There are six main live-action Middle-earth movies spanning two trilogies, plus one additional animated film, bringing the total count to seven distinct movies set within J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.
The Live-Action Middle-earth Trilogies
The six live-action films are divided into two trilogies, both directed by Peter Jackson. These epic sagas adapt J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved novels, showcasing the vast world of Middle-earth, its diverse inhabitants, and monumental conflicts.
The first trilogy to be released was The Lord of the Rings, which depicts the perilous quest of Frodo Baggins to destroy the One Ring and the War of the Ring. Years later, The Hobbit trilogy followed, serving as a prequel and detailing Bilbo Baggins' unexpected adventure that leads him to acquire the One Ring.
Here is a breakdown of these six films:
| Series | Movie Title | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| The Lord of the Rings Trilogy | The Fellowship of the Ring | 2001 |
| The Two Towers | 2002 | |
| The Return of the King | 2003 | |
| The Hobbit Trilogy | An Unexpected Journey | 2012 |
| The Desolation of Smaug | 2013 | |
| The Battle of the Five Armies | 2014 |
Additional Animated Middle-earth Film
Beyond the live-action productions, there is also an earlier animated film that brings one of Tolkien's stories to the screen:
- The Hobbit (1977 film): This is an animated television movie, separate from the live-action Hobbit trilogy. It was produced by Rankin/Bass and offers a distinct visual interpretation of Bilbo's journey.
Total Count of Middle-earth Movies
Considering both the widely recognized live-action films and the notable animated adaptation, the total number of distinct Middle-earth movies is:
- 6 live-action movies (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies)
- + 1 animated movie (The Hobbit from 1977)
- = 7 Middle-earth movies
