Amazon Prime’s The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power prequel series is nearing ever closer. And with every snippet we see, Peter Jackson’s influence becomes clearer and clearer. To say that the Kiwi filmmaker’s trilogy revolutionized filmmaking – while rocking popular culture – is an understatement.
Indeed, if you’re as hyped for Rings of Power as we are, you’ll want to rewatch PJ’s adaptations. These are the movies that reimagined classic Lord of the Rings heroes and villains for a new generation. Jackson does justice to both sides of the moral divide – but for now, let’s rank the best heroes characters in his Lord of the Rings and Hobbit adaptations.
10) Gimli
Gimli, like Pippin and Merry, is a comic relief character. Due to his small size and friendly rivalry with Legolas, Gimli is one of LOTR‘s most endearing characters. As with his buddies, Aragorn and Legolas, his loyalty and chemistry with the group is touching.
Despite seeing the dead bodies of his comrades in the Mines of Moria, Gimli charges ever on through Middle-Earth’s dangers. Armed with his ax, Gimli truly comes out swinging and saves the day alongside his Fellowship pals. Certainly, he doesn’t have the most character development out of the bunch, but Gimli is one of the best LOTR heroes by a mile in the movies.
9) Legolas
Okay, so to be fair, there are two versions of Legolas in Peter Jackson’s Middle-Earth. There’s the kind, wise friend to Aragorn we see in LOTR and then there’s the arrogant, ‘younger’ version we see in The Hobbit movies. I put ‘younger’ in quotation marks because even The Hobbit‘s CGI doesn’t make Legolas look plausibly younger than his LOTR appearance in the movies.
Digressions aside, whatever version of Legolas you watch, the bow-wielding elf is undeniably a badass hero. While his fight scenes can be somewhat cartoony (his effortless dispatch of the Oliphaunt in ROTKÂ comes to mind), he provides some of the trilogy’s most delightful fight scenes. Alas, his lack of development sends him relatively on this list.
8) Faramir
Ah, Faramir, the ‘lesser’ of the two brothers – at least, according to Gondor’s Ruling Steward, Denethor II. Faramir’s doomed quest to win his father’s love is one of the trilogy’s more heartbreaking subplots. It’s a shame since Faramir is as loyal to Gondor as his brother – but far softer personality-wise and harboring arguably more compassion.
Unfortunately, Faramir’s on-screen achievements don’t quite live up to what we see from Boromir in Fellowship. This places him a little lower than his elder brother. That said, Faramir possesses a purity that enables him to avoid succumbing to the Ring’s influence, unlike his brother – so there is that.
7) Elrond
Elrond and Gandalf duel it out for Middle-Earth’s Biggest Exposition-Spouter. I’m torn between who wins, but there’s no doubt that Hugo Weaving does a great job playing this wise elf. Neither is there any doubt that Elrond’s actions help the Fellowship win the War of the Ring – whether by forming the Fellowship or urging Aragorn to take up the Sword of Elendil.
The Hobbit movies, while middling in many ways, are great in how it portrays the more gentle side of Elrond’s character. His evident amusement of the dwarves is heartwarming to watch, moreso his kindness towards Bilbo in the Extended Edition of An Unexpected Journey.
6) Boromir
Boromir lives only for one movie but makes a memorable narrative impact. Although he is tempted by the ring (and attempts to deprive Frodo of it), he redeems himself by shielding Merry and Pippin from an onslaught of orc arrows. These two sides to his personality in LOTR movies showcase how complex Boromir is as a character.
Boromir initially suggests using the One Ring against Sauron, open to doing anything to protect his people. A flashback in The Two Towers Extended Edition also shows his love and compassion for his brother, Faramir, whom their father despises. Although Boromir almost falls to temptation, his positive characteristics outmode his negative ones and make him a truly great hero.
5) Gandalf the Grey/White
Whether clothed in grey or white, Gandalf is a hero through and through. Despite bearing the appearance of an old man, Gandalf is mentally sharp and a formidable combatant. He is unerringly on the side of good and does whatever he can to assist his allies in their battle against Smaug or Sauron.
Admittedly, Gandalf becomes far more of an omnipotent exposition spouter as the story progresses. And this isn’t necessarily bad in his case – Ian McKellen exudes so much of the wizard from the book that he’s hard to dislike. But moments like commanding the forces of Gondor against the Orcs remind us how he’s one of the most heroic characters in PJ’s LOTR movies.
4) Frodo Baggins
For somebody who’s unwittingly thrown into the deep end, Frodo does great. Elijah Wood’s young hobbit encounters many trials and tribulations on his journey to Mount Doom. And thanks to his persistence and strength (and Guardian Angel, Sam), he manages to save Middle-Earth.
Frodo is a great hero because he undergoes the most psychological pain https://thenerdstash.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-hobbit-movies-ranked-worst-to-best/in the movies and succeeds despite it. As he gets closer to Mount Doom, so does the heaviness of the One Ring. And although he nearly succumbs to its influence, in the end, he eventually tosses the Ring off and saves the day.
3) Aragorn, Son of Arathorn
Also known as Strider during his Ranger Days, Aragorn starts his first scene as a suspicious character. Of course, it isn’t long before the hobbits realize he’s on their side. In fact, Aragorn’s Ranger lifestyle is an excuse to avoid his claim to the throne of Gondor as Isildur’s heir.
Aragorn’s development is a bit shaky in Jackson’s films. His eventual acceptance of his destiny feels a little rushed and out of nowhere. However, his kind heart, unfailing compassion, and skills as a tracker make him worthy of the top three. And the fact he’s 87 years old and still lookin’ fine? Man, that Dúnedain blood is just the cherry on top.
2) Bilbo Baggins
A controversial second entry? Perhaps. Indeed, if this list were about the book versions of Middle-Earth’s characters, Bilbo wouldn’t be here. However, the ways in which Jackson’s prequels embellish on the Hobbit’s friendship with Thorin – while enhancing his badassery – rockets this short hero to the second spot.
Like Samwise Gamgee in later years, Bilbo possesses an unwavering loyalty to his friends – in this case, Thorin, Gandalf, and the other dwarves. While it takes time for Thorin, in particular, to accept him, Bilbo earns his respect by taking on his nemesis, Azog. However, that’s just one of his accomplishments – Bilbo steals the One Ring from Gollum, saves the dwarves from giant spiders in Mirkwood, and outsmarts Smaug. Pretty fly for a little guy.
1) Samwise Gamgee
Samwise Gamgee is the most unlikeliest hero on this list. Possessing a fitting west-country English accent, Gamgee starts the movie as your ordinary country bumpkin, unassuming and inexperienced in adventure. He’s the least of the Hobbits you expect to be brave – he doesn’t even have the courage to talk to Rosie, his crush.
However, Gamgee’s unyielding loyalty to his friends – especially his ‘Master Frodo’ – motivates him throughout the adventure. As a result, he ends up saving his buddy’s life on more than one occasion – most notably from becoming Sherlob’s meal in Return of the King. Most impressively, despite Gollum slowly turning Frodo against Sam, Sam never gives up on his pal. Samwise the Brave, indeed.
That being said, we pass the question off to you. Who do you think are the best heroes in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies?
The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power debuts on Amazon Prime on September 2, 2022.
