The Return of the King
1980, English. Directed by Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin Jr..
Two Hobbits struggle to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom while their friends desperately fight evil Lord Sauron's forces in a final battle.
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
Start now and it ends at ….
Popcorn Flick
Fun if you don’t overthink it.
6.4/10 from 229 TMDB viewer ratings.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch The Return of the King
The Return of the King isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 11 May 1980.
No streaming listings yet. Search JustWatch.
Part of a series
The Lord of the Rings (Animated): watch order
Cast & crew
- Jules BassDirector
- Arthur Rankin Jr.Director
- Orson BeanFrodo Baggins / Bilbo Baggins (voice)
- Roddy McDowallSamwise Gamgee (voice)
- John HustonGandalf (voice)
- Theodore GottliebGollum (voice)
- Casey KasemMeriadoc 'Merry' Brandybuck (voice)
- Sonny MelendrezPeregrin 'Pippin' Took (voice)
- Theodore BikelAragorn (voice)
- William ConradLord Denethor (voice)
- Don MessickKing Theoden / Easterling / The Mouth of Sauron (voice)
- Paul FreesOrc / Uruk-Hai / Capt. Shagrat / Lt. Snaga / Lord Elrond (voice)
- John StephensonGondorian Guard / Dwimmerlaik - The Witch-King of Angmar (voice)
- Nellie BellflowerEowyn / Dernhelm (voice)
Details
- Released
- 11 May 1980
- Country
- United States of America, Japan
- Written by
- Romeo Muller
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
What The Return of the King is based on
The Return of the King is based on The Return of the King, a 1955 novel by J. R. R. Tolkien, published by George Allen & Unwin Limited.
Novel · 1955
The Return of the King
By J. R. R. Tolkien
Published by George Allen & Unwin Limited
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
Watch before The Return of the King
In release order. The films it follows, and anything it builds on.
If you liked The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings
1978 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickFans watch both
The Flight of Dragons
1982 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickFans watch both
The Hobbit
1977 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickSame series: The Lord of the Rings (Animated)
FernGully: The Last Rainforest
1992 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickFans watch both
The Last Unicorn
1982 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeFans watch both
The Land Before Time
1988 · 7.2/10
Worth the HypeFans watch both
The Black Cauldron
1985 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickFans watch both
Hercules and Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus
1998 · 5.8/10
SnoozefestFans watch both
Fire and Ice
1983 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickFans watch both
Wizards
1977 · 6.2/10
Popcorn FlickFans watch both
The Return of the King: quick answers
What should I watch before The Return of the King?
Watch The Hobbit (1977) first.
Is The Return of the King worth watching?
Our verdict is Popcorn Flick: Fun if you don’t overthink it. It scores 6.4/10 from 229 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is The Return of the King?
The Return of the King runs 98 minutes (1h 38m).
Does The Return of the King have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Return of the King. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Return of the King parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
The Return of the King is rated NR in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is The Return of the King on?
The Return of the King isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 11 May 1980. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Return of the King?
If you liked The Return of the King, try The Lord of the Rings, The Flight of Dragons, The Hobbit.
Who directed The Return of the King?
The Return of the King (1980) was directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. and stars Orson Bean, Roddy McDowall, John Huston.
What is The Return of the King based on?
The Return of the King is based on The Return of the King, a 1955 novel by J. R. R. Tolkien, published by George Allen & Unwin Limited.