The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

PG-13

Released Dec 3, 2003

4h 10m

Fantasy

Adventure

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94%

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280 Reviews

86%

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250,000+ Ratings

The culmination of nearly 10 years' work and conclusion to Peter Jackson's epic trilogy based on the timeless J.R.R. Tolkien classic, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" presents the final confrontation between the forces of good and evil fighting for control of the future of Middle-earth. Hobbits Frodo and Sam reach Mordor in their quest to destroy the `one ring', while Aragorn leads the forces of good against Sauron's evil army at the stone city of Minas Tirith.

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Critics Consensus

Visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful, The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King is a moving and satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy.

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Jonathan Romney

Independent on Sunday

This atavistic Christians-vs-Moors narrative doesn't belong in the present day, and that's no doubt why so many people are addicted to it: it's so ideologically overstated that it can easily be brushed off as harmlessly quaint escapism.

Feb 28, 2018

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James Christopher

The Times (UK)

The sense of closure is exquisite, but I'm not sure I'm able to forgive Peter Jackson for the three years that he has taken to put it on the screen. The wait has been excruciating.

Feb 27, 2018

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn is the good king of the title, and while the actor may look fetching in a crown and cloak, he doesn't have half of the gravitas of Sean Bean's Boromir in the first film.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 14, 2017

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Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

The multiple endings are earned and can go on as long as they like.

Aug 10, 2024

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Al Alexander

Movies Thru the Spectrum

The mere thought that we’ve seen the last of Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Merry, Pippin and Gollum is almost too much. If we must say goodbye, though, it’s best to do it when all involved are at the top of their game.

Rated: A

Jun 10, 2024

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Cody Dericks

Next Best Picture

For all its titanic technical breakthroughs and iconic moments of spectacle, its thematic resonance and sweeping storytelling have helped maintain its legacy beyond similar blockbusters.

Rated: 10/10

Dec 27, 2023

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Jason

Good movie and conclusion to the series

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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R.L.13

Part of the GREATEST trilogy of all time!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/25

Full Review

Creed

One of the greatest cinematic experiences of my LIFE.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

Full Review

Victoria

Who doesn't like Lord of the Rings

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

Full Review

H3L!X_k!L0

Still the best movie ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/18/24

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Ian

The best movie on earth! Remembers me my best years of youth! :) amazing the whole staff and Peter Jackson as always! Thanks whoever brought the movies back to the big screen!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/18/24

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Peter Jackson

Director

Elijah Wood

Frodo Baggins

Ian McKellen

Gandalf

Liv Tyler

Arwen

Viggo Mortensen

Aragorn (Strider)

Sean Astin

Samwise 'Sam' Gamgee

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Synopsis

The culmination of nearly 10 years' work and conclusion to Peter Jackson's epic trilogy based on the timeless J.R.R. Tolkien classic, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" presents the final confrontation between the forces of good and evil fighting for control of the future of Middle-earth. Hobbits Frodo and Sam reach Mordor in their quest to destroy the `one ring', while Aragorn leads the forces of good against Sauron's evil army at the stone city of Minas Tirith.

Director: Peter Jackson
Producer: Barrie M. Osborne, Fran Walsh
Screenwriter: Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Saul Zaentz Company
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Epic Battle Sequences|Frightening Images)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 3, 2003, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 6, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $377.8M
Runtime: 4h 10m
Sound Mix: Surround

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