Key Takeaways
- HBO Max has added two rare 1970s Lord of the Rings films for fans to enjoy streaming.
- These animations are underrated compared to Peter Jackson’s trilogies but are now available.
- The release of these classic films on HBO Max coincides well with the franchise’s revamp.
Lord of the Rings fans might be gearing up for brand new content from this franchise in the future, but two of the rarer films from this intellectual property, dating back to the 1970s, have now been made available for audiences to check out. These films are underrated compared to Peter Jackson’s blockbuster trilogies based on the Lord of the Rings franchise, which millions of people worldwide have viewed.
People typically go to Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies or The Hobbit prequels when thinking about this franchise, but the recent Amazon Prime series The Rings of Power has led to plenty of renewed attention in this IP. That’s why it makes sense for some of the older content based on JRR Tolkien’s novels to be brought to a popular streaming platform, as they’re the types of hidden gems that help make them stand out against the competition.
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HBO Max has now secured the streaming rights for two Lord of the Rings movies that have never been available on any streaming platform, which means plenty of fans have yet to be able to see these. One is the 1978 animated film by Ralph Bakshi, which is based on the novel of the same name. This animated film is a blockbuster for anyone who enjoys the characters and world of Middle Earth as it combines The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers together. The other movie joining HBO Max is The Hobbit, created by Rankin/Bass and Topcraft and initially released in 1977. This is another animated movie originally developed as a musical television special aired on NBC.
Both movies are now streaming on HBO Max, meaning fans can take a unique, animated trip to Middle Earth at any point. It’s unclear how long they’ll stay, but there’s no doubt that Lord of the Rings fans will flock to check them out while they’re available, which could provide a shot in the arm for HBO Max.
The 1978 animation could frustrate people who enjoy it because it never has a sequel to wrap up the story, meaning there is no Return of the King entry. The film was a financial success at the time despite some critical complaints, but it is seen as a cult classic in the eyes of Lord of the Rings fans, and the reputation of the movie is likely only going to continue now that it’s part of HBO Max.
Considering Warner Bros is currently gearing up to revamp the Lord of the Rings franchise with more attention in the form of The War of the Rohirrim and The Hunt for Gollum movies, the release of these classic films is well timed by HBO. It will capitalize on the buzz that will not likely come from the film while offering something that fans might not have seen before. It’s so good to see two entertaining movies get the chance to have more people experience them, as being available to stream should increase the popularity of both of these animated movies.
Check out The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions on Blu-ray. Immerse yourself in the complete Peter Jackson trilogy with additional scenes and extended storylines that delve deeper into J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece. Witness the fellowship’s quest, epic battles, and the ultimate confrontation against the dark forces of Sauron, all presented in unparalleled detail and clarity for the truly immersive cinematic experience of Blu-ray.