Peter Jackson has always maintained that The Two Towers is "the second act" of his epic undertaking, and perhaps the true greatness of the middle chapter will only be clear when viewed in context. As a stand-alone film, however, The Two Towers is not quite as good as Fellowship. (Nor, indeed, does it extend the univers…
8.4/10Adventure · Fantasy · Action
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
“The journey continues.”
- 2002
- 2h 59m
- PG-13
- EN
- Released
The story
What The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is about
Frodo Baggins and the other members of the Fellowship continue on their sacred quest to destroy the One Ring--but on separate paths. Their destinies lie at two towers - Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupt wizard Saruman awaits, and Sauron's fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is an adventure, fantasy and action film from 2002, directed by Peter Jackson. It runs 2h 59m and is rated PG-13 in the US. It was produced by New Line Cinema, WingNut Films and The Saul Zaentz Company, with production in New Zealand, United States of America.
The main cast is led by Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin. The screenplay was written by Stephen Sinclair, Philippa Boyens. Reported worldwide gross stands at $926.3M.
Why it matters: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers currently holds 8.4/10 from 24901 TMDB user ratings and has taken $926.3M worldwide against a $79.0M budget. Figures move as more ratings and box-office updates arrive.
Editor’s note
Should you watch The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers?
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is best suited to a big-screen journey. At 2h 59m, it is a long sitting, so plan the evening around it. The draw is Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen, directed by Peter Jackson.
With 24,901 TMDB ratings averaging 8.4/10, this is one of the most widely seen titles in our library, so the score is a reliable signal.
TMDB tags the film with themes including mission, based on novel or book, elves and dwarf.
The US certification is PG-13: may include intense action or themes that are unsuitable for younger children.
If you like this, try The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King or The Odyssey.
Auto-generated from TMDB data (runtime, cast, ratings, keywords, certification). Last updated November 4, 2026.
Availability
Where to watch The Lord of the Rings
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Who is in it
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers cast
Character names follow the film's credits. Open a name to see that person's other work on MovieState.
Behind the camera
Direction and crew
DirectorPeter Jackson
WritersStephen Sinclair, Philippa Boyens
ProducersPeter Jackson, Barrie M. Osborne
MusicHoward Shore
CinematographyAndrew Lesnie
EditingMichael Horton
Audience reaction
Ratings and reviews
8.4/1024901 ratings
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers sits at 8.4 out of 10 from 24901 user ratings. For context, the film's worldwide gross is $926.3M.
Scores show TMDB user ratings at the time of publishing and shift as new votes arrive.
That Damned Ring. RELEASED IN 2002 and directed by Peter Jackson, “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” adapts the second part of JRR Tolkien’s popular fantasy trilogy about adventures on Middle-Earth. The surviving ‘Fellowship’ of the first film has been divided into three small groups for this one: The Hobbits F…
The facts
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers key details
| Original title | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers |
|---|---|
| Status | Released |
| Release date | January 17, 2026 |
| Runtime | 2h 59m |
| Certification | PG-13 in United States, 12A in United Kingdom |
| Original language | EN |
| Spoken languages | English |
| Country | New Zealand, United States of America |
| Budget | $79.0M |
| Worldwide gross | $926.3M |
| Studios | New Line Cinema, WingNut Films, The Saul Zaentz Company |
| Also known as | Le Seigneur des Anneaux: Les Deux Tours, The Lord of the Rings 2: The Two Towers, 魔戒二部曲：雙城奇謀 |
Release information
Release dates by country
| Country | Date | Cert |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Dec 18, 2002 | PG-13 |
| United Kingdom | Dec 18, 2002 | 12A |
| Canada | Dec 18, 2002 | PG |
| Australia | Dec 26, 2002 | M |
| Austria | Dec 18, 2002 | 12 |
| Belgium | Dec 18, 2002 | 12 |
| Brazil | Dec 27, 2002 | 12 |
| China | Apr 25, 2003 | NR |
| Czechia | Jan 16, 2003 | 12+ |
| Denmark | Dec 18, 2002 | 11 |
Official trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, via Warner Bros. Entertainment. Open on YouTube
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Who directed The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers?
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was directed by Peter Jackson.
Who is in the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers?
The main cast includes Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis.
How long is The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers?
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers runs 2h 59m.
When was The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers released?
It was released in the United States on January 17, 2026. Release dates vary by country — see the table above.
What is The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers rated?
Certification depends on the country: PG-13 in United States, 12A in United Kingdom. Always check your local rating before watching with family.
Where can I watch The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers online?
Availability changes by region and by week. The table above lists the streaming, rental and purchase services reported for major markets. Check the provider page for today's price and quality.
Can I watch The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in HD or 4K?
Most digital stores offer The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in HD, and newer releases are often available in 4K. Check the quality label on the provider's page before you pay.
How much did The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers earn?
Reported worldwide gross is $926.3M against a budget of $79.0M. Box office figures update over time.
Director filmography
More from Peter Jackson
Keep watching
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Data sources: TMDB (titles, cast, crew, release dates, provider listings and user ratings). Availability and box office figures change over time; this page was last rebuilt on November 4, 2026. We publish information only; we do not host or stream video files.
Exact record pages: IMDb recordTMDB record
At a glance: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers runs 2h 59m, opened in US cinemas on January 17, 2026, has 53 licensed options across 5 regions tracked here.