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Before ‘The Rings of Power’ Returns, Peter Jackson’s Epic Fantasy Is a Global Streaming Hit
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has entered Netflix’s top 10 films internationally, giving fans a chance to revisit Middle-earth before The Rings of Power returns. The streaming boost highlights renewed interest in Tolkien’s world and Peter Jackson’s film trilogy.
The 2012 film follows Bilbo Baggins, recruited by Gandalf and Thorin Oakenshield to help the Dwarves reclaim their homeland from Smaug. It adapts the opening part of Tolkien’s novel and adds links to the wider lore, including Gandalf’s investigation of Sauron’s return; the article notes that the trilogy’s later expansions are less even.
In short
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a Netflix top 10 film internationally.
- The film follows Bilbo’s journey with Gandalf and Thorin’s company.
- Its streaming success comes ahead of The Rings of Power’s return.
Explained simply
JRR Tolkien created Middle-earth, a fantasy world of different peoples, ancient histories and struggles over power. His books include The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, which have inspired films and television adaptations.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first of Peter Jackson’s three Hobbit films. It follows Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit drawn into a quest with the wizard Gandalf and the dwarf Thorin Oakenshield to reclaim the Dwarves’ home from the dragon Smaug.
The Rings of Power is a separate television series set in Middle-earth, drawing on events from an earlier period in its history. The stories share a setting and some background lore, so viewers may recognise names and themes, though they follow different characters and events.