LOTR Favorites And Flops
The Lord of the Rings universe is big, but not every character earns their fanfare. Some get more hype than they deserve, while others quietly steal scenes with depth, charm, or unforgettable moments. In this list, we’re spotlighting ten characters who might be overrated—and ten who absolutely deliver, every time they appear. Let’s kick things off with the ones riding a little too high on the fandom wave.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
1. Gimli
Cracking jokes and swinging an axe, Gimli gets framed as both fierce and funny. Still, his humor dominates so much that his deeper layers barely surface. Audiences laugh along, but many wonder what could have been if the films had dug into his dwarven legacy more seriously.
Top Five Legolas And Gimli Scenes by Everything In Middle Earth
2. Boromir
When Boromir falls to temptation, the moment hits hard. His sacrifice is touching, but the pacing of his arc feels abrupt. By the time his redemption lands, it’s all over. For some fans, his character remains too neatly boxed as a tragic contrast to Aragorn’s steadiness.
4K Boromir scene pack || LOTR The Fellowship of the Ring by HobbitEditz2
3. Gothmog
The films gave Gothmog a grotesque look, scarred and twisted enough to unsettle. Beyond appearances, though, he was mainly shown commanding forces in Minas Tirith’s siege. Tolkien offered little backstory, turning the character more memorable for his face than for real menace.
Gothmog and the Witch King by Joseph Cashell
4. Saruman
Audiences expected a fallen wizard to carry terrifying weight, yet Saruman feels oddly hollow after betraying his order. His alliance with Sauron should carry nuance, but it often plays like background noise to bigger threats. Due to that lack of depth, his story is woven around betrayal rather than Saruman himself.
LOTR - The Two Towers - Saruman's Speech (HD) by Habber Jabber
5. Galadriel
Galadriel’s glow practically blinds the story. Admired as timeless and pure, she often feels more concept than character. Her cryptic words add mystique, though sometimes at the cost of connection. Instead of watching her wrestle with choices, fans mostly admire her from a reverent distance.
The Lord of the Rings - The Mirror of Galadriel (Extended Edition HD) by TheLotrTV
6. Elrond
Wisdom defines Elrond, and the story relies on his counsel. His words carry decisions that change everything, giving him a commanding role. What audiences remember, though, is his distance. He feels carved from tradition, less a changing character and more a keeper of continuity.
7. Radagast The Brown
Some fans remember Radagast most for the rabbit sled tearing through forest paths. The films leaned hard into whimsy, while Tolkien shaped him as a quiet guardian of wild things. This split left many debating whether his charm outweighed the depth his book version carried.
Radagast the Brown | The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey 4K HDR by Movie Scenes
8. Denethor
Denethor’s role unsettles more than it inspires. His spiral into despair casts a long shadow over Gondor’s fate, leaving critics split. Some argue his end feels authentic, a mirror of his city’s fall. Others dismiss it as excess. Either way, his mark falls in the overrated category for some LOTR fans.
The Lord Of The Rings - Faramir speaks to Denethor by Movie Scenes
9. Haldir
Cinema often reshapes characters, and Haldir proves the point. In the books, he is a fleeting figure, yet the film sets him against the chaos of Helm’s Deep. His gleaming armor stirs grandeur, but critics argue his enhanced role warps a simpler story thread.
LOTR The Two Towers - The Host of the Eldar by EgalmothOfGondolin01
10. Théoden
Théoden rises from Grima's manipulation to lead Rohan with courage. However, the turnaround happens in a blink. His nobility becomes his defining feature, overshadowing subtler traits. Many fans adore his sacrifice, but a few think the films inflate his importance compared to richer, longer-lasting figures.
(LOTR) Théoden | Death & Glory by MedeRecord
Now, here are the top 10 LOTR characters that earn every bit of our love and attention.
1. Frodo Baggins
Carrying the One Ring across Middle-earth is no small feat, and Frodo does it with quiet determination. His courage feels outsized compared to his small stature, while the journey tests every part of his spirit. Fans admire how he carries such immense weight with resolve.
LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring - The Shire - (HDR - 4K - 5.1) by 4K HDR Media
2. Samwise Gamgee
Sam’s loyalty steals the spotlight quietly. He keeps Frodo grounded, often putting others’ needs above his own. Moments of simple heroism and emotional strength make him unforgettable. The way he protects and sacrifices forms the backbone of the Fellowship's success.
Lord of the rings two towers sam's speech by Alby Lee
3. Gollum
Cunning and tragically broken, Gollum fascinates because he cannot be pinned down as fully good or evil. His obsession with the Ring drives tension, and the film's groundbreaking CGI brings every nuance of his desperate personality to life.
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - Sneaky Little Hobbitses Scene | Movieclips by Movieclips
4. Bilbo Baggins
Bilbo’s adventure opens the door to everything that follows in Middle-earth. He’s resourceful and endlessly human in his flaws. The Ring complicates his later life, but those struggles give fans a character whose charm never fades, even when the weight of destiny presses close.
Gandalf meets old Bilbo The Lord of the Rings by Recall
5. Treebeard
Slow-moving but deeply wise, Treebeard represents nature's patience and power. His speech patterns and deliberate pacing make him memorable, and he stands as a quiet force in battles for Middle-earth. Every scene with this Ent feels rare and precious, with the calm strength of ancient wisdom.
The Entmoot Decides (HQ) by Nubrius Rex
6. Gandalf The Grey/White
The wizard works as both mentor and spark. Fans hold on to him as the anchor connecting unlikely allies together. Just a single word from him can shift the entire story's direction. Humor softens his presence, and determination fuels his leadership.
The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey - Bilbo meets Gandalf by Fahad Rather
7. Pippin Took
At first, Pippin feels like the group's comic heartbeat, always quick with mischief. Yet his journey deepens as battles unfold. With each step, his innocence gives way to resolve, and by the end, he proves himself a steady voice in moments that matter most.
4K Merry and Pippin scene pack || LOTR The Two Towers by HobbitEditz2
8. Merry Brandybuck
Merry starts off as a curious, spirited hobbit and grows into a clever, courageous warrior. His role in key battles and partnership with Éowyn adds unexpected depth. Humor mixes with bravery, and fans love seeing a seemingly ordinary hobbit rise to extraordinary circumstances with ingenuity and heart.
LOTR The Return of the King - Extended Edition - Merry's Simple Courage by EgalmothOfGondolin01
9. Éowyn
On the battlefield, Éowyn defies every limitation placed before her. Her clash with the Witch-king turns into legend, where fearless resolve meets honest vulnerability. In her story, courage feels both fierce and intimate, a reminder that might and heart can exist in one person.
Lord of the Rings : The Two Towers. Eowyn and Aragorn by TheLordoftheRings Fans
10. Arwen
Arwen’s choice of a mortal life gives her story a rare tenderness. Love guides her path, but she never leaves behind her dignity and grace. Her quiet resolve leaves an impression as lasting as her sacrifice. Arwen’s presence is a heartfelt touch to the tale.
LOTR The Return of the King - Arwen's Vision by EgalmothOfGondolin01
