10 Incredible Similarities Between Harry Potter And The Lord Of The Rings

10. Beginnings And Family

Both The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are monstrously huge marathon franchises, but let's start at the very beginning: well, the very beginning of the the first Rings film, at least. Because despite the apparent bliss of the Shire being a stark contrast to poor Harry living under his uncle and aunt's stairs, Frodo has more in common with young Mr Potter than meets the eye. Like Harry, Frodo lives with his uncle, Bilbo Baggins (in the films at least: the books mention a second cousin). Both stories starts on a birthday, as Harry's 11 years old when he's invited to Hogwarts, and Frodo's only just turned 33. Both Harry and Frodo are only living where they are because they're both orphaned; Harry's parents were obviously killed by Voldemort, and Frodo's parents drowned. It's only when a much taller man comes knocking that they both go off for adventure too, and just as Frodo and Gandalf become great friends over their travels, Harry sees Hagrid in a similar way by the end of the first Potter film. Of course, Frodo never talked to a snake at the zoo in his youth, but it's clear to see an influence of Frodo's sleepy surroundings on Privet Drive. The Shire is an almost stereotypical idea of where the more ordinary creatures could be from; likewise, suburban Surrey is a comparable place for a young boy with extraordinary power to live. It's from these quite simple hometowns though that both stories evolve into the fantastical.