Coming as the second part of our “Like the Lord of the Rings Trilogy” series, this article covers movies and series that you can lose yourself to if you find a severe lack of LotR vibes in your life.
As always, none truly match it one-for-one, not even The Hobbit trilogy that serves as the prequel and the tale of Bilbo’s journey, but there are still some similarities to be found – which will be outlined down below.
The Hobbit Trilogy
Of course, it goes without saying that the closest one to the LotR trilogy would be its official prequel (which can also be enjoyed as a standalone) – The Hobbit Trilogy (An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug and Battle of the Five Armies).
The same world, some familiar characters including initially unwilling Bilbo and Gandalf, the exploration and explanation as to how Bilbo got the Ring and the priceless treasures he later bestowed upon Frodo: the Elven short-sword Sting and the Mithril Coat chainmail that saved the young hobbit’s life.
However, the trilogies also differ drastically in tone, pacing, scale, and stakes. The Hobbit is more of a lighthearted quest instead of a sprawling epic that decides the fate of the world. That is not to say that The Hobbit trilogy does not have its emotional moments, it absolutely does, but they are markedly different from the good vs. evil epic of the LotR.
Star Wars
If you are looking for a sprawling foundational epic, you can do no wrong with Star Wars. While the aesthetics and setting is decidedly different, from heroic fantasy in LotR to sci-fi in Star Wars, the archetypes and plots share certain similarities.
The plot of the original trilogies follows a humble protagonist from a small secluded area that sets out on a world-altering quest to defeat great evil, advised by his own wise mentor. Of course, the world-building scope and the themes are quite different, especially if you go beyond the original trilogy, and much more time is spent pondering the nature of redemption.
But if you were looking for an engaging story with lovable, unique characters and epic battles, you’ll find it here – and so much more. It is a classic for a reason, and this franchise has kept fans engaged and driven for decades.
Check out the official site to get started with the Galaxy Far Far Away.
Dune
Also featured in our LotR-like books list, Dune is a cycle of novels by Frank Herbert that received an epic movie trilogy. Readers and viewers are in for a complex worldbuilding, a story with deep politics and ambiguous morality that shines a light on the flaws of human nature.
Dune follows the story of Paul Atreides, a gifted youth, as he arrives on Arrakis after his father accepts the stewardship of the dangerous planet. However, chaos ensues after a betrayal as forces clash to control melange, a precious resource.
Of course, things only go further off course from there. Remember: spice must flow!
WarCraft
The franchise that could have potentially rivaled the Lord of the Rings if only it figured the story it wanted to tell. WarCraft is a high-fantasy epic, featuring magic, humans, dwarves, orcs, elves, gryphons, dragons, and so much more.
There are books, comics, manga and several games, all further building on the lore and stories of Azeroth – and beyond. The movie attempted to please both the old fans and the newcomers, but largely missed the mark with both. The story is too convoluted to follow unless you are aware of what’s going on, and strays too far from the in-game canon to please those into it.
However, it is still a visually-appealing story of the struggle against corruption and world threat that is worth giving a look.
Rings of Power
The Rings of Power series serves as a prequel taking place thousands of years before The Hobbit & the Lord of the Rings trilogies. It follows an ensemble cast of characters, some of whom will be familiar to the trilogy enjoyers, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.
Naturally, there are humans, elves, dwarves – but alas, no hobbits just yet. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
The user reviews for the series are highly divisive. While many praise its stunning visuals and OST, the opinions on storytelling, dialogues, lore and pacing clash quite frequently.
The Wheel of Time
Another adaptation from our book list, The Wheel of Time series from Amazon follows five young villagers whose lives change forever when a strange and powerful woman arrives in their secluded home, claiming one of them is the child of an ancient prophecy with the power to tip the balance between Light and Dark forever.
They must choose whether to trust this stranger – and each other – with the fate of the world before the Dark One breaks out of His prison, and the Last Battle begins.
The original book series is a saga that spans 14 books penned by Robert Jordan, with Brandon Sanderson being the co-author for the final three. Alas, the Amazon’s adaptation was cancelled after only three seasons – and just when things have finally gotten to a point of greatness.
Still, it has great OST, amazing visuals, unique cast – and it is well worth the hours invested. Perhaps the series might be enough to get you interested in the books, so you can see the differences in adaptation and find out how this story ends.
Game of Thrones / House of the Dragon
Based on the ongoing book series by George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones is a dark fantasy series that focuses on the fight for the Iron Throne of Westeros. As conflict erupts in the kingdoms of men, an ancient enemy rises once again to threaten them all. Meanwhile, the last heirs of a recently usurped dynasty plot to take back their homeland from across the Narrow Sea
The series took over the world by storm when it arrived in 2011 and continued running for 8 seasons. Magic, dragons, monsters, epic battles – all of that and more awaits you in Game of Thrones.
However, its tone couldn’t be more different from the Lord of the Rings. The series raises many serious topics, be it civil war, the role of the army, church and family in social relationships, politics, and more.
There are no unambiguously positive characters, as even the most likable heroes have to commit questionable acts in order to survive… or die spectacularly on screen.
House of the Dragon takes place 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, one of GoT’s protagonists, while her noble house was still at the height of its power. Their slow fall begins when King Viserys breaks a century of tradition by naming his daughter Rhaenyra heir to the Iron Throne. But when Viserys later fathers a son, the court is shocked when Rhaenyra retains her status as his heir, and seeds of division sow friction across the realm.
Fans and critics alike praise character development, music, actors and cinematography while also criticizing the pacing and chronology jumps.
