The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, and Ian McKellen

Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) continue their perilous journey to Mount Doom to destroy the Ring of Power.  Meanwhile, Sauron and his forces launch a massive assault on the kingdom of Gondor to take down the world of men.  The remaining members of the Fellowship of the Ring defend Gondor in the great battle of their time, while Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) embraces his royal destiny.  In this epic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s time-honored novel, Peter Jackson delivers an all-time classic full of action, adventure, and suspense.  

There’s a good reason that The Return of the King won 11 Academy Awards (the film is tied with Titanic and Ben-Hur for the most Oscars ever won).  This movie is simply awesome!  There has never been a movie as grand and epic as this, and I highly doubt that there will be another.  In reality, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers should be on anyone’s movie bucket list as well.  Everyone should see the entire The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.  It is truly the greatest trilogy to ever grace the big screen. 

The Lord of the Rings films are not known for being short however.  The theatrical version of The Return of the King clocks in just under three and a half hours.  If you’re feeling bold, try the extended edition which is about four hours.  Either way, plan bathroom breaks!