Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, Boromir, Samwise, Frodo, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin forming The Fellowship in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingImage via New Line Cinema
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Michael John Petty
Published Jan 24, 2026, 8:00 PM EST
Michael John Petty is a Senior Author for Collider who spends his days writing, in fellowship with his local church, and enjoying each new day with his wife and daughters. At Collider, he writes features and reviews, and has interviewed the cast and crew of Dark Winds. In addition to writing about stories, Michael has told a few of his own. His first work of self-published fiction – The Beast of Bear-tooth Mountain – became a #1 Best Seller in "Religious Fiction Short Stories" on Amazon in 2023. His Western short story, The Devil's Left Hand, received the Spur Award for "Best Western Short Fiction" from the Western Writers of America in 2025. Michael currently resides in North Idaho with his growing family.
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No matter how many times you've watched Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, it remains a three-part masterpiece worthy of all the praise. Based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, it follows the famed Fellowship of the Ring as they travel from Rivendell to Mount Doom (well, some of them anyway) to destroy the One Ring that the Dark Lord Sauron would use to enslave Middle-earth. With high stakes, it's hard to think about food — that is, it's hard unless perhaps you're a Hobbit.
Across all three films (which run for over 11 hours if you watch the extended editions), it's hard not to see how hungry the Fellowship might be. So, we've decided to rank each member of the group by how hungry they are, or, at least how hungry they might be. Some are certainly more adept at going long distances without meals, while others must nourish themselves continually. Who do you think is the hungriest?
9 Legolas
Legolas (Orlando Bloom) with a piece of lembas bread in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'Image via New Line Cinema
It's rare that we ever see any members of the Fellowship eat, but the only bite of food that we ever see Legolas (Orlando Bloom) take in the entire trilogy is a quick bite of lembas bread near the tail end of The Fellowship of the Ring. According to the Elven warrior, one bite is enough to "fill the stomach of a grown man" for weeks on end, and so he takes the smallest corner of the meal and carries on. It's no wonder we never see him tire.
Later on, after the Battle at Helm's Deep, Legolas engages in a drinking competition against his Dawrf companion (we'll get to him in a minute). It takes over a dozen cups for the Elf to even feel a slight "tingle in his fingers," and so we feel confident that we can claim Legolas as the least hungry member of the bunch. Although he drinks quite a bit, it's only in sport rather than in hunger.
8 Gandalf
Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) in Bree in 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'Image via Warner Bros.
Admittedly, we never actually see the Grey-turned-White Wizard eat much of anything in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. However, as an Istari clothed in human flesh, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) does need to eat, even after coming back from the dead. Although we don't see it happen, we can assume that Gandalf ate his fair share at Bilbo's (Ian Holm) birthday party as well as in Rivendell and Rohan. After all, even a Wizard needs nourishment.
If we pivot to The Hobbit trilogy, we see Gandalf actually ordering food at the Prancing Pony in Bree — some meat, bread, and cheese — in the flashback that opens The Desolation of Smaug. And that's after all the eating and drinking at the beginning of An Unexpected Journey. So, even if we don't see him eat much during Jackson's original trilogy, the prequel film proves that Gandalf actually eats more solid food (and likely more consistently) than Legolas.
7 Frodo
Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) eats a piece of lembas bread in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'Image via New Line Cinema
Perhaps it's not surprising that Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) isn't among the most hungry in The Lord of the Rings, even if his body is wasting away day by day. Due to the power of the One Ring, we see Frodo not only sleep less as his journey goes on, but he barely eats and drinks as well. By the time the Ring is destroyed, he can't even recall the taste of food, not even strawberries.
As a Hobbit, Frodo is likely used to eating several meals a day, and yet, he hardly thinks of food at all. Even in The Fellowship of the Ring when he and his three companions hide out from the Ring Wraiths on Weathertop, he isn't thinking about eating the same way they are. Okay, that's because they're being chased by Dark Riders and are trying to stay hidden, but still.
6 Boromir
Boromir (Sean Bean) enjoys a celebratory drink in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'Image via New Line Cinema
While Boromir's (Sean Bean) life is cut famously short by the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, we think there's something to be said about the fact that he, as a man and a brave warrior, was likely famished by the time of his death. But even if he wasn't we know that this son of Gondor would happily go for a celebratory drink after the defeat of Sauron, if not a feast as well.
In The Two Towers, we get a flashback to his time with Faramir (David Wenham) after a winning battle in Osgiliath. The pair wasted no time bringing out the ale and drinking alongside the men, which would undoubtedly have led to a feast if their father hadn't interrupted the celebrations. If we had seen more of Boromir, it's likely he would have been devouring something just like his father.
5 Aragorn
Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) eats bad stew in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'Image via New Line Cinema
There's no denying that Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) is a skilled warrior and the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. A man of few words, the ranger doesn't complain or make known his needs, including his hunger. Yet, after all that battle and travel — and after being subjected to Éowyn's (Miranda Otto) soup offering — it's likely that he's one of the hungriest of them all.
Of course, like the rest of the Fellowship, it's also implied that Aragorn ate lembas bread throughout his journey, and as a northern ranger, he certainly would've been accustomed to foraging for food in the wild. But even Aragorn's certain hunger isn't enough to get him to eat what Éowyn prepares for him. Frankly, from the looks of it, we can't quite blame him.
4 Gimli
Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) eats in Rohan in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'Image via New Line Cinema
A member of the Dwarven race, Gimili (John Rhys-Davies) is a fierce warrior who certainly won't stop just because his belly aches. Nevertheless, Gimili is shown to consume some cheese in The Two Towers and exclaims his desire for salted pork in The Return of the King. As he travels tired behind Aragorn and Legolas for much of the trilogy, it's no doubt that his exhaustion comes with a side of intense hunger.
As with Legolas, Gimili also engages in a celebratory drinking game, drinking himself under the table. Of course, this doesn't keep the Son of Glóin down in the slightest, and it isn't long before he's back in action again. Still, Gimili will jump at the chance for food no matter the circumstances, and it's obvious that this Dwarf is one of the consistently hungriest of the bunch.
3 Sam
Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) holds a pair of rabbits in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'Image via New Line Cinema
There's no denying that Hobbits are arguably the hungriest of the races in Middle-earth. Their love of food and ability to craft some of the best dishes is well known among Tolkien fans. There is perhaps no better example of this in The Lord of the Rings than in Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin). Although he never complains about it, the fact that Sam is cooking only further proves his hunger.
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Craving more quirky Middle-earth takes? Subscribe to the newsletter for additional character hunger rankings, culinary curiosities, and pop-culture analysis that enriches your appreciation of Tolkien's world. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.No matter if he has a pair of coneys to turn into a stew or some crispy bacon to fry up, Sam is able to turn any disparaging trip across Middle-earth into a culinary adventure. He also knows how to encourage others to eat, no doubt so that he doesn't feel so bad eating alone. No matter what Gollum (Andy Serkis) says, Sam would never overindulge himself, though he probably wanted to on more than one occasion.
2 Merry
Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck (Dominic Monaghan) smokes some pipeweed in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'Image via New Line Cinema
One of the things that we first learn about Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck (Dominic Monaghan) on the journey to Bree is that he and his cousin love to get into Farmer Maggot's crops. No matter the occasion, Merry always makes time for a snack. Throughout the entire Lord of the Rings saga, there is no character (save one) who is actively hungrier on a consistent basis.
While Merry's appetites are certainly quenched by the end of the quest, he had no trouble celebrating with the spoils of war — even if an entire roast chicken is floating along the battlefield. And let's not forget about the aforementioned salted pork that Gimili craved. He's a hungry Hobbit indeed.
1 Pippin
Peregrin "Pippin" Took (Billy Boyd) holds an apple in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'Image via New Line Cinema
Always on the lookout for a second breakfast and "elevansies" whenever he can get them, Peregrin "Pippin" Took (Billy Boyd) will eat no matter the occasion. From apples and pork to bacon and other delectable treats, Pippin is always thinking about food. In each trilogy installment, he mentions his cravings at least once, and even uses the Ent's magical water to grow a few inches.
Although he doesn't appear to be much of a cook, Pippin can certainly enjoy food wherever he finds it, usually alongside Merry as the two sing and dance with their dirty Hobbit feet on the table. It's quite a picture, but one that is painted masterfully in the original trilogy. He may not be terribly helpful in battle, but he can surely clear a dinner table with ease.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
PG-13
Action
Fantasy
Adventure
Release Date
December 19, 2001
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