Things that would not have happened if not for the movies

[Lalwendë]

I strongly suspect that without the film, any kind of film/TV fantasy would not have got very far. Fantasy films were very much a 'joke' before LotR was adapted for the screen, though from the first moment I saw Robin Of Sherwood I knew it was possible to make good screen fantasy that wasn't pure cheese or 'just for children'.

No LotR films - no Game of Thrones/Merlin/Narnia/Stardust etc.

I'd also argue that they made more women and girls realise that sci-fi and fantasy are actually great fun and that it's OK to admit in public that you are more interested in Hobbits than hairdressing. And the films managed this without even having to make Arwen swing a sword at Helms Deep.