The Lord of the Rings has been relevant in the cinemas since the early 2000s (give or take some older, less popular animated films), and will most likely not be going away anytime soon, given its popularity and abundant fanbase. The Lord of the Rings has given audiences some of the most memorable moments and incredible characters that have defined a generation of fantasy filmgoers, akin to the vast array of great characters in franchises like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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7 Samwise Gamgee
Warner Bros.
While Sam can come across as annoying and overbearing, when it came to Frodo’s quest to destroy the one ring, he was, nevertheless, a true friend to the very end. Sam was introduced as Frodo’s gardener as well as an introverted hobbit who couldn’t muster up the courage to dance with his crush, despite Frodo’s insistence.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Sam’s overzealous enthusiasm to help his friends, specifically Frodo, has proven to be an admirable character trait that has lingered on throughout The Lord of the Rings, even after Frodo leaves Middle-earth.
6 Gimli
Gimli is a loudmouthed dwarf with a big ax and a bigger heart. Much like Sam and the others on this list, the bombastic dwarf has a drive and a fire in him that is always evident in his screen time.
On the surface, the dwarf is initially shown to be unkind and selfish, as he has shown a savage dislike for the members of the fellowship, specifically Legolas the Elf. In the lore of The Lord of the Rings, elves and dwarves have not gotten along the best, but throughout the series, Legolas and Gimli grow to have a powerful bond, which shows the dwarf’s true compassion and heart.
5 Galadriel
Lady Galadriel was one of the bearers of the Three Rings of Power, and when audiences first see her in The Lord of the Rings, they see her as a mysterious Lady of the woods. This royal elf has been known for her strength and for her self-control against the manipulating power of ’the One Ring.’ In a scene with Frodo Baggins, Galadriel shows the hobbit what may happen if he fails to destroy the ring. Frodo attempts to give the ring to Galadriel, but she resists its power and showcases her virtues through her discipline and self-control. She is likely to reappear in The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power.
4 Legolas
The noble elf Legolas has a wicked resume, being a highly-skilled bowman with quick-witted agility. He had an undying allegiance to his elven brothers and sisters, but was often seen as emotionless and militant in his intentions within The Lord of the Rings. However, after working with his fellowship team members and suffering many of their losses and enduring his own tragedies, fans can sympathize with his plight. As stated before, Legolas and Gimli (as elf and dwarf) never had the easiest relationship and were usually fiercely competitive, but they both stood by each other fighting orcs until the very end.
3 Aragorn
Aragorn was the son of Arathorn and commonly referred to as “Strider” in his introduction at the Tavern in Bree. After the evil Nazgul attack the four hobbits, Aragorn fends them off even after Frodo is stabbed by one of the evil riders. The warrior (played perfectly by Viggo Mortensen) saves the hobbits’ life with the help of his love Arwen. He was a valiant fighter and warrior who fights for his friends and refuses to back down, and ultimately earned himself the title of king.
2 Frodo
The bearer of ’the One Ring’ is undoubtedly an iconic figure in the history of The Lord of the Rings. He is a kind and adventurous young hobbit with a courageous demeanor. He makes the enormous decision to take the Ring and cast it into the fires of Mount Doom in the evil land of Mordor.
It can easily be said that without Frodo, there would be no The Lord of the Rings, and no global phenomenon. His sacrifice is what made the finale of the series so magnificent and heart-wrenching for fans.
1 Gandalf
Finally, it all comes down to a wizard who has been remembered in cinematic history nearly as much if not more than the likes of Albus Dumbeldore and Merlin. Gandalf was a powerful and knowledgeable wizard who was friends with Bilbo Baggins, and in the first movie was able to convince Baggins to give up the ring and learned more of its vicious powers. Throughout the course of his quest with the Fellowship in The Lord of the Rings, he challenges his nemesis Saruman the White, defeats a Balrog, and is resurrected as Gandalf the White.
He is a wise wizard who has been characterized as one of the greatest characters written in film history. His power combined with his intellectual soundness is a treat to watch, gracing the silver screen with both a wisdom and kindness almost unparalleled in fantasy history.
