This Book Was Rated the Best Fantasy Novel, and We’re Not Surprised

Published: June 29, 2026

By Kayla DeKraker

Is The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring the best fantasy novel of the last 100 years? Collider thinks so, and we’d have to agree.

First published in 1954, The Fellowship of the Ring introduced readers to the world of Middle-earth, where hobbits, elves, dwarves and men join forces in a desperate mission to destroy the One Ring. Tolkien’s storytelling and memorable characters have inspired generations of writers, filmmakers and game developers, making the story one of the most influential in modern literature.

View this post on Instagram

Collider explained, “What began as a sequel to The Hobbit evolved into a literary and cultural phenomenon of a much greater scale, with its rich tapestry of characters, motifs and the tremendous battle between good and evil.”

Shortly after The Fellowship came out, the sequels followed. The Two Towers arrived in 1954, followed by The Return of the King in 1955.

The stories eventually inspired Peter Jackson’s epic movie trilogy. FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS released in 2001, and part of Movieguide®’s review of the movie reads, “Part One of THE LORD OF THE RINGS is a wonderful ‘epic’ fantasy about good and evil with top-notch actors, storyline and special effects. The movie is clean, but there is plenty of sword-fighting violence that is, at times, a bit too strong for children.”

Movieguide® notes, “The movie also includes a brief occult element not in the book. Happily, however, the filmmakers have left in plenty of Christian author J. R. R. Tolkien’s biblical, allegorical references. Take your older children if they are mature enough to handle mystical creatures, scary monsters and sword fighting.”

One of the many beautiful things about Tolkien’s work is how much it was influenced by his faith in God. Author Holly Ordway explores the intersection between his faith and fiction in her book Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography

“Tolkien described The Lord of the Rings as ‘a fundamentally religious and Catholic work’ and declared, ‘I am a Christian (which can be deduced from my stories).’ Yet he insisted his writings were not allegories, and Middle-earth is loved by millions who do not share his religious beliefs,” part of the synopsis of her book says of his faith.

“The challenges and triumphs in his religious life are reflected in his masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, that epic tale of endurance against the odds…Tolkien’s faith and Tolkien’s fiction are intimately related, though in subtle and complex ways,” she explains.

The enduring legacy of The Lord of the Rings reminds us that stories of faith and perseverance last through the generations.

Questions or comments? Please write to us here.

Add Movieguide® as preferred on Google