Set in the fantasy world of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy has captivated viewers for almost 20 years. Based on the visionary novel written by J. R. R. Tolkien, LOTR follows hobbit Frodo Baggins as he embarks on an ambitious quest to destroy the One Ring. Combining a total of over 11 hours of viewing time, the three LOTR movies are perfect for fans to binge-watch. However, due to strict licensing agreements, this is easier said than done. 

Currently, none of The Lord of the Ring movies are available on Netflix in any country. Both HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video are broadcasting the trilogy, but unfortunately, these streaming services have restricted the three movies to only US audiences. This means that unless you have a US IP address, you cannot access any of the LOTR movies. But don’t fret, as we have a handy tip that can help you bypass these geo-restrictions! Keep reading to discover how to watch The Lord of the Rings from anywhere using a VPN.

The ring from the movie franchise, The Lord of the Rings.

Geo-restrictions can prevent users from outside the US from watching The Lord of the Rings. In the words of Gandalf, “You shall not pass!”

How to Watch The Lord of the Rings from anywhere quick guide

Short on time? Check out this quick step-by-step to learn how to unblock and stream The Lord of the Rings!

  1. Choose a VPN

    You need a VPN that can bypass geo-blocking in addition to having a wide array of servers and fast connection speeds. We highly recommend Surfshark and you can find out why further in this article!

  2. Install app or client

    Once you’ve selected a VPN, download the app or client on whichever device(s) you want to watch The Lord of the Rings from.

  3. Connect to a server

    After opening the VPN app/client, you’ll see a list of available servers. Simply connect to any server that is located in the US. Now, your real IP address will be hidden as the server’s takes its place.

  4. Start streaming LOTR

    You can now head to any geo-blocked streaming service to freely watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy, enjoy!

Top tip – If you still can’t unblock LOTR, then try reconnecting to a different server and clearing your browser’s cache.

 

Use Surfshark* to watch The Lord of the Rings now!

Which streaming services are broadcasting LOTR?

Currently, HBO Max has all three movies of The Lord of the Rings available to stream. US viewers are also able to watch the trilogy on Amazon Prime Video. Unfortunately, LOTR is unavailable on Netflix in all countries. Other popular movies/series that have fallen victim to geoblocking include Harry Potter, Shooter. and House of Cards.

How do I bypass geo-restrictions to stream LOTR? 

If you don’t live in the US, then your access to HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video will be restricted. These streaming services are bound by licensing agreements that prevent them from broadcasting certain content outside of the US. The services, like all websites, will use their user’s IP addresses to determine their exact location and block their access if needed. This is commonly known as geo-blocking or geo-restrictions.

To bypass geo-restrictions, you need to mask your IP address and subsequently spoof your location. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is by using a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) works by establishing a private network from a public internet connection. 

To use a VPN, you need to connect to one of their remote servers. Once connected, the VPN will encrypt all your internet traffic and redirect it through the server before it reaches your chosen website. This website will then see the server as the source of your traffic and will see its IP address rather than your own. So, if you live in the UK, but you connect to a server that’s based in the US, then you’ll appear to have a US IP address.

Using this trick, you can effectively bypass geo-restrictions by pretending you’re located within a website’s approved broadcasting region. All you need to do is download a VPN app on your device, connect to a US-based server, then head to HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video. This also works for any other streaming service including Peacock, Netflix, and FOX

What is the best VPN for watching LOTR?

To watch The Lord of the Rings from anywhere, you need a VPN that can swiftly dodge any geo-restrictions imposed by HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video. You’ll also want a VPN that provides fast speeds, advanced encryption, and a wide network of servers. Here is a VPN that we highly recommended which provides all this and much more –  

Surfshark

Surfshark has managed to build a strong reputation through its affordable pricing, fast connection speeds, and ease of use. If you want a highly reliable VPN to stream all LOTR movies in the best possible quality, then look no further!

With over 3200 servers worldwide, it’s safe to say that Surfshark provides more than enough choice for any users who want to bypass geo-restrictions. This server network is incredibly stable too, so you can expect consistently fast speeds and minimal interruptions. With this VPN, you can watch LOTR in HD without having to deal with any buffering whatsoever!

Surfshark’s benefits aren’t just limited to unblocking streaming services either, as this VPN can help you stay protected from nasty cyber threats. Using military-grade AES-256-GCM encryption, Surfshark conceals your sensitive information from hackers and nosey third parties. There is also a camouflage mode that can be enabled to hide your VPN usage from your ISP, and a kill switch that acts as a safety net in case your VPN connection unexpectedly drops. 

If you have a multitude of devices that you want to protect and stream from, then Surfshark is perfect for you, as this VPN allows unlimited simultaneous connections. There is also no bandwidth or data caps so your entire family can all enjoy the benefits of Surfshark and stream as much content as they wish at no extra cost. 

The VPN’s interface is very simple and easy to use, so even inexperienced users can comfortably connect to servers without any issues. Surfshark can be downloaded on any major OS including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. If you have a smart TV or console then you can download the VPN app on these devices too!

Use Surfshark* to watch The Lord of the Rings now!

FAQS

How many LOTR movies are there?

There are 3 LOTR movies – The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003). 


How long are the LOTR movies?

The Fellowship of the Ring is 3.4 hours, The Two Towers is 3.7 hours, and The Return of the King is 4.1 hours, totalling an impressive 11.2 hours!


Who stars in LOTR?

The Lord of the Rings has an ensemble cast that includes Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Sean Bean (Boromir), Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee, and Orlando Bloom (Legolas).