Rings Of Power Season 3 Review: A Leaner, Meaner Version Of Lord Of The Rings In Best Episodes Yet

The Rings of Power delivers its best episodes yet in a third season that doubles down on what works, making for a sweeping fantasy epic with bite. Published Nov 10, 2026, 3:00 PM EST Graeme Guttmann is the Deputy News Editor for ScreenRant, overseeing the News and Interview & Events team for film and television. He began at ScreenRant in 2020 as a freelancer. He has interviewed talent from various films and series, including Jennifer Coolidge, Mikey Madison, Emma Roberts, and more. Additionally, Graeme is a critic for ScreenRant, having attended film festivals like Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival, SXSW, and Cannes. You can reach him at graeme.g@screenrant.com and read his criticism here: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/critics/graeme-guttmann/movies As inevitable as the creation of the One Ring itself, The Rings of Power has returned for a third season as it barrels towards a showdown between Sauron and the rest of Middle-earth. In the midst of all this, The Lord of the Rings franchise is on the precipice of a new era. The Hunt For Gollum, a new movie set before the events of the original trilogy, is set to release in theaters next December and reports of another movie have surfaced, though its status in light of the Skydance merger remains in question. In an echo of the franchise itself, the cast of Rings of Power is spread thin when season 3 picks up five years after the events of its sophomore episodes. The Elves are in the midst of a guerrilla war with Sauron's forces as they still grapple with the fall of Eregion. Sauron is on the hunt for information that could help him forge the One Ring to Rule Them All. Khazad-dûm and Númenor are both divided nations, split between factions that are jockeying for power in light of the dark forces sweeping across their once peaceful lands. Finally, in Rhun, Gandalf (Daneil Weyman) is still on a journey of self-discovery, figuring out his own place in the battle to come. The Rings of Power has always juggled these disparate plots to varying success, often plagued by the problem that some elements of its plot are inherently more compelling than others. In that way, Rings of Power season 3 holds a mirror up to itself, the struggles for power reflecting the struggle for priority in a season that is, overall, leaner, meaner, and much more gratifying than any of its predecessors. The Rings Of Power Season 3 Is Its Best Yet There's a lot to catch up on in Middle-earth and Númenor since the end of season 2. In the latter island nation, King Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) and Faithful leader Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) lead two opposing factions. The nation of men is needed in Middle-earth proper as Sauron's forces gather, but their internal squabbles prevent the divided people from assisting across the Sundering Sea. In Khazad-dûm, the arrival of Durin's (Owain Arthur) brother Thráin (Eddie Marsan) kicks off a struggle for the throne as the siblings squabble over the seven rings Sauron gifted to the Dwarves. Meanwhile, Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) gets word that an Elven smith in Sauron's grasp could hold the key to his creation of the One Ring, sending her on a journey with Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) to rescue that elf and prevent Sauron from acquiring the secret that could destroy the world. Finally, in Rhun, the forces around Gandalf gather for the Dark Lord as the wizard aims to sway them to the other side and figure out his own role in the coming battles. It's reflective of the fact that the show doesn't really know what to do with the character: like with the Harfoots before, the Rhun story feels tacked on, not yet connected to the other strands of the plot that snake their way across the landscape. Classic lore is buffeted by a darker flare that speaks to the growing rot spreading across Middle-earth... This is in stark contrast to the others; while still sprawling, there's a sense of immediacy to the events of The Rings of Power season 3 that gives the proceedings a feeling of cohesion that the show has lacked in the past. With Sauron so focused on one singular goal, the series itself feels lasered in on its own goal of being an epic, sweeping fantasy series that bucks the inevitability of its conclusion with thrilling twists and turns. One of those turns involves the introduction of Celeborn (Jamie Campbell Bower), Galadriel's long-lost husband, who comes back into the fold and gives new dimension to the elf and her relationship to Sauron and his prior form Halbrand. Formerly consumed by her desire to bring Sauron to justice, Galadriel must now contend with much more than vengeance. The Rings of Power doesn't sully its female lead with a leaden romance story, though, allowing the Celeborn plot to fold naturally into the dynamic and giving its central force an added layer that only enriches the story. That enrichment translates to other strands of The Rings of Power. Durin's family struggles become inherently more compelling when his brother is added to the mix, putting the events in Khazad-dûm directly in Sauron's line of fire. Similarly, the expansion of the story in Númenor gives the series its most classical fantasy flavor yet. Creators and showrunners J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay have finally doubled down on what works — visceral action, majestic fantasy landscapes, and a balance of new stories and classic Tolkien lore. That classic lore is buffeted by a darker flare that speaks to the growing rot spreading across Middle-earth. In its first two seasons, The Rings of Power often felt as if the stage was being set and players were being moved into place for a grander, far-off conclusion. There was also a sense of optimism that directly bucked against the darker flourishes the show attempted to play with. A more intense focus on Sauron's quest for power and how that impacts the various people in and around Middle-earth allows The Rings of Power to feel as if it finally transcended its set-up to be its own pivotal chapter in the Lord of the Rings saga. The Rings of Power season 3 premieres on Prime Video on November 11. Release Date November 10, 2026 Network Prime Video Series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Episodes 8 Pros & Cons The Rings of Power season 3 feels more focused than ever. The introduction of new characters breathes life into several parts of the story. Sweeping fantasy motifs make way for a darker flare. Some elements of the plot, like Rhun and Gandalf, still feel tacked on.