Few film trilogies have captured hearts like The Lord of the Rings. Beyond the sweeping battles and breathtaking landscapes, what truly keeps fans coming back are the unforgettable characters—a fellowship of warriors, wizards, hobbits, and kings whose personalities shine as brightly as their deeds in the films.
But while Middle-earth is full of bravery and sacrifice, not every hero inspires the same level of affection. Some win us over with humor and warmth, others with noble deeds, and a few with sheer charm that’s impossible to resist. From the most beloved to the slightly less adored, here’s our ranking of the 10 main characters from The Lord of the Rings by pure likability.
10. Elrond
Elrond is certainly one of the more fascinating characters in the series, partially because he is 6,437 years old when Bilbo Baggins leaves the Shire in The Hobbit. He is a layered character whose experience fighting Sauron in the past shapes his worldview in the present. Elrond witnessed Isildur refuse/fail to destroy the One Ring of Power, leading him to distrust the race of men.
As the ruler of Rivendell, Elrond is also willing to do what is necessary to defeat Sauron, even though he isn't fully convinced that it is even possible. Despite being a certified hater of men, he sends an army of Elvish warriors to help the Rohirrim defend Helm's Deep, which was pivotal for their victory over the Uruk-Hai. Elrond also has the shards of Narsil reforged for Aragorn, which was a major factor in his ascendence as King. Elrond just simply understands what needs to be done, and he always seems to come through when it counts.
9. Legolas
Legolas is the memorable Elven prince of Mirkwood, who is a master archer. From the jump, Legolas is a loyal dude, and one of his first scenes includes him schooling Boromir about Aragorn's heritage and destiny as the heir to Gondor's throne. This scene foreshadows the deep bond that Legolas forms with Aragorn and Gimli throughout the trilogy, creating one of the most iconic trios in cinema history.
Legolas's bond with Gimli is particularly cool given the centuries-old feud between the Elves and Dwarves. Although he is overshadowed by others a lot of the time, Legolas never wavers, and his calm demeanor brings a sense of security to the group.
8. Eowyn
Eowyn arguably has one of the best arcs in the Lord of the Rings films. She and her brother Eomer were orphaned at a young age and raised by their uncle, King Théoden, in Rohan. Eowyn is a strong fighter who is fiercely loyal to her uncle, to the point where she goes against his wishes and marches with the men of Rohan to war. She rides with the men into the battle of Pelennor Fields, where she defeats and kills the Witch King of Angmar, Sauron's main enforcer.
7. Théoden
King Théoden also has a great arc, going from being manipulated by Saruman to leading his people in the War of the Ring. Theoden is initially hesitant to help the forces of Middle-earth in their conflict with Sauron, but he eventually comes around when the beacons of Gondor are lit.
Théoden's greatest moment comes when he rallies the riders of Rohan when they charge into the battle at Pellenor Fields, kicking off one of the most insane on-screen fantasy battles ever. Bernard Hill also gave a masterclass performance in this role, making Theoden one of the most memorable characters in the movies, despite him not even being in the first film.
6. Frodo
Although Frodo is the main character of the movies, he definitely takes a back seat at times, just because of the sheer number of characters and screentime in these movies. That being said, it's hard not to respect the heck out of the guy. He shoulders the most difficult burden in the series, withstanding the evil powers of the ring on a 1,700-mile journey (approximately).
Frodo is also the epitome of an underdog, making his daunting journey even more satisfying when it is complete, despite the Ring's best efforts.
5. Gimli
In a trilogy packed with quotable lines, perhaps nobody delivers more of them than the dwarf Gimli.
Although Gimli serves as the movies' comic relief, he also shows off his ferocious skills in battle, using his war axe to compete with Legolas in killing as many orcs as possible. As the lone dwarf representative in the Fellowship, Gimli proves to be a loyal friend to his companions who sets aside his people's differences with the rest of Middle-Earth to accomplish the mission.
4. Merry and Pippin
Merry and Pippin are the troublemakers of the group, constantly putting themselves in dangerous situations, whether they know it or not. They are misfits in a world that is full of danger, but they volunteer to join the fellowship because they don't want to abandon Frodo in his time of need. Their journey sees them convince the Ents to go to war with Isengard, Merry fight in the battle at Pelennor Fields, and Pippin save Faramir's life from his crazy father.
3. Aragorn
What is there to say about Aragorn other than he is just the best? Aragorn is the heir to the throne of Gondor, but he does not desire power. He is a gentle man, but a fierce warrior when he needs to be. Without question, he joins the Fellowship to aid Gandalf and the others in destroying the ring. Although he parts from that quest after the first film, he is instrumental in leading the defense of Helm's Deep and defeating Sauron's army at Pelennor Fields.
Aragorn also ensures the Ring's destruction when he leads the men of Gondor and Rohan into Mordor to distract Sauron's forces while Frodo and Sam enter Mount Doom.
2. Gandalf
The events of The Lord of the Rings simply wouldn't be possible without Gandalf. He is the one who recognizes Bilbo's Ring as the one ring to rule them all, and brings his findings to the council at Rivendell. He is the glue that holds the Fellowship - and the forces of good - together and ensures that everyone is in the right place to complete their tasks.
Without Gandalf, Middle Earth would be cooked many times over. He inspires Theoden to fight at Helm's Deep, rides with the Rohirim to save Helm's Deep, and even sacrifices himself to save his companions.
1. Samwise Gamgee
In many ways, Samwise Gamgee is the real hero of this story. His friendship and loyalty to Frodo is so unyielding that he is the only one who stays with him until the very end. He nearly drowns himself convincing Frodo to let him come with, which is just the tip of the iceberg.
Sam also fights off the dangerous spider Shelob, infiltrates Mordor to rescue Frodo, and endures Gollum's constant attempts to steal the ring while Frodo turns on him. Sam's strength never fails, even when he literally carries Frodo on his back into the cavern at Mount Doom. Even though he goes through some of the most traumatic events in the story, Sam still endures a positive attitude and willingness to keep moving forward.
Sean Astin's performance goes above and beyond in these movies, making Sam the most likable character without question.
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