Gollum

The final age of Middle-earth's recorded history before the beginning of the Fourth Age; the film depicts the rise of Sauron's power and the initial stages of the War of the Ring.

The final great conflict against Sauron at the end of the Third Age.

The clash at Amon Hen that leads to Boromir's death and the breaking of the Fellowship.

Rohan's defense of the Hornburg against Saruman's army.

The final diversionary battle before the Black Gate of Mordor.

The decisive defense of Minas Tirith against Sauron's armies.

The council at Rivendell that determines the fate of the One Ring and forms the Fellowship.

The destruction of the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom and the resulting defeat of Sauron.

The Ents' destruction of Saruman's industrial works at Isengard.

The expedition led by Thorin Oakenshield to reclaim Erebor from Smaug.

The Dwarves' battle against Azog's Orcs outside Moria, shown in flashback.

Aragorn's coronation as King Elessar after the defeat of Sauron.

A hobbit of the Shire who inherits the One Ring and undertakes the quest to destroy it.

A Wizard who recognizes the danger of the One Ring and guides the quest against Sauron.

The Dark Lord and creator of the One Ring, seeking its recovery in order to dominate Middle-earth.

The Ranger known as Strider, heir of Isildur, who joins and protects the Fellowship.

A Hobbit of the Shire who participates in the Quest of Erebor and seeks to prevent war among the claimants to the Lonely Mountain.

A Dwarf warrior and member of the Fellowship.

An Elven prince of the Woodland Realm who later becomes a member of the Fellowship.

A Hobbit of the Fellowship, commonly known as Merry.

A Hobbit of the Fellowship, commonly known as Pippin.

A hobbit of the Shire who accompanies Frodo throughout the journey and departs with him from Parth Galen.

The head of the Istari who later allies himself with Sauron.

The Elven lord of Rivendell and a major ally in the struggle against Sauron.

A peaceful hobbit homeland in northwestern Middle-earth, including Hobbiton and Bag End.

Bilbo and Frodo Baggins' home in Hobbiton.

Saruman’s fortified domain and base of operations, later attacked and flooded by the Ents.

Sauron’s dark land, including the approach to the Black Gate and the route toward Cirith Ungol.

The ruined Dwarven realm beneath the Misty Mountains, traversed by the Fellowship on its journey south.

The Elven refuge of Imladris, where the fate of the One Ring is decided.

The horse-lords’ kingdom threatened by Saruman’s armies.

The ruined former capital of Gondor and a major front in the War of the Ring.

The ruined watchtower hill where the Nazgûl attack Frodo.

The hill where the Fellowship breaks and Boromir makes his final stand.

The fortified Morannon entrance to Mordor.

A perilous pass into Mordor above Minas Morgul.