Author
J. R. R. Tolkien: books in order and screen adaptations
Quick answer
J. R. R. Tolkien has 6 books adapted into 14 TV shows and movies.
About J. R. R. Tolkien's books on screen
J. R. R. Tolkien has 6 works on record that have been adapted for the screen, published from 1937 to 1955 (including book series). Together they have become 1 TV series and 13 movies. The first adaptation was The Hobbit (1977), and the most recent released one is The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024). The most adapted is The Lord of the Rings, with 5 screen versions. Series: The Lord of the Rings.
J. R. R. Tolkien books with adaptations, in publication order
- The Hobbit (1937) · adapted as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013), The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014), The Hobbit (1977)
- The Lord of the Rings (1954) · adapted as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022), The Lord of the Rings (1978), The Hunt for Gollum (2009), Khraniteli (1991) and 1 more
- The Fellowship of the Ring (1954) · The Lord of the Rings #1 · adapted as The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- The Two Towers (1954) · The Lord of the Rings #2 · adapted as The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- Appendices of The Lord of the Rings (1954) · The Lord of the Rings · adapted as The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024)
- The Return of the King (1955) · The Lord of the Rings #3 · adapted as The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), The Return of the King (1980)
TV shows and movies based on J. R. R. Tolkien's books
- The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (movie, 2024)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (TV, 2022)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (movie, 2014)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (movie, 2013)
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (movie, 2012)
- The Hunt for Gollum (movie, 2009)
- Born of Hope (movie, 2009)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (movie, 2003)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (movie, 2002)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (movie, 2001)
- Khraniteli (movie, 1991)
- The Return of the King (movie, 1980)
- The Lord of the Rings (movie, 1978)
- The Hobbit (movie, 1977)
Common questions
How many J. R. R. Tolkien books have been made into movies or TV shows?
6 books have been adapted into 14 TV shows and movies.
What was the first J. R. R. Tolkien adaptation?
The Hobbit, released in 1977, a movie based on The Hobbit.
Is a new J. R. R. Tolkien adaptation coming?
No new adaptation date is on record yet; the latest released one is The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.
Which J. R. R. Tolkien book has the most adaptations?
The Lord of the Rings, with 5 TV and movie versions.
Where should I start reading J. R. R. Tolkien?
For the series, start with The First Journey, the first book in reading order.