Peter Jackson is a New Zealand film director, screenwriter and film producer known for his epic fantasy film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies. Some of his best works include:
“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)
“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002)
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003)
“King Kong” (2005)
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” (2012)
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” (2013)
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” (2014)
Best Peter Jackson Movies
Let’s take a look at the top Peter Jackson films.
1. Heavenly Creatures
“Heavenly Creatures” (1994) is a psychological drama film directed by Peter Jackson and co-written with Frances Walsh.
The film is based on the true story of the intense friendship between two teenage girls, Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme, in 1950s New Zealand, and their descent into madness.
The film features stunning performances by Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey as the central characters, with great support from Sarah Peirse and Simon O’Connor. J
ackson’s direction is top-notch, showcasing his versatility and ability to handle both drama and surreal elements with ease.
The film’s visuals and production design are also noteworthy, creating an immersive world that brings the audience into the minds of the characters.
The film’s climax is a standout sequence, where the girls’ delusions come to life in a dream-like sequence, combining both horror and beauty in equal measure.
Overall, “Heavenly Creatures” is a must-see for fans of Peter Jackson and psychological dramas, showcasing Jackson’s early filmmaking talent and earning him critical acclaim and recognition.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003) is the final installment of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel.
The film showcases the ultimate battle between good and evil as the hobbits, humans, elves and dwarves join forces to defeat the dark lord Sauron and his army.
Jackson’s direction is masterful, with breathtaking action sequences and emotional scenes that will leave audiences on the edge of their seat.
The film features outstanding performances from the entire cast, particularly Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, who bring depth and nuance to their characters.
The special effects are also phenomenal, creating a fully realized world that is both believable and fantastical.
The film’s emotional climax, with the destruction of the ring and the crowning of Aragorn, is a standout moment that will bring tears to the eyes of even the most stoic viewer.
The film’s score, composed by Howard Shore, adds to the film’s epic feel and is a standout element of the film.
Overall, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” is a tour de force of filmmaking and a fitting conclusion to one of the greatest trilogies in cinema history.
The film was a critical and commercial success, winning 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Jackson.
3. King Kong
“King Kong” (2005) is a retelling of the classic 1933 film, directed by Peter Jackson.
The film follows film director Carl Denham (Jack Black) and his team as they travel to Skull Island to make a movie, where they encounter a giant ape named Kong and his love interest, actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts).
The film features stunning special effects, bringing Kong to life in a way that has never been seen before. Jackson’s direction is confident, balancing the film’s action, drama and humor with ease.
The film also features standout performances from its lead actors, particularly Naomi Watts, who brings a strong emotional core to the film, and Jack Black, who brings a charmingly roguish energy to the role of Carl Denham.
The film’s action sequences are thrilling, particularly the iconic fight between Kong and three T-Rexes and the final showdown on top of the Empire State Building.
The film’s score, composed by James Newton Howard, is also a standout element, adding to the film’s emotional impact.
Overall, “King Kong” is a thrilling and emotional ride, showcasing Peter Jackson’s filmmaking talent and love for the original film.
The film was a commercial success, grossing over $500 million worldwide, and received positive reviews from audiences and critics alike.
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001) is the first installment of Peter Jackson’s epic “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel.
The film introduces us to a rich world filled with hobbits, elves, dwarves and humans, as Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) sets out on a quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the dark lord Sauron. Jackson’s direction is masterful, capturing the spirit of the novel and creating a fully realized world filled with wonder and danger.
The film features standout performances from the entire cast, particularly Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Sean Astin as Sam, who bring heart and humor to the film.
The film’s visuals are also a standout element, with stunning landscapes and special effects that bring the world of Middle Earth to life.
The film’s action sequences are thrilling, particularly the escape from Moria and the Battle of Helm’s Deep. The film’s score, composed by Howard Shore, is also a standout element, adding to the film’s epic feel and emotional impact.
Overall, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” is a triumph of filmmaking, introducing audiences to one of the greatest fantasy worlds ever created and launching one of the most successful trilogies in cinema history.
The film was a critical and commercial success, receiving numerous awards and nominations, including four Academy Award nominations.
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002) is the second installment of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel.
The film continues the journey of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) as they travel to destroy the One Ring, while Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) unite with the people of Rohan to defend their land from the forces of Sauron.
Jackson’s direction is confident and masterful, building upon the success of “The Fellowship of the Ring” and taking the story to new heights.
The film features standout performances from the entire cast, particularly Mortensen, who brings depth and nuance to his character, and Andy Serkis as Gollum, whose motion capture performance is a standout element of the film.
The film’s visuals are stunning, particularly the Battle of Helm’s Deep, which is a standout action sequence in the film.
The film’s score, composed by Howard Shore, is also a standout element, adding to the film’s epic feel and emotional impact.
Overall, “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” is a triumph of filmmaking, continuing the journey of Frodo and his companions and setting the stage for the epic conclusion in “The Return of the King”.
The film was a critical and commercial success, receiving numerous awards and nominations, including two Academy Award nominations.
6. Dead Alive
“Dead Alive” (1992), also known as “Braindead”, is a horror-comedy film directed by Peter Jackson. The film follows Lionel (Timothy Balme), a young man living with his overbearing mother (Elizabeth Moody), as he falls in love with a local nurse (Diana Penalver).
When his mother is bitten by a Sumatran Rat-Monkey, she turns into a zombie, and Lionel must defend himself and his community from the horde of the undead.
The film is a wild, over-the-top horror-comedy, filled with gore, slapstick humor, and memorable one-liners. Jackson’s direction is confident, blending humor and horror in equal measure, and delivering a film that is both entertaining and outrageous.
The film’s practical special effects, particularly the zombie makeup and gore, are standout elements of the film, showcasing Jackson’s creativity and love for the horror genre.
The film’s humor is absurd, ranging from physical comedy to sight gags, and the film is filled with memorable scenes, including the infamous lawnmower sequence.
The film’s score, composed by Peter Dasent, adds to the film’s b-movie feel, and is a standout element of the film.
Overall, “Dead Alive” is a cult classic, showcasing Peter Jackson’s filmmaking talent and love for the horror genre.
The film was a commercial failure upon its release, but has since gained a dedicated following and is regarded as one of the best horror-comedies of all time.
7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a 2012 film directed by Peter Jackson and based on the novel of the same name by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The film received mixed reviews, with some praising its visual effects and action scenes, while others criticized its pacing and length.
The film received three Academy Award nominations, including for Best Visual Effects. Overall, the film is a visually stunning adaptation of the classic novel, but some may find its length and slow pacing to be a drawback.
8. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is a 2014 film directed by Peter Jackson and based on the novel “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The film serves as the conclusion to the “Hobbit” trilogy and features a large-scale battle between various armies vying for control of the Lonely Mountain.
The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its action scenes and special effects.
However, some criticized its excessive use of CGI and felt that the film did not live up to the emotional impact of its source material.
Overall, The Battle of the Five Armies is a thrilling conclusion to the trilogy that provides a satisfying end to the journey of Bilbo Baggins and the other characters.
9. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a 2013 film directed by Peter Jackson and based on the novel “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The film is the second installment in the “Hobbit” trilogy and follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins and a group of dwarves as they continue their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug.
The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its action scenes, special effects, and the performance of Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of Smaug.
However, some criticized the film for its over-reliance on CGI and felt that it lacked the heart and humor of the original novel.
Overall, The Desolation of Smaug is a well-crafted action-adventure film that will appeal to fans of the “Hobbit” franchise.
10. Meet the Feebles
“Meet the Feebles” by Peter Jackson is a dark comedy film, known for its use of gross-out humor, puppetry and musical numbers.
The film follows a group of performers in a variety show, as they face various personal and professional problems.
While some viewers find the film’s humor and content to be over-the-top and tasteless, others appreciate its unconventional style and twisted take on the conventional musical format.
The film has gained a cult following for its humor and use of practical effects. However, it may not be for everyone, due to its explicit and mature themes.
11. Bad Taste
“Bad Taste” by Peter Jackson is a science fiction horror-comedy film known for its low-budget, over-the-top violence, and dark humor.
The film follows a group of aliens who come to Earth to harvest humans for food. The film’s humor is often crude and relies on slapstick, gross-out gags, and political satire.
While it may not be for everyone, fans of Jackson’s work, as well as those who appreciate unconventional and low-budget horror-comedies, may find it entertaining.
The film’s use of practical effects and DIY ethos has made it a cult classic, and a must-see for fans of Jackson’s work.
12. Forgotten Silver
“Forgotten Silver” by Peter Jackson is a mockumentary film that purports to tell the story of a neglected and forgotten film pioneer named Colin McKenzie.
The film tells the story of McKenzie’s supposed life and career, which includes a series of extraordinary claims, including the invention of sound and color film.
The film presents these claims as if they were real, but in reality, they are entirely fabricated.
The film’s humor comes from the clever presentation of the fictional information, as well as the reactions of the various experts and commentators who are interviewed throughout the film.
While some viewers may find the humor in the film to be in poor taste or insensitive, others may appreciate its creative approach and cleverly constructed narrative.
![Forgotten Silver [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51NRQ0VEt5L.jpg)
13. The Frighteners
“The Frighteners” by Peter Jackson is a supernatural horror-comedy film that stars Michael J. Fox as a man who can communicate with the dead.
The film follows Fox’s character as he uses his abilities to start a ghost-hunting business, only to find himself drawn into a larger conspiracy involving a ghostly serial killer.
The film blends elements of horror and comedy, with special effects and a fast-paced storyline. The film received positive reviews for its imaginative story, visual effects, and strong performances, particularly from Fox.
However, some viewers felt that the film’s tone was uneven, and that the humor didn’t always work effectively within the horror context.
Overall, “The Frighteners” is a unique and entertaining film that showcases Jackson’s ability to blend different genres, and may appeal to fans of horror-comedies and supernatural stories.
14. They Shall Not Grow Old
“They Shall Not Grow Old” by Peter Jackson is a documentary film that provides a unique look at the experiences of British soldiers during World War I.
The film uses restored and colorized footage to give viewers a vivid and immersive look at life on the front lines, as well as the conditions and experiences of soldiers in the trenches.
The film also features the voices of soldiers, who share their personal accounts and recollections of the war.
The film was well-received by audiences and critics, who praised its technical achievements and ability to bring the past to life.
The film provides a powerful and moving tribute to the soldiers who fought in World War I, and is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the conflict.
15. The Lovely Bones
“The Lovely Bones” by Peter Jackson is a drama film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Alice Sebold.
The film tells the story of a young girl who is murdered and watches over her family and friends from heaven as they try to come to terms with her death and find her killer.
The film features strong performances from its cast, particularly Saoirse Ronan as the murdered girl, and is notable for its imaginative depiction of heaven as a place where the deceased can exist in a kind of limbo.
The film’s visual effects and cinematography are also standout elements, and add to the film’s dreamlike quality.
However, some viewers felt that the film failed to fully capture the emotion and complexity of the novel, and that the ending was unsatisfying.
Despite its shortcomings, “The Lovely Bones” remains a visually stunning and well-acted film that may appeal to fans of dramas and coming-of-age stories.
3 Characteristics of Peter Jackson Films
Visual Effects: Peter Jackson is known for his use of cutting-edge visual effects, especially in his larger-scale projects such as “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies. He often employs a blend of practical and digital effects to create convincing and immersive worlds on screen.
Blend of Genres: Many of Jackson’s films feature elements of several different genres, such as horror, comedy, and drama, often within the same film. He is known for his ability to seamlessly blend these elements in unique and entertaining ways.
Attention to Detail: Jackson is known for his meticulous attention to detail in his filmmaking, from the sets and costumes to the visual effects and sound design. He is known for his ability to create a fully-realized and immersive world in his films, and for his willingness to go to great lengths to get the details right.
3 Reasons Why You Should Watch Peter Jackson Films
Visual Mastery: Peter Jackson is a master of filmmaking and special effects, and his films are often visually stunning, with intricate and imaginative worlds brought to life through a combination of practical and digital effects.
Storytelling: Jackson is known for his ability to tell complex and engaging stories, often with elements of several different genres. Whether you are a fan of fantasy, horror, comedy, or drama, there is something for everyone in his films.
Attention to Detail: Jackson is known for his attention to detail and his willingness to put in the time and effort necessary to get things right. From the sets and costumes to the visual effects and sound design, his films are meticulously crafted and offer a rich and immersive viewing experience. Whether you are a fan of his earlier, low-budget films or his more recent, big-budget blockbusters, there is something to be enjoyed in his body of work.
Best Peter Jackson Films – Wrapping Up
In conclusion, Peter Jackson is a filmmaker with a diverse and accomplished body of work, and his films offer something for fans of many different genres. Some of his most highly-regarded films include:
“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy
“The Hobbit” trilogy
“King Kong” (2005)
“Heavenly Creatures” (1994)
“Bad Taste” (1987)
“The Frighteners” (1996)
“They Shall Not Grow Old” (2018)
These films showcase Jackson’s mastery of visual effects, his ability to tell engaging and imaginative stories, and his attention to detail.
Whether you are a fan of action, fantasy, horror, comedy, or drama, there is something in Jackson’s filmography that is sure to capture your attention and imagination.
