Lord of the Rings age rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know

• ✓Official rating above age 7
  Fellowship: MPA PG-13 (all films PG-13)
• ✓Violence in rating descriptors
  MPA: epic battle sequences
• ✓Scary content in rating descriptors
  MPA: some scary images; BBFC: fantasy horror
• –Bad language in rating descriptors
  None in MPA or BBFC descriptors
• –Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
  None in MPA or BBFC descriptors
• ✓Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
  Fellowship: FSK 12 (BBFC: PG)

Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count. Rating reasons marked mild, very mild, or brief don't count.

Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?

Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.

What The Lord of the Rings is about

The Lord of the Rings is a trilogy of fantasy films directed by Peter Jackson, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel. In The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), the hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood) inherits a powerful ring from his uncle Bilbo. Warned by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen), he leaves home as Sauron's servants hunt for it. The Two Towers followed in 2002 and The Return of the King in 2003.

Lord of the Rings age rating: every film

Short answer: Every film is PG-13 in the US and 12 in Germany.

• The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): PG-13, epic battle sequences and some scary images. BBFC: PG.
• The Two Towers (2002): PG-13, epic battle sequences and scary images. BBFC: 12A.
• The Return of the King (2003): PG-13, intense epic battle sequences and frightening images. BBFC: 12A.
• The Hobbit films (2012–2014): PG-13, fantasy action violence and frightening images. BBFC: 12A.
• The War of the Rohirrim (2024): PG-13, strong violence. BBFC: 12A.

FSK ratings per kino.de.

Is The Fellowship of the Ring scary?

Short answer: The MPA lists some scary images, and the UK's BBFC lists fantasy horror.

When the film came out in 2001, the BBFC rated it PG with the note that its battle violence and fantasy horror "may not be suitable for under 8s." Its home release advice reads "moderate violence and scary scenes." Common Sense Media calls it "violent and scary" and lists it for 11+. An extended edition is listed by the BBFC at 12A.

Is there a new Lord of the Rings movie?

Short answer: Yes. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by and starring Andy Serkis, is set for December 17, 2027, according to Variety. As of October 2026, it isn't rated yet.

The habit kids may copy: "my precious"

Characters who want the Ring keep reaching for it, even when they know it's dangerous.

Try tonight: the waiting hand

Put a treat on the table. Ask your child to keep their hands in their lap and count to ten with you, then say: "I want it. I can wait." Then they take it. In our program, this is the lesson "I'm the Boss of My Want": practicing the pause between wanting something and getting it.

What age is Lord of the Rings for?

All three films are PG-13 in the US, which cautions parents about children under 13. Common Sense Media lists The Fellowship of the Ring for ages 11 and up.

Why is The Fellowship of the Ring PG-13?

The MPA rated it PG-13 for epic battle sequences and some scary images.

Is Lord of the Rings PG in the UK?

Only the first film. The BBFC rates The Fellowship of the Ring PG and The Two Towers and The Return of the King 12A.

What are the Hobbit movies rated?

All three Hobbit films are PG-13 in the US, mainly for fantasy action violence and frightening images, and 12A in the UK.

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