The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Name: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Released: December 17, 2003
Duration: 201 min
Rating: 94
Cast: Andy Serkis, Orlando Bloom

2003

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 2873 Ratings

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9.1

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9.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 2873 Ratings

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The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

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Movie Details & Credits

New Line Cinema | Release Date: December 17, 2003 | PG-13

Starring: Andy Serkis, Orlando Bloom

Summary: Sauron's forces have laid siege to Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor, in their efforts to eliminate the race of men. The once-great kingdom, watched over by a fading steward, has never been in more desperate need of its king. But can Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) answer the call of his heritage and become what he was born to be? In no smallSauron's forces have laid siege to Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor, in their efforts to eliminate the race of men. The once-great kingdom, watched over by a fading steward, has never been in more desperate need of its king. But can Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) answer the call of his heritage and become what he was born to be? In no small measure, the fate of Middle-earth rests on his broad shoulders. [New Line Cinema]… Expand

Director: Peter Jackson

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 201 min

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Joe Morgenstern

The invisible wizard Peter Jackson makes use of every scene to show us the meaning of magnificence. Never has a filmmaker aimed higher, or achieved more.

100

Lisa Schwarzbaum

The conclusion of Peter Jackson's masterwork is passionate and literate, detailed and expansive, and it's conceived with a risk-taking flair for old-fashioned movie magic at its most precious. Read full review

100

William Arnold

First and foremost, it soars because its grand design and numerous story problems were worked out half a century ago by a guy named Tolkien, and Jackson was smart enough to realize this. Read full review

100

Michael Wilmington

Like all great fantasies and epics, this one leaves you with the sense that its wonders are real, its dreams are palpable. Read full review

100

Alan Morrison

Those who have walked beside these heroes every step of the way on such a long journey deserve the emotional pay-off as well as the action peaks, and they will be genuinely touched as the final credits roll. Read full review

Roger Ebert

There is little enough psychological depth anywhere in the films, actually, and they exist mostly as surface, gesture, archetype and spectacle. They do that magnificently well, but one feels at the end that nothing actual and human has been at stake. Read full review

David Sterritt

Add a lot of dull acting -- except Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis -- and you have an uneven movie with yawns aplenty. Read full review

SEE ALL 41 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

filmbuff96

Mar 14, 2018

What a masterpiece this film is, and the lack of CGI is phenomenal. An excellent conclusion of Jackson's interpretation of Tolkien's marvelous book, The Lord of the Rings. It truly gives the folk feel of the beauties of home, and why one must venture and make sacrifices to keep evil at bay.What a masterpiece this film is, and the lack of CGI is phenomenal. An excellent conclusion of Jackson's interpretation of Tolkien's marvelous book, The Lord of the Rings. It truly gives the folk feel of the beauties of home, and why one must venture and make sacrifices to keep evil at bay. Just too many symbols to name, it is just a compelling story overall from the Fellowship of the Ring to The Return of the King.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amirreza1

Dec 3, 2014

cons :why it was too short. it should be longer. Lord of the rings universe has a lot of space to capture.I m happy about making hobbit in three parts.
Pros: This is simply a masterpiece.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JawsPapi87

Aug 9, 2011

It's a perfect epic. There's not one false step. The battles are incredible, the characters just as fun as ever. This movie is basically flawless. One of the best ever

46 of 54 users found this helpful468

superbat

May 27, 2020

Return of the King is an epic, and a more than satisfying conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The battle sequences, visuals, score, and settings were outstanding once again. The story, which continues from the previous two movies, reaches its epic climax. The characters receive theReturn of the King is an epic, and a more than satisfying conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The battle sequences, visuals, score, and settings were outstanding once again. The story, which continues from the previous two movies, reaches its epic climax. The characters receive the closure to their stories which they deserved. This movie, along with the whole trilogy, is a masterpiece.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ObbiePR18

Apr 3, 2012

Contiene las mejores escenas de accion que he visto. Es aun mejor que las dos anteriores y resulta ser una de las peliculas mas entretenidas que he visto. Peter Jackson logra adaptar las tre historias perfectamente y al final nos da como resultado la mejor trilogia de todos los tiempos. TheContiene las mejores escenas de accion que he visto. Es aun mejor que las dos anteriores y resulta ser una de las peliculas mas entretenidas que he visto. Peter Jackson logra adaptar las tre historias perfectamente y al final nos da como resultado la mejor trilogia de todos los tiempos. The Return of the King es una joya del cine moderno y un clasico instantaneo.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Scorpion

May 19, 2013

The beginning is may seem a little fast, playing various information to the public, but the rest is perfect, and ends in a phenomenal trilogy Peter Jacson, besides revolutionize the industry of special effects, it proves that it has special effects like mixing first and an epic story in aThe beginning is may seem a little fast, playing various information to the public, but the rest is perfect, and ends in a phenomenal trilogy Peter Jacson, besides revolutionize the industry of special effects, it proves that it has special effects like mixing first and an epic story in a single film.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

LegionODorkS

Dec 19, 2003

This ZERO is for the pinheads rating this movie as 'BEST MOVIE EVER'. Yes, if you've seen only three movies in your life-- including the first two installments of this outrageously overrated series-- than yes, FANBOY, this is the best picture ever. If, on the other hand,This ZERO is for the pinheads rating this movie as 'BEST MOVIE EVER'. Yes, if you've seen only three movies in your life-- including the first two installments of this outrageously overrated series-- than yes, FANBOY, this is the best picture ever. If, on the other hand, you're over 3 years old, you may have seen... oh... I don't know... 200 better films, conservatively? Let me guess: George W. Bushole.. best President EVER?!? I thought so...… Expand

0 of 18 users found this helpful

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1	#1 Best Movie of 2003
1	#1 Most Discussed Movie of 2003
5	#5 Most Shared Movie of 2003