What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Lord of the Rings
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1954
If you loved The Lord of the Rings, start with The Lord of the Rings (Ralph Bakshi, 1978) — a film from the same story. Below: 2 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Lord of the Rings across media.
What hooked you in The Lord of the Rings was the way grand, world-altering stakes are forged through deeply personal journeys.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Lord of the Rings
Ralph Bakshi · Film · 1978
Adaptation
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Patrick McKay · Series · 2022
Adaptation
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Kenji Kamiyama · Film · 2024
Films on the same thread
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Peter Jackson · Film · 2013
Shares 2 threads with The Lord of the Rings: Good vs Evil, High Fantasy.
If the corruption of power in The Lord of the Rings captivated you, you will appreciate how this journey intensifies the struggle against greed and fear in Middle-earth.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Peter Jackson · Film · 2012
Shares 3 threads with The Lord of the Rings: Good vs Evil, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy.
This story mirrors the classic hero's journey found in The Lord of the Rings, focusing on an unlikely protagonist who finds courage while reclaiming a lost ancestral home.
Series on the same thread
Game of Thrones
David Benioff · Series · 2011
Shares a thread with The Lord of the Rings: High Fantasy.
Like The Lord of the Rings, this series explores how ancient evil and political instability threaten the fate of a vast, meticulously crafted world of noble houses.
Star Trek
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1966
Explores: Exploration, Diplomacy, First Contact.
The camaraderie and moral duty seen in The Lord of the Rings are echoed here as a dedicated crew navigates the vast, unknown reaches of the galaxy.
The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling · Series · 1959
Explores: Existentialism, Paranoia, Social Commentary.
The moral dilemmas that defined the characters of The Lord of the Rings are reinvented here through speculative narratives that challenge your perception of right and wrong.
House of the Dragon
George R. R. Martin · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with The Lord of the Rings: High Fantasy.
Much like the dynastic conflicts in The Lord of the Rings, this series examines how the weight of power and succession lead to the inevitable collapse of empires.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Existentialism, Individual Responsibility, Cultural Critique.
If you valued the philosophical underpinnings of The Lord of the Rings, you will appreciate this deep dive into the individual responsibility and cultural values shaping our lives.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
The unfiltered exploration of human nature found in this podcast mirrors the curiosity about character and purpose that makes the world of The Lord of the Rings enduring.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the adaptations of The Lord of the Rings?
You can explore the adaptations of The Lord of the Rings in any sequence. The 1978 movie, the 2022 series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and the 2024 movie The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim are independent projects based on the source material.
Is The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power based on the 1954 book?
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a television adaptation inspired by the world created in J.R.R. Tolkien's 1954 book. While it draws from the same domain and lore, it functions as a distinct series within the broader scope of the work.
Was The Lord of the Rings written as a single volume?
J.R.R. Tolkien published The Lord of the Rings as a series over a period of three years, from 1954 through 1956. This work is credited with inventing the modern heroic quest novel and established a foundation for the epic adventure storytelling found in later adaptations.
How many movie adaptations of The Lord of the Rings are mentioned?
The provided information identifies two movie adaptations of The Lord of the Rings. These include the 1978 film and the 2024 release titled The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, both of which follow the original 1954 book series.