The Return of the King (1980): cast, story & where to watch
1980 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1980, The Return of the King is a fantasy, adventure and animation film directed by Jules Bass, running about 98 minutes.
What it’s about. Two Hobbits struggle to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom while their friends desperately fight evil Lord Sauron's forces in a final battle.
Who’s in it. The Return of the King stars Orson Bean as Frodo Baggins / Bilbo Baggins (voice), Theodore Bikel as Aragorn (voice), William Conrad as Lord Denethor (voice) and John Huston as Gandalf (voice), among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Return of the King has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Return of the King page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Return of the King tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Return of the King (1980)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Return of the King change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Return of the King worth watching?
- The Return of the King holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy, adventure and animation. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Return of the King?
- The Return of the King stars Orson Bean, Theodore Bikel, William Conrad, John Huston and Roddy McDowall.
- When was The Return of the King released?
- The Return of the King was released in 1980, with a runtime of about 98 minutes.