Name: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Duration: 201 min
Cast: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin

Oscar · 11Globe · 4BAFTA · 4

Spoiler-free premise

The divided forces of Middle-earth prepare for a final struggle while the Ring continues its journey toward Mordor.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Frodo and Sam continue toward Mount Doom under Gollum's guidance while Aragorn, Gandalf, and their allies prepare for Sauron's final assault. The scattered fellowship's separate battles converge around the attempt to destroy the Ring.

Why it belongs

Parallel battles, intimate farewells, and Frodo’s burden give The Return of the King epic scale without sacrificing emotional focus.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Jackson carries multiple converging finales through clear crosscutting, miniature and digital scale, Howard Shore's returning themes, and intimate performance beats, allowing military spectacle, temptation, grief, and endurance to resolve within the same epic movement.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards11 wins2004 · official ceremony record ↗

Best Picture2004 · Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, Producersofficial ceremony record ↗Directing2004 · Peter Jacksonofficial ceremony record ↗Writing (Adapted Screenplay)2004 · Screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, & Peter Jacksonofficial ceremony record ↗

Plus 8 additional wins

Golden Globes4 wins2004 · official film record ↗

Best Motion Picture - Drama2004 · The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingofficial film record ↗Best Director - Motion Picture2004 · Peter Jacksonofficial film record ↗

Plus 2 additional wins

BAFTA4 wins2004 · official BAFTA 2004 Film Awards results ↗

Best Film2004 · Barrie M. Osborne, Fran Walsh and Peter Jacksonofficial BAFTA 2004 Film Awards results ↗Adapted Screenplay2004 · Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jacksonofficial BAFTA 2004 Film Awards results ↗

Plus 2 additional wins

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for

Film Club

Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Double Feature