Movie · 2003
Is The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King based on a book?
Quick answer
Yes. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is based on the book The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien (1955).
The Return of the King is book 3 of The Lord of the Rings series.
The movie was released in 2003.
The book behind The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Return of the King
by J. R. R. Tolkien · first published 1955 · fantasy, high fantasy
1955 novel by J. R. R. Tolkien.
The Lord of the Rings: books in order
- The First Journey
- The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
- The Journey of the Nine Companions
- The Two Towers (1954)
- The Treason of Isengard
- The Return of the King (1955)
- The Ring Goes East
- The War of the Ring
- The End of the Third Age
Other adaptations of The Return of the King
- The Return of the King (film, 1980)
Common questions
Is The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King based on a book?
Yes. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is based on the book The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien (1955).
Who wrote the book The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is based on?
The Return of the King was written by J. R. R. Tolkien and first published in 1955.
Is The Return of the King part of a series?
Yes, it is book 3 in The Lord of the Rings series (4 books listed below in reading order).
Should I read the book before watching?
Start with The First Journey, book 1 of The Return of the King. If you like knowing the full story and characters first, read it before you watch. Adaptations often change or cut plotlines, so the book is a different experience even if you've seen the movie.
More screen adaptations of J. R. R. Tolkien's books
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (film, 2001)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (film, 2002)
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (film, 2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (film, 2013)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (film, 2014)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (TV, 2022)