler.com/Archives/AUG2005/Movies_New_Zeland.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051120164817/http://theculturedtraveler.com/Archives/AUG2005/Movies_New_Zeland.htm |archive-date=20 November 2005 |title=Movie Tourism in New Zealand}} with the country's tourism industry waking up to an audience's familiarity.{{cite web |url=http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/culture/lotr/nz-home-of-middle-earth-feature.cfm |title=New Zealand, Home of Middle-earth |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810092351/http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/culture/lotr/nz-home-of-middle-earth-feature.cfm |archive-date=10 August 2006}}

In 2002 the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington created a travelling exhibition of the film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: The Exhibition.{{cite web |title=2006 past exhibitions: The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: The Exhibition |date=8 January 2016|url=https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/whats-on/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/2006-past-exhibitions#LotR |publisher=Museum of New Zealand |access-date=16 April 2021}} It visited cities around the world including Boston, London, Sydney, Singapore, and Houston.{{cite web |title=The Lord Of The Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: The Exhibition |url=https://www.hmns.org/exhibits/past-exhibitions/lord-of-the-rings/ |publisher=Houston Museum of Natural Science |access-date=16 April 2021}}

The Lord of the Rings left a legacy of court cases over profits from the trilogy. Sixteen cast members (Noel Appleby, Jed Brophy, Mark Ferguson, Ray Henwood, Bruce Hopkins, William Johnson, Nathaniel Lees, Sarah McLeod, Ian Mune, Paul Norell, Craig Parker, Robert Pollock, Martyn Sanderson, Peter Tait, and Stephen Ure) sued over the lack of revenue from merchandise bearing their appearance. The case was resolved out of court in 2008. The settlement came too late for Appleby, who died of cancer in 2007.{{Cite news |author=Bruce Hopkins |title=New Zealand actors settle out of court with New Line |publisher=TheOneRing.net |date=8 October 2008 |url=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2008/10/08/30205-new-zealand-actors-settle-out-of-court-with-new-line-cinema/ |access-date=9 October 2008 |author-link=Bruce Hopkins (actor) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011115524/http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2008/10/08/30205-new-zealand-actors-settle-out-of-court-with-new-line-cinema/ |archive-date=11 October 2008}} Saul Zaentz also filed a lawsuit in 2004 claiming he had not been paid all of his royalties.{{Cite news |author= |date=19 August 2004 |title=Producer sues over Lord of the Rings profits |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/aug/19/lordoftherings.news |access-date=20 May 2021 |work=The Guardian }}

The next year, Jackson sued the studio over profits from the first film, slowing development of The Hobbit prequels until late 2007.{{Cite magazine |first=Benjamin |last=Svetkey |title=The Hobbit: Is Peter Jackson coming back? |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=4 October 2007 |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/10/04/hobbit-peter-jackson-coming-back/ |access-date=15 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005021459/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20036782_20037403_20142132%2C00.html |archive-date=5 October 2007|url-status=live}} The Tolkien Trust filed a lawsuit in February 2008, for violating Tolkien's original deal over the rights that they would earn 7.5% of the gross from any films based on his works.{{cite web |url=http://news.findlaw.com/nytimes/docs/ent/tlknnewline21108cmp.html/ |title=J.R.R. Tolkien Trust Sues New Line Cinema for Portion of 'Lord of the Rings' Profits |work=findlaw.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323234626/http://news.findlaw.com/nytimes/docs/ent/tlknnewline21108cmp.html |archive-date=23 March 2008}} The Trust sought compensation of $150 million.{{Cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/02/11/financial/f115544S35.DTL&tsp=1 |title=Tolkien Estate Sues New Line Cinema |access-date=3 May 2008 |date=12 February 2008 |author=Alex Viega |work=San Francisco Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417072953/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2008%2F02%2F11%2Ffinancial%2Ff115544S35.DTL&tsp=1 |archive-date=17 April 2008}} A judge denied them this option, but allowed them to win compensation from the act of the studio ignoring the contract itself.{{Cite news |title=No punitive damages in Rings case |work=BBC News |date=26 September 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7637693.stm |access-date=27 September 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929050304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7637693.stm |archive-date=29 September 2008}} On 8 September 2009, the dispute was settled.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5875BK20090908|author=Alex Dobuzinskis |title=Legal settlement clears way for "Hobbit" movie |access-date=8 September 2009 |quote=The Hollywood studio behind a film based on 'The Hobbit' and trustees for author J.R.R. Tolkien's estate said on Tuesday they had settled a lawsuit that clears the way for what is expected to be a blockbuster movie based on the book. |date=8 September 2009 |work=Reuters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911142633/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5875BK20090908 |archive-date=11 September 2009}}

{{See also|Middle-earth in video games}}

Numerous video games were released to supplement the film series. The Two Towers and The Return of the King are direct adaptations of the films.{{efn|The Fellowship of the Ring video game is not based on the film.{{cite web | url=http://ie.ign.com/articles/2002/12/02/lord-of-the-games | title=Lord of the Games | website=IGN | date=2 December 2002 | access-date=27 October 2014}} Electronic Arts incorporated some of the plot and footage into their Two Towers game.{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers-preview/1100-2874680/ | title=The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Preview | website=GameSpot | last=Ajami | first=Amer | date=17 July 2002 | access-date=10 November 2014 | archive-date=25 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725001825/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers-preview/1100-2874680/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://ie.ign.com/articles/2002/10/04/lotr-the-two-towers-interview?page=2 | title=LOTR: The Two Towers Interview | website=IGN | last=Perry | first=Douglass C. | date=4 October 2002 | access-date=11 November 2014}}}} Other games include The Third Age and its Game Boy Advance version, Tactics, The Battle for Middle-earth, The Battle for Middle-earth II and its expansion The Rise of the Witch-king, Conquest, Aragorn's Quest, War in the North, Lego The Lord of the Rings, Guardians of Middle-earth, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, and Middle-earth: Shadow of War.{{Cite web |title=The Lord of the Rings Games |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/the-lord-of-the-rings/3025-481/games/ |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=Giant Bomb |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Terence |first=Antony |date=28 September 2022 |title=The best Lord of the Rings games to help you have a Middle-earth adventure |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-lord-of-the-rings-games/ |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}

According to the scholar of digital media Ian Bogost, the success of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy brought about a resurgence of epic fantasy in the mainstream media.{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Joel |date=March 30, 2012 |title=Mainstream finally believes fantasy fans |work=CNN |publisher=WarnerMedia |url=http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/ |url-status=dead |access-date=April 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927162257/http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/ |archive-date=September 27, 2016}} Productions thought to be inspired by the trilogy's success include the 2005–2008 animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and the 2007 film The Golden Compass.{{cite book |last1=Konietzko |first1=Bryan |last2=DiMartino |first2=Michael Dante |date=2010 |title=Avatar, The Last Airbender: The Art of the Animated Series. |publisher=Dark Horse |isbn=978-1-62115-798-4 |page=10}}{{cite magazine |title=Dark Material |pages=56–7 |magazine=Empire |date=29 September 2006}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Nathan |first=Ian |title=Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle Earth |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2018 |isbn=978-0-00819250-1}}

{{Wikiquote|The Lord of the Rings (movies)}}

{{Wikivoyage|Lord of the Rings tourism|The Lord of the Rings tourism}}

{{Commons category|The Lord of the Rings film trilogy}}

• {{AFI film|id=53926|title=The Fellowship of the Ring}}
• {{IMDb title|qid=Q127367|title=The Fellowship of the Ring}}
• {{AFI film|id=53999|title=The Two Towers}}
• {{IMDb title|qid=Q164963|title=The Two Towers}}
• {{AFI film|id=54279|title=The Return of the King}}
• {{IMDb title|qid=Q131074|title=The Return of the King}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20040205031247/http://www.lordoftherings.net/ LordoftheRings.net] (archived official trilogy website)

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