Lord of the Rings began in earnest as a series of beloved novels that were read, re-read, and cultishly adored across several generations. Long thought unfilmable because of their vast scope, an eventual movie trilogy—The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King—was finally brought to life starting in 2001 by New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Since then, fans have stood in awe at a whole second trilogy of films, multiple world-expanding novels, and a lovingly realized streaming TV series. For fans old, new, and yet to come, Middle-earth is more than an escape. It is a destination that feels like home.