‘Lord of the Rings’ Mistakes You Can’t Unsee

The ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy is widely hailed as one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time. Peter Jackson’s sweeping adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy captivated audiences with breathtaking landscapes, heartfelt performances, and some of the most memorable battle scenes in movie history. Yet, for all its perfection, even Middle-earth isn’t immune to a few slip-ups that eagle-eyed fans have spotted over the years.

From continuity blunders to modern-day objects sneaking into shots, these mistakes can momentarily pull you out of the magic—once you’ve noticed them, you’ll never be able to unsee them again. Here are 15 of the most amusing, surprising, and sometimes baffling goofs from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ films that prove even the most masterful productions have their imperfections.

Gandalf’s Disappearing Staff in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’

During the Council of Elrond scene, Gandalf is clearly seen with his staff as he sits. However, in the very next shot, it mysteriously vanishes from his side. The camera pans back again, and—like magic—it’s returned. This isn’t a spell from the Grey Wizard but rather a classic continuity oversight.

For those paying close attention, this disappearing act disrupts the otherwise seamless storytelling of Rivendell’s tense political moment. It’s a subtle slip, but once noticed, you can’t help but anticipate the staff’s next cameo within the same scene.

The Car in the Shire in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’

Early in the film, when Sam and Frodo set off on their journey, a wide shot shows them walking through the idyllic Shire countryside. For a brief moment in the far background, a modern car can be seen driving by.

This kind of mistake is a reminder of the logistical challenges of filming on location in rural New Zealand. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but knowing it’s there makes you look for it every time the scene rolls around.

Frodo’s Changing Shirt in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’

In the scene after Frodo is stabbed by the Morgul blade at Weathertop, his shirt color and style subtly change between shots. At first, it’s a loose-fitting tunic, but in the next, it’s a tighter, differently cut shirt.

Wardrobe swaps are common in long shooting schedules, but in a film with such devoted fans, even the smallest costume inconsistency is destined to be immortalized online.

The Disappearing Rope in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’

When Sam and Frodo descend the cliff near the Emyn Muil, Sam remarks that he doesn’t think they’ll need the rope again. They cut it loose, and it falls. Moments later, when they walk away, the rope is clearly visible tied back in place.

It’s a continuity slip that unintentionally turns Sam’s confident statement into an ironic gag for anyone spotting the lingering rope.

Legolas’s Eye Color Changing in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’

Throughout the trilogy, Legolas’s eye color seems to shift between blue and brown. In some shots, Orlando Bloom’s natural brown eyes peek through, while in others, they’re a vivid, unnatural blue from contact lenses.

This inconsistency likely came from the discomfort of wearing lenses for long hours of filming, but it’s one that sharp-eyed viewers can’t help but notice, especially in close-ups.

Gimli’s Variable Height in ‘The Two Towers’

In one scene, Gimli is shoulder-height compared to Aragorn; in another, he’s nearly waist-height. The filmmakers used various tricks to emphasize the dwarf’s stature, but the shifting scale is hard to ignore once you’ve spotted it.

It’s a byproduct of mixing forced perspective shots with scenes where actors stood side-by-side, and while it doesn’t ruin the illusion, it’s enough to make you double-take.

The Extra Who Eats a Carrot in ‘The Two Towers’

During the bustling marketplace scene in Rohan, an extra can be seen chomping loudly on a carrot. The moment stands out not only for its oddity but because the same man appears again later in ‘The Return of the King’.

It turns out this was actually Peter Jackson himself making a cameo, but the conspicuous carrot-munching has become a fan-favorite Easter egg-cum-mistake.

The Shrinking Uruk-hai Weapons in ‘The Two Towers’

During the Battle of Helm’s Deep, some Uruk-hai are seen wielding massive, menacing pikes—only for those weapons to appear much smaller when the fighting intensifies.

This visual shift breaks the imposing image built up earlier in the scene and likely results from switching to lighter, stunt-safe props for the actors during action sequences.

Aragorn’s Sword Switching in ‘The Two Towers’

Before Aragorn officially receives Andúril in ‘The Return of the King’, his sword mysteriously changes shape and detail between shots in Helm’s Deep.

Prop continuity errors like this are common in large-scale productions, but for lore-loving fans who obsess over weapon designs, it’s an easy distraction.

The Sudden Appearance of an Elf in ‘The Two Towers’

During the battle, as Aragorn speaks to King Théoden, the scene’s extras shuffle around in the background. In one take, an elf is clearly absent—yet in the very next shot, they’re suddenly standing right behind him.

This background swap may have been caused by combining footage from different filming days, but it creates a subtle “where did they come from?” moment for sharp-eyed viewers.

The Disappearing Chain Mail in ‘The Return of the King’

Pippin’s armor changes between shots as he prepares for battle in Minas Tirith. In one frame, his chain mail covers his arms; in the next, it’s only a partial piece.

It’s an easy slip to miss amid the chaos of the siege, but once pointed out, it adds an unintentional costume-juggling subplot.

The Witch-king’s Weapon Swap in ‘The Return of the King’

When the Witch-king faces Éowyn, his weapon changes from a flail to a sword between cuts. It happens so quickly that many don’t register it during the first watch.

While this could be explained in-world as him discarding one weapon for another, the reality is that it’s simply a filming oversight made more obvious in slow motion.

Aragorn’s Wet-to-Dry Hair in ‘The Return of the King’

After Aragorn’s dramatic arrival with the Army of the Dead, his hair appears dripping wet in one shot, and in the very next, it’s almost dry and perfectly styled.

It’s a classic continuity gaffe that can’t help but undermine the otherwise awe-inspiring moment of his return.

Sam’s Changing Bag Size in ‘The Return of the King’

Throughout the climb up Mount Doom, Sam’s backpack changes in size. In some shots, it looks bulky and heavy, while in others, it’s noticeably smaller and lighter.

This may have been a practical choice for certain stunt scenes, but it creates an unintentional visual inconsistency in a tense and emotional sequence.

The Gondorian Soldier Wearing Sneakers in ‘The Return of the King’

Perhaps the most infamous background mistake of all: during the Battle of Pelennor Fields, a soldier can be spotted wearing modern sneakers instead of medieval boots.

It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but it’s become legendary among fans—proof that even in the heat of battle, some warriors value comfort over authenticity.

Which of these mistakes have you noticed before, and did we miss any of your favorites? Share your thoughts in the comments below!