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I Ranked Every Acting Performance in the Lord of the Rings

Too True SMEG Reviews

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The Lord of the Rings trilogy is filled with unforgettable performances, but which actor gave the very best one?

In this video, I rank every major acting performance across all three LOTR films, from the more underrated portrayals to the truly iconic ones. From quiet emotional depth, to commanding screen presence, to the performances that completely shaped Middle-earth, this is my full ranking of the cast from The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.

This list is based on the acting performances in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, with my own criteria and plenty of room for debate, so I’m sure some of you will agree, and some of you will definitely not.

Let me know where I got it right, where I got it wrong, and who you would have at number one.

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20 Comments

@tootruesmegreviews3760 Creator 5 months ago (edited) Pinned

I know, I know guys… Ian McKellen at #10 might be the most controversial part of the whole list. 😂

For the record: I absolutely love his performance as Gandalf, and I genuinely don’t think anyone should ever try to replace him in that role.

But I knew this ranking would get some strong opinions, as do all ranking videos, so don’t hold back — tell me why I got it wrong.

@justthinkingoutloud2538 5 months ago

Eomer's reaction to finding his sister seemingly dead on the battlefield easily pushes Eomer way up the list for me.

@JonnaDiaz-x1k 5 months ago (edited)

If casting directors could have been nominated back in the day, the trilogy would have won 18 Oscars.

@spartacist101 5 months ago

I think Bernard Hill's performance as Theoden is literally one of the best in the trilogy.

@Maxarcc 5 months ago

I love how I'm at number 25 and I'm already like: "Ah yes, that guy was pretty great."

@Leone7788-j4i 5 months ago

Sean Austin should have been nominated for an Oscar

@ianberger1627 5 months ago (edited)

Bernard Hill at 13? Needs to drop 10 places. He was a broken possessed man who went on a fatalistic tour-de-force. Forth Eorlingas was 10 times more rousing than Aragorn’s speech at the Black Gate. His emotion at his son’s burial is intense. A really solid performance that Miranda Otto could bounce off

@anongg6423 5 months ago

Wait, Ian Mckellan at #10???? I am legitimately baffled. This performance is legendary.

@megins-s9i 5 months ago

The description of Miranda Otto's Eowyn--"vulnerable without ever making her feel small"--is absolutely perfect.

@DrPiano-hs3fo 5 months ago

As an actor, Sir Ian's performance to me continues to captivate me every time I see it. There is so much nuance in his eyes at so many crucial moments (skepticism of Bilbo, when Frodo volunteers at the council, Pippin convo about afterlife) that you can actually see all of the thoughts going through his head with no words. Also, every time he is on screen and speaks or doesn't speak he draws me in and demands my attention in the best way.

@danielhinkley7815 5 months ago

All characters were great but Sam just grabbed my heart in several scenes. He's my pick for #1...

@sharissara 5 months ago

I love Sean Astin's portrayal of Sam! He somehow really captures the child-like innocence and bravery of Sam.

@michaelkeyes8245 5 months ago (edited)

I cannot fathom how you could put Ian McKellan’s portrayal of Gandalf at number 10. His performance is one of the greatest and most nuanced in film history. Miranda Otto was great as Eowyn. Same for Brad Dourif as Wormtongue. However, neither comes close to Ian.
John Noble is excellent as Denethor, but this is not a nuanced role.

@captnsolo1405 5 months ago

My mind is literally melted by the outrageous order here..literally scooping it up with a dust pan..

@jaybirdie1428 5 months ago

Nah i think Andy Serkis has to be number one. Denethor is an underrated character and performance for sure, but I actually think Serkis derserves an Oscar for this. He basically plays 2 different characters across 3 movies in addition to having the most phyisically demanding role while also voice acting for it. He made Gollum the iconic, household name character that he is.

@nirmalasingh7677 5 months ago

Sir Ian was nominated for an Oscar for FOTR..... how can he be 10 ????????????

@bendeguzvarga816 5 months ago

How is Haldir ahead Eomer?

@richymike1 4 months ago

Andy serkis for that split one take monologue will always take it for me

@jomc6734 5 months ago

When you went back to the question 'could any of the actors have won an Oscar?', you apparently forgot that only one actor was nominated for an Oscar for their role and it sure as hell wasn't John Noble.

Sir Ian McKellan was nominated for Gandalf in the Fellowship so he's the only one who could have received that award.