12 films to watch if you love 'The Lord of the Rings'

• Peter Jackson directed "The Lord of the Rings" films, which are based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novels.

• Fans may also enjoy fantasy classics "Willow" (1998) and "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (2012).

• Jackson also directed "King Kong" (2005) and "They Shall Not Grow Old" (2018).

An unlikely hero embarks on a dangerous journey in "Willow" (1998).

Summary: Set in a mystical land, "Willow" follows the young namesake farmer (Warwick Davis) on his quest to protect an infant from the clutches of an evil queen.

Why you'll like it: Produced by "Star Wars" visionary George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, "Willow" is an imaginative fantasy film that evolved into a beloved cult classic over the years.

"Willow" has a lot of storytelling elements that would pique the interest of J.R.R. Tolkien diehards, from its unlikely protagonist to its medieval setting.

Fans of unique characters and high-concept storytelling will likely love "Time Bandits" (1981).

Summary: In the fantasy comedy "Time Bandits," the young Kevin (Craig Warnock) falls in with a band of six dwarves as they travel through time in search of treasure.

Why you'll like it: Fans who loved the intricate sets, costuming, and high-concept storytelling of "The Lord of the Rings" will have a lot to latch onto in "Time Bandits."

A satire at heart, the film most closely resembles "The Lord of the Rings" when it introduces fantastical creatures and features stunning set pieces, like the towering Fortress of Ultimate Darkness.

“Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005) is a moral fantasy with spellbinding sets.

Summary: Based on the fantasy series by C.S. Lewis, "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" follows four children as they step through a boundless clothes cupboard into the fantastical land of Narnia.

Why you'll like it: Tolkien and Lewis, who were close friends in real life, both drew from Norse mythology in their work, as evidenced by their stories' fantastical legends and moral philosophies.

Both "The Lord of the Rings" and the "Chronicles of Narnia" films share a lot in common beyond their themes, like spellbinding sets and an ensemble cast of heroic characters.

"The NeverEnding Story" (1984) is a classic tale about the forces of good and evil.

Summary: Based on the 1979 novel by Michael Ende, "The NeverEnding Story" follows a young boy named Bastian Bux (Barret Oliver) who stumbles upon a magical book that blends the boundaries of imagination and reality.

Why you'll like it: For all of its rich mythology and eons of history, "The Lord of the Rings" ultimately is a story about the forces of good triumphing over evil.

Just like Frodo Baggins is shouldered with ending Sauron's hold over Middle-earth, the character that Bastian reads about, Atreyu (Noah Hathaway), is on a mission to defeat the malevolent force known as "The Nothing."

The World War I documentary "They Shall Not Grow Old" (2018) shows Peter Jackson's range as a director.

Summary: Using a compilation of archival footage from the early-20th century, "They Shall Not Grow Old" pieces together colorized videos and valuable audio clips to detail the lives of soldiers who fought in the first World War.

Why you'll like it: "They Shall Not Grow Old" marks Jackson's debut as a documentary director and has been praised by critics as both a technological marvel and a deeply personal endeavor.

Fans of "The Lord of the Rings" can rest assured that even without special effects, sets, and high-concept storytelling, Jackson can still craft a remarkable picture.

Jackson also directed the adventure drama "King Kong" (2005).

Summary: "King Kong" centers on screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) and filmmaker Carl Denham (Jack Black) as they bring a film crew to Skull Island and encounter deadly inhabitants, prehistoric dinosaurs, and a 25-foot-tall gorilla.

Why you'll like it: Special effects and sweeping sets galore, this action-adventure film furthers Jackson's reputation as a high-concept director and was also filmed in New Zealand, where "The Lord of the Rings" was shot.

"King Kong" also features the continued collaboration between Jackson and Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" films.