TV show · 2022 · Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama · English
Curator score: 5.9/10 (441.9K ratings)
Evil has had many names.
Overview
Beginning in a time of relative peace, we follow an ensemble cast of characters as they confront the re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
Ratings
Curator score: 5.9/10
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Metacritic: 70
TMDB: 7.2/10
Production
Amazon Studios, New Line Cinema
Cast
Charlie Vickers, Morfydd Clark, Robert Aramayo, Charles Edwards, Owain Arthur, Sophia Nomvete, Daniel Weyman, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Sam Hazeldine, Benjamin Walker
Where to watch
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A lavish, high-budget Middle-earth prequel with striking production design, strong atmosphere, and enough lore intrigue to reward Tolkien fans, but it has also been divisive for its pacing, dialogue, and uneven character focus. It’s best approached as a slow-burn fantasy spectacle rather than a tightly plotted prestige drama.
Best for
Tolkien fans who want to spend time in Middle-earth again
Viewers who value worldbuilding, production design, and scale
Fantasy audiences comfortable with a slower, ensemble-driven pace
Skip if
You want brisk plotting and constant momentum
You prefer character writing that feels immediately sharp and fully defined
You are looking for a self-contained story with a clear beginning, middle, and end
Overview
The Rings of Power is one of the most ambitious fantasy series ever mounted for television, and it often looks the part. Númenor, Khazad-dûm, and the wider Second Age setting give the show a sense of scale and mythic possibility that few series can match, and when it leans into visual grandeur and ancient-history atmosphere, it can be genuinely transporting.
Worth noting
The tradeoff is that the series can feel overextended, especially in its early going, with multiple storylines competing for attention and some characters taking time to click. The writing is more functional than elegant, and the show’s pace is deliberately measured, which will frustrate viewers expecting the propulsive momentum of the films or the tighter construction of the best prestige fantasy.
Bottom line
Still, there is enough here to justify a watch for the right audience, especially if you enjoy lore-heavy fantasy and don’t mind a series that is more about immersion than immediate payoff. It’s a mixed but often impressive production that improves most when it trusts its strongest settings, its sense of history, and the looming shadow of Sauron.
2008 · Curator 6.9/10 (94.5K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Pluto TV, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Tubi TV
A more accessible Arthurian fantasy with adventure, destiny, and a warm ensemble dynamic that makes it easy to binge.