Oxford, January 3 — January 3 marks the birth anniversary of JRR Tolkien, whose writing laid the foundation for modern high fantasy and shaped decades of popular storytelling across books, films, and television.
Born in 1892, Tolkien created a body of work that combined invented languages, deep history, and moral conflict. His novels did more than attract readers; they offered a complete fictional world that later became a guide for writers, filmmakers, and producers working in the fantasy genre. More than fifty years after his death in 1973, his influence remains visible across major entertainment platforms.
The clearest example remains The Lord of the Rings, adapted for cinema by Peter Jackson. Released between 2001 and 2003, the trilogy starred Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, and Cate Blanchett, among others. The films won 17 Academy Awards and proved that large-scale fantasy stories could succeed with adult audiences worldwide. Their success later led to The Hobbit film series and Amazon Prime Video’s The Rings of Power, which returned viewers to Tolkien’s world more than two decades later.
High fantasy soon reached younger audiences through Harry Potter, written by J. K. Rowling. The book series and its film adaptations followed the characters through seven school years, creating a shared experience for readers and viewers who grew up alongside the story. Actors such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint became widely recognized during the franchise’s run. The eight films earned more than $7.7 billion at the global box office, and a television adaptation is currently in development for streaming.
Television later became a major home for fantasy storytelling with HBO’s Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin’s novels. Airing from 2011 to 2019, the series drew attention for its political drama, large ensemble cast, and high production values. Performances by Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, and Kit Harington helped the show reach a global audience. Over its run, it won 59 Primetime Emmy Awards and changed how fantasy was produced for television.
Streaming platforms expanded the genre’s reach further with Netflix’s The Witcher, adapted from novels by Andrzej Sapkowski. The series introduced viewers to a fantasy story rooted in Slavic folklore. Henry Cavill starred as Geralt of Rivia for the first three seasons, earning praise from readers of the books and the author himself. The show continues with a new lead actor, while remaining one of Netflix’s most-watched fantasy titles.
More recently, Amazon Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time, based on Robert Jordan’s novels, has gained attention as a long-form television adaptation. Starring Rosamund Pike, the series reflects the ongoing demand for detailed fantasy stories in episodic form. As of 2025, streaming services and studios continue to invest heavily in the genre, releasing new seasons and planning additional adaptations.
On Tolkien’s birthday, his legacy is visible not only in bookstores but across cinemas and streaming platforms worldwide. The path from printed pages to screens has grown steadily over decades, with Tolkien’s work still serving as a reference point for fantasy storytelling today.
