Tolkien (2019)
Kernel Score: 77% · 1,518 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: War, Drama, Romance
Released: 2019-05-03
Runtime: 112 minutes
Where to watch Tolkien
- Stream: Prime Video, Fubo, YouTube TV, FXNow
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
England, early 20th century. The future writer and philologist John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) and three of his schoolmates create a strong bond between them as they share the same passion for literature and art, a true fellowship that strengthens as they grow up, but the outbreak of World War I threatens to shatter it.
Tolkien parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Tolkien is a PG-13 biographical drama covering WWI and the author's formative friendships.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes World War I settings implying war-related peril consistent with the PG-13 rating.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Tolkien
If you liked Tolkien, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Legends of the Fall (1994) — 84%
- Firebird (2021) — 82%
- All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) — 86%
- The Great War (1959) — 90%
- Testament of Youth (2015) — 81%
- Howards End (1992) — 77%
- The Imitation Game (2014) — 89%
- The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) — 88%
Director
Dome Karukoski
Cast
- Nicholas Hoult as J.R.R. Tolkien
- Lily Collins as Edith Bratt
- Colm Meaney as Father Francis Morgan
- Derek Jacobi as Professor Joseph Wright
- Harry Gilby as Young J.R.R. Tolkien
- Mimi Keene as Young Edith Bratt
- Anthony Boyle as Geoffrey Bache Smith
- Adam Bregman as Young Geoffrey Bache Smith
- Patrick Gibson as Robert Q. Gilson
- Albie Marber as Young Robert Q. Gilson
Tolkien FAQ
Is Tolkien good?
Tolkien has a 77% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,518 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Tolkien?
In the US you can stream Tolkien on Prime Video, Fubo, YouTube TV and FXNow and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Tolkien OK for kids?
Tolkien is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Tolkien is a PG-13 biographical drama covering WWI and the author's formative friendships.
What movies are like Tolkien?
If you liked Tolkien, try Legends of the Fall, Firebird, All Quiet on the Western Front and The Great War.