Cornerstones of Modern Fantasy Literature. | The Historian's Den

In 1961, C.S. Lewis, famed author of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' and close friend of J.R.R. Tolkien, nominated Tolkien for the Nobel Prize in Literature. 

At the time, Tolkien had already published 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', works that would later become cornerstones of modern fantasy literature. 

Lewis’s nomination was a gesture of deep respect, recognizing Tolkien’s imaginative scope, linguistic invention, and mythic depth.

 

 

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However, the Nobel committee rejected…

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FACTS

The Tolkien movie franchises,

The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) and The Hobbit, have earned over $5.8 billion worldwide, with LOTR grossing over $2.9 billion and The Hobbit trilogy adding significant revenue, led by The Return of the King (over $1.15B) and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (over $1.01B). 

These films are among the highest-grossing of all time, with individual movies like The Return of the King crossing the billion-dollar mark. 

Here's a breakdown of the top films by worldwide gross:

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Peter Jackson)

• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003): Over $1.15 Billion.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002): Around $949 Million.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): Around $898 Million.