Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Galadriel in The Rings of Power season 2
Lord of the Rings TV Shows The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 release date speculation, cast, plot, and more news
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune 3
Movies Upcoming movies: The most exciting new movies coming in 2026 and beyond
Frodo says goodbye at the end of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lord of the Rings Movies New Lord of the Rings movie takes place after Frodo's death and could feature Tom Bombadil
Harry Potter
Fantasy Movies The best Harry Potter movies ranked from worst to wand-erful
A Space Marine, Cogfort, Ork, and Red Terror divided by white lines
Tabletop Gaming Everything announced at Warhammer AdeptiCon 2026
Nicholas Galitzine as He-man in Masters of the Universe
Fantasy Movies The new Masters of the Universe trailer is here, and its colorful, epic-looking action is warming my millennial heart
Sam Witwer as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows What to watch before Maul – Shadow Lord: 15 essential Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels episodes
Cillian Murphy as Tommy in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
Movies The 25 best movies on Netflix to watch right now
A stack of board games on a wooden table beside Life in Reterra and Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, all behind a GamesRadar+ logo
Board Games The best board games in 2026, with over 25 recommendations tested and reviewed by experts
The Lion King is undoubtedly one of the best movies on Disney Plus
Movies The 30 best movies on Disney Plus to watch right now
(L to R) Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars, Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, and Kyle Chandler as DEA Agent Mateo 'Matty' Nix in The Rip.
Action Movies The 25 best Netflix action movies to watch right now
Best Lord of the Rings games: a screenshot of Talion on a dragon in Middle-Earth Shadow of War.
Games The best Lord of the Rings games to help you have a Middle-earth adventure
Sam Witwer as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows New Maul – Shadow Lord clip proves that Star Wars music doesn't get better than Duel of the Fates
Best Spider-Man movies
Marvel Movies The best Spider-Man movies of all time, ranked from worst to best
Ash holding his fist up with Pikachu on his shoulders during Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You.
Pokemon The best Pokemon movies of all time, ranked from worst to very best
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

50 Greatest Lord Of The Rings Moments

Features
By George Wales published 10 February 2012

One ring to rule them all...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Concerning hobbits

The Moment: Bilbo opens the trilogy with a brief explanation of hobbiting ways, their likes and dislikes, and what makes them so special.

The Awesome:
The extended version offers a welcome vision of bucolic loveliness, taking the time to explain just what is at stake for Frodo and friends, and stressing how remarkable it is that such quiet-loving creatures could be the ones to save Middle-earth.

The Green Dragon

The Moment: The hobbits return to the Green Dragon pub after their long adventure, only to find life pretty much unchanged, the residents of Hobbiton oblivious to their exploits. Just as they like it.

The Awesome: Okay, so there are too many endings, but even accepting that criticism, it’s still nice to see the story brought full circle. And Sam gets the girl as well!

The story continues

The Moment: The trailer for The Hobbit looks set to continue the brilliance of the original trilogy, with Martin Freeman stepping into Ian Holm’s shoes as Bilbo Baggins.

The Awesome: The trailer fills us with a wonderful sense of nostalgia for the Shire, and Middle-earth as a whole. 14 December can’t come soon enough…

Article continues below
You may like
  • Lord of the Rings Timeline: Elijah Wood as Frodo holding the One Ring during The Return of the King. The Lord of the Rings timeline: A chronological trip through Middle-earth
  • The poster for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring with a close-up of Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins 25 years later, and I'm fully convinced there'll never be a greater adaptation than The Lord of the Rings trilogy
  • Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Viggo Mortensen has a surprise pick for his favorite Lord of the Rings moment

Saruman's speech

The Moment: Saruman amasses his forces and sends them to Helm’s deep with the following words: “A new power is rising… its victory is at hand. This night, the land will be stained with the blood of Rohan. March to Helm’s Deep… leave none alive.”

The Awesome: The solitary tear that rolls down Wormtongue’s cheek is a nice touch, as he realises the full extent of Saruman’s evil.

End credits

The Moment: As the trilogy closes, the end credits roll, with each member of the cast’s name accompanied by a beautiful sketch of their character. A brilliant touch.

The Awesome:
It’s a wonderfully celebratory way to close the series. We particularly like the fact that fallen hero Boromir also gets his due here.

Preparing war

The Moment: Aragorn dashes into the quarters of King Theoden to inform him that the beacons of Minas Tirith have been lit. “Gondor calls for aid,” he cries. Considering for just a moment, Thedon grits his teeth and replies, “and Rohan will answer.”

The Awesome: The petty quarrels of men are finally put aside, as Rohan and Gondor unite to take on Sauron.

Showboat

The Moment: Legolas defies the laws of physics to mount Gimli’s horse in spectacular style. The boy has got some moves…

The Awesome: We know it’s a bit silly, but Legolas’s flash-harry antics never fail to raise a smile. Gimli can only dream of such showboating skills!

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Sam's monologue

The Moment: Sam encourages Frodo to keep going at the end of The Two Towers , with the following spine-tingling monologue: “It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something. That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.”

The Awesome: Sam is the heart and soul of the trilogy, and this little speech sums up his stout-hearted bravery. Good man.

Bilbo's trolls

The Moment: In the extended cut of Fellowship, the hobbits come across the petrified statues of the trolls encountered by Bilbo on his adventure. Hopefully we’ll see them up and about in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey .

The Awesome:
It’s a throwaway moment, but a nice call-back to the prequel story. One that Peter Jackson will now be able to revisit in more detail…

The Prancing Pony

The Moment: The Ringwraiths smash their way into the village of Bree, head to the Prancing Pony, and plunge their blades into four hobbit-shaped beds. Fortunately, Aragorn has formulated a cunning plan…

The Awesome:
It’s a deft little switcheroo from Aragorn, and one that serves to alleviate a not inconsiderable degree of tension. Phew!

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
George Wales
George Wales
Social Links Navigation

George was once GamesRadar's resident movie news person, based out of London. He understands that all men must die, but he'd rather not think about it. But now he's working at Stylist Magazine.

Read more
Lord of the Rings Timeline: Elijah Wood as Frodo holding the One Ring during The Return of the King.
Lord of the Rings Movies The Lord of the Rings timeline: A chronological trip through Middle-earth
 
 
The poster for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring with a close-up of Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins
Lord of the Rings Movies 25 years later, and I'm fully convinced there'll never be a greater adaptation than The Lord of the Rings trilogy
 
 
Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lord of the Rings Movies Viggo Mortensen has a surprise pick for his favorite Lord of the Rings moment
 
 
Lord of the Rings in order: Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring.
Lord of the Rings Movies How to watch The Lord of the Rings movies and shows in order
 
 
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Lord of the Rings Movies The Hunt For Gollum release date, plot, cast, and more news
 
 
Best Lord of the Rings games: a screenshot of Talion on a dragon in Middle-Earth Shadow of War.
Games The best Lord of the Rings games to help you have a Middle-earth adventure
 
 
Latest in Movies
Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Animated Movies The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is on track to beat Project Hail Mary for the biggest opening weekend of 2026 so far
 
 
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Animated Movies The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Easter eggs: All the Nintendo references and cameos you may have missed
 
 
The Super Mario Bros. Show
Animated Movies AI "upgraded" versions of the 1989 Super Mario Bros. cartoon are airing now on MeTV, and the results aren't pretty
 
 
Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El in Supergirl
DC Movies Milly Alcock says she hasn't spoken to previous Supergirl actors about playing Kara Zor-El
 
 
Faces of Death
Horror Movies New Faces of Death film stills look like The Poughkeepsie Tapes meets Manhunter
 
 
Milly Alcock as Supergirl
DC Movies Milly Alcock "bullied" herself into accepting the role of Supergirl after swearing off franchises
 
 
Latest in Features
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Animated Movies The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Easter eggs: All the Nintendo references and cameos you may have missed
 
 
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Final Fantasy 14 lost me with Dawntrail, but The Elder Scrolls Online promises to mend my broken heart
 
 
A side-by-side image of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and the Asus ROG Raikiri 2
Gaming Controllers These are the fastest two Xbox controllers on the shelves right now, but which should you buy?
 
 
Yoshi (Donald Glover), Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) posing in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Animated Movies Everything we know about The Super Mario Bros. Movie 3
 
 
Princess Peach and Mario in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Animated Movies The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ending explained: is there a post-credits scene and does it set up a Smash Bros. movie?
 
 
Image of a bunch of Super Mario Galaxy Switch 2 accessories on a blue GamesRadar+ background.
Accessories These Switch 2 accessories make me more hyped than ever to go see the new Super Mario Galaxy movie
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Princess Peach and Mario in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
    1
    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ending explained: is there a post-credits scene and does it set up a Smash Bros. movie?
  2. 2
    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie post-credits scenes: how many are there and what does it mean for a threequel?
  3. 3
    Everything we know about The Super Mario Bros. Movie 3
  4. 4
    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Easter eggs: All the Nintendo references and cameos you may have missed
  5. 5
    Crimson Desert "makes me feel a sense of wonder I've not felt since Oblivion," says Palworld publishing chief

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...