Extended universe · List checked on October 5, 2026
Middle-earth: what order to watch the movies and shows in?
Middle-earth has 8 titles to check off: 6 movies and 1 show (2 seasons), plus 1 optional. For a first watch, follow release order: start with The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and finish with The Rings of Power, season 2 (2024). In the story's chronological order, it all begins with The Rings of Power, season 1 (2022). The movies alone add up to 17 hrs 14 of viewing.
The guide: how long it takes, where to start →Create your free account: every movie and every season can be checked off, and your progress is kept.
See the full chronological order
- The Rings of Power, season 1 (2022)
- The Rings of Power, season 2 (2024)
- The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024) · Optional
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
- The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- The Two Towers (2002)
- The Return of the King (2003)
How this list is made
Every title is linked to its TMDB entry, checked by hand, ID by ID. Shows are checked off season by season, in their place in both orders.
Optional titles (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim) stay out of the progress count: checked, they count; they are never required to finish the saga.
Spotted a mistake or a missing title? Suggest a change from this page.
Frequently asked questions
What order should you watch Middle-earth in?
For a first watch, follow release order: start with The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and finish with The Rings of Power, season 2 (2024). In the story's chronological order, it all begins with The Rings of Power, season 1 (2022).
How long does it take to watch everything?
17 hrs 14 for the 6 movies, plus 2 seasons of TV.
Do you need to watch the shows?
The list has one: The Rings of Power. It slots in between the movies in both orders; the Movies filter hides it if you only want the films.
What are the optional titles?
One side title, including The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim: checked, they count; they are never required to finish Middle-earth.