The Lord of the Rings trilogy was a monumental success - both with film critics, general audiences, and fans of the books. The three fantasy films made an astounding amount of money (a total of over $2.9 billion worldwide), and 17 Academy Awards too, so it's fair to say that they made a significant impact on the world.

Long before Game of Thrones became one of the most successful TV shows ever made, with huge budgets bringing dragons and battles to the small screen, these adaptation of J R R Tolkien's books were a major first step in getting money behind fantasy stories like this - with the money pumped into these movies definitely showing up on screen.

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Saying that, it has been a little while since the final entry in the series, Return of the King, hit movie theatres. 15 years later, it's not too hard to find someone who has never seen any of the movies - and for anyone who has sat through and loved them, it can be a mind-blowing thing to hear.

However, it can be hard to convince someone to sit down and watch a trio of movies that average out at over three hours long each. Those aren't even the extended versions, which amount to a total of 11 hours and 24 minutes if you wanted to watch them back to back.

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Thankfully, we have streaming platforms like Netflix - where you can easily convince someone to try out a movie that you just know they will end up loving. Next month, we'll be seeing the Lord of the Rings trilogy dropping on Netflix UK, which means you can get through them all without having to mess around with any physical copies.

In fact, you can have the pleasure of exploring Middle Earth once again on November 1 - which is less than a week away!

That's not the only Lord of the Rings news heading our way. After they turned The Hobbit into a trilogy of movies, you would think that there wouldn't be much left to do with this world - but it turns out that Amazon Studios are bringing the books back, this time as a TV show.

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The reported $250 million deal they struck means they'll be beginning production on the show within the next two years - bringing the show to screens either in late 2020 or in 2021. In an update, Amazon exec Jennifer Salke said:

“All of us would love a big, addictive show that is executed at the top of its game. We’re really excited about Lord of the Rings. Despite all the chatter about it, the deal just closed a month ago. We’ve been talking to writers.

"We have an estate that’s very active. I’ve spent three hours with Simon Tolkien. There’s a lot of moving parts with it. We’ll have some game plan to move forward with very soon.”

It has been reported that this series will be a prequel, and some rumours suggest that it could be a young Aragorn - but it'll be some time before we know any details for definite.

Aside from the House of Cards debacle and that creepy video Kevin Spacey made, Netflix had a pretty good year. They released The Haunting Of Hill House, a terrifying drama about a dysfunctional family haunted by ghosts. The show was a surprise hit, as viewers loved the gripping story, plus hunting for hidden specters in the background of every scene.

Recently the streaming giant launched another highly anticipated project: Black Mirror - Bandersnatch, an interactive choose-your-own-adventure film. In the supernatural thriller, viewers get to make moral decisions for characters, which often have grave consequences. The creators said there are at least five possible endings, and your experience could last anywhere from 40 to 90 minutes.

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Usually Netflix keeps their viewing data secret, which is good, because I don't want anybody knowing I watched the first season of Fuller House. However, the company couldn't help but brag today after breaking another milestone:

"Took off my blindfold this morning to discover that 45,037,125 Netflix accounts have already watched Bird Box," the company tweeted. "Best first 7 days ever for a Netflix film! Wow! That's a lot of people that didn't want to talk to their family during Christmas.

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The psychological horror film stars Sandra Bullock, Sarah Paulson, John Malkovich and Machine Gun Kelly. Yes, that Machine Gun Kelly who got roasted in a diss track war with Eminem a few months ago. You thought he was done, didn't you? Nope. He's on the big screen. Well, the little screen that is also pretty big. I'm calling it now, 2019 will be the year of Machine Gun Kelly! Whoop, whoop!

The official synopsis states: "When a mysterious force decimates the world’s population, only one thing is certain: If you see it, you take your life. Facing the unknown, Malorie finds love, hope and a new beginning only for it to unravel. Now she must flee with her two children down a treacherous river to the one place left that may offer sanctuary. But to survive, they’ll have to undertake the perilous two-day journey blindfolded."

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Critics have pointed out that Netflix's accomplishment should come with an asterisk: 45 million accounts viewed Bird Box, you say? Is that global or international? What does "watching" mean, exactly? If someone turns it off after five minutes, does that count as a watch? What if the film plays automatically after a viewer has fallen asleep? Where's the independent, third-party sourcing? I want answers, Netflix! Or I'll never watch Fuller House again!

Well, one thing cannot be denied: Bird Box is popular, and is reaching the young generation. Yesterday a Twitter user referred to Academy Award-winner and three-decade acting legend Sandra Bullock as "that lady from Bird Box," sparking outrage.

Well, sorry, Twitter, but now it's official. Sandra Bullock, you are not that lady from Speed, or that lady from Miss Congeniality, or that lady from The Blind Side. You are that lady from Bird Box. Embrace it!

At the end of a long, hard day, there's one thing that makes it all worth it: Netflix, of course!

The revolutionary streaming service has become the couch potato's new best friend, with its library of films and television sorting all of us out no matter what mood we're in. Not to mention scoring us a fair few hook-ups.

However, the Netflix rug may be about to be pulled from under our feet. Okay, fine - it's not that dramatic, but Netflix is on its way to making a huge change that could change the way we all watch our favourite shows.

The company are testing adverts for the first time, with certain shows being interrupted between episodes with footage that promotes other shows and movies available on the streaming platform. Audiences attempting to binge-watch shows including Shameless, Frasier and Parks and Recreation will now find that their viewing is broken up with interstitial commercials which will air after the end of one episode, before the next automatically begins.

The move seemingly first came to light when users on social media caught wind of it. Many of them were seriously not impressed, with many slamming the streaming service for their decision.

"Netflix are now running adverts? That ruins a large part of what makes their service brilliantly unique. I guess their revenue of $11.692billion in 2017 needs topping-up on. #greed," tweeted Twitter user @ronanofaherty. He was joined by fellow user @DeathBlossoms who expressed his disappointment, putting: "Netflix is incredibly convenient and has a lot of programs I really like, but I won't hesitate to cancel my subscription if they decide to put adverts in. I pay a tenner a month for the luxury of not having ads."

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The company admitted to adding adverts in a statement which reminded users that they were able to skip them at any point. The statement read:

"At Netflix, we conduct hundreds of tests every year so we can better understand what helps members more easily find something great to watch. "A couple of years ago, we introduced video previews to the TV experience, because we saw that it significantly cut the time members spend browsing and helped them find something they would enjoy watching even faster. Since then, we have been experimenting even more with video based on personalised recommendations for shows and movies on the service or coming shortly and continue to learn from our members."

It continued: "In this particular case, we are testing whether surfacing recommendations between episodes helps members discover stories they will enjoy faster. It is important to note that a member is able to skip a video preview at anytime if they are not interested."

In addition, a spokesperson reportedly told technology site Ars Technica that only a subsection of users around the world has been shown the adverts and that Netflix would be monitoring “chatter on social channels” to see how the trial was received.

So Netflix users, is this acceptable? Or is it time for the citizens of the streaming service to band together and rise up?

Netflix says it will spend up to $8 billion on original content next year. That is insane! I remember when Netflix was just DVDs in a red envelope that came in the mail (and often skipped on the best part of the movie.) But the company realized they couldn't survive on their original business model, due to studios charging more and more for the rights to movies and TV shows. Every year, their library grew smaller and smaller.

In a brilliant decision, Netflix decided to make their own content. The entertainment industry scoffed, until they got their first two hits: House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black. Now they've made countless original TV shows and movies - Stranger Things, Bright, BoJack Horseman, The Cloverfield Paradox, etc. But in this ocean of content, sometimes you stumble upon something that got zero coverage or buzz.

Here are 6 Netflix Original movies you had no idea even existed.

1. When We First Met

In this romantic comedy, Noah (Workaholics' Adam DeVine) meets Avery at a Halloween party, and gets put in the dreaded 'friend zone.' Three years later, Avery's engaged, and Noah realizes he's in love with her. Thanks to a magical photo booth - yes, you read that right - he can travel back in time, over and over, until he can win her love.

My opinion: It looks like Groundhog Day, except totally horrible.

2. #realityhigh

You can tell this movie's going to be good, because it starts with a hashtag, just like #citizenkane. This movie tells the story of Dani, a nerdy high school student, and you can tell she's nerdy because she wears glasses. In order to become more popular, she gets a makeover, by taking off her glasses. Now everyone likes her, but unfortunately her plans are thwarted by her high school nemesis, who has 9 million online followers.

My opinion: This movie has a clear anti-glasses agenda, and I don't support it.

3. Irreplaceable You

In this romantic comedy, Abbie and Sam are engaged to be married, but their lives take an unexpected turn when Abbie is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Since her future is uncertain, she decides to search for a new romantic partner for Sam. Along the way, she joins a support group with characters played the always-entertaining Christopher Walken and SNL's Kate McKinnon. Also, her doctor is played by Timothy Simmons (aka Jonah from Veep).

My opinion: If you liked the cancer comedy 50/50, and cancer rom-com The Fault Of Our Stars, you will like this.

4. iBoy

After a violent encounter with thugs, Tom gets a smartphone smashed on his head. But this turns out to be a blessing in disguise, as the shards give him superhuman powers. In a world where teenagers are snorting condoms and eating Tide pods, I feel like this movie should come with several disclaimers, so this doesn't turn into the next online challenge. Anyway, after Tom's friend Lucy (Maisee Williams from Game of Thrones) gets assaulted by criminals, he uses his powers to avenge her. It's like Taken for teens.

My opinion: Looks like three Tide pods out of five.

5. Wheelman

This movie is about a man with the magical power to turn into a wheel. Just kidding. It stars Frank Grillo as a getaway driver who works for the Mafia. But during one assignment, he's told to abandon the bank robbers and take off with the money. Then there's a bunch of gunshots, double-crosses and car chases. It looks like the whole movie takes place inside the car, which is an interesting concept, if nothing else.

My opinion: I'd rather watch Drive again. (or a movie about a man with the magical power to turn into a wheel.)

6. Roxanne Roxanne

Before Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, there was Roxanne Shante. Roxanne grew up in the Queensbridge Projects in the 80's, and was known as a fierce battle rapper. After recording a diss song that blew up, she was launched into superstardom. The movie is produced by the same team that made Fruitvale Station and Dope, which is a pretty good sign of quality. We've seen huge hip-hop artists like N.W.A., 2pac and The Notorious B.I.G. get their own biopics, but not an overlooked MC like Roxanne.

My opinion: See it to learn about one of the first female rappers, and so Roxanne doesn't diss you.

If you have ever experienced the horror of watching a sex scene with your parents in the room, Netflix has got you covered for one of their most recent titles.

If we're honest with ourselves, many of us will spend our free time unwinding by scrolling through streaming services to find something enjoyable to watch.

Sometimes we might even be joined by loved ones, and that's when things can get a little bit interesting, especially if parents are in the room.

Casting my mind back to Game of Thrones, it was tricky to watch that with family because it could take a, let's call it "passionate", turn at any moment.

If watching Obsession on Netflix was on your to-do list but you were concerned about the raunchy scenes, then fear not because the streaming service has timestamped when you should go and make a strategic drink in the kitchen.

Taking to Twitter, the official Netflix account penned: "If you've made the (questionable) decision to watch Obsession with your parents, these are the moments you'll probably want to excuse yourself."

This was followed up by episode numbers and timestamps which explained that during the first episode, viewers should leave at the 26-minute and 14-second mark.

In episode two the raunchy moment happens 32 seconds in and again at 22 minutes, episode three also holds two steamy moments at 10 minutes and 15 seconds, and at 25 minutes and 58 seconds - while in episode four you'll just need to vacate at two minutes and 15 seconds.

The comments of the tweet were full of grateful viewers who were taking heed of the warning and wanted to say thanks for the heads up.

"I feel embarrassed watching it and I’m watching on my own! Or rather I’ve stopped watching as bit too risqué for me," one person penned.

A second added: "Great series though, well worth a watch... Just not with the parents..."

Though it would seem that the warning came a little too late for some: "I cringed watching this with my wife. Episode 1. And thats as far as we go," another said.

Boasting a rating of 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, it would seem that the new thriller series has received a mixed reception from viewers and critics.

Jessie Thompson from the Independent referred to the show as being one of the funniest shows of the year, albeit completely unintentionally.

Thompson wrote: "Obsession has been hailed as the successor to Fifty Shades of Grey, but instead it gives us an overload of shlock, foreboding string music, and some depressing, grunty shagging."

Chris Vognar from Rolling Stone wrote: "For an erotic thriller on Netflix, Obsession pays admirable attention to craft, and this makes it a lot easier to take the whole thing seriously. It’s far more cinematic than it needs to be."

So let this be a warning, if you are caught watching Obsession with your parents in the room at the wrong moment - you only have yourself to blame.

Featured image credit: Piotr Adamowicz / Alamy