The Lord of the Rings is a series with some of the greatest characters in fiction. Some fans have been considering why they're so beloved.

Lord of the Rings has captivated the minds of audiences for generations, and with The Rings of Power, set to be released on September 2nd, it will likely be able to draw the eyes of an entirely new fanbase.

With The Rings of Power set to introduce an entirely new cast of characters that fans will surely come to love, many fans on Reddit have been revisiting some of the characters from the original books and movies. In the process, they're relearning exactly why they adore them so much.

Boromir

Despite being the Steward of Gondor and a devoted figure with a strong determination to help his men, Boromir isn't recalled very fondly for his honor. In fact, it's very much the opposite. "He's flawed and feels the most real," says Reddit user GreatJakeUmber.

It's exactly that which draws the attention of much of the fanbase. Rather than being the perfect honorable man, he's known as a man who failed. His greed led him to try to convince the Council of Elrond to give the ring to Gondor and he even tried to take it from Frodo - had he succeeded, it could have meant the end of Middle Earth entirely. Still, fans know it wasn't entirely his fault. Instead, he was easily corrupted and recognized it himself, and that self-awareness is how he earned such esteem.

Saruman

Despite initially being aligned against Sauron, Saruman is a character that was never afraid to change sides. He committed one of the greatest betrayals in Lord of the Rings and turned against Gandalf. Still, fans regard him fairly fondly. "He's calculating and feels truly alien. Separate from the world and--in his estimation--above it, he chooses sides and diplomacy with icy rationality," says Redditor PersistenceOfLoss.

Indeed, he's one of the most incredible characters in the franchise, thanks to his morally grey outlook. Rather than an outright villain or hero at any point, he's a figure trying to survive and gain power in his own right. Though he earned the respect of Gandalf, he readily betrays him, and yet fans still can't hold it against him.

Gandalf

A wizard dedicated to defeating Sauron, Gandalf led the Fellowship in their quest to destroy the One Ring. Given that his journey leads to his ultimate sacrifice and rebirth, Gandalf is extremely respected by the wider fanbase. Still, the admiration is for more than just his accomplishments.

"I love the nurturing protectiveness he has for Frodo. We see on several occasions how much of a strong, wise leader he is. Whenever you have Gandalf in your party you can't help but feel safe." says Reddit user mrchipslewis. "He's quite simply a badass wizard and he's my favorite fictional character of all time." As one of the wisest characters in Lord of the Rings, he truly helps guide the team and is likely the reason they succeeded at all.

Smeagol

A character most well known for his lowest point, Smeagol was a person that found himself corrupted by the One Ring. Once a typical Hobbit, he found himself chasing down the Fellowship and Bilbo as he desperately tried to reclaim the Ring.

"His struggle with addiction and trust was compelling and he provided some very original comic relief from all the dull nasty hobbitses," says Reddit user greyforyou. It is true that, though he had an incredibly sad story that truly proved just how powerful the Ring's corruption was, he was sometimes incredibly funny. The tragedy of the character and the needed relief from the heavy subject matter really helped to carry the books.

Frodo

The protagonist of Lord of the Rings, Frodo is a character that fans have adored for decades. "Frodo often gets overshadowed by more conventionally heroic figures or bigger personalities in LotR, but he's the quiet heart of the story and exemplifies many of the values that really set it apart from other books," says Redditor iniondubh.

Many of Frodo's traits make him Lord of the Rings' greatest hero. From his dedication to his corruption to his love for his friends that carried him through every aspect of the long journey. Though he suffered a great deal and will likely never recover from the quest, his valiant effort makes him a much-beloved hero.

Éowyn

A part of the best Lords of the Rings couple, Éowyn was a shieldmaiden that fell for the Prince of Ithilien. But it wasn't the romance that fans adored about Éowyn since many her character arc stood out the most. As Reddit user ststeveg says, "She seizes the moment and fulfills an ancient prophecy to provide a critical victory. Epic, and so Tolkien."

As a character, Éowyn was an inspiration who proved that women could serve just as well on the battlefield as the men around her. A fierce fighter and a noble warrior, Éowyn slaughtered the Witch-king single-handedly. However, that wasn't the only thing that defined her. When the time came for peace, she adapted to that remarkably well, proving that she's capable of being more than just a one-trick pony. Éowyn was a fantastic character, which is why fans today still love her.

Gimli

A Dwarf and a member of the Fellowship, it isn't his accomplishments that make Gimli incredible. "Gimli is just a regular guy, doing his absolute utmost to keep up with all the high and mighty people and events around him, giving 110% every moment," says Redditor Inconsequentialish. "He's incredibly loyal and open-minded, with a heart of gold."

Desperate for adventure and glory, Gimli was excited to take his chances among the Fellowship, and more than proved himself among their ranks. After becoming quick (and unexpected) friends with Legolas, he wormed his way into the hearts of fans and even managed to become a popular meme in the process.

Sauron

One of the most powerful supernatural beings in Lord of the Rings and the primary antagonist of the series, Sauron haunted the nightmares of many fans. From his terrifying form to his cruel armies, he is a specter that hangs over the Fellowship for as long as they journey.

Still, fans find Sauron active for his goals as much as his deeds. "He's active in every age of the Earth. He's interesting. He's not just an 'evil villain.' He has real plans to make the world better," says Reddit user carnsolus. Given that Sauron loved order and genuinely wanted to make the world less chaotic, he had noble goals to help people but was slowly corrupted by his quest for power. As a figure of evil, fans were fascinated by the character's descent.

Aragorn

A Ranger, a Chieftain, and a member of the Fellowship, Aragorn strove to protect the Shire and the Hobbits under Gandalf's directive. For many fans, they adored his altruistic and selfless attitude, seeing him put his life on the line several times for the greater good.

"Aragorn was one of my icons as a kid," says Redditor theembassy01o1. "Baddassery with genuine kindness and love be for others is so rare sometimes. He's a true warrior poet." A stern man who still possesses a sense of humor, it wasn't hard for him to acquire the affection of fans. But his wisdom, skill, and determination marked him among the best characters in the series.

Sam

Frodo's closest friend and confidant, Samwise Gamgee was nothing more than a gardener before setting off with the Fellowship. But he became so much more. As Reddit user says Kodama_Keeper put it, "Sam came from nothing, had incredible adventures, saved the world, fixed his little part of it, and left it better than he found it."

But Sam did more than just that. He proved that he was a loyal friend with the courage to spare and selflessness that made him the perfect companion through the long trek. Though he had none of the training that his fellows did and none of the experience, he managed to survive and complete their mission while trying to keep Frodo's spirits high in the process. And, truly, there was no better companion in the series.

Next: 10 Best Quotes About Hobbits In Lord Of The Rings