Because there are many adaptations, it can be hard to know where to start — and some adaptations can be overshadowed by the Peter Jackson films. As to which adaptation is best, that’s a complex discussion. I can, however, offer some pros and cons to each to keep in mind as you decide which adaptation to try or revisit. Read on for a list of the best-known LOTR adaptations, along with a list of pros and cons for each entry. Audiobooks, radio dramas, TV and film adaptations, musicals, and video games are all included. I’ve also added a recommendation list of LOTR discussion and analysis podcasts. While not all are Lord of the Rings adaptations in the strict sense, I would be remiss not to include them because they offer valuable thoughts and contributions for newcomers and longtime fans alike.
TV and Film Lord of the Rings Adaptations
Lord of the Rings Games
Lord of the Rings Podcasts
For more podcast recommendations, check out this list of the best LOTR podcasts. Pros: It’s a classic, and it’s one of the bestselling audiobooks of all time. Cons: His narration style can be a touch monotonous at times. Pros: Do I even have to tell you he nails the character voices? Of course he does. Cons: For those who grew up with the Rob Ingles audiobooks, Andy Serkis’s more dramatized narration style may feel like too much. Pros: It’s an immersive listen, and Ian Holm makes a damn good Frodo. Cons: Thirteen hours’ worth of audio and still no time for Tom Bombadil? Cowards. Pros: They did it! Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow! Cons: The production value was lower than the BBC radio drama, which is on the whole more popular. Pros: The animation style is intriguing, and it’s an overall faithful adaptation of Fellowship. Also, that official poster is badass and one of my favorite pieces of LOTR art. Cons: A sequel was never made, leaving the story open-ended for young viewers who hadn’t yet read the books. Pros: It would be difficult for anyone to condense LOTR into a 90-minute film, and it’s clear those involved put some thought into it. Cons: While a solid attempt at a film adaptation, there’s a lot left out. Pros: It’s certainly something. Cons: Where do you start? Pros: Considered by many fans to be the adaptation. The extended editions, even more so. Cons: Not a perfect adaptation — there are inevitably some scenes that differ from the books — but whether this is a weakness or just a consequence of adapting a written work to a visual medium depends on who you’re talking to. Pros: Setting a series during the Second Age is daring, and it does a thoughtful job of condensing millenia into a TV-friendly story. Cons: Because the production does not have rights to The Silmarillion, where much of the Second Age lore is, they are limited in what they can include. Pros: The soundtrack has some moving songs, particularly “Now and For Always.” Cons: Like the Rankin/Bass movie, this musical suffers in part because several hours is just not enough time to portray the full trilogy. Pros: Perfect if you want an immersive Middle Earth experience, exploring the scenes and landscape as they appeared in LOTR. Cons: It’s so large and long-running that approaching it as a new player can be intimidating. Pros: Its game mechanics are well-thought out, no easy thing for a board game that covers such an intricate setting and storyline. Cons: It’s a little pricier than your average video game at approximately $80. Pros: It’s fun. You collect coins and build things. What’s not to like? Cons: Not compatible with most platforms released past 2013, with the exception of PC and Xbox by way of backwards compatibility. C’mon, Lego. You’d be my hero if you put it back on mobile. Pros: Not just any game wins the Game of the Year award. From what I’ve heard (okay, yes, from my husband), it has a strong storyline and gameplay. Cons: They do take some liberties with the canon. Personally, not enthused that they gave Shelob the power to shapeshift into a person. No, thank you. Pros: Gollum is a fascinating character, and the game is said to let players decide which side of his two personalities wins out. Cons: It’s not out yet, so hard to say. Now’s the perfect time to start listening and following along as they read through Fellowship of the Ring. Still can’t get enough LOTR? You might also be interested in A Guide to Lord of the Rings Special Edition Sets and When Does Lord of the Rings Get Interesting?
