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

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

02/28/2018

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.

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James Christopher

The Times (UK)

02/27/2018

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.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

12/14/2017

2/5

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.

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Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

08/10/2024

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

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Al Alexander

Movies Thru the Spectrum

06/10/2024

A

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.

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Cody Dericks

Next Best Picture

12/27/2023

10/10

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.

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Wendy K

Sep 6

BEST.MOVIE.EVER.MADE.

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Jordan

Aug 30

This is one of my favorite movies of all time.

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Franco

Aug 28

Second time seeing it in theatres and now got to enjoy with my wife for the first time!

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Derek Parsons

Aug 28

This really gave me such a better chance to connect to the movie and its had me emotional during the film!! Couldn’t have had a better night thanks to watching this!

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Cristian

Aug 28

Never seen the extended version, worth the long haul!

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Danielle

Aug 25

Love that they brought this movie back to theaters!! It was so cool seeing it again on the big screen!

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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: Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Saul Zaentz Company
Rating: PG-13 (Frightening Images|Intense Epic Battle Sequences)
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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