The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

It’s a bit of a cop-out, but we have to give the nod to “The Fellowship of the Ring” for a number of obvious reasons: This is the mission statement and blueprint for everything to come in Peter Jackson’s groundbreaking trilogy, the pillar in which every modern studio blockbuster is built upon, and an immersive, awe-inspiring fantasy epic that somehow, miraculously, lived up to its source material.

Each sequel would up the stakes considerably, but the first one carries a tangible sense of wonder and adventure that makes you so giddy to explore the magical world that Tolkien created along with all these endearing characters. This is the movie where Frodo gets the One Ring and leaves the Shire with Sam, Merry, and Pippin; where we encounter elves, dwarves, wizards, orcs, and the Nazgûl for the first time, and the only movie where the titular fellowship actually spends some time together. By design, it’s the coziest and most lighthearted of the trilogy, making it the most rewarding to revisit if you’re feeling nostalgic.

There’s nary a misstep along the way in this three-hour film that absolutely breezes by and barely wastes a scene while boasting too many iconic moments to name. It’s a masterclass in exposition, mood, and pacing, though it’s the quiet beats of downtime sandwiched between the big set pieces that sneak up on you the most and make the story feel lived-in: Frodo peacefully reading with his back to the tree back in the Shire, Boromir teaching Merry and Pippin how to sword-fight, the fellowship mourning Gandalf’s sacrifice outside Moria, the boats slowly going down the river and passing through the Gates of Argonath…

For every book purist still hung up on Tom Bombadil being left on the cutting room floor, there are thousand fans who cherish this as their go-to comfort movie. And for good reason. It’s a flawless film, the best entry in the franchise, and everything you could possibly want out of a modern blockbuster.