Feel like You’ve Watched The Lord of the Rings Too Many Times?
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most beloved fantasy series of all time. No doubt, if you’re a fan of the books, you’re also a fan of films. And no doubt, if you’re a fan of the films, you’ve watched them more than once. I know from personal experience how difficult it is to find films as spectacular as The Lord of the Rings trilogy. So, to make your search for other fantasy movies easier, I have come up with a list of eleven fantasy movies that are similar to The Lord of the Rings. While you might not like every film on this list, there is probably one on here that will satisfy your fantasy cravings. Without further ado, here are 11 fantasy movies similar to The Lord of the Rings.
1. The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)
The Hobbit: Bilbo Baggins and the Thirteen Dwarves
If you’re looking for movies that share the most similarities with The Lord of the Rings trilogy, then The Hobbit trilogy is for you. Not only do the two series take place in the same universe, Middle-earth, they also contain many of the same characters. Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, Legolas, Saruman, and even Frodo himself make an appearance in the movies. The story of The Hobbit is also a prequel to the story of The Lord of the Rings, so if you want to get the complete picture of Middle-earth and all its inhabitants, then pick up and watch The Hobbit.
The story, much like that of The Lord of the Rings, begins with a reluctant hobbit, Bilbo, being nearly forced to leave his hobbit-hole and journey through Middle-earth. Bilbo faces all sorts of trials as he travels with a group of dwarves, but in the end, he is changed and the Shire no longer satisfies his wants like it used to. When Frodo returns from destroying the one ring, he too finds the Shire to be lacking.
In a nutshell: The Hobbit is a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, so if you need your Middle-earth fix but have already watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy fifty times, try The Hobbit trilogy.
2. Harry Potter (2002-2011)
Harry Potter: Ten Years of Film Adaptation
Looking to venture outside of Middle-earth? Well then look no further. Harry Potter is a fantasy series that is similar to The Lord of the Rings in many ways. First, the main character is a boy who has the fate of the world resting on his shoulders, since he is the only one who can defeat the villain, Voldemort. Frodo also had the fate of the world in his hands, since he was tasked with destroying the one ring, which in turn would destroy Sauron.
It is clear that J.K. Rowling drew some inspiration from The Lord of the Rings when writing Harry Potter. Voldemort is similar to Sauron because he was defeated and stripped of his power but gathered his strength to come back and take over the world. Gandalf is similar to Dumbledore because Gandalf is both a friend and mentor to Frodo, while also being one of the most powerful wizards in Middle-earth, and Dumbledore takes on the same role in Harry’s life—as mentor and powerful wizard. Horcruxes are also similar to the one ring, and Harry’s quest to destroy them all in order to defeat Voldemort is much like Frodo’s quest to destroy the one ring in order to defeat Sauron.
In a nutshell: Even though it takes place in modern times, the Harry Potter series shares many similarities with The Lord of the Rings. If you’re craving a long and epic fantasy story but want to venture outside of Middle-earth for a little while, try Harry Potter. From wizards to evil overlords, Harry Potter contains many of the same elements as The Lord of the Rings.
3. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)
Prince of Persia: One of the More Successful Video Game Adaptations
Although it might not seem like it at first glance, Prince of Persia shares some similarities to The Lord of the Rings films. First, they are both fantasy movies with lots of action. Both The Lord of the Rings and Prince of Persia also have big battles, and there is also the common theme of good vs. evil.
In a nutshell: If you want a fantasy film that is different from The Lord of the Rings, but still has action and good vs. evil, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time just might be the film for you.
4. Beowulf (2007)
Beowulf: Like the Book, Only. . .More Animated
Beowulf is yet another movie that is mildly similar to The Lord of the Rings. The biggest comparison that can be made between the two is that they are both fantasies. They both also have fantastical creatures like trolls and dragons (although dragons are only mentioned and not seen in The Lord of the Rings). Good vs. evil is also a theme seen in Beowulf, although the line between good and evil is definitely not as black and white as it is in The Lord of the Rings.
In a nutshell: If you’re looking for a classic fantasy story that has trolls, dragons, and demons, but is more mature and slightly darker than The Lord of the Rings, then Beowulf might suit your fancy.
5. Conan the Barbarian (2011)
Conan the Barbarian: Once Again, Jason Momoa Plays Shirtless Warrior
Yet another action fantasy film that shares a few similarities with The Lord of the Rings is Conan the Barbarian. The biggest similarity it shares with The Lord of the Rings is the concept of the journey. Throughout the movie, Conan is on a quest for revenge, and he travels to many places and, like Frodo and Sam, even gets captured. On his journey Conan faces many obstacles and must overcome them, much like Frodo and Sam have to do in The Lord of the Rings.
In a nutshell: If you’re looking for a fantasy adventure story and like the concept of revenge vs. the concept of the greater good, try watching Conan the Barbarian.
6. Warcraft (2016)
Warcraft: A Video Game Nerd's Dream Come True
Now with Warcraft, although the plot is much different than The Lord of the Rings, it has many of the same creatures as Middle-earth. If you need an orc, elf, or dwarf fix, while also venturing outside of Middle-earth, then Warcraft is your type of movie. There are big battles in this movie, much like the big battles in The Lord of the Rings movies. The story focuses on orcs and humans creating an alliance and fighting together, so if you’d like to see orcs with more than two dimensions, then Warcraft is a great place to start.
In a nutshell: Warcraft has all the fantastical creatures to make you feel like you are in a world similar to The Lord of the Rings. Unlike most fantasy movies, it also shows the perspective of the orcs, who are usually known as the “bad guys,” so if you like seeing what it’s like on the other side, watch this movie.
7. Season Of The Witch (2011)
Season of the Witch: Nicholas Cage and the Witch
Season of the Witch is similar to The Lord of the Rings because they both take place in fantasy worlds and have magic. It also has a journey, albeit a less epic one than in The Lord of the Rings. The journey that the main characters embark on in order to protect the witch, Anna, can be compared with the journey the fellowship makes in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, when all races come together to escort Frodo to Mount Doom. Also, like most fantasy stories, different trials present themselves along the way.
In a nutshell: Season of the Witch takes place in a different setting than The Lord of the Rings, but it still has some similar elements. If you like magic and journeys but want something shorter than The Lord of the Rings, give Season of the Witch a shot.
8. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
Snow White and the Huntsman: A Retelling of the Classic Tale
Looking for a much darker fantasy film than The Lord of the Rings? Snow White and the Huntsman might be the movie for you. Much like Faramir when he lets Frodo and Sam go without taking the ring from them, the huntsman decides not to kill Snow White like the evil queen wanted. There are also a few chase scenes where the queen’s men are pursuing Snow White and the Huntsman, like those in The Lord of the Rings, where Sauron’s forces are constantly pursuing the fellowship. Dwarves and trolls also make an appearance in the movie.
In a nutshell: The Lord of the Rings had a few suspenseful scenes, but if you are looking for an entire fantasy movie of suspense, then Snow White and the Huntsman might be a perfect movie for you. The dwarves, trolls, and magical elements that are similar to The Lord of the Rings makes this a good movie to watch if you feel like you’ve watched The Lord of the Rings too many times.
9. Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-2011)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Disney’s Only Successful Theme Park Ride Film Adaptation
Now, the Pirates of the Caribbean series might be an entirely different kind of series from The Lord of the Rings, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some parallels that can be made. Both are fantasy— although Pirates of the Caribbean is swashbuckler fantasy, while The Lord of the Rings is epic fantasy—and both film series also have a group of characters who are together in the beginning but split up and work toward their own goals.
In a nutshell: If you want a fantasy series but are burnt out on the seriousness of The Lord of the Rings, give Pirates of the Caribbean a try. It is a fantasy series about pirates, and there is plenty of comedy inserted into the films to ensure that you are never bored.
10. Van Helsing (2004)
Van Helsing: Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster in the Same Movie
While Lord of the Rings deals with the fantastical and Van Helsing dabbles in the supernatural, they are both considered fantasy, so in this aspect can they be compared with each other. If you’re a fan of books being adapted to films, then Van Helsing is the movie for you. Van Helsing draws inspiration from multiple novels, including Dracula and Frankenstein. From werewolves to vampires to Frankenstein’s monster, Van Helsing is an exciting adventure sure to satisfy your fantasy cravings.
In a nutshell: Van Helsing is a great fantasy movie to watch if you’re looking for something shorter and darker than The Lord of the Rings. Also, if you like the supernatural and are a fan of classic literature, then Van Helsing might be a good movie to check out.
11. Your Highness (2011)
Your Highness: A Parody of Fantasy
Now, out of all the films on this list, if you’ve ever heard of Your Highness, you might be wondering: how is this movie like The Lord of the Rings? Well, it is a parody of high fantasies like The Lord of the Rings. If you’re well-read in fantasy books and have watched many serious fantasy movies, you might like to take a break and embark on a journey that pokes fun at some of the well-known clichés in fantasy, like wizards, witches, quests, and damsels in distress.
In a nutshell: Tired of serious fantasy? Watched The Lord of the Rings too many times and want something you laugh at? Try Your Highness. It has all the classic fantasy elements, while also including lots of humor.
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