Get the MovieNight app
Add it to your home screen — faster & full screen
New Line Cinema
The Saul Zaentz Company
WingNut Films
The Lord of the Rings Collection
There can be no triumph without loss. No victory without suffering. No freedom without sacrifice.
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.
Dr Nostromo
Jul 2, 2026 · via TMDB
100/100 As the war for middle-earth grows to unbearable levels, Frodo and Sam's desperate attempts to get to Mount Doom and destroy the ring faces horrific resistance both externally and internally. Quite simply the best fantasy film ever made and, overall, one of the finest films ever made. The ability of the film to continue the events presented in the first two films and take them to a phenomenal level is grand in scale and epic in vision. The warfare scenes are a visceral, sometimes painful, sight to behold. An amazing end to an incredible journey! - DrNostromo.com
CinemaSerf
Sep 3, 2023 · via TMDB
I've just seen this on the big screen for the first time since I saw it at London's sadly now long-gone Odeon at Marble Arch, which - at the time - boasted the biggest screen in the UK, and it has lost little of it's magic. Continuing with the interwoven tales of "Frodo", "Sam" and their treacherous guide "Gollum" as they trek through fire and brimstone to get the ring to Mount Doom; whilst Gandalf, Aragorn and the surviving members of the fellowship try to stem the might of "Sauron" and his armies of orcs and their allies. While this is undoubtedly a magnificent piece of cinema, I find the story drags a bit. I found the the focus to be too much on the less interesting characters - the lovelorn "Eowyn" (Miranda Otto); the delusional "Denethor" (John Noble) and decent but rather wimpish "Faramir" (David Wenham) as "Gondor" faces the wrath of their nemesis, and that slows the pace from the action just when it ought to be building. The delightful, friendly, rivalry between "Gimli" & "Legolas" features all too sparingly and it's got too ponderous a narrative to sustain the four hours the otherwise visionary Peter Jackson has created. Fortunately, the triple-header quest with Elijah Wood, Sean Astin and a superb Andy Serkis keep the other strand moving along suspensefully and tensely. The battle scenes are superb, though - when we get them, the effects really do rise to the occasion and, of course, the striking cinematography coupled with the inspired themes from Howard Shore contribute to a thoroughly entertaining adaptation of a thoroughly captivating fantasy adventure. If you make it past the start of the credits, there is the gloriously haunting "Into the West" from Annie Lennox to top off this finest of trilogies. The Oscar/BAFTA awards this achieved are a just reward for years of stunningly creative effort from thousands of people who turned the imagination of a 20th Century English academic into films that will last forever.
drystyx
Apr 18, 2023 · via TMDB
A fitting end to a classic trilogy. Frodo, Samwise, and Gollum journey through a Hell on what is called "Middle Earth", while Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas go to war. King Theoden must decide whether to help those who would not help him. Merry wants to war, but is too small. Pippin finds himself getting in more and more mischief. Lots of subplots. Never a dull second. Masterfully dierected. What more can be said? Truly mesmerizing every step of the way, and a movie with maybe four endings that just lead into each other, and we still can't get enough.
pokycoder
Nov 16, 2021 · via TMDB
As an avid fan of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings from long before New Line announced this movie "trilogy," I must say all three films were fairly large disappointments. Now, mind you, I am not your usual, "The book is better" movie reviewer. But it is almost like Peter Jackson went out of his way to take out the most crucial elements of the books and replace it with drivel. Also every line that sounds even remotely cool in the books must be given to Gandalf, no matter who actually said it... That's just frustrating, despite Sir Ian McKellen's stellar performance. With what I would hope is the obvious exception of Orlando Bloom's third dismal performance as Legolas, the actors all did quite well; the characters were just not allowed to shine as they do in the books. I see that the common consensus is that this movie is too long, and I agree. What's most frustrating about that to me is that this movie had to finish The Two Towers since that film did not complete, and then this film left out the pivotal ending of the saga. The Return of the King is actually the shortest volume of the three (there are six books, two in each volume). As some have noted, the film noticeably scraps the scouring of the Shire, but for those who might have hoped for a fourth installment to finish that story, Peter Jackson dashed all hopes by disturbingly killing off Saruman at the beginning of the extended edition. By the by, I understand many people feel that the scouring of the Shire is anticlimactic after the final defeat of Sauron, but for myself, I think the point that there is still evil in the world, and that heroes must still rise to fight it, is one of Tolkien's triumphs. Back to my main point, though: the books were shorter while telling more story, because despite his depth and detail, Tolkien understood how to drive a story along. Peter Jackson, on the other hand, fails on that count. Anyway, I am someone who always hoped that these movies would be made (I grew up watching the animations produced by Rankin/Bass and Fantasy Films). But now I suppose I'll have to wait until someone is daring enough to try again, despite the overwhelming success of these films (which will probably not happen in my lifetime). In the meantime, I'll continue to read the books every year.
r96sk
Feb 19, 2021 · via TMDB
An outstanding end to the trilogy. I expected a lot from <em>'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'</em> so I am delighted to see it produce on so many levels. I, funnily enough, wouldn't actually say it's necessarily the most perfect execution - what with the plot coincidences and extreme character armour. But that doesn't matter one jot whatsoever, as the story wraps up in arguably the best way - at least to watch - possible. It has so much heart and feeling to it. The story involving the characters of Elijah Wood, Sean Astin and Andy Serkis remained the most interesting to me, I was very satisfied with how it concluded in regards to them. I also enjoyed the bits we got of Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen & Co. All that added to the beautiful look and creation of the film, with the world coming alive splendidly. If I were to nit-pick further, I would say the run time is slightly too long. The pacing is absolutely fine, very good in fact, but I coulda done without a few of the many end scenes - a lot of which are necessary and welcome, but a couple could've been left out to allow the viewer to imagine how the world continued. That's just how I feel mind, I'm sure I'm one of only a few that think that way. Back onto the positives: how about those battle sequences? Astonishingly good. A sensational trilogy, no question about it. I look forward to seeing <em>'The Hobbit'</em> films.
JPV852
Sep 21, 2020 · via TMDB
Great finale to a great trilogy. The action and battle sequences were amazing and even though I've seen this a few times over the years, still thrilling to the end. I didn't even mind the multiple endings as I had in the past, nice each character got their due. **4.75/5**
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
HBO Max Amazon Channel
YouTube TV
TNT
TBS
tru TV
HBO Max
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Spectrum On Demand
Plex
Elijah Wood
Frodo
Ian McKellen
Gandalf
Viggo Mortensen
Aragorn
Sean Astin
Sam
Andy Serkis
Gollum / Smeagol
Dominic Monaghan
Merry
Billy Boyd
Pippin
John Noble
Denethor
David Wenham
Faramir
Miranda Otto
Éowyn
Bernard Hill
Théoden
John Rhys-Davies
Gimli
Orlando Bloom
Legolas
Hugo Weaving
Elrond
Liv Tyler
Arwen
Cate Blanchett
Galadriel
Karl Urban
Éomer
Ian Holm
Bilbo
Sean Bean
Boromir
Lawrence Makoare
Witchking / Gothmog
Marton Csokas
Celeborn
Paul Norell
King of the Dead
Noel Appleby
Everard Proudfoot
Sarah McLeod
Rosie Cotton
Ali Astin
Elanor Gamgee
Maisy McLeod-Riera
Baby Gamgee
David Aston
Gondorian Soldier 3
John Bach
Madril
Sadwyn Brophy
Eldarion
Alistair Browning
Damrod
Jason Fitch
Uruk 2
Bruce Hopkins
Gamling
Ian Hughes
Irolas
Bret McKenzie
Elf Escort
Bruce Phillips
Grimbold
Shane Rangi
Harad Leader 2
Todd Rippon
Harad Leader 1
Thomas Robins
Déagol
Harry Sinclair
Isildur
Peter Tait
Shagrat
Joel Tobeck
Orc Lieutenant 1
Stephen Ure
Gorbag
Sala Baker
Featured Orc
Robert Pollock
Featured Orc
Ross Duncan
Featured Orc
Pete Smith
Featured Orc
Jed Brophy
Featured Orc
Lee Hartley
Featured Orc
Billy Jackson
Featured Child
Katie Jackson
Featured Child
Alan Howard
The Ring (voice)
Gino Acevedo
Corsair of Umbar (uncredited)
Emma Deakin
Diamond of Long Cleave (uncredited)
Michael Elsworth
Círdan the Shipwright (uncredited)
Zo Hartley
Orc Helper (uncredited)
Peter Jackson
Corsair Bosun (uncredited)
Sandro Kopp
Coronation Elf (uncredited)
Andrew Lesnie
Corsair of Umbar (uncredited)
Henry Mortensen
Pelennor Orc (uncredited)
Craig Parker
Gothmog / Orc Lieutenant 1 (voice) (uncredited)
Rick Porras
Corsair of Umbar / Beacon Guard (uncredited)
Christian Rivers
Corsair of Umbar / Beacon Guard (uncredited)
Michael Semanick
Drinking Rohan Soldier (uncredited)
Howard Shore
Drinking Rohan Soldier (uncredited)
John Stephenson
Witchking (voice) (uncredited)
Richard Taylor
Corsair of Umbar (uncredited)
Royd Tolkien
Gondorian Ranger (uncredited)
Jules Cook
Assistant Art Director
Alan Lee
Conceptual Design
John Howe
Conceptual Design
Daniel Falconer
Sculptor
Alan Lee
Set Decoration
Dan Hennah
Set Decoration
Dan Hennah
Supervising Art Director
Andrew Lesnie
Director of Photography
Ngila Dickson
Costume Design
Richard Taylor
Costume Design
Peter Swords King
Hair Designer
Jeremy Woodhead
Hairstylist
Jeremy Woodhead
Makeup Artist
Rick Findlater
Makeup Artist
Peter Swords King
Makeup Designer
Richard Taylor
Special Effects Makeup Artist
Augie Davis
Stunt Coordinator
Bob Anderson
Stunt Coordinator
Tim Wong
Stunt Double
Casey O'Neill
Stunts
Jacob Tomuri
Stunts
Justin B. Carter
Stunts
Mana Hira Davis
Stunts
Peter Dillon
Stunts
Rodney Cook
Stunts
Sala Baker
Stunts
Shane Dawson
Stunts
Shaughan Campbell
Stunts
Stuart Thorp
Stunts
Winham Hammond
Stunts
Peter Jackson
Director
Carolynne Cunningham
First Assistant Director
Jamie Selkirk
Editor
John Hubbard
Casting
Liz Mullane
Casting
Victoria Burrows
Casting
Jamie Selkirk
Co-Producer
Rick Porras
Co-Producer
Bob Weinstein
Executive Producer
Harvey Weinstein
Executive Producer
Michael Lynne
Executive Producer
Robert Shaye
Executive Producer
Barrie M. Osborne
Producer
Fran Walsh
Producer
Peter Jackson
Producer
Lora Hirschberg
Additional Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Katy Wood
Foley Editor
Howard Shore
Original Music Composer
Hammond Peek
Production Sound Mixer
Annie Lennox
Songs
Fran Walsh
Songs
Howard Shore
Songs
David Farmer
Sound Designer
John Warhurst
Sound Editor
Addison Teague
Sound Effects Editor
Beau Borders
Sound Effects Editor
Tim Nielsen
Sound Effects Editor
Christopher Boyes
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Michael Semanick
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Mark Willsher
Supervising Music Editor
Ethan Van der Ryn
Supervising Sound Editor
Mike Hopkins
Supervising Sound Editor
Erik Winquist
2D Sequence Supervisor
Guy Williams
3D Supervisor
Randall William Cook
Animation Director
Paul Story
Senior Animator
Alexander Nowotny
VFX Artist
Jason Lei Howden
VFX Artist
Christian Rivers
Visual Effects Designer
Dean Wright
Visual Effects Producer
Jim Rygiel
Visual Effects Supervisor
Joe Letteri
Visual Effects Supervisor
J. R. R. Tolkien
Novel
Fran Walsh
Screenplay
Peter Jackson
Screenplay
Philippa Boyens
Screenplay
Dec 3, 2003
Los Angeles, California
Dec 17, 2003
Dec 14, 2004
Extended Edition
Jan 18, 2026
Extended Edition
© 2025-2026 MovieNight. All rights reserved.
Versus
Sign in to play →
Wetherspoons: How Do They Do It?!
2021
Night For Day: Mosquitoes Don't Sleep
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Top Gun: Maverick
2022 · 11 wins
Joker
2019 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
Versus
Sign in to play →
Wetherspoons: How Do They Do It?!
2021
Night For Day: Mosquitoes Don't Sleep
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Top Gun: Maverick
2022 · 11 wins
Joker
2019 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
We use essential cookies to run MovieNight, plus analytics (Google Analytics) and advertising (Google AdSense) cookies. By continuing to browse, you agree to this — or click No and we won't. See our Terms & Privacy Policy to learn more.