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Christopher Nolan is once again in the spotlight, and it’s not because of a new movie. This time, it’s thanks to a ranking by The New York Times, which recently shared its list of the 100 best movies of the 21st century.

That’s a pretty bold move, considering the century’s not even halfway over, but the list got a lot of attention, and Nolan’s name showed up more than anyone else’s.

According to The New York Times, five of Nolan’s movies made the cut. That’s more than any other director on the list. It’s a reminder of just how much of an impact he’s had over the past 25 years. From his breakout moment with Memento to massive hits like Inception and The Dark Knight, Nolan has been behind some of the biggest and most talked-about films of this generation.

On the Times list,...

Christopher Nolan is having a big moment once again, thanks to a recent ranking from The New York Times. They released a huge list of what they believe are the 100 best movies of the 21st century.

And while it might feel a little early to rank a whole century’s worth of films, the list is packed with a mix of styles, genres, and directors, and yes, plenty of Nolan.

According to The New York Times, five of Nolan’s movies made the list, which is more than any other director. That’s a pretty big deal. Over the last 25 years, Nolan has gone from a rising indie name with Memento to one of the biggest directors in the world, known for smart blockbusters and mind-bending storytelling. His films from the early 2000s and beyond, like The Dark Knight, Inception, and Interstellar, have helped shape modern cinema.

In The Times’ list,...

Which Best Picture Oscar Winner Earned Most At The Box Office? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

The Oscars and the box office don’t always align. Many films that sweep the Academy Awards are intimate dramas, period pieces, or festival darlings, and usually not massive commercial hits. However, occasionally, a film manages to do both: win Best Picture and dominate global ticket sales.

In the history of the Academy Awards, only a few titles have combined prestige with profit in seismic ways. Forrest Gump, Gladiator, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King each earned big while collecting golden statues. But none came close to the scale of one unforgettable epic that redefined blockbuster cinema.

Released in the late 1990s, James Cameron’s Titanic turned a historical tragedy into a sweeping romantic saga powered by star-crossed lovers, iconic direction, and groundbreaking effects. Theaters stayed full for months, and fans watched it multiple times.

Oscars Milestone: Only Two Trilogies In History Scored Best Picture Nods For All Three Films – And They Deserved It! ( Photo Credit – Prime Video )

Oscars history is filled with iconic franchises, but the Academy has rarely shown consistent love to sequels, let alone full trilogies. While box office numbers and cultural legacy often define a film’s impact, being recognized with a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards is the industry’s highest mark of quality.

And yet, it’s incredibly rare for a trilogy to maintain such prestige across all its entries. Most sequels, even successful ones, lose momentum critically or artistically. Whether it’s superhero sagas, animated series, or legacy franchises, only a handful even receive one Best Picture nod. But in over nine decades of Oscar history, only two film trilogies have achieved what others couldn’t: three consecutive Best Picture nominations. These aren’t just well-made...

When it comes to epic fantasy and horror pieces, very few can surpass the extensive talent that is Guillermo del Toro, the king of complicated monsters. If anything, the mastermind has rarely had any project over the years that wasn’t tremendously praised by both fans and critics worldwide, never ceasing to leave his audiences baffled with his works.

But, as it turns out, the filmmaker-author hasn’t only lured in critics and general fans and viewers with his charms, but even the widely celebrated writer George R.R. Martin! This is true considering how his 95% rated critically acclaimed flick from 2006 is actually on the Game of Thrones writer’s top 10 movies of all time: Pan’s Labyrinth.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is on George R.R. Martin’s ‘Top 10’ list A still from Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth | Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Looking at how epic his fantasy works are,...

It's been nearly 50 years since the animated adaptation of The Lord of the Rings entered theaters, receiving a mediocre reaction from fans and critics alike and generated $30 million at the global box office. And as the story of Middle-Earth expands with The Rings of Power TV series, as well as the 2024 release of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, fans can revisit the earliest motion picture adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's work in an upcoming remastered Blu-ray release.

Amazon has listed a Blu-ray Remastered Deluxe Edition of The Lord of the Rings, priced at $22.49, scheduled for release on June 24, 2025. This remastered copy will feature the animated feature at 1080 HD resolution as well as a special feature interview with its Director, Ralph Bakshi, called"Forging Through the Darkness: The Ralph Bakshi Vision for The Lord of the Rings."

The animated adaptation of The Lord of the Rings...

Fifteen years after it was originally released on Blu-ray, the 1978 animated adaptation of The Lord of the Ringsis getting a reprint. Director Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings is being re-released via a Remastered Deluxe Edition Blu-ray in 1080p resolution. The movie, based on the legendary J.R.R. Tolkien books, was directed by Bakshi, with the screenplay coming from Chris Conkling and Peter S. Beagle.

The Blu-ray is available for pre-order on Amazon for $22.49 and will be officially released on June 24. The reprint will also include an interview series with Bakshi in which he discusses the making of the film. Before this reprinting, the animated The Lord of the Rings was only available on Blu-ray via a region-free imported edition. The movie is also available on DVD in a remastered deluxe edition for only $5 on Amazon.

What Does the Blu-Ray Include?

The Remastered Deluxe Edition of the iconic animated...

The Last of Us ended its first season on a high note. The finale, written by series cocreators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, had the second-highest ratings among the first batch of episodes and proved that the cast and crew had done what was thought to be impossible.

They had successfully (and faithfully) adapted a video game.

Heading into Season 2, the Emmy-winning team behind the show, including the series' visual effect supervisor, Alex Wang, felt that they had proven their concept and were ready for something bigger. And on a show about surviving in a fungi-infested apocalypse, that means one thing.

More infected.

The VFX team had one big swarm under their belts — the infected's chaotic attack on a neighborhood cul-de-sac in Episode 5, "Endure and Survive." And for Season 2, there was only one direction in which to take things. "In the cul-de-sac, that was kind of the first glimpse of a horde of infected attacking,...

Andy Serkis has revealed when filming for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will begin. Taking place between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, The Hunt for Gollum's story will explore more of the titular character's journey before meeting Frodo and his fateful end in The Return of the King. With Serkis reprising his iconic role from The Lord of the Rings films, audiences will see the actor play Gollum for the first time since 2012's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

When speaking with Collider about the making of The Hunt for Gollum, Serkis revealed that the film is in the early production stages, and that shooting will take place "in the early to mid-part of next year."Though Serkis says that The Hunt for Gollum is a "sizable movie," he is excited to start working on the film, which he claims will be ready...

Peter Jackson might’ve directed one of the most iconic trilogies in cinema history, but when it comes to picking his favorite Lord of the Rings movie, he goes against the crowd, and the critics seem to agree. While The Return of the King usually steals the limelight with its Oscar haul and grand finale vibes, this movie quietly edged it out on Rotten Tomatoes. And guess what? That just so happens to be Jackson’s top pick, too.

With its darker tone, deeper character arcs, and the unforgettable Battle of Helm’s Deep, it’s no shock this middle chapter stands tallest in the director’s eyes.

Peter Jackson’s favorite Lotr movie is The Two Towers, and it has the highest Rotten Tomatoes score too Peter Jackson | Image by: Mike Walen, licensed under Cca-by-sa-3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Return of the King may have swept the Oscars, but...

Peter S. Beagle’s beloved The Last Unicorn is reportedly getting a live-action adaptation, an attempt that many fans hope would succeed given its cult-classic status. The book was immediately picked up by readers in the late 1960s, and when the animated movie was released in 1982, it completely shocked the audience.

The film may have been a mild success, but we cannot forget how wild some scenes were. Many Gen X viewers had nightmares about it, and with the report of a reboot, I hope it won’t traumatize today’s children.

The Last Unicorn is better than Lotr, according to Peter S. Beagle The Last Unicorn / Credits: Jensen Farley Pictures

The Last Unicorn has a simple and straightforward plot. It follows a female unicorn who learns that she’s the last of her kind because a malevolent villain called the Red Bull has been driving the rest of her...

Karate Kid: Legends hits theaters today, and for those that are into climatic endings that feature lots of action, this one is definitely for you. In fact, director Jonathan Entwistle has revealed that he took inspiration for the film's finale from another iconic franchise: The Lord of the Rings.

Speaking with MovieWeb's own George Edelman about the new legacy sequel, Entwistle touched on the fact that when it came time to shoot, edit, and score the epic finale seen in Karate Kid: Legends, he drew inspiration from the Battle of the Morannon seen in the conclusion to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings saga, The Return of the King:

"I want that finale to feel like it's the end of Lord of the Rings. We're on a mountain in the rain and we're having a big fight. And so something that was really interesting was utilizing the music...

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is all set to hit the theaters right in the middle of the holiday season. Announced for a pre-Christmas release on December 17, 2027, this new chapter in Middle-earth is perfectly timed to pull you out of your cozy holiday routine and into a world of epic adventure.

As a lifelong fan of the franchise, I can’t help but grin at the thought of history repeating itself, because if you remember, the original Lord of the Rings trilogy also dropped around Christmas, turning December into a magical mix of festive cheer and Middle-earth mayhem. The release will surely shake up Christmas plans for many, but what true fan would miss it even for a second?

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum now has a release date The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | Credit: New Line Cinema...

We wants it. We needs it. But we gotta waits for it.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (working title), the highly anticipated Lotr spin-off film from Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema, will hit theaters in December 2027. Yes, you read that right — moviegoers have to wait two-and-a-half years to see their favorite pale-skinned Middle-earth monster from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world up on the big screen again. Read on for everything to know about the new movie, including information on the cast, release date, and director.

Who's been cast in The Hunt for Gollum?

As of this writing, only Andy Serkis has been announced as starring in the new film. And yes, he's reprising his role as Gollum, a creature who was obsessed with the One Ring (which he called "my precious"). The English actor rose to fame in the early aughts for...

The Lord of the Rings fans now know when The Hunt for Gollum will officially begin. Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema have revealed the release date for the hotly anticipated spinoff of Peter Jackson's Lotr trilogy.

Per Deadline, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will be released in theaters on Dec. 17, 2027. Warner Bros. was originally eyeing a December 2026 release for The Hunt for Gollum, but fans have known since February that that was no longer the target. The upcoming fantasy movie serves as both a spinoff and a midquel to Jackson's acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy, with The Hunt for Gollum set during the events of 2001's The Fellowship of the Ring, taking place after Bilbo Baggins' 111th birthday party but before the Mines of Moria.

Warner Bros. and New Line first announced plans to journey back to Middle-earth in February 2023, with...

Jack Nicholson is a legend, no doubt about it. The man could mumble a half-sentence and somehow sound like the smartest guy in the room. But even geniuses have their off days, and when it comes to The Lord of the Rings, I seriously can’t get behind his opinion, which (to me) feels like one of those takes that aged worse than Gollum’s skincare routine.

In a world where Frodo, Gandalf, and the entire Middle-earth saga are basically sacred, Jack’s old-school take just sounds painfully out of touch now. I get it, not everyone has to love hobbits and epic quests. But come on, this is Lord of the Rings we’re talking about.

Jack Nicholson’s Lord of the Rings take? Not quite right Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance in a still from The Shining | Credits: Warner Bros.

Jack Nicholson walked out during The Return of the King...

Amazon Prime May 2025 Schedule: Everything Set To Stream On Platform This Month (Photo Credit – Prime Video/Instagram)

Just like the rest of the platforms, Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, Paramount, Peacock, HBO Max, and more, Amazon Prime has an exciting new slate of releases set for the month of May. With summer here and holidays around the corner, there’s going to be plenty of fun binge-watching on the couch. From the premiere of Blake Lively’s recent release, Another Simple Favor, to the iconic Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies, a lot of interesting content is set to air on the streaming giant. Here’s what releases Amazon Prime Video is adding to its already vast library, new, old, and iconic.

Amazon Prime, May 2025: Everything On Release Schedule

May 1

Agent Cody Banks Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London All Quiet on the Western Front All...

Jesus Animation Box Office(Photo Credit –YouTube)

Biblical films have long been etched into the foundation of cinema, stretching back to grand spectacles like The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur, which once reigned supreme at the Oscars, snagging eleven wins and tying with titans like Titanic and The Return of the King.

But those massive religious epics have been less frequent in recent decades and have been replaced by a more diverse range, with the likes of Aronofsky’s flood-soaked Noah to the eerie intensity of The Passion of the Christ, and even lighthearted entries like The Star and the musical tones of Journey to Bethlehem.

A New Messiah on the Big Screen

Yet, here comes The King of Kings, a 2025 animated film breathing new life into the genre with a blend of tradition and innovation. The movie, directed and written by Seong-ho Jang, adapts Charles Dickens’ The Life of Our Lord,...

Which one of the trilogies, The Hobbit Or The Lord Of The Rings slayed the box office?(Photo Credit –Facebook)

Middle-earth is one of the most famous fantasy realms in the world. First brought to life by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Hobbit (1937) and expanded through the epic scope of The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1954–55), these stories laid the foundation for modern fantasy storytelling. The appeal of Tolkien’s world prompted filmmaker Peter Jackson to adapt these monumental works into two separate trilogies, each packed with sweeping battles, iconic portrayals, and an unforgettable soundtrack.

Released between 2001 and 2003, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy became a cinematic landmark, earning critical acclaim and bagging 17 Academy Awards. A decade later, Jackson returned to Middle-earth with The Hobbit prequel trilogy, stretching the slim novel into three action-heavy blockbusters. Both trilogies thrilled fans and filled theatres across the globe, but which one reigned supreme at the box office?...

The heroic and faithful Hobbit, Samwise Gamgee, played by Sean Astin in the original Lord of the Ringstrilogy, proved to be a loyal friend to Frodo Baggins in his journey to destroy the Ring. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which will be directed by Andy Serkis, is set for a 2027 release. During an appearance on a panel moderated by ScreenRant’s Joe Deckelmeier at Washington, D.C.’s AwesomeCon, Sean Astin delved into whether he’d reprise his Samwise role.

“The idea of doing Sam again…When we did it the first time, I had no idea what the relationship of the literature was to that character. To me, it was all about what we were doing and trying to understand the ideas; just connecting on an emotional level,” Astin said.

The original Lord of the Rings movies, directed by Peter Jackson, began their theatrical runs...

Orlando Bloom wants to return to ‘The Lord of the Rings’.The 48-year-old actor portrayed the elf Legolas from 2001’s ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ until ‘The Return of the King’ in 2003 - and then again in ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy - and has now teased he would want to reprise the role if series director Peter Jackson ever asked him to.Speaking on a panel at AwesomeCon, Bloom said: "I always think that if Pete says, ‘Jump’, I say, ‘How high?’"It's funny because I think the elves go through so much of this world so many times because they're ageless. I was in ‘The Hobbit’, and it was really interesting revisiting the world. It was so different from ‘Rings’ as an experience. "It was a beautiful time, but this idea of kind of going back is like ... ‘Absolutely, who wouldn't want to go back to that place?’"Even so,...

The Lord of the Ringswill forever be considered one of the greatest book-to-film adaptations of all time. Peter Jackson perfectly translates J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world into live-action, capturing the very heart at the core of his story. While the films are packed with epic adventures, excitement, and iconic battles, viewers come back to them over and over again for the rich emotional story, which follows key characters as they grow and develop over time.

From humble gardeners who prove themselves to be among the greatest heroes of Middle-earth to wanderers with a destiny to rule the world of Men, The Lord of the Rings contains some of the most iconic character arcs of all time. While certain characters fade too quickly out of memory and time, others stand out as examples of perfectly written storylines. These Lord of the Rings character arcs are perfect from beginning to end.

Gimli...

Quick LinksGildor's Wandering Company Protected the Hobbits From the NazgûlFrodo Turned to Gildor For Advice in The Lord of the RingsGildor Had Connections to Many The Lord of the Rings Characters

In the theatrical cut of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring film, the first Elven character whom the hobbits met was Arwen. After encountering Aragorn in the Trollshaws, Arwen brought Frodo to the safety of Rivendell and flooded the river Bruinen to prevent the Nazgûl from giving chase. In the extended edition, however, Frodo and Sam saw some Elves much earlier in their quest. As they traveled through the Shire, they heard some beautiful singing in the distance, and Frodo immediately recognized that the voices belonged to Wood-elves. The pair of hobbits followed the sound to its source and discovered a procession of Elves marching through the wilderness, singing in the Elvish language of Sindarin.

What in the po-ta-toes? Could it be true that someone other than Sean Astin could have played the part of Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy? According to '80s heartthrob Corey Feldman, the answer is a resounding "yes!" Astin took on the role of Frodo's faithful friend in 2001's The Fellowship of the Rings, and it's a part he'd play for the next three years until the saga's conclusion in The Return of the King. However, if you believe what Feldman has to say, things could have looked a lot different.

Appearing on Billy Corgan's The Magnificent Others podcast to discuss his career, the subject of some of the roles Feldman missed out on over the years came up. It was then that The Goonies star revealed that he auditioned for Samwise Gamgee, heard he was "close" to getting it, but then was upstaged...

George R.R. Martin is very much aware of his fans running short on patience waiting for his long-overdue novel The Winds of Winter. Yes, 14 years is more than enough to finish a book, but the author still hasn’t delivered his promise.

He’s not the only famous fantasy author who took a lot of time before publishing a highly anticipated installment. J.R.R. Tolkien notably spent almost two decades before he finished The Lord of the Rings, the sequel to The Hobbit.

George R.R. Martin via TIFF Originals / Credits: YouTube George R.R. Martin is only 14 years late, J.R.R. Tolkien took 17 years to write The Lord of the Rings

After George R.R. Martin released A Dance with Dragons in 2011, he immediately started writing the manuscript for The Winds of Winter and even announced his plan to publish it before the final season of Game of Thrones.

Quick LinksTolkien and Faramir Had Some of the Same PassionsTolkien Used Faramir to Communicate His Beliefs About WarFaramir's Role in The Lord of the Rings Came as a Surprise to Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien was adamant that The Lord of the Rings was not an allegory, but this did not preclude him from drawing upon his life experiences when writing his fantasy epics; he made a distinction between taking inspiration from the real world and directly copying it. Many of the characters in The Lord of the Rings and the rest of Tolkien's legendarium were inspired by people whom he personally knew. For example, Arwen and her ancestor, Lúthien, were modeled after Tolkien's wife, Edith. Like her, they had fair skin, gray eyes, and dark hair, and Tolkien wrote that Lúthien was the most beautiful of all Elves. Another example was Treebeard, whose booming voice was inspired by that...

Quick LinksMerry and Pippin Were Not Granted Access to the Undying LandsMerry and Pippin Grew Attached to Middle-earth

At the end of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Frodo, and Bilbo Baggins join Gandalf and the Elves on their voyage to the Undying Lands, a beautiful utopia where they can live out the rest of their days in peace. It was a well-deserved respite after all that they had gone through. J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings novel revealed that Samwise Gamgee eventually went to the Undying Lands as well; once his children grew up and his wife, Rosie Cotton, passed away, he joined Frodo and Bilbo on the other side of the Great Sea.

Yet the reunion was not complete, for The Lord of the Rings’ other main hobbits, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took never made the journey.

On Sunday March 23 2025, Discovery broadcasts Naked and Afraid!

Return of the King Season 18 Episode 2 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Naked and Afraid,” titled “Return of the King,” promises an exciting adventure for fans of the show. This episode features the legendary survivalist Steven Lee Hall Jr., known for his impressive skills in the wilderness. He will join two first-time survivalists as they face the challenges of surviving for 21 days in the tough backwoods of Kentucky.

The setting in Kentucky is known for its beauty, but it also presents many dangers. The presence of deadly copperhead snakes and the threat of violent storms will test the limits of all three survivalists. Even someone with the experience of Steven Lee Hall Jr. may find the conditions challenging. The episode is sure to showcase the struggle for survival and the mental and physical endurance required in such a harsh environment.

Viewers can...

Quick LinksÉowyn's Conversation With Aragorn Was Going to Occur Later in the FilmÉowyn's Conversation With Aragorn Deviated From the Novel

When creating The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Peter Jackson, and his team had the difficult task of introducing the Rohirrim and getting the audience invested in their stories while simultaneously continuing the plot from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. It was crucial that the newly introduced characters had scenes to establish their motivations and personalities. Jackson clearly did an excellent job, as King Théoden, Éomer, and Éowyn quickly became fan favorites. One of how the film got viewers to care about the Rohirrim was by setting up character arcs that would not be paid off until the trilogy's final installment, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. For example, The Two Towers showcased Théoden's reluctance to work together with Gondor,...

When you think of The Lord of the Rings movies, you probably remember the big players, Frodo, Aragorn, Legolas dramatically flipping onto a horse, and, of course, Gollum arguing with himself. However, with a story as massive as Middle-earth, not everyone got the spotlight. Some characters showed up, did something kind of important, and then vanished into the background like they were never there.

Peter Jackson’s trilogy had over 11 hours of runtime, but even with all that time, some characters got the short end of the stick. Maybe they were meant to be more important but got their roles trimmed down, or maybe they were just there to move the plot along before being completely forgotten. You might remember a cool fight scene, a cryptic line, or a side character looking vaguely familiar, but can you name them? Probably not.

Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring...

Blockbusters rarely get as good as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Not only did it accomplish the seemingly impossible in faithfully bringing J.R.R. Tolkien’s saga to life, but it also legitimized the fantasy genre almost single-handedly and won critical acclaim, high box office returns, and countless industry awards. Yet even by those lofty standards, The Return of the King was an astonishing conclusion, giving viewers everything they could want in a massive tentpole: strong characters, epic spectacle, and emotion in spades. There’s a reason it still holds the record for the biggest sweep in Oscar history, winning every one of its 11 nominations.

Jackson’s films somehow got even richer upon release of the extended editions. Despite building upon the already-demanding runtimes (each extended edition clocks in at roughly three and a half to four and a half hours), they fly by in an instant and...

On Sunday March 16 2025, Discovery broadcasts Naked and Afraid!

Return of the King Season 18 Episode 2 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Naked and Afraid,” titled “Return of the King,” promises to deliver intense survival challenges. This episode features Steven Lee Hall Jr., a well-known figure in the survivalist community. Hall is not only a seasoned veteran but also a legend in the series, and his experience will be put to the test alongside two first-time survivalists.

Set in the rugged backwoods of Kentucky, the environment is expected to be both beautiful and dangerous. The area is known for its wildlife, including deadly copperhead snakes. The presence of these snakes adds an extra layer of risk for the participants as they navigate through the wilderness. Along with the wildlife, the unpredictable weather, including violent storms, is likely to create additional challenges for the survivalists.

Hall’s reputation as the “King of the...

Quick LinksÉowyn Felt Hopeless in The Lord of the RingsÉowyn's Dream Was a Vision of Númenor's DestructionJ. R. R. Tolkien Was Obsessed With the Great Wave

Among fans of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the extended editions are typically seen as the definitive way to experience the films. None of the scenes that were removed from the theatrical cuts of the trilogy were necessary to advance the plot, but many of them still made meaningful contributions to the narrative. Often, these scenes were quieter moments that further developed the characters' personalities and their dynamics with one another. In the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, there were several additional scenes devoted to exploring the relationship between Aragorn and Éowyn. Though viewers familiar with the source material knew that Aragorn and...

Quick LinksThe Lord of the Rings' Most Important Characters Lost FingersThe Loss of Fingers Had Symbolic Meaning in Middle-earthCelebrimbor Was Not the First Elf to Escape Unbreakable Chains

Much of the second season of Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power revolved around Sauron's manipulation of the Elven smith, Celebrimbor. Under the fair guise of Annatar, he convinced Celebrimbor to create more Rings of Power. Even as war descended upon Eregion, Sauron used illusions to alter Celebrimbor's perception of time and keep him unaware of the impending danger. Celebrimbor began to slip into madness as his work consumed his entire life. Celebrimbor eventually learned the truth about Sauron, but that mattered little to the Dark Lord; he simply resorted to threats of violence. He promised to spare Eregion only if Celebrimbor forged the Nine Rings for the race of Men, and he chained Celebrimbor to...

Quick LinksSean Astin Used Ralph Bakshi's Film to Learn About The Lord of the RingsSean Astin Hated Ralph Bakshi's Version of Samwise GamgeePeter Jackson's Films Treated Samwise Gamgee With Respect

Peter Jackson's live-action film adaptations of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings became pop-cultural icons upon their release in the early 2000s, and even two decades later, they are heralded by many as the greatest fantasy films of all time. Each of the trilogy's installments was a massive success both critically and commercially, cementing Jackson's Middle-earth as the definitive version for countless fans, but this was far from the first attempt at bringing Tolkien's seminal work to the big screen. Before the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001, the most prominent The Lord of the Rings adaptation was Ralph Bakshi's animated film from 1978. In terms of quality,...

Quick LinksPippin Lit the Beacons of Gondor Against Denethor's WishesThe Beacons of Gondor Did Not Summon the Rohirrim in the NovelPeter Jackson's Film Combined the Beacons of Gondor With the Red Arrow

One of the most visually exciting moments in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King film was the lighting of the beacons of Gondor. These beacons were massive bonfires stationed along the peaks of the White Mountains, which separated the kingdoms of Gondor and Rohan. The first was located just outside the Gondorian capital of Minas Tirith, and the last was located just outside the Rohirrim capital of Edoras. Guards stationed at the beacons of Gondor would look out for the adjacent beacons to be lit and light their own in response, creating a signal that stretched for hundreds of miles. Gondor and Rohan used the beacons in case of emergency...

Quick LinksThe Elves Were Gandalf's Most Trusted Confidants in The Lord of the RingsGandalf's Identity Did Not Remain a Secret Forever

At first glance, Gandalf from J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings seemed to be an ordinary old man, but those who spent enough time around him learned that he was a being of great wisdom and power. Tolkien’s later writings, such as The Silmarillion, revealed that Gandalf was a divine spirit known as a Maia, making him older than the universe itself. Specifically, he and the other Wizards -- Saruman, Radagast, and the two mysterious Blue Wizards -- formed the Istari, a group of Maiar who had taken on the forms of mortal Men to guide the Free Peoples of Middle-earth in their fight against the Dark Lord Sauron.

Terms like “Maia” never appeared in The Lord of the Rings,...

There are a lot of crossovers and connections within Middle-earth media. Even with completely separate projects, like Prime Video's "The Rings of Power" series and Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies, you can see the throughlines. Some are obvious, like the similarities in Balrog design between Jackson's movies and Prime Video's show. Others are more subtle, like the ways "The Rings of Power" tries to recapture the magic of Jackson's Middle-earth movies. And then there is the human link.

Overall, there isn't too much personnel crossover between the Warner Bros. and Prime Video Middle-earth universes. However, there is one actor who has managed to pop up in both of them: Jed Brophy. Even more impressive? He managed to land full-blown character roles in all six of Jackson Middle-earth films and has since shown up on "The Rings of Power." He's even developed a...

George R.R. Martin is a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, but he never shied away from criticizing The Lord of the Rings and sharing what he thinks is wrong with its templates. A Song of Ice and Fire has always been placed side by side with the famed fantasy series, and while they are both set in the medieval world, their depictions are quite different.

George R.R. Martin via TIFF Originals / Credits: YouTube

Even the creators of Game of Thrones share the same sentiments that Martin holds. They believe that the violence in The Lord of the Rings is not as gruesome as what we’ve seen in the HBO show.

Game of Thrones showrunner didn’t want to portray Westeros the Tolkien way

Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss took the massive responsibility of bringing to life George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Where Was Gondor When Westfold Fell In The Lord Of The Rings (Photo Credit – Facebook)

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy is filled with unforgettable characters and grand moments. However, only a few storylines resonated with fans as much as King Théoden’s redemption and the fate of Rohan. His journey from a manipulated, broken ruler to a fearless warrior king was a highlight of The Two Towers and The Return of the King. One of the most iconic moments of his arc came when Aragorn urged him to seek aid from Gondor, only for Théoden to bitterly respond, “Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?”

Despite his personal animosity, Théoden answered Gondor’s call at Pelennor Fields, proving himself a noble and honorable king. But why was he so resentful? The tension stemmed from Rohan’s own tragedy of Saruman’s brutal assault on the Westfold.

As we prepare for the 97th Academy Awards this weekend, here’s a reminder of the Oscars Cheer Moment, and the weirdest year in the body’s history.

On Valentine’s Day 2022, the American Academy of Motion Pictures unveiled a pair of awards so prestigious they could only be accurately communicated via hashtag.

#OscarsFanFavorite and #OscarsCheerMoment were the latest in a string of attempts from the world’s most famous awards body to stay popular and relevant. The last was in 2018 when, in an attempt to reverse the ratings freefall the ceremony had found itself in over the last decade, Film Academy president John Bailey proposed an official Popular Film category – the first new competition since Best Animated Film in 2001.

Months later, the award was slipped quietly into the organisation’s back pocket, after Academy members and the public at large united to declare the idea a silly one. Making a popular film,...

Frodo went through so much to save Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings and although the outcome was successful, he experienced some horrendous events to get there. Leaving behind his tranquil life in the Shire was a big step for the Hobbit. He didn't really know what was ahead of him, which was probably for the best.

So much danger was lurking around each corner, particularly as Sauron's minions were on the hunt to find the ring bearer. Frodo had to contend with all kinds of evil, and find the stamina to get to Mordor. A lot of his journey was perilous, and he had to overcome unimaginable obstacles to get to Mordor.

Gandalf Sent Frodo to Bree With the Aim of Meeting Him There Image by New Line Cinema

The actual act of Gandalf telling Frodo to head for Bree wasn't the worst thing, but everything that...

When it comes to adaptations, Tolkien fans are used to waiting. There was a nine-year gap between the "The Return of the King" and "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." Ten years passed between "The Hobbit" trilogy and last year's "The War of the Rohirrim" anime prequel. Even serialized Middle-earth moves slowly, with "The Rings of Power" taking nearly two years between each season of its Second Age show. I guess it's worth pointing out that none of this is quite as slow as Professor Tolkien himself, who took decades to produce new writing during his life and often didn't even publish things he wrote. Still, it's a fact that things in this fandom move slowly.

The sluggish nature of Tolkien adaptations means it was hardly a surprise when it was revealed that Warner Bros.' upcoming live-action Middle-earth prequel "The Hunt for Gollum" is going to take longer than expected to slink into theaters.

The live-action Lord of the Rings cinematic universe is still expanding as Warner Bros. has several upcoming movies in the pipeline, including Andy Serkis' The Hunt for Gollum. But, it seems we'll all have to wait a little bit longer for the next movie to arrive in theaters, asThe Hunt for Gollum has just been hit with a major delay. The film, which is being directed by Serkis, who will also reprize the role of Gollum, was originally slated for a Dec. 2026 release window. However, the actor/director recently gave fans some very bad news about the movie's release.

During an appearance at Fan Expo Vancouver, Andy Serkis was asked about The Hunt for Gollum's production, and gave the audience some disappointing news. "Yeah, it is not 2026," Serkis began. So how long will the release delay be? A month? Six months? Nope. Unfortunately, we'll all be waiting a full 12 months...

The Lord of the Rings is inundated with a variety of creatures and races. Whilst some of these aren't particularly unusual, there are a number of them that have weird traits. Some have evolved much further than others, gaining the ability to speak and move like men.

Although it doesn't delve into the backstory of every character that's involved, the trilogy takes audiences on an adventure with exciting and often terrifying fictional creations. Some of these are part of Sauron's evil mission, whilst others are in support of defending Middle-earth. The mix of beings may make Tolkien's world surreal, but they also add to the depth and history of his design.

Shelob Was Evil But on No One's Side Image via New Line Cinema

Perhaps because she is in the form of something that viewers will come across in real life, Shelob is the kind of creature that nightmares are made of.

Gollum is an integral part of The Lord of the Rings. Played by Andy Serkis, his actions and motives influenced the direction of the films, specifically with Frodo's journey to destroy the One Ring. He was a visual representation of how strong the dark forces were, and what their corruption could do to someone.

Gollum, who was originally Smeagol, lived as a Stoor Hobbit but was disowned after his awful actions towards his cousin, Deagol. Gollum was complicated, falling between good and evil. Due to his interesting, albeit disturbing personality, there are a number of scenes that the character made iconic.

Updated on February 26, 2025 by Robert Vaux: Gollum is one of Tolkien's most complex characters, and practically every scene he's in informs his unique place in The Lord of the Rings. The article has been updated with five new entries, and the formatting has been adjusted to meet Cbr's current guidelines.

Quick LinksThe Great Beasts Carried the Orcs' Most Devastating WeaponThe Great Beasts Had Many Designs and Many Origins

The Battle of the Pelennor Fields from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King showcased some of the fantasy animals employed by Sauron's army. Most notable were the oliphaunts, or mûmakil as they were known in their native land of Harad. They were similar to elephants, but they were far larger and sported two additional pairs of tusks. Haradrim warriors rode atop the oliphaunts, using them both to trample their enemies and to provide high ground for archers.

Just as significant as the physical threat they posed was the fear and confusion that they instilled in the Gondorians and Rohirrim, who had never seen such massive creatures before. The oliphaunts were more extreme versions of the war elephants used in real-world historical combat. Though oliphaunts received the most attention,...

Quick LinksJackson Originally Wanted Frodo to Kill GollumThey Re-shot the Sequence, But Didn't Think Tolkien's Version Suited the MovieIf Frodo Had Killed Gollum, It Would've Changed Viewers' Perspective on Him

Argued as one of the best trilogies of all time, The Lord of the Ringshas remained a superior piece of cinema since it aired. Fans know the story inside-out, but there was a point in which Frodo was heading for a much darker ending than the one that eventually came together. The process of getting the films made and made well was lengthy. Various actors' names were floated to take on certain roles before the decision was made to go with someone else. Russell Crowe, for example, was a sought-after actor to play Aragorn, but he turned it down because he didn't think Peter Jackson really wanted him. Then, there are the instances in which actors were given roles that they hadn't originally auditioned for.

Quick LinksGandalf Missed a Chance to Meet Aragorn During The HobbitGandalf Provided Aragorn With Wisdom and Guidance

Many members of The Lord of the Rings' Fellowship met for the first time during the Council of Elrond, but some had established relationships long before their quest to destroy the One Ring began. That included the Fellowship's leaders, Gandalf the Gray and Aragorn. Gandalf placed a great amount of trust in Aragorn, even telling him about Frodo's secret mission to destroy the One Ring; this is why Aragorn recognized the hobbits in Bree and escorted them to the Elven realm of Rivendell. But how did the Wizard and the Ranger come to know each other? J. R. R. Tolkien answered this in the novel version of The Lord of the Rings. One might expect that they met during Aragorn's youth in Rivendell, but that was not the case.

After the death...

The Lord of the Ringshas a cast of Elves, Orcs, and exceptional fighters. Yet, it is the small, reserved Hobbits who carry the weight of the war on Middle-earth. Samwise Gamgee was integral to the story and to Frodo's success at destroying the One Ring.

Sam enjoyed his life in the Shire. He liked his days of contentment but valued friends and family. As such, he was the perfect companion, protector, and advisor to Frodo. Sam always put his friend first and understood the importance of their mission. His acts of bravery proved that he would constantly risk his life to save Frodo, and his words exemplified how much he longed to consistently do the right thing in every situation.

This article was updated by Christopher Raley on February 14, 2025: Samwise Gamgee is on many fans' lists of favorite characters in The Lord of the Rings from both the books and the films.