This Legendary Epic Is the Highest-Rated Classic on Goodreads of All Time
For generations of readers, certain books have never gone out of style-but one towering novel stands above the rest. According to Goodreads members, The Lord of the Rings holds the distinction of being the highest-rated classic of all time on the platform, boasting an impressive 4.54 average rating.
First published in the mid-20th century, The Lord of the Rings has long been regarded as one of the most influential works of modern literature. Decades later, its impact continues to resonate, not just in publishing but across film, television, and pop culture as well.
Written by J. R. R. Tolkien, the book was divided into three volumes for initial publication, starting with The Fellowship of the Ring in July 1954. Then came The Two Towers in November of the same year, and finally The Return of the King in October 1955.
Set in a fantasy world known as Middle-earth, the book serves as a sequel to Tolkien's 1937 book The Hobbit. It follows a Hobbit named Frodo Baggins who sets out on a quest with a pack of allies to destroy the evil One Ring that used to belong to Dark Lord Sauron. His crew, also known as the Fellowship, includes fellow Hobbits Samwise Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck, and Pippin Took, along with Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir.
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While The Lord of the Rings initially got mixed reviews from readers, in the years since its release, it has become known as the defining fantasy epic and a true classic. It has also taken over movies and television, with Peter Jackson directing a beloved and critically acclaimed trilogy of films in the early 2000s, while there are various other projects based on the books, like the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power TV show and the upcoming Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum movie.
On Goodreads, the novel ranked above many other enduring classics, including East of Eden by John Steinbeck, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, among others, according to data shared with Parade.
As Goodreads users continue to rate and revisit their favorite books, the rankings may shift over time. But for now, one thing is clear: when it comes to the highest-rated classic of all time, this legendary epic still reigns supreme.
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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 8:00 AM.