Every Lord of the Rings film and series in order
Middle-earth's story runs from The Rings of Power in the Second Age, thousands of years before Frodo, to The Return of the King. This order follows the story as it happens.
The essentials are Peter Jackson's six films: The Hobbit trilogy and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The Lord of the Rings watch order
The Second Age
The Rings of Power: Season 1
The Rings of Power: Season 2
The Third Age
The War of the Rohirrim
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The Hunt for Gollum
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers
The Return of the King
What's coming next
- The Rings of Power: Season 310 November 2026What to watch first →
- The Hunt for Gollum15 December 2027
Questions
What order should I watch Lord of the Rings in?
Start with The Rings of Power: Season 1 and follow the list above, which has all 11 Lord of the Rings titles in story order. For the shortest route, stick to the 6 essentials.
How long does it take to watch all of Lord of the Rings?
About 38 hours for the 9 titles out so far. The 6 essentials take about 17 hours.
Should I watch The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings first?
The Hobbit happens first, 60 years before The Lord of the Rings. But The Lord of the Rings was made first, and many fans recommend starting there.
Do I need to watch The Rings of Power before the films?
No. The Rings of Power is set thousands of years earlier and tells how the rings were made. It adds depth but isn't needed for the films.
What's the next Lord of the Rings release?
The Rings of Power: Season 3, out on 10 November 2026.
Watch Lord of the Rings in order with Chronologica
Mark titles as you watch, stick to the essentials and always know what's next. No account needed.